2024 Montgomery and southeastern Alabama Tomato U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Montgomery and southeastern Alabama in 2024, by county

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

Autauga County

• Melina Hills Farm - blueberries, chestnuts, cucumbers, figs, muscadine grapes, peaches, peppers, pomegranates, summer squash, tomatoes, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  3462 US highway 82 West, Billingsley, AL 36006. Phone: 205-280-8796. Email: melinahillsfarm@outlook.com. Open: Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 205-258-9825. Fax: 205 280 8796. . (ADDED: July 07, 2015)

Chilton County

• C&J Farms - okra, corn, peas, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, pole beans
  Route 1, Box 159-A, Lawley, AL 36793. Phone: (334) 375-1486. Open: June - August, Anytime Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday, PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU COME. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: (334) 366-2486. From Clanton take Highway 22 West 15 miles to Maplesville. Take U.S. Highway 82 West to Al. Hwy. 183 West; go 7 miles. Farm on right.
• Cooedy Farms - muscadine grapes, nectarines, peas, peaches, persimmons, plums, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked
  2949 County Road 354, Clanton, AL 35045. Phone: 205-389-1837. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 7 am to 8 pm May 1 to October 31. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. .

Coffee County

• Country Best Farms - Strawberries, tomatoes available to pick (more items may be available).
  1711 Moates Road, Enterprise, AL 36330. Phone: 334-393-7224. Open: most of the year with different products. Click here for a map and directions. Country Best Farms A visitor says "Squash, new potatoes, tomatoes, and other vegetables for sale in their produce store. Also, Nancy Helms makes homemade cakes, pies and ice cream. I believe they are open They have had field trips from local schools visit their farm. I believe they do take credit cards. Bob and Nancy Helms and their son, Joshua are friendly, down to earth people. They sell their produce for reasonable prices and their produce is always freshly picked. Their farm and produce store are always clean. "

Covington County

• Edmondson's Farm - Strawberries, cantaloupe, field peas, tomatoes, okra and other seasonal vegetables
  1423 Race Track Road, Florala, AL 36442. Phone: 334-858-7963. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash/Check. . Look for their signs on AL Hwy 55 and 331 South directing to the farm and an indication as to what's in season.
  Comments from a visitor on July 23, 2009: "The Edmondson's strawberries are the best I have ever tasted. They are juicy, sweet, and beautiful in color/size. Their tomatoes are wonderful, too. Picking your own won't take long and the price is right, too."

Elmore County

• Barber Berry Farm, LLC - blueberries, muscadine, scuppernongs, peppers, persimmons, tomatoes, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
  2362 Alabama River Parkway, Millbrook, AL 36054. Phone: 334-549-4710. Email: kenandanida@barberberryfarm.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Barber Berry Farm, LLC Facebook page. . . Berries are usually ripe for picking the first week of June through the middle of July. ome visit our farm in Millbrook, Alabama where you can pick your own pesticide-free blueberries from late May through early July along with pesticide-free muscadine and scuppernongs from late August through September. We also grow a variety of vegetables in our covered outdoor hydroponic garden. We sell these along with our raw honey and Asian persimmons, when in season, at our fruit stand and through our online Produce Shopping List Service. 2019 prices are Blueberries (Late May through Early July) 1/2 gallon bucket: $8 (approx 2.75 lb of fruit)1 gallon bucket: $15 (approx 5.5 lb of fruit)Muscadine and Scuppernongs (Late Aug through early Oct) 1/2 gallon bucket: $6 (approx 2.75 lb of fruit)1 gallon bucket: $10 (approx 5.5 lb of fruit) 3 or more gallons: $ 9 per gallon bucket (UPDATED: October 4, 2020 JBS)

Geneva County

• Aplin Farms - strawberries(u-pick and pre-picked)and peaches, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, figs, flowers, onions, peas, pecans , peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, and prepicked produce, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  2729 N Co Rd 49 , Dothan, AL 36305. Phone: 334-726-5104. Email: japlin4863@gmail.com. Open: Daily. Directions: From Dothan take Hwy 84W about 5.5 miles. Turn left on County Road 49. Go about 5.6 miles on Co Rd 49. The Farm will be on the right. Co Rd 49 is also known as South Bay Springs Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Call for Hay Ride Times. Groups can make reservation Monday through Friday. Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch are open the Month of October. All other crops are available from May to October. Call for availability. Also operates greenhouse; we sell: Ferns, hanging baskets, & many other types of plant in the spring and Mums in the fall. (UPDATED: October 20, 2020 JBS)

Henry County

• Bretts Garden - Uses natural growing practices, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, onions, other berries, peas, pecans , peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked, picnic area you may bring your own food
  2030 County Road 29, Abbeville, AL 36310. Phone: 561-718-1502. Email: orders@brettsgarden.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, 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 Upick from 8 am to 3 pm on weekends only , Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3 Closed from December 15 pm to March 15 , July 15 pm to September 1. Directions: North of Dothan, South of Eufaula , off 431 Located on county road 29 1 12 miles off intersection Turn at the liberty gas station. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Bretts Garden Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 561-376-8992. Fax: 561-622-7652. . North of Dothan, South of Eufaula , off 431 Located on county road 29 1 1/2 miles off intersection Turn at the liberty gas station. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. potatoes,cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, collard greens,okra,lettuce,swiss chard, we also sell home made jams ,hot sauces, jared peppers,pickles and shelled candied and raw pecans. WE HAVE A LARGE VARIETY OF CROPS GROWING MOST OF THE YEAR CHECK OUT WHATS AVAILABLE BY LOGGING INTO OUR SITE AND REVIEWING THE "WHATS GROWING" SECTION ON OUR PRODUCTS PAGE. WE WILL UPDATE PRODUCTS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: February 28, 2015)

