2024 Richmond area of Southeastern Virginia Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Richmond area of Southeastern Virginia 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

Amelia County

• Rocky Branch Farm, Inc - strawberries
  23350 Holly Farms Road, Jetersville, VA 23083. Phone: 804 561-5649. Open: 8 to 8, Monday-Saturday. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. , tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, sweet corn, lettuce, cabbage, collards, bedding plants, hanging baskets, and Rocky Branch Farm homemade jam

Chesterfield County

• Chesterfield Berry Farm - blackberries, pumpkins, strawberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, Bouncy castle or moon bounce, pony rides, farm animals, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  20501 Skinquarter Road, Moseley, VA 23120. Phone: 804-739-9056. Email: chesterfieldberry@gmail.com. Open: Strawberry season starts typically at the end of April on Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; see their website for updates. Directions: We are located on Hull Street Road360, 6 12 miles west of Woodlake. Also, from 288 take the 360 west exit and we are 8 miles on the right hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: 804-739-3831 We are located on Hull Street Road/360, 6 1/2 miles west of Woodlake. Also, from 288 take the 360 west exit and we are 8 miles on the right hand sideMarket opens mid March; Strawberry festival is May; Blackberry picking is July; Fall Harvest starts mid September
  Comments from a visitor on June 10, 2012: "This farm is very expensive. Just to get into the farm, it costs $5/person. Can't even pick berries without paying this admission fee."
  Comments from a visitor on April 30, 2009: "My family with young children has really enjoyed this farms pick your own pumpkins and strawberries. I have been to many farms and think this was a top notch experience. Go on festival days if you enjoy activities for children."

Goochland County

• Newcastle Bee and Berry Farm - blackberries, strawberries, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm
  4900 Broadstreet Road, Louisa, VA 22802. Phone: 804-385-7213. Email: newcastlebeeandberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Tuesdays 8 AM to 12 PM, 6PM to 8PM, Thursdays 8 AM to 12 PM, 6 PM to 8 PM, Saturdays 8 AM to 12 PM, 6 PM to 8 PM, Sundays 11 AM to 2 PM, follow on facebook for closings and picked out notifications. Directions: On route 250, Hadensville exit \(same exit as Goochland Drive in Movie Theater\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Call first if traveling a distance to confirm hours and conditions. Strawberries in May, Blackberries in July and hopefully raspberries in AugustOn route 250, Hadensville exit (same exit as Goochland Drive in Movie Theater) (UPDATED: May 05, 2019)

Hanover County

• Quail Hill Orchard - Strawberries
  10537 Gould Hill Road, Hanover, VA 23069. Phone: 804 746-8688. Email: quailhillorchard@gmail.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . during strawberry season; May & the first half of June from 8am to 7pm or until each day's harvest is picked (Call for up-dates)Pick-Your-Own and a limited supply of veggies & asparagus Also see nearby King William and Caroline Counties here

Henrico County

• Gallmeyer Farms The Berry Patch - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, fresh eggs, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  3622 Darbytown Ct., Richmond, VA 23231. Phone: (804)795-9979. Email: info@gallmeyerfarms.com. Open: 7 days a week 8am to 8pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Gallmeyer Farms The Berry Patch Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (804)737-8023 We are going to offer free daily hay ridesPick your own and prepicked strawberries from early May until middle of June; Annual Strawberry Fields Festival; Fresh picked spring vegetables grown on this farm. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals Pick your own strawberries with NO COVER CHARGE and free containers! We have other, available, Virginia grown spring vegetables. We also sell bottled water and sodas as well as our famous Gallmeyer Farms local, raw honey harvested from our own hives.(UPDATED: May 16, 2022)

New Kent County

• Couch's Corner Berries - blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, restrooms, group tours
  8201 Poindexter Road, New Kent, VA 23124. Phone: 804 932-3169. Email: ninefingers37@verizon.net. Open: Friday - Wednesday Closed Thursdays Sun-up to Sun-down; 7AM to 7PM. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Friday - Wednesday (Closed Thursdays) Sun-up to Sun-down; 7AM to 7PMPick your own asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries and strawberries. Also available honey, beeswax candles and jams. Best to call first to verify availabilityA visitor writes on July 03, 2014: "I went today with my children and we had a wonderful time. We picked a bucket of blueberries and a pint of raspberries. The farmer And his son were very nice, offering us water because it was hot and driving us to the best berry picking sections on their golf cart. We also bought yummy honey and farm made jelly. We will go back again." A visitor writes on July 02, 2014: "Today we stopped at in New Kent, Virginia. We picked five pints of amazing, delicious raspberries! The prices are very reasonable, the berries healthy and plentiful, and Mr. Couch was very helpful, even giving us bottles of water when it got hot. He stated that he has quite a bit of honey, and described his beekeeping experience as well. We will be back! Couchs Corner is just a mile or two from the Providence Forge rest area off I-64 and very easy to find. "
• Holly Fork Farm Produce & Pumpkin Patch - blackberries, strawberries, pumpkins, raspberries (red), Honey from hives on the farm, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  4901 Holly Fork Road, Barhamsville, VA 23011. Phone: 804 366 6349. Email: hollyforkfarm@gmail.com. Open: Tuesday thru Sunday open on Columbus day Monday closed all other Mondays. Directions: You can take 64 east to the West PointToano exit to get to us. We are about 5 minutes from the interstate, 45-50 minutes from Richmond, an hour from Virginia Beach and about 35 minutes from Newport News and Hampton Roads. Feel free to call if you need assistance. \(there is no detour to our farmIGNORE the signs on the way in or call if you need assistance getting here\) ALSO if you GPS instructs you to the route using Six Mt. Zion Rd DO NOT TAKE IT. it is CLOSED and GPS does not recognize it - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Holly Fork Farm Produce & Pumpkin Patch Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 757 566 0729They sometimes get picked out so always check their website or call before you go You can take 64 east to the West Point/Toano exit to get to us. We are about 5 minutes from the interstate, 45-50 minutes from Richmond, an hour from Virginia Beach and about 35 minutes from Newport News and Hampton Roads. Feel free to call if you need assistance. (there is no detour to our farm/IGNORE the signs on the way in or call if you need assistance getting here) ALSO if you GPS instructs you to the route using Six Mt. Zion Rd DO NOT TAKE IT. it is CLOSED and GPS does not recognize it (not sure why)!!! Pick an alternate route or give us a call ! Our farm is seasonal and is not open year round; We harvest mid to late June until November 1st; Call or visit our web site for specific hours of operationWe do out best to grow fresh veggies for you in the summer & provide a family friendly, relaxed pumpkin patch in the fall. We open the patch each year October 1st. We welcome groups of all types. We are handicapp and pet friendly too (leashes please). We offer a huge variety of pumpkins, gourds, corn stalk bundles, straw bales, mums, homemade jams, honey, homemade cakes, large game area, hay rides, pumpkin launching, pot bellied pigs, chickens, picnic area, & fun! It is worth the drive out to the country to come & see us

 

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