2024 Northeast from Atlanta - Gwinnett, Hall, I-85 to SC border in Georgia Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northeast from Atlanta - Gwinnett, Hall, I-85 to SC border in Georgia in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have strawberries 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.

Barrow County

• Pharr Farms - strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, pumpkins,
  480 Argonne Road, Winder, GA 30680. Phone: (678) 925-0246. Email: pharrfarms@gmail.com. Open: They post updates on their facebook pgae when they are open for picking. Click here for a map and directions. . This is a 4th generation family owned farms that offers u-pick strawberries, blueberries and blackberries in the spring and summer. They have home grown pumpkins in the fall and offer a wide-variety of home grown vegetables. Everything at the farm is grown and picked by them with the exception of the u-pick operation, where you can choose to pick the produce.Price update for 2022: U-Pick strawberries are $15 a gallon, Pre-picked berries are $17 a gallon. (ADDED: June 14, 2022, JBS)

Hall County

• Jaemor Farms - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, school tours
  5340 Cornelia highway, Alto, GA 30510. Phone: (770) 869-3999. Email: info@jaemorfarms.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: Directions to our farm and home market in Alto, Ga: From Atlanta: I-85 North to I-985 North \(this highway turns into highway 365 North of Gainesville\). We are located on the right at the 35 mile marker. From Athens: Take highway 129 north to I985 North \(Hwy. 985 changes to 365 North of Gainesville\). Jaemor Farms is located on the right at the 35 mile marker. Strawberry festival is typically the first Saturday in May; Peach festival is typically the first Saturday in August; Some years we are able to offer upick apples during the corn maze; Check our website for more details; 2018 corn maze dates are September 15 pm to November 4;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Jaemor Farms Facebook page. . Fax: 770-869-9173. . NOTE: they have only ONE day each year to pick strawberries and ONEday to pick peaches - don't miss those specific dates, Strawberries: First Saturday in May to 4 pm unless we pick out before 4 pm Peaches: First Saturday in August; 9 am to 4 pm unless we pick out before 4 pm. Click here for current open Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions to our farm and home market in Alto, Ga: From Atlanta: I-85 North to I-985 North (this highway turns into highway 365 North of Gainesville). We are located on the right at the 35 mile marker. From Athens: Take highway 129 north to I985 North (Hwy. 985 changes to 365 North of Gainesville). is located on the right at the 35 mile marker. Strawberry festival is typically the first Saturday in May; Peach festival is typically the first Saturday in August; Some years we are able to offer upick apples during the corn maze; Check our website for more details; 2018 corn maze dates are September 15 pm to November 4;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Please always check our website or Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information on events or specials for our farm market. Jaemor Farm Market is the largest of its kind in Georgia. Homemade fried pies, ice cream, apples, peaches, produce, and boiled peanuts & more. Located north of Gainesville on Hwy 365 at mile marker 35. Our sister market opened in July of 2013. This market is located on Hwy. 441 in Commerce at Banks Crossing beside Wal-Mart! Both markets are opened year-round. (UPDATED: June 18, 2018) A visitor writes on September 25, 2010: "My favorite farm thus far..have been many years in a row"
  Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2012: "Jaemar in Hall County, GA was great! I enjoyed the excellent choice of veggies and fruits. The canned items available we awesome. I went nuts for the different items they had for sale in the gift/store section! EXCELLENT! Will return!"

Jackson County

• Black Gold Worm Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beets, carrots, melons, peas, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Other fruit or veg, restrooms
  446 Swann Road, Jefferson, GA 30549. Phone: 706) 254-6292. Email: itsjeff4u@gmail.com. Open: Please call! We are usually here but we would like for you to have an appointment so that we can give you our full attention; Thank You 706254 pm to 6292. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Black Gold Worm Farm . Please call! We are usually here but we would like for you to have an appointment so that we can give you our full attention; Thank You 706)254 pm to 6292. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Uses natural growing practices, beets, carrots, melons, peas, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Mulberries etc DJA Farms (aka Rodriguez Farm) - blueberries, muscadines, scuppernongs106 Magnum Bridge Road, Maysville, GA. Phone: 706-335-2132. Crops are usually available: blueberries are available starting in June through July, the muscadines and scuppernongs in August, September, October. Monday to Friday early evenings; weekends during daylight hours. Containers are provided. (UPDATED: March 24, 2010, GAMB)

Madison County

• Moon Farms Country Market - strawberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  3498 Georgia Highway 72 East, Colbert, GA 30628. Phone: 706-338-0065. Email: strawberries@moon-farms.com. Open: from mid-April through May and sometimes June; Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Directions: From Athens: Take United States Highway 29 North toward Danielsville. Turn right onto GA Highway 72 East. Go approximately 10 miles. When you are approaching the farm, you will go past the junction for Georgia Highway 172 on your left. Right before the four lane highway turns into two lanes, you will see the strawberry field and market entrance on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Moon Farms Country Market Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Strawberries: April through June. You are also in for a treat with our "Good Ole Homemade Ice Cream. 2021 prices: You-Pick Gallon Bucket: $13; Pre-Picked Gallon Bucket: $16. We take cash or checks only! We provide you with a bucket to put all the strawberries. If you choose to keep the bucket it will be an additional $1.00. However, feel free to bring your own containers from home. You may always bring your bucket back with you when you return! (UPDATED: May 13, 2019, JBS)

