North Carolina farms are some of the best in the country.
In fact, NC State University—an agricultural school itself—reports that the state produces more than half of America’s sweet potatoes (1.7 billion pounds each year), is fourth in the country for pumpkin production, and is fifth in the country for cucumbers. The warm climate also makes it one of the best states for berry picking, especially raspberries and blackberries.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west to Neuse River near the coast, dozens of farms allow visitors to pick their own delicious fruits and vegetables.
The “U-pick” style benefits the businesses and locals alike. Owners can make the most of harvest season while locals can get back to nature, learn about local agriculture, support small businesses, and bring home the best produce they can find. It’s a win-win if you ask us!
Fruits and veggies vary by season. During the summer and fall of 2023, U-pick farms across North Carolina offer the following crops:
- Cherries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Peaches
- Muscadine Grapes
- Apples
- Flowers
- Pears
- Pumpkins
- Pecans
Here’s a comprehensive list of all the area farms and orchards where you can pick these goodies yourself. We’ve also included the months when each fruit and vegetable is ripest. However, the crop can sometimes be unpredictable, so check with each farm for its availability.
Cherries
When to Pick:
- May through July
Where to Pick:
- Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
- Sweet Retreat Orchard, Hillsborough
Raspberries
When to Pick:
- June
- September and October
Where to Pick:
- Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Leicester
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
- Dr. Young’s Pond Berry Farm, Angier
Blueberries
When to Pick:
- Mid-June through early August
Where to Pick:
- Cloud 9 Farm, Asheville
- Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Leicester
- Timberlane Farm, Hayesville
- Graveyard Fields Trail, Canton
- Blueberry Hill Farm, Zirconia
- Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm, Hendersonville
- Jeter Mountain Farm, Hendersonville
- Blueberry Heaven, Bakersville
- Trickle Creek Farm, Mill Spring
- Queen’s Berry and Flower Farm, Pisgah Forest
- Auton Valley Berry Farm, Taylorsville
- Campbell’s Berry Farm, Hickory
- Brushy Mountain Berry Farm, Moravian Falls
- Smith U-Pick Blueberry and Flower Farm, Hickory
- Raceway Berry Farm, Stanley
- Wise Acres, Indian Trail
- Minka Farm, Efland
- Hidden River Farm, Angrier
- Old Carthage Farm, Carthage
- Bob’s Organic Blueberries, Washington
- Morris Blueberry Farm, New Bern
- Sweet Retreat Orchard, Hillsborough
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
Blackberries
When to Pick:
- June and July
- September
Where to Pick:
- Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Leicester
- The Ten Acre Garden, Canton
- Justus Orchard, Hendersonville
- Jeter Mountain Farm, Hendersonville
- Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm, Hendersonville
- Trickle Creek Farm, Mill Spring
- Queen’s Berry and Flower Farm, Pisgah Forest
- Auton Valley Berry Farm, Taylorsville
- Dr. Young’s Pond Berry Farm, Angrier
- Brock’s Berries & Farm, Winterville
- Lively Grove Farms, Bolivia
- Sweet Retreat Orchard, Hillsborough
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
Peaches
When to Pick:
- June through September
Where to Pick:
- Skytop Orchard, Flat Rock
- Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, Morganton
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
- Knob Creek Orchards, Lawndale
Muscadine Grapes
When to Pick:
- Mid-August through mid-October
Where to Pick:
- Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Hendersonville
- Ritchie Farm, Concord
- Benjamin Vineyards, Graham
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
- Riverbirch Vineyards & Farm, Reidsville
- Moccasin Creek, Zebulon
Apples
When to Pick:
- August through February
Where to Pick:
- Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Leicester
- Billy Laughter Orchard, Hendersonville
- Coston Farm, Hendersonville
- Creasman Farms, Hendersonville
- Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such, Hendersonville
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Hendersonville
- Justus Orchard, Hendersonville
- Jeter Mountain Farm, Hendersonville
- Jimmy Nix and Sons Apple House, Edneyville
- Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
- Altapass Orchard, Spruce Pine
- Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, Morganton
- Hidden River Farm, Angrier
- Knob Creek Orchards, Lawndale
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
Flowers
When to Pick:
- April through October
Where to Pick:
- Stoney Hollow Farm, Robbinsville
- The Ten Acre Garden, Canton
- Wright Way Nursery & Landscaping, Waynesville
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Hendersonville
- Jeter Mountain Farm, Hendersonville
- J.W. Mitchell Farms, Franklin
- Queen’s Berry and Flower Farm, Pisgah Forest
- Smith U-Pick Blueberry and Flower Farm, Hickory
- Wise Acres, Indian Trail
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
Asian Pears
When to Pick:
- August through September
Where to Pick:
- Pilot Mountain Pears, Edneyville
- Circle L Farms, Edneyville
- Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
Pumpkins
When to Pick:
- September and October
Where to Pick:
- Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such, Hendersonville
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Hendersonville
- Carrigan Farms, Mooresville
- Wise Acres, Indian Trail
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
- Mike’s Farm, Beulaville
- Vollmer Farm, Bunn
- Red Wolf Farm, Maiden
- Hill Ridge Farms, Youngsville
Pecans
When to Pick:
- November and December
Where to Pick:
- Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
Historic Oak View County Park, Raleigh
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Claire Mainprize Claire Mainprize is a writer and editor who covers the intersections of pop culture, lifestyle, and spirituality. Find more of her work at ClaireMainprize.com.
