2024 Macon - Columbus area of Georgia Tomato U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

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 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.

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 31. Crops are usually available in April, May. And 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, eggplant, 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 updates. 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. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (ADDED: March 19, 2018)

Macon County

• Lambert - corn, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes
  Garden Valley Road, Ideal, GA . Phone: 678-850-0094. Click here for a map and directions. .

Upson County

• The Rock Ranch - blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, muscadine grapes, other berries, raspberries (red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, ziplines, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock, GA 30285. Phone: 706-647-6374. Email: info@therockranch.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year 2022. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  The Rock Ranch Facebook page. . UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year (2022). After much thought and consideration,our team has made the very difficult decision to suspend operation for the time being. We will miss seeing each of you, but our highest priority is the safety of our guests and our team. If you have a specific question, please email Check the Website for availability. (ADDED: February 24, 2015) A visitor writes on October 29, 2013: "This farm offers all sorts of special events for families. They have a locomotive train, pony rides, paddle boats, pedal carts, a giant jumping pillow, Tiny Town (a children's playhouse village), zip lines, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon and more. You can camp in a covered wagon. Their produce stand and U-pick area is great with awesome strawberry ice cream and a free playground and tree fort area. This place is awesome for company picnics, family outings, school field trips, senior bus tours, camping outings and more. "

 

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