2024 Fredericksburg, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Fredericksburg, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a state have strawberries 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.

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

Caroline County

• Mount Olympus Berry Farm - Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, melons, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and gourds
  23298 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ruther Glen, VA 22546. Phone: (804) 448-0395. Email: mary@mtolympusfarm.com. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, daily, April-October 31. Directions: Located at U.S. 1 in Carmel Church. I-95 exit 104 \(Bowling GreenCarmel Church\). Go west on Route 207 to U.S. Route 1. Turn right \(north\) on U.S. 1. Go approximately one mile. Farm in on the left. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mount Olympus Berry Farm Facebook page. ; FAX (804) 448-2913, FAX (804) 448-2913 Located at U.S. 1 in Carmel Church. I-95 exit 104 (Bowling Green/Carmel Church). Go west on Route 207 to U.S. Route 1. Turn right (north) on U.S. 1. Go approximately one mile. Farm in on the left Call for current in-season hours.Mount Olympus Farm is a family owned farm located between Richmond and Fredericksburg, VA. You can pick-your-own (PYO) strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. We also take pride in offering a large variety of high quality fresh vegetables including many heirloom varieties. Our garden center has many perennials, herbs, annuals, shrubs, etc. Can't make it to our farm? Look for the Mt. Olympus truck bringing fresh produce to several Northern Virginia producer-only farmer's markets. Farm stand and garden center/nursery with locally-grown fruit and veggies. Jams, jellies, and local honey available. Convenient to Richmond or Northern Virginia areas. Customers welcome to picnic by the lake. Arrange for your daycare or school group to come pick their own pumpkin. Please call for current hours and picking conditions. They also have bulk / wholesale pumpkins. Mt. Olympus Berry Farm Facebook page. (UPDATED: September 20, 2020 JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on July 12, 2011: "Excellent. First visit this weekend & would highly recommend it. We went for U-pick blueberries & blackberries, both of which were available this past weekend. Also have nice farm market., restrooms, picnic area. Not organic, but sustainable. I think they do holiday themed events. A lot of detail on their web page & on Facebook"

Fredericksburg City

• Braehead Farm - strawberries, beans, blackberries, cucumbers, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties
  1130 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Phone: 540-899-9848. Email: Info@braeheadfarm.com. Open: 7 days a week 10 am to 6 pm; Open until 6:30 pm on Saturdays during the Harvest Festival from September 28 to November 3. Directions: Interstate 95 to Route 3 East, go approximately 2 miles to right on Belman Road, right on Tyler Street, farm on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Braehead Farm Facebook page. Fax: 540-899-9847 If you need to come before 10 Am to beat the heat, just give us a call in advance and we will try to accommodate you! Availability of Pyo: APRIL: Strawberries and could possibly be ready by the end of April! Also pre-picked asparagus in the Market! Asparagus is the only crop we grow that is NOT pick-your-own. MAY: strawberries,JUNE: some strawberries, vegetablesJULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER: Blackberries, Raspberries, tomatoes, vegetables OCTOBER and NOVEMBER: Pumpkins, vegetables, and a few blackberries and raspberries. (UPDATED: November 30, 2015, JBS)

King William County

• Pleasant Fields Farm - blackberries, blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, restrooms
  1765 Nelsons Bridge Road, Hanover, VA 23069. Phone: 804-994-2791. Email: pleasantfields@aol.com. Open: UPDATE FOR 2021: here will not be any pick your own in 2021 Hopefully maybe in 2022; Pick - your - own is available from daylight to dark and Hayrides and Haunted Forest is open Thursdays and Fridays 5pm to 10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 1pm to 10pm. Directions: Route 30 to Dabneys Mill Road; go about 1 mile; Turn right onto Nelsons Bridge Road; Farm will be about a 1 on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Pleasant Fields Farm We open in May with pick-your-own Strawberries and our Self-Serve Stand; Then we have Blueberries ,Blackberries and Raspberries; In the fall starting October2 pm to November 1st We have our hayrides and Haunted Forest along with pumpkins and MumsCrops are usually available in April through October(UPDATED: May 04, 2018, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on August 02, 2009: "My husband and I went picking at Pleasant Fields Farm this morning. Blackberries were plentiful, and raspberries were just beginning to come into season. Blueberries were advertised, but were picked clean. The farm is open from daylight to dark. Today (a Sunday) it was operating on the honor system, and cash or checks could be left for payment. There was a nice farm stand with lots of produce pre=picked: watermelons, corn, butternut squash, zucchini, acorn squash, eggplant, apples, oranges, peaches, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, a variety of potatoes, lemons, limes, and fresh honey. I don't know how much of it was local (the tomatoes and honey definitely were). No fresh cut flowers available, but we weren't looking for them anyway. There is a restroom available."

Middlesex County

• Merryvale Farm - beans, flowers, peas, strawberries,
  15873 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, Virginia, VA 23043. Phone: 804-776-7554. Email: merryvalefarm@verizon.net. Open: Monday through Wednesday, from 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Merryvale Farm Locally grown produce for over eighty years. Spring strawberries, summer veggie variety, and our world famous fall sweet potatoes

Spotsylvania County

• Miller Farms Market - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, picnic area
  12101 Orange Plank Road, Locust Grove, VA 22508. Phone: (540) 850-5009. Email: info@millerfarmsmarket.com. Open: Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm; closed on: Sundays. Directions: From Orange use route 20 north for 12 miles. Turn right on route 621. Drive 8 miles and we are on the left. From Fredericksburg use route 3 west for 9 miles. Turn left on route 621. Drive 5 miles and we are on the right. Strawberries: Starting May 10 , Blackberries: starting July 1, Pumpkins starting September 15. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. We also have natural milk products \(milk in glass bottles, yogurt, cheese, ice cream\), and natural meat products\(beef, pork, - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Miller Farms Market Facebook page. From Orange use route 20 north for 12 miles. Turn right on route 621. Drive 8 miles and we are on the left. From Fredericksburg use route 3 west for 9 miles. Turn left on route 621. Drive 5 miles and we are on the right. Strawberries: Starting May 10 , Blackberries: starting July 1, Pumpkins starting September 15We also have natural milk products (milk in glass bottles, yogurt, cheese, ice cream), and natural meat products(beef, pork, chicken, lamb, bison). UPDATED: October 19, 2013X)
  Comments from a visitor on July 12, 2011: "We pick strawberries here every year, including this year (we went twice!). That's an excellent farm. Late in the strawberry season, they reduce their prices as the picking gets more scarce. As your listing already says, they do u-pick strawberries & blackberries. They have an outstanding farm market with fresh produce, local meat, dairy, honey, preserves, gifts, plants, etc. They have a picnic & play area, and they're a super nice farm family. Their only down side is that they aren't open on Sundays, which is frequently the only day I have free for a u-pick adventure. That's how we ended up going to Mt. Olympus instead. Both are great places, I would easily recommend either one.". (
  Comments from a visitor on May 26, 2010: "Miller Farms Markets is still up and running, and we will be picking strawberries there this weekend. I'll report back!"

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   
   
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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