They Grow 'Em, You Pick 'Em

Meet local growers and get your hands dirty at one of these farms, where you can stroll into the fields and pick your own fruits and vegetables. Many also have farm stands selling already harvested produce, flowers, plants and snacks.

The brief strawberry-picking season starts this weekend in some parts of the region, and in others the strawberries will be ready soon. Then it's the turn for blueberries and raspberries, generally ripening in mid-June, with blackberries and peaches following in July, and apples starting in August. Seasons for other fruits and vegetables vary.

Note that the specific varieties offered at each farm are listed; not everyone grows strawberries. Prices vary. Some farmers will give or sell you baskets, but it's best to bring your own containers. And, please, leave your dog at home.

Most farms are small family operations whose hours and supplies can change daily, and some are not easy to find without detailed directions, so always call before you visit.

Maryland

Anne Arundel County

MOUNT AIRY U-PICK -- Strawberries. 832 Mount Airy Rd., Davidsonville. 410-798-1862 or 410-798-0838.

Baltimore County

HUBER'S FARM -- Strawberries, blackberries. 11956 Old Philadelphia Rd., Bradshaw. 410-679-1941 or 410-679-1948.

WEBER'S CIDER MILL FARM -- Apples. 2526 Proctor Lane, Parkville. 410-668-4488.

Calvert County

SEIDEL FARM -- Thornless blackberries. 2790 Plum Point Rd., Huntington. (Route 263). 410-535-2128.

Carroll County

BAUGHER'S ORCHARD -- Strawberries, sweet and sour cherries, peas, peaches, apples. 1236 Baugher Rd., about three miles west of Westminster on Route 140. 410-857-0111 or 410-848-5541. www.baughers.com

Charles County

HYDROMONT BERRY FARM -- Strawberries. 8020 Hawthorne Rd., La Plata. 301-932-0872.

SHLAGEL FARMS -- Strawberries. 12850 Shlagel Rd., Waldorf. 301-843-9617.

Frederick County

CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD -- Black raspberries, blueberries, sweet and sour cherries. 15036 N. Franklinville Rd., on U.S. 15, a half-mile north of Thurmont. 301-271-2737. www.catoctinmountainorchard.com

MAYNES FARM -- Strawberries, blackberries. 3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown. 301-662-4320.

PRYOR'S ORCHARD -- Blueberries, sweet and sour cherries. 13841-B Pryor Rd., Thurmont. 301-271-2693.

Harford County

LOHR'S ORCHARD -- Strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, apples. 3212 Snake Lane, Churchville. 410-836-2783. www.lohrsorchard.com

Howard County

LARRILAND FARM -- Strawberries, blackberries, black and red raspberries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, sour cherries, blueberries, apples, vegetables. 2415 Woodbine Rd. (Route 94), three miles south of I-70 Exit 73, near Lisbon. 301-854-6110 or 410-442-2605. www.pickyourown.com

Montgomery County

BUTLER'S ORCHARD -- Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, red raspberries, apples. 22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown. 301-972-3299.

FARMATHOME.COM -- Blueberries. 15220 Partnership Rd., Poolesville . 240-372-0674.

HOMESTEAD FARM -- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tart cherries, peaches, apples, vegetables. 15600 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville. 301-977-3761. www.homestead-farm.net

ROCK HILL ORCHARD -- Strawberries, sour cherries, blackberries, red raspberries, apples, green beans. 28600 Ridge Rd., Mount Airy. 301-831-7427.

Prince George's County

CHERRY HILL FARM -- Strawberries. 12300 Gallahan Rd., Clinton. 301-292-1928 or 301-292-4642. www.cherryhillfarm.net

JOHNSON'S BERRY FARM -- Black and red raspberries, blueberries, blackberries. 17000 Swanson Rd., Upper Marlboro. 301-627-8316.

MILLER FARMS -- Strawberries. 10140 Piscataway Rd., Clinton. 301-297-9370.

St. Mary's County

FREE SPIRIT FARM -- Blueberries, asparagus. 38613 Chaptico Rd., Mechanicsville. 301-884-2401 or 301-888-2429.

