Manatee County, west Florida U-Pick Farms - 2024 PickYourOwn.ORG

Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in Manatee County, west Florida? Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in Manatee County, west Florida, sorted by county. Those that offer organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name  (see "What does Organic mean?"). The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this page" function) If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website. If you find anything outdated or inaccurate, see the customer and farmer menus (as appropriate) at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!

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

Note: Beware the copycat websites like the one that stole our name and uses .farm extension: they copied my work and do NOT even update the info! I make updates EVERY day. They use tech tricks to get higher rankings, but have many more inaccuracies and out-dated info. Obviously, I cannot check every farm every day, but I do check as many as I can every day, and respond to all requests.  They don't. Don't support the scammers!

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! And if you know of any farms I missed and want to add a farm, please let me know!   I'm making updates for this year as fast as I can - if you find anything out-of-date, wrong or not working - please let me know! This website is supported by purchases you make through the links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This allows me to continue to maintain the website and make improvements!

What's in season in December 2024, and other timely information:

Notes for December 2024: Crop growth is slowing down, except for Christmas tree farms and if you live in southern California, southern Texas, Florida or along the Gulf coast where citrus are starting, and believe it or not, the blueberry and strawberry season in those areas is about to begin. See your state harvest calendar . This year, much of the country is still seeing mild weather, so lettuce, peas, broccoli, cabbage  and other greens are thriving.  And this is a good time to get a canner and  learn how to preserve foods for the winter, like canning some applesauce, apple butter or jam, which make great gifts. As do your own homemade specialty liqueurs! How about homemade cranberry sauce or a pumpkin pie made from a real pumpkin for the holidays? See our comprehensive list of easy home canning, jam and jelly making, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can access recipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. A fun winter activity is to make your own ice cream, even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me!

Valentine's Day - February 14 - See this website for Valentines Day history, facts and Amazon's top picks for fast, easy, inexpensive gifts for the man, woman or children in your life!

Easter will be April 4, 2021 - if you want to take your children to a free Easter egg hunt - see our companion website to find a local Easter Egg hunt!

 

Children's Consignment Sales occur in both the Spring and Fall  See our companion website to find a local community or church kid's consignment sale!

Manatee County, west Florida U-Pick Farms and Orchards in 2024, by county

Click on the resources drop-down above, if you need a county map

Note about strawberries in Florida: There are a few strawberry u-pick farms in Florida open during the entire season, which lasts from December through April). Most commercial farms do not open their fields to the general public until the end of the season, which is usually in April (depending on the weather).

NOTE: The exit numbers on the Interstates have changed, but we have no way of knowing what the new correct exit numbers are until the farmers correct their listings; so be sure to ask when you call the farms!

• Florida's fruit and vegetable festivals
• Florida citrus harvest calendar (when to go pick oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes)
• Other crop availability / harvest schedule - click here
• Farm markets, roadside stands,
• Local meat, milk, eggs, local honey, horse riding, farm B&B's etc.

