2024 Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina Watermelon U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Watermelon U-Pick Orchards in Columbia and surrounding counties in central South 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.

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Orangeburg County

• Henson Farms - beans, broad beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, U-pick and already picked
  107 Pin Oak Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Phone: (803) 860-1995. Email: hensonfarmssc@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday 6 pm to 9 pm; Saturday 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, during the harvest season; Call before coming to insure vegetables are available. Directions: We are located at the corner of Homestead Road and Pin Oak Street between Orangeburg and Santee, SC. We are 5 miles from I-26 Exit 159. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Henson Farms Please call before you come if you want us to pick your vegetables so your produce is ready when you arrive;We also have okra, honeydews, cantaloupes, and green peanuts. Please call before you come to insure we have the produce you want at that time. If you want us to pick your produce for you, please call ahead to give us time to harvest it so it is ready when you arrive(UPDATED: January 21, 2021 JBS) (ADDED: April 04, 2017)

Sumter County

• Dorr Farms - blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplants, melons, onions, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
  5225 Dorr Acres, Gable, SC 29051. Phone: 803-495-2639. Email: dorrfarms@ftc-i.net. Open: April 1 to August 30 from 9 am to 8 pm. Directions: 378 East, Right onto Brewington Road, 1.5 miles, right onto Congruity, go .7ths dirt road on left. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Strawberries April to June Blackberries June to July Blueberries May to AugustWe also sell hives of bees and lots of other produce such as Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Watermelon, Plums, Squash, Zuchini, Okra, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Pototoes, Peppers, String beans, Butterbeans, Carrots, Collard Greens, and Corn.(ADDED: January 28, 2017)

 

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