Houston County

• Bell Farms - Tomatoes, okra, squash, bell pepper, hot pepper, watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, turnips, and collards.
  3329 Iris Road, Dothan, AL 36301. Phone: (334) 677-5267. Open: June 1 to August 1; Daily from 7 am to 7 pm. Directions: 6 miles south of Dothan on Hwy 231. . Click here for a map and directions. . Peas, corn, watermelons, cantaloupes.Note, their website is done in 2017, but they may still be open, it's a very, um, laid back operation. Be sure to call before you go!, (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Lee County

• AEM Veggies and Plants - Blackberries, tomatoes
  1270 Lee Rd 47, Opelika, AL 36804. Phone: (334) 745-4338. Email: mickieeades@att.net. Open: End May - July on Monday to Saturday from 8 am - 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . 7 miles S of Opelika on State Hwy 51, turn on Lee Rd 47, 1 mile on right. 8 miles N of Hwy 80. Travel State Hwy. 51, turn on Lee Rd 47. (ADDED: June 21, 2018, JBS)
• Randle Farms - Blueberries, honey, tomatoes, peppers, herbs. Call for other items
  9215 Lee Rd 54, Auburn, AL 36380. Phone: (334) 749-1073. Open: Please see our website for hours of operations. Directions: I-85 to exit 58, go east on Gateway Dr to dead end. Turn right on Lee Rd 54 to 4-way stop. Farm is 3 miles on left. . In addition to seasonal PYO . Click here for a map and directions. . crops, near Auburn, Alabama, grows quality meats and produce for our farm store, our Community Supported Agriculture program, and local restaurants. If you are in the area, stop by and see us! We now have about 20 acres producing 13 different varieties. Blueberry season lasts from June to August. You can buy our blueberries pre-picked, or you can pick them yourself. You-Pick Blueberries Our blueberry crop is typically ready around mid June. Our weekly hours are posted here and on our Facebook page. You-pick blueberries are $2.50/lb. Buckets will be provided for picking, as well as some shady spots to rest during your time at the farm. Please bring water and wear appropriate clothes. It gets hot out there! We can no longer allow pets on the farm, even with a leash.(UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS) (UPDATED: June 14, 2016)
• Shade Tree Farm - tomatoes, other vegetables,
  815 Lee Road 288, Smith Station, AL 36877. Phone: 256-504-4102. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Highway 280 to Lee Road 288 then 1.3 miles on the right. 14 mile from the Flea Market. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 256-504-4096. Highway 280 to Lee Road 288 then 1.3 miles on the right. 1/4 mile from the Flea Market. Bell Peppers, Jalepenos, and Corn coming soon!.

 

Tomato Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Pick tomatoes that are firm and free of blemishes. Cracking is common in very hot weather, especially after a rain, and if you intend to use the tomatoes within 1 day, that will be ok.

During hot summer weather, pick the tomatoes when they have a healthy pink/red (or yellow or orange depending on the variety) color and let them finish the last day or two of ripening indoors. Tomatoes do not need to be in the sunlight in order to ripen. If you have green fruit on the plants in the fall when frost is approaching, pick the tomatoes and store them in a cool, dark place to ripen.

Tomato Varieties

In general paste or Roma-type tomatoes are the best to using for canning, as they have thicker, meatier walls and far less water. And cherry tomatoes are the worst to use, as they are mostly water.  But you can use any type you can get hold of.  You may just have to cook them down longer to boil off excess water.  See our Master list of tomato varieties

Growing tomatoes

• Master list of tomato varieties
• Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties
• How to Grow Tomatoes in Your Yard or Patio - Everything you need to know
• Detailed directions to starting tomatoes from seed
• Master List of Roma and Paste Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
• Master list of disease-resistant tomato varieties
• Tomato plant diseases

Canning, Freezing, Drying, Preserving Tomatoes and more!

Below are links to pages with easy and reliable directions about how to can, preserve, freeze and make other goodies from tomatoes.  Some of these require a Pressure Canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a water bath canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

And don't miss: Answers to common tomato canning problems and see this page about what to do with your unripe green tomatoes!

Prepping tomatoes

• How to quickly and easily remove tomato skins

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )

• How to can tomatoes using a water bath canner - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Bruschetta - W
• Tomato sauce - W
• Tomato paste - W
• Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) - W
• Chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Tomato Preserves- W
• Tomato salsa - W
• Spaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
• Spiced Green tomatoes- W
• Pickled Green Tomatoes - W - another pickled green tomato recipe, this one sweet
• Ketchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
• NEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe - W
• Salsa from your unripe, GREEN tomatoes! - W
• Tomatillo salsa - W
• How to make roasted tomatoes, boiling water bath canner version - W

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

• Canned tomatoes using a Pressure Canner - P
• Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P
• Canning your own chili con carne (with meat) - P
• How to make roasted tomatoes, pressure canner version - P
• Spaghetti sauce - with meat  - P
• Stewed tomatoes - P
• Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - P
• Tomato sauce - P
• Tomato juice - P
• Tomato juice, like V8 - P

Freezing Tomatoes

• How to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!
• Space-saving prepping and freezing extra tomatoes from your garden to can later

Drying tomatoes

• NEW! How to make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Food drying basics and principles
• How to dry your own herbs
• Food Dehydrators - models, specs and pricing information

Ripening green tomatoes in your garage or basement

If you want to bring your green tomatoes indoors before a freeze in the Fall, and ripen them, see:

• How to ripen your green garden tomatoes indoors in the Fall and Winter.

And if you'd like to start you own tomatoes from seed (you can save a small fortune and grow the heirloom varieties you like) see this page for easy directions for growing your own tomato plants from seed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

• See this page for answers to many common questions about tomatoes.

 

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