2024 Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for corn that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have corn orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Lancaster County

• Hall Family Farm - strawberries, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides,
  445 West Rebound Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. Phone: 704-562-4021. Email: info@hallfamilyfarm.com. Open: Tuesday to Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, Closed on Monday. Click here for a map and directions.
  Hall Family Farm Facebook page. . You do not need to make a reservation to visit or farm or pick strawberries; Spring u-pick strawberries, Fall pumpkin patch and corn maze, hayrides, funnel cakes, slushies, lots of family fun. Strawberry season begins late April. Musical hayride, giant sandbox, kids' mazes, bouncy balls, trikes, duck race, cold drinks, funnel cakes, snacks. We also offer a fun family experience with hayrides, covered picnic tables, and activities for kids of all ages. After pickin' and playin', come visit the sales tent for a refreshing cold slushie or unwind with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. And while you are there check out our cafe with hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken tenders , fries, doughnuts, funnel cakes, ice cream and other snacks. Facebook page. (ADDED: April 20, 2021, JBS)

Orangeburg County

• Henson Farms - beans, broad beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, U-pick and already picked
  107 Pin Oak Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Phone: (803) 860-1995. Email: hensonfarmssc@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday 6 pm to 9 pm; Saturday 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, during the harvest season; Call before coming to insure vegetables are available. Directions: We are located at the corner of Homestead Road and Pin Oak Street between Orangeburg and Santee, SC. We are 5 miles from I-26 Exit 159. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Henson Farms . Please call before you come if you want us to pick your vegetables so your produce is ready when you arrive;. We also have okra, honeydews, cantaloupes, and green peanuts. Please call before you come to insure we have the produce you want at that time. If you want us to pick your produce for you, please call ahead to give us time to harvest it so it is ready when you arrive. (UPDATED: January 21, 2021 JBS) (ADDED: April 04, 2017)
• Hinnant Farm - Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Corn, Pumpkins
  205 Hinnant Road, Eutawville, SC 29048. Phone: 803-492-3788. Open: Apr-Aug-Oct, 8 am to 6 PM. Click here for a map and directions. . Strawberries (Apr-Jun) Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches (June to Aug) U-Pick and We-Pick Sweet Corn & Other Vegetables. 3 miles west of Eutawville on Hwy. 6.
• Phillips Garden - beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, onions, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, prepicked produce
  960 Capital Way Highway 3, Springfield, SC 29146. Phone: 803-266-2156. Email: edistoashepooriver@yahoo.com. Open: Monday - Friday 9am to 1pm 4pm to 7pm Saturday 8am to 12pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Crops are usually available in March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December. Garden Veggies May 1 to August 30 Collards Mustard Turnips November 1 to January 5.

Sumter County

• Ambert Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, peas, pumpkins, rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs, farm animals
  2885 Steeplechase Dr., Dalzell, SC 29040. Phone: (803) 520-8815. Email: admin@ambertfarm.com. Open: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: Head west on E Liberty Street toward N Main St 46 s \(0.2 mi\) Take US-521 N to Frierson Road in Dalzell 14 min \(8.6 mi\) Take State highway 364 and Seymour Road to Steeplechase Dr. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, PayPal, ApplePay, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Ambert Farm Facebook page. . Fax: 8034452260. . Head west on E Liberty Street toward N Main St 46 s (0.2 mi) Take US-521 N to Frierson Road in Dalzell 14 min (8.6 mi) Take State highway 364 and Seymour Road to Steeplechase Dr. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. (ADDED: March 17, 2021)
• Dorr Farms - blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
  5225 Dorr Acres, Gable, SC 29051. Phone: 803-495-2639. Email: dorrfarms@ftc-i.net. Open: April 1 to August 30 from 9 am to 8 pm. Directions: 378 East, Right onto Brewington Road, 1.5 miles, right onto Congruity, go .7ths dirt road on left. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. . Strawberries April to June Blackberries June to July Blueberries May to August. We also sell hives of bees and lots of other produce such as Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Watermelon, Plums, Squash, Zuchini, Okra, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Pototoes, Peppers, String beans, Butterbeans, Carrots, Collard Greens, and Corn.(ADDED: January 28, 2017)

 

 

Choosing and Picking Corn

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers