Strawberry Picking

Strawberries are the very essence of late spring and early summer. Gorgeous red, aromatic and sweet, they remind me of BBQs, sprinklers, and long summer days. Luckily for us, there are several options within a few hours of Smyrna.

Traditionally, picking is available from mid-April through early June, but there is a range of opening dates for each farm listed below, so check their website or facebook page to see if they’re open. Also, they may close at any point during the season due to bad weather, or to allow their berries to ripen, so always call ahead to check availability before going!

Adams Farm. Strawberries (and blackberries, raspberries and blueberries) are available for picking at this Fayetteville farm, approximately 45 minutes from downtown Smyrna. They provide 2 gallon containers for picking, but you need to bring your own containers for bringing them home. There is no specific opening date listed on their site yet, but they state that their season runs from mid-April to mid-July. Hours are 9am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday. Cash & checks only. No pets. Contact: 770-461-9395.

LCCL Strawberry Farm. This farm in Rome is about 1 hour & 15 minutes away from downtown Smyrna. They have an update on their website stating that they’re opening “soon”, so keep an eye on them for actual opening date. Containers are provided to pick and to take strawberries home. They also have the Strawberry Patch Express train rides on Saturday & Sunday. Once open for the season, their hours will be: Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cash or check only. Contact: 706-295-2587 or follow them on facebook for updates.

Mercier Orchards. This farm in Blue Ridge (about 1.5 hours away) is best known for their apple orchards, but they have U Pick strawberry fields too! Keep an eye on their facebook page for opening dates. While there, you can also tractor tours and of course their amazing bakery and market. Hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10-4, weather permitting and subject to availability. You can purchase 1/2 gallon or gallon buckets for picking. Contact: 1-800-361-7731

Mitcham Farm. Located in Oxford, GA (1 hour away), this farm is one of the few already ready for picking! U-Pick hours are Monday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm, Sunday, noon – 5pm.  They will also have second annual Strawberry Festival on April 30 from 10am – 6pm. There will be strawberry picking, tons of food, homemade jams and jellies, live entertainment, dessert contest, arts and crafts, face painting, inflatable giant slide, hayride and petting zoo. Admission to the festival is free, but does not include strawberries, or admission to a special play area for the kids ($3). Parking for festival $5.  Cash preferred, but credit cards are accepted. Contact: 770-855-1530. The main link is to their website, but you can also follow them on facebook.

Harry Stacy Farm. This Dallas farm anticipates opening in mid to late April. There is very limited information available, so call to find out more. 770-443-0292.

Moon Farms Country Market. While not open yet, they’re posting picture of their beautiful blooms. Once open, hours will be Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. They provide buckets for picking, but there will be a small fee if you use those containers to bring the berries home. Moon Farms is located on Colbert, just outside of Athens, and is about 1.5 hours away. Cash and checks only. Call them at 706-338-0065 for availability.

Southern Belle Farm. Located about 1 hour away in McDonough, Southern Belle farm has a lot of farm fun in the works for this strawberry season, which has already started! On the weekends you can also enjoy Belle’s Barn, a jumping pillow, cow train, pedal cars and hayrides! You can follow their Facebook page for more about their Spring activities. Buckets will be provided for picking. You can then transfer them to your own container or purchase them for $1. Spring hours are Monday-Saturdays 8am-6pm, Sunday, 1pm-6pm. As always, this is subject to availability. Cash and all major credit cards accepted. Contact: 770.288.2582

Washington Farms. Locations in Athens-Watkinsville (open!) and Loganville (not open just yet). Hours are Monday – Saturday 8am – 8pm, closed on Sundays, but as always, check the website before heading over. They provide buckets for picking, which you can then transfer to your own container or purchase for $1. Watkinsville contact: 706-769-0627; Loganville contact: 770-554-8119 or follow them on facebook.

 

{Originally published in 2014, but updated and republished with 2016 info.}

    Latest posts by Alicia (see all)

    The following two tabs change content below.

    Alicia

    A New Orleans girl turned Georgia peach and stay at home mom to 2 daughters. Before taking the leap into full time mothering, I worked at at an Atlanta-based advertising agency. I have lived in Smyrna for almost 10 years and am still not sure how I managed to find a job more chaotic and unpredictable than advertising.
    Powered by WordPress | Theme by TheBootstrapThemes