2024 Far Western North Carolina Watermelon U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Watermelon U-Pick Orchards in Far Western North Carolina in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a state have watermelons 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.

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Macon County

• J. W. Mitchell Farms - lettuce, spinach, tomatoes (including heirloom varieties), cucumbers, squash, peas, green beans, runner beans, black-eyed peas, okra, multiple peppers (hot and sweet), onions, watermelons, cantaloupe, beets, pumpkins, winter squash, and flowers, restrooms
  Bradley Creek Road, Franklin, NC 29734. Phone: 828-349-2725. Open: Usually they open May 1st; This year 2010 they open June 15 through about October; 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on Monday through Saturday; Closed Sunday. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, check. Usually they open May 1st; This year (2010) they open June 15 through about October; 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on Monday through Saturday; Closed SundayClick for here for a map and directions
  Comments from a visitor on June 03, 2010: "I love this farm. I live on the road next to it so I go there all the time. It is quite large and they let you pick almost anything they have. They usually have an extensive vegetable list as well as their own watermelons and cantaloupe. One of their specialties is you-pick flowers. They have some of the best corn around. No strawberries this year, but sometimes they grow them. They have also planted a young peach orchard. "

 

Watermelons

Watermelon Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Watermelons are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. Just slice, bite, and spit!

Picking tips:

Select plump, full watermelons with a yellowish cast to the spot that rests on the ground and a dried stem. A hollow thud sound when gently rapped also helps!

Watermelon Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that watermelons vary in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• A normal batch of 10 eight-ounce jars watermelon jelly requires 6 cups of watermelon flesh, minus seeds and rinds.  But the rinds can be used to make pickled watermelon rinds, so there is no waste.  Especially if your children have fun spitting the seeds at each other, too!

• Once picked, put the watermelons in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight.
• Want to grow your own watermelons?  Here's an article from Ohio State University about how to: Growing Watermelons in the Home Garden, HYG-1626-95

 

 

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