If you yearn to spend a day picking berries in the scorching sun, you’re in the right place because Raleigh bursts with u-pick farms! These self-service paradises promise a day of wholesome fun (or perhaps a solitary adventure for the dedicated berry-seeker with a basket and a dream). Let this be your guide to berry picking in Raleigh. You will navigate fields of thorns, dodge elbows of overzealous pickers, and emerge with a basket overflowing with sweet loot.
So, grab a wide-brimmed hat and prepare for a berrylicious day of berry picking in Raleigh.
Berry Picking Tips
- It’s always a good idea to call ahead or check social media to confirm that the farms are open as their hours change depending on the weather and availability.
- Be prepared with cash as not all farms accept card payment.
- Make sure to have sunscreen and a hat and anything else you need to protect yourself from the sun.
- And leave your pets at home.
What’s in Season When?
Here are the typical growing seasons for berries and other fruit in Raleigh:
- Strawberries are in season April through June
- Blueberries are in season May through July
- Blackberries are in season June through July
- Peaches are in season June through September
- Apples are in season August through February
- Pumpkins are in season September through October
Here’s a chart that shows what’s in season at different times of the year, but there is variation from year to year and from farm to farm, so always call ahead or check social media before planning a day of berry picking in Raleigh.
Best Places for Berry Picking in Raleigh
Here are the finest berry patches and farms overflowing with berries.
Hunts Strawberry Farm
4505 Watkins Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616
Hunts Strawberry Farm has u-pick and pre-picked strawberries April through June. Keep an eye out for pound cake and strawberry honey as well!
Page Farms
6100 Mt Herman Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617
Page Farms is a fourth generation family farm working together on the land that they grew up on. What started as a hundred acre tobacco farm in 1922 has seen many different crops over the last 100 years.
Currently, they have u-pick and pre-picked strawberries from mid-April through June, as well as flowers and vegetables at the farm stand. Keep an eye out in June for blackberries as well.
In the fall, visit their pumpkin patch, complete with a corn maze, hayrides, a playground, cow train, farm animals, and more! Stop by the farm store to shop the locally handmade crafts and a wide variety of jams, jellies, ciders, vinaigrettes, and local raw honey from beehives on the farm.
Tailgate Farm
2610 Olive Branch Rd, Durham, NC 27703
Tailgate Farm is a small family run farm established in 2016. They now have 1 acre of blueberries with around 800 plants and over 400 blackberry plants.
This new farm is generally open for blueberries, blackberries, cut flowers, and fresh vegetables in June and July. They also sell handcrafted, scented soy wax candles, hair accessories, and other products on their website.
Porter Farms & Nursery
7615 Ten-Ten Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603
Enjoy fresh, local produce at Porter Farms & Nursery, a family-run farm. They grow their fruits and vegetables on site, picking them daily to ensure peak freshness. Stop by in the spring for a fun day of strawberry picking, or visit in the fall for their pumpkin patch and beautiful mums.
Load up on the most delightful fruits and vegetables at their roadside market, open from April to October. They offer the tastiest seasonal varieties available.
Pope’s Strawberry Farm
1305 Fayetteville St, Knightdale, NC 27545
Just 20 minutes east of Raleigh, Pope’s Strawberry Farm offers a delightful u-pick experience. From April to June, you can fill your basket with freshly picked strawberries but they also have pre-picked strawberries available if that’s your thing.
Their season expands through the summer, with blueberries taking over in June through August. And for all your other summer produce needs, be sure to check out their farmstand for a bounty of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and even homemade preserves!
Ogburn Berries and Produce
13049 Old Stage Rd, Willow Spring, NC 27592
Ogburn Berries and Produce is a family farm going back four generations. Located about 30 minutes south of Raleigh, they offer a berrylicious experience. From April to June, plump, red strawberries are ready to be picked.
And throughout the summer, their fields overflow with a vibrant variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, all guaranteed farm-fresh at their roadside farm stand at 13065 Old Stage Road.
Do you like berry picking or do you prefer your food ready to eat??
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