Northeastern North Carolina Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in !

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northeastern North Carolina 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 a state have strawberries farms 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather. See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Camden County

Williams Strawberry Farm - Strawberries, Cucumbers, Greenhouse Tomatoes,
1383 North HWY 343, South Mills, NC 27976. Phone: (252) 771-2647. Email: wmsfarms@embarqmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 7 pm, mid April thru May. Directions: Located on Hwy 343 in South Mills. Click here for a map and directions. Williams Strawberry Farm Phone: (252) 771-5252Crop availability: Strawberries, Greenhouse Cucumbers & Tomatoes, Bedding Plants - mid April-May. We have Strawberries and an on site bakery. . A "Little Bitty Bakery" on site. We make our own ice cream using an old fashioned 5 gallon ice cream churn and carry 8 flavors. The bakery carries a variety of homemade strawberry items like Strawberry Biscuits, Short Cake in a Cup, Strawberry Cakes and Strawberry Pies.

Chowan County

Dunlow Farm - Strawberries, Vegetables
1426 Paradise Road, Edenton, NC 27932. Phone: (252) 482-7367. Open: Sunday berries are plentiful Monday thru Saturday 7 am to dark; April-June. Directions: Located on Paradise Road exit off Hwy 17 by-pass in Edenton. Farm is 1st house on right as you exit onto Paradise Road. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (252) 482-5602Sunday (berries are plentiful) Monday thru Saturday 7 am to dark; April-June. Crop availability: Strawberries - April-June Mixed Vegetables - in-season.
Pigs Plus - Strawberries
311 Evans-Bass Road, Edenton, NC 27932. Phone: 252-221-8645. Open: April 15-June 1, from 8 am to 5 pm on Monday to Friday. Click here for a map and directions. Sell wide variety of produce wholesale or retail, most produced on-site.
Comments from a visitor on July 28, 2009: "I buy a box of peaches from them every year. The are pick your own, but they are open the rest of the summer for retail/wholesale produce and of course, pork products. Most of the annual produce is growing on site, but they bring in peaches, apples, etc from other farms which they sell."
Triple B Farms - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms
511 Ryland Road, Tyner, NC 27980. Phone: 252-221-4223. Email: robingail85@yahoo.com. Open: Approx; April 25 thru June 10. Directions: From Hertford, NC: Grubb Street Ext to Center Hill. Turn right on Happy Home Road At end take a right onto Ryland Road and the patch is on your left at the white 2-story house. From Edenton, NC: highway 32 N past Chowan Middle School, Ballard\'s Bridge Church and water tower $all on left$. Just past the water tower, turn right on Ryland Road At the "intersection" of Happy Home and Sign Pine Roads the patch is just ahead on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Triple B Farms Alternate Phone: 252-221-4788 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesFrom Hertford, NC: Grubb Street Ext to Center Hill. Turn right on Happy Home Road At end take a right onto Ryland Road and the patch is on your left at the white 2-story house. From Edenton, NC: highway 32 N past Chowan Middle School, Ballard's Bridge Church and water tower (all on left). Just past the water tower, turn right on Ryland Road At the "intersection" of Happy Home and Sign Pine Roads the patch is just ahead on leftPeak season is usually all of May Call to verify that the field is open;We would love to have you visit our patch to enjoy picking and chatting. Our facebook page is updated regularly during the season to let everyone know what is going on; with pictures!! Check it out now! Thanks!.

Currituck County

Point Harbor Pick Your Own Strawberries - Strawberries
135 James Griggs Road, Point Harbor, NC 27964. Phone: 252-491-8266. Open: Sunday to Saturday 8 am to 6 pm; April 15-May 31. Directions: Located 12 mile north of the Wright Memorial Bridge on Hwy 158. . Click here for a map and directions. Located 1/2 mile north of the Wright Memorial Bridge on Hwy 158

Halifax County

Plants & Things Greenhouse Nursery - Nursery Plants, Strawberries, Vegetables
PO Box 557, Halifax, NC 27839. Phone: (252) 583-9251. Open: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Directions: Located approximately 16 miles north of Rocky Mount on Hwy 48. . Click here for a map and directions. Crop availability: Strawberries Bedding Plants Hanging Baskets Vegetable plants. Assortment of cement articles & wooden yard furniture.

Hertford County

McCaskey Farms, Inc. - Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collards, Corn, Greens, Peppers, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Cucumber
145 McCaskey Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910. Phone: (252) 332-2855. Open: Monday to Friday 8 am to 7 pm; April thru January. Directions: Located 5 miles outside Ahoskie between St. John and Union Communities off Hwy 461 on McCaskey Road. Only structure on left 12 mile after turning onto McCaskey Road. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (252) 398-2419Located 5 miles outside Ahoskie between St. John and Union Communities off Hwy 461 on McCaskey Road. Only structure on left 1/2 mile after turning onto McCaskey Road Crop availability: May Peas - May Strawberries - May-July Cabbage - May-July & October- December Salad - May-June & October- December Snaps, Tomatoes & Bell Peppers - June-July Sweet Corn - July Squash & Cucumbers - June-August Butter Beans & Field Peas - July, August & September Broccoli - October- December Collards - November-January

Northampton County

Hackmans Strawberries - Strawberries
228 New Hope Lane, Margarettsville, NC 27853. Phone: (252) 585-0930. Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7 am to til dark. Directions: Located Severn Road 1333, one mile west of Hwy 35. Click here for a map and directions. Hackmans Phone: (252) 398-7017 Crop availability: are typically April 20 through the end of June. They are a Mennonite family, so please be understanding and respectful. Just call to confirm crop avaiability and dates, hours before you go

Strawberry

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:

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!
Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
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.
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

Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

close-up of the rows in a strawberry patch at at PYO strawberry field Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
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.
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.
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.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
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.
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.
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
S trawberry-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

2024 Northeastern North Carolina Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!