Oconee County

• Washington Farms - flowers, pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, jumping pillow, ziplines, trike track, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, group reservations
  5691 Hog Mountain Road, Bogart, GA 30622. Phone: (706) 769-0627. Email: info@washingtonfarms.net. Open: Please see our website for dates and hours; Times are dependent on the season and the weather. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Washington Farms Facebook page. . Spring strawberry season is typically late April until early June; Fall season is typically late September until early November;. (UPDATED: July 14, 2021)Note from Blake: I've been to this farm many times. They are very well organized, the fields and berries are great and the people are very nice. The strawberries this year are amazing: huge, juicy, and flavorful through and through. Get there early for best picking!
  Comments from a visitor on June 02, 2012: "Washington Farms Watkinsville, Ga - (May 30/12) Picked blackberries and blueberries earlier this week. They were amazing, so big and juicy. Easy to pick with small children and they also have strawberries (however its towards the end of the season for strawberries). Check out their website for more info. Great location, friendly people and great picking! Most importantly delicious berries!!!, "
  Comments from a visitor on July 01, 2009: "We went to the Washington farm location that is in Watkinsville to pick blueberries, and they were so kind. Me and my family had SUCH a good time. My daughter in only 18months old and at a bunch of blueberries and they didn't get mad or upset, even though I said I would pay for more than what we picked, they told us not to worry about it. It was really family friendly and we will DEFINITELY be going back. "
  Comments from a visitor on April 30, 2009: "We love the friendly staff, large fields for picking & the play area. " Whippoorwill Blueberries - blueberries, U-pick and already picked1571 Whippoorwill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Phone: 706-769-1929. stephenandkay@bellsouth.net. June 15 to July 15 Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 8pm; closed on Monday. From Oconee County High School turn left off of 53 onto Union Church Road. Take right on Whippoorwill Road beside the church. One mile down on the left. Blueberries: June 15 to July 15. Payment: Cash, Check. Contact Kay Smith. (UPDATED: September 20, 2019, JBS)

Oglethorpe County

• Buffalo Creek Berry Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  810 Stevens Grove Church Road, Lexington, GA 30648. Phone: (706) 201-5553. Email: bcberryfarmga@gmail.com. Open: Thursday to Sunday, from 7 am to 2 pm; June and July. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Buffalo Creek Berry Farm Facebook page. . . We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We are committed to a wholesome product at an affordable price. The goal here is to keep everything natural, safe, and farm fresh! Where it is safe, we grow these fruits without pesticides, and this has been possible with blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries. We are careful to use the least toxic chemicals available and the smallest amount possible to do the job. We invite you to come down and see what we are doing for yourself! Why not stop by and see us this season. Berry Season will begin in April and BOOKINGS do not open until March. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING YOUR OWN PICKING CONTAINERS. Pay when you finish picking (cash, check, Venmo, CashApp are preferred). 3% processing fee for debit / credit card payments including Apple pay & Android pay. Note: A gallon picking bucket weighs about 4 to 5.5 lbs depending on how full you stack your berries. All strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and mulberries are the same you pick price ($5/lb in 2021).(UPDATED: May 01, 2018)A visitor writes on May 26, 2019: "The trip out to Buffalo Creek Berry far is so worth your time! Cameron and Laura are the nicest, loving people and you can't help being entertained by Elsie and her berry covered face, Savanna laughs at her all the time! You can see the love of the earth in this family by the care Laura takes with each plant or fruit and Cameron works so hard at keeping his land healthy and free of toxins, pesticides and harm. The strawberries were new this year, the rows were well maintained, the old fruit was removed to help prevent fungus and bugs, such a pleasant experience our group of ladies had. We treated ourselves with homemade strawberry ice cream afterwards! Support this working farm by spending some time out here, the proof is in the taste of these berries, you will not find more flavorful berries! You and your body will appreciate them too! Downtown Lexington was a wonderful stop too, the Rowdy Rooster carries the fruit if you can't make it all the way. Dr. Rhonda Mills"A visitor writes on June 30, 2013: "I visited the Buffalo Creek Farm today, June 30, 2013 with my four kids, ages 7 - 10 (yes, that includes a set of twins) and we thought the farm was just wonderful. We chose Buffalo Creek because they had peaches, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries and with four kids, they couldn't agree on just one kind, so this was perfect. The day we went, the peaches were not "pick your own," but they had some picked for you to buy. They did have rows and rows of blueberries - we could have picked all day long, and we didn't get there until almost noon because we drove in from Atlanta. We also picked full gallons of raspberries and blackberries! Now my only problem is what to do with all of the beautiful fruit we picked! The owners couldn't have been nicer. They were wonderfully sweet to my children and didn't mind if they ate some of the berries as we picked. Also, there were real bathrooms, not port-a-potties. The whole place was beautifully maintained and lovingly kept with bushes overflowing with fruit. Cannot recommend this farm enough! We will be back next year!"
  Comments from a visitor on July 18, 2010: "My wife and I were celebrating her birthday today, July 18th 2010, and she wanted to go to a peach farm as well as a blueberry farm. we checked all over the internet and found several within 75 miles of Suwanee,Ga. After checking out several of the farms and the comments left by customers we were concerned that we might go to a farm where the owners/managers would not have good customer service, or the farm might be in need of some lawn, poison ivy maintenance. Boy, were we surprised when we arrived at. The farm was in very good condition. The peach trees were in excellent condition and the blueberry bushes had been properly trimmed for the maximum output of berries as well as no poison ivy, and no tall grass on the farm. You could tell that the owners really cared about their farm as well as you, their customer. This farm is the best hidden secret this side of Georgia. Always call first, but you will not be disappointed with their peaches, blueberries or their true hospitality. "
• Rocky Ridge Farm Market - pumpkins, strawberries, porta-potties are available, picnic area, Bounce house, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
  525 Lexington Carlton Rd, Lexington, GA 30648. Phone: 706-207-5098. Email: dnash@windstream.net. Open: UPDATE for 2019, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were Call before you go - their website is just gibberish spam advertisements now - PYO or we pick Strawberries April 12 to June 1. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 706-540-7196. .

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   
   
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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