Find a local pick your own farm here!

Vegetable U-Pick Orchards in Deep South of Texas in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for vegetables that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have vegetables 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.

Cameron County

  • Universal Farms - No pesticides are used, eggplant, herbs or spices, onions, peppers, other vegetables,
    20821 Sam Houston, Rio Hondo, TX 78583. Phone: 281-777-9289. Email: nvnlx@sbcglobal.net. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website and Facebook pages are gone or outdated - I presume they have closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 512-663-8748Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me. Sunday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pmWe do not use pesticides on the cropsspecializes in Oriental Vegetables like winter melons, climbing spinach, water spinach, Dragon Fruit, sugar cane, water celery and more!

 

Vegetable PYO

Vegetable Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Pick veggies that are firm and free of blemishes.

Canning, Freezing, Drying, Preserving and more!

Below are links to pages with easy and reliable directions about how to can, preserve, freeze and make other goodies fromveggiess.  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!

Pickled vegetables

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.

Many more recipes and directions:

 

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