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Tomato U-Pick Orchards in Macon - Columbus area of Georgia 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 a state have tomatoes 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

Bibb County

  • Elliott Farms - onions, summer squash, blackberries, strawberries, tomatoes, garlic, Honey from hives on the farm, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
    4761 Holley Road, Lizella, GA 31052. Phone: 478-935-8180. Email: elliottfarmsga@pstel.net. Open: Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm Sunday 10am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Elliott Farms April 01 thru May 31Crops are usually available in April, MayAnd now, we have Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream! Cash, Check. Note: they have two locations for picking strawberries: Location 1: 4761 Holley Road, Lizella, GA 31052 Location 2: 9515 Feagin Road, Macon, GA (off hwy 247)
    Comments from a visitor on July 05, 2009: "Love it"

Harris County

  • Cook Family Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplants, melons, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand
    2621 Hudson Mill Road, Hamilton, GA 31811. Phone: (706) 457-4684. Email: cookfamilyfarmga@gmail.com. Open: In 2021, U-Pick is by reservation only, and pre-picked berries will be available in the online farm store, Monday, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm; Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, April 14 to October 31. Directions: From I-185, exit 19, take GA 315 east to just beyond #9 mile marker. Turn left on Hudson Mill Rd, go 2.5 miles, farm on right. From US 27 heading north from Columbus, turn left on GA 315 west. Turn right on Hudson Mill Road \(first paved road on right past mile marker #10\), go 2.5 miles, farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
    Cook Family Farm Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesFrom I-185, exit 19, take GA 315 east to just beyond #9 mile marker. Turn left on Hudson Mill Rd, go 2.5 miles, farm on right. From US 27 heading north from Columbus, turn left on GA 315 west. Turn right on Hudson Mill Road (first paved road on right past mile marker #10), go 2.5 miles, farm on rightWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals(ADDED: March 19, 2018)

Macon County

 

Tomatoes

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. Varieties of tomatoes

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

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

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )Home canned tomato soup

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

Freezing Tomatoes

Drying tomatoes

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:

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

 

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