Manatee County

• BellaBlue Berry Farm - blueberries, Honey from hives on the farm, porta-potties are available
  43405 State Road 64 East, Myakka Head, FL 34251. Phone: 727-364-4899. Email: doug.bellablueberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 9am until 7pm; Weekdays can be available if they do not conflict with our commercial harvest; Please call and inquire. Directions: From Bradenton we are located on State Road 64 East about 25 minutes from Interstate 75. From central Florida we are about the same distance on State Road 64 West from Zolfo Springs. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. 2015 Update: Our blueberry season usually begins about the third week of March and continues until the end of May, or until all the fruit is harvested. This year the fruit is developing early so follow us on Facebook for updates. Generally there will be plenty of fruit available since there are thousands of plants, however we suggest that you call ahead. We use an integrated pest management system and do not apply chemical pesticides to our fruit. Please visit our website and like us on Facebook. See you at the farm!.
• Hunsader U-Pick Farms - vegetables, strawberries, Pumpkins, flowers, eggplants, peppers, Black-Eyed Peas , green beans, okra, Purple Hull Peas, rhubarb, tomatoes,
  5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, FL. Phone: 941-322-2168. Email: dkhunsader@msn.com. Open: September through early June on Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm; the U-Pick fields close at 4 pm Mon-Sat; U-Pick fields close at 3 pm on Sundays. U-pick hotline (941) 331-1212. Typically, they have (through their seasons): Cantaloupes, watermelons, corn, acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash. Others: broccoli (December 1-April 1), Cabbage (December 1-April 1), Cantaloupes (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Cauliflower (December 1-April 1), Citrus (November 1-April 1), Cucumbers (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), FL. Sweet onions (December 1-June 1), Gourds (September 15-November25), Hard squash (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Peppers (October 20-December 10, May 1-June 15), Pumpkins (September 20-November 25), Sweet corn (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Tomatoes (October 20-December 10, May 1-June 15), Watermelons (September 15-December 1, April 15-June 15), Strawberries (December 15-May 1) Zinnia, wildflower, and sunflower u-pick. Hunsader Farms Facebook page. 
  U-Pick crops by typical dates:
  Black-Eyed Peas Sept-Nov & April-May
  Eggplant Oct-Nov & April-May
  Green Beans Sept-Nov & April-May
  Okra Sept-Nov & April-May
  Purple Hull Peas Sept-Nov & April-May
  Rhubarb Jan-March
  Strawberries Dec-March
  Tomatoes Nov-Dec & May
  Zipper Peas Sept-Nov & April-May
• Hydro-Taste - 2021 permanently closed
  7308 Verna Bethany Road, Myakka City, FL 34251. Open: Click here for our Facebook page. UPDATE for 2021, Yelp says they are permanently closed.
• O'Brien Family Farms - 2021 permanently closed
  16505 State Road 64 East, Bradenton, FL 34212. Open: UPDATE for 2021, The news says they are permanently closed. See this news story.
• Old Mission Vineyards - Grapes
  19600 SR 64 East, Bradenton, FL 34212. Phone: 941-746-6334. Open Monday thru Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm, Beginning July 24th. 8 miles east of I-75 on south side of SR 64, Nobles and Carlos $1.00/LB, We have grapevines for sale.
• Plesscher Groves - 2024 may be closed, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, other citrus, tangerines, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked
  3350 Co. Road 675 E, Bradenton, FL 34211. Phone: 941-322-2030. Open: UPDATE for 2024, A visitor tells me they are permanently closed, I have not been able to confirm this, Does anyone have more information, like a phone or email address? If so, please write me!. Valencia Oranges are currently available; The Groves are open December 5th to April 1st annually, 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Tampa: Follow I-75 S. Take exit 220 for FL-64 E s. Turn left onto FL-64 E. Turn right onto Co Road 675/Waterbury Road The groves will be on your Right. From Sarasota: Follow I-75 N. Take exit 220A for FL-64 E. Turn right onto FL-64 E. Turn right onto Co Road 675/Waterbury Road The groves will be on your Right. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We also sell firewood.
• Rosa Fiorelli Winery - Muscadines, grapes, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  4250 County Road 675, Bradenton, FL 34211. Phone: 941-322-0976. Fax: 941-322-8208. Email: rfwinery@mailmt.com. Open: The winery is open year round everyday except Tuesdays; The fields are open for u-pick in August, call ahead for exact dates. Directions: When traveling North down I-75 take the exit for SR 64. Head East on SR64 for approximately 12 miles. Turn right on County Road 675. Look for flags in front of our driveway, winery is on the right. When traveling South on I-75 take the exit for SR70. Head East on SR70 for approximately 12 miles. Turn left on County Road 675. Look for flags in front of our driveway, winery is on the left. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. This venue, where we host most of our events: Wine and Dine Dinners, Ladies' Nights, etc., is available for rent for many purposes. We host many weddings here in the vineyard, as well as baby showers, anniversary parties, birthday parties, private dining events, corporate events, and even date nights

---

For availability of other non pyo crops (berries, vegetables, etc.) in Florida, click here!

---

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