Virginia

Caroline County

MOUNT OLYMPUS FARM -- Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. On U.S. 1, one mile north of I-95 Exit 104, in Carmel Church. 804-448-0395.

Fairfax County

POTOMAC VEGETABLE FARMS -- Blackberries. 9627 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. 703-759-2119.

Fauquier County

HARTLAND ORCHARD -- Sweet and sour cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples. Near Markham: From I-66 Exit 18, north on Leeds Manor Road (Route 688), west on Belle Meade Road (F-284), follow signs a half-mile to Hartland Lane. 540-364-2316. www.hartlandorchard.com

LINDEN VINEYARDS -- Blueberries. In Linden: From I-66 Exit 13, east on Route 55 1 1/2 miles, south on Route 638 two miles to signs. 540-364-1997.

STRIBLING ORCHARD -- Peaches, apples. 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham. 540-364-3040. www.striblingorchard.comWILLOW OAKS BERRY FARM -- Blueberries, blackberries. Midland Road (Route 610) and Bristersburg Road, Somerville. (Route 616). 540-788-1086.

WILLIAMS PEACH MANOR ORCHARD -- Peaches, nectarines. 13095 Marsh Rd., Bealeton. 540-439-3035.

Loudoun County

BLUE RIDGE CENTER -- Vegetables. 11661 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville. 540-668-7640.

BROSSMAN'S ORCHARD -- Peaches, nectarines. 43975 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg (near Lucketts). 703-777-1127.

CHILE MAN -- Hot and sweet peppers. 35796 Milligan's Run Lane, Purcellville. 540-668-7160. www.thechileman.com

CROOKED RUN ORCHARD -- Sweet and sour cherries, red raspberries, blackberries, peaches, apples. 37883 E. Main St., Purcellville. 540-338-6642.

GREAT COUNTRY FARMS -- Strawberries, black and red raspberries, blackberries, vegetables. 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont. 540-554-2073. www.greatcountryfarms.com

PATOWMACK FARM -- Blackberries, raspberries. 42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville. 540-822-9017.

TARARA WINERY -- Blackberries, apples. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. 703-771-7100. www.tarara.com

Orange County

DOUBLE B FARMS -- Thornless blackberries. In Rhoadesville: From Fredericksburg, Route 3 west 11 miles to Route 20 south nine miles to signs on left. 540-854-4277.

Rappahannock County

GOAT HILL FARM -- Strawberries, gooseberries, currants, blackberries, raspberries, jostaberries, tomatoes. 365 Tiger Valley Rd., Washington. 540-675-3982. www.goathillfarm.com

HIGH PLACES ORCHARDS -- Cherries, raspberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, apples. 121 Winesap Lane, Flint Hill. 540-635-5537.

MUSKRAT HAVEN -- Strawberries, blueberries, thornless blackberries, red raspberries, peaches, apples. On Route 211, 15 miles west of Warrenton. 540-937-5892 or 540-937-5191.

Shenandoah County

BLUE RIDGE BERRY FARM -- Blueberries. Near Toms Brook: From I-81 at Toms Brook exit, east on Route 651 to Route 11, south to Toms Brook, west at Brook Creek Road (Route 653), left at Harrisville Road (Route 655), 1.8 miles to farm on left. 540-436-9194.

SWOVER CREEK FARM -- Raspberries, blackberries, vegetables. From I-81 at Woodstock exit, west nine miles on Route 42 to Swover Creek Road, left one mile to farm on right. 540-984-8973.

Spotsylvania County

BELVEDERE PLANTATION -- Strawberries. On Route 17 seven miles southeast of Fredericksburg. 540-371-8494. www.belvedereplantation.com

Westmoreland County

WESTMORELAND BERRY FARM -- Strawberries; blackberries; blueberries; black, red and purple raspberries; apples. In Oak Grove: From Fredericksburg, east on Route 3, seven miles past U.S. 301 to Claymont Road (Route 634), turn right and follow signs. 800-997-2377 or 804-224-9171. www.westmorelandberryfarm.com

West Virginia

Jefferson County

RIDGEFIELD ORCHARD -- Apples. Near Harpers Ferry on Kidwiler Road off Route 230. 304-876-3647. www.ridgefieldfarm.com