U-Pick Farms – What, Where and When to Pick!

Florida U-Pick farms are fun for the whole family. Not only are you outside enjoying the delicious Florida sunshine, but there’s an excellent opportunity to appreciate the role of the farmer in our daily lives.

Both children and adults love picking fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farm and maybe even sneaking in a quick taste when no one is looking. 😉 And children who pick their own vegetables are much more likely to enjoy eating them when they’re served at the table.

Sure it’s quick and easy to pick up a shrink-wrapped pint of strawberries at your local grocery, but the thrill (and incredible smell) of picking your own is in a class by itself. We’re so fortunate to live in state where you can find luscious melons, juicy tomatoes and sugary-sweet strawberries and blueberries to pick during their long growing seasons.

See Tips for the Best Picking below

U-pick helps farmers save on shipping and labor costs, so these costs can be passed on to those willing to put in the time. Very often Florida U-Pick farms are a much less expensive way of getting the freshest fruits and vegetables available anywhere. So are you ready to get out there and pick? Let’s see what’s in season right now!

What can you pick?

Strawberries, melons, blueberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, sweet corn, and avocados are popular forms of nature’s bounty you can pick yourself here in Florida. But there is much, much more! Broccoli, cucumber, lettuce, beans and peanuts are also available in abundance. And don’t forget mushrooms and mangoes!

   

When can you pick?

Thanks to Florida’s long growing seasons, there isn’t any time of the year when something fresh isn’t growing or ready to pick. See the chart below for some of your favorites.

Florida Crops Seasonal Availability/Typical Harvest Times – Florida U-Pick Farms

(courtesy of Fresh From Florida)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avocado
Bell Pepper
Blueberry
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Carambola
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Guava
Lettuce
Longan
Lychee
Mango
Mushroom
Orange
Papaya
Passion Fruit
Peaches
Peanut
Potato
Radish
Snap Bean
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sweet Corn
Tangerine
Tomato
Watermelon
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Where can you pick?

Chances are there’s a Florida U-Pick farm close enough by your own home to make a trip. Perfect for a weekend outing with the family. The easiest way to find these farms is to use the U-Pick Farm locator from Fresh From Florida. But, also be on the lookout for notices in your community newspaper, online or even roadside signs. We’ve found a farm with the sweetest blueberries we’ve ever tasted just by following a hand-lettered sign by the road that read, U-PICK!

Tips for the best picking!

• • Bring your own containers or a handy collapsible bucket – some farms have containers you can rent or buy, but be prepared with your own in case they’re all taken
  • A small spray bottle of water does double duty as a fruit washer and to keep sticky hands clean
  • Wear a hat and bring along sunscreen and bug spray
  • Plan on early am or late afternoon to avoid the Florida heat
  • Wear closed-toed shoes to protect tender toes from ants or bug bites
  • Bring along a camera or cell-phone for lots of photos. These are special times on the farm to share with each other!