Fresh Produce Here: Area Pick-Your-Own Farms

Friday, May 27, 2005

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 produce, flowers, plants and snacks. The brief strawberry-picking season is underway in most of the region, and in others the strawberries will be ready soon. Then it's time 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. 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. Finally, if you're considering a family outing to a nearby farm, don't let wet weather deter you. "Ripe fruit waits for no one!" observes Westmoreland Berry Farm's Anne Geyer. "When it rains people tend to stay away, which means the berries don't get picked and go bad." Don't let them go to waste! Picking berries in a light rain is an unexpected pleasure. You have the cool, quiet fields to yourself and can find the choicest fruit.

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, grapes. 2790 Plum Point Rd. (Route 263), Huntingtown. 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. http://www.baughers.com/ .

Charles County

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

SHLAGEL FARMS -- Strawberries. 12850 Shlagel Rd., Waldorf. 301-645-4554. http://www.shlagelfarms.com/ .

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. http://www.catoctinmountainorchard.com/ .

GLADE-LINK FARMS -- Strawberries, blueberries, red raspberries, vegetables. On Route 194 in New Midway. 301-898-7131.

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. http://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 Interstate

70 Exit 73, near Lisbon. 301-854-6110 or 410-442-2605. http://www.pickyourown.com/ .

Montgomery County

BUTLER'S ORCHARD -- Strawberries, blueberries, sour cherries, blackberries, red raspberries, apples. 22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown. 301-972-3299. http://www.butlersorchard.com/ .

FARM AT HOME -- Blueberries. 15220 Partnership Rd., Poolesville. 240-372-0674.

HOMESTEAD FARM -- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, sour cherries, apples, vegetables. 15600 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville. 301-977-3761. http://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. http://www.cherryhillfarm.net/ .

JOHNSON'S BERRY FARM --

Black and red raspberries, blueberries, blackberries. 17000 Swanson Rd.,

Upper Marlboro.

301-627-8316.

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

St. Mary's County

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

Virginia
Caroline County

MOUNT OLYMPUS BERRY FARM -- Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. On U.S. 1, one mile north of Interstate 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 Interstate 66 Exit 18, north on Leeds Manor Road (Route 688), west on Belle Meade Lane (F-284), follow signs to Hartland Lane. 540-364-2316. http://www.hartlandorchard.com/ .

STRIBLING ORCHARD -- Peaches, apples. 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham. 540-364-3040. http://www.striblingorchard.com/ .

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

Loudoun County

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

CHILE MAN -- Hot and sweet peppers, vegetables. 35796 Milligan's Run Lane, Purcellville. 540-668-7160 or 877-668-7160. http://www.thechileman.com/ .

CROOKED RUN ORCHARD -- Sour cherries, blackberries, peaches, apples. 37883 E. Main St., Purcellville. 540-338-6642.

GREAT COUNTRY FARMS -- Strawberries, red raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, vegetables. 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont. 540-554-2073. http://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. http://www.tarara.com/ .

Rappahannock County

GOAT HILL FARM -- Small quantities of strawberries, gooseberries, currants, blackberries, raspberries. 365 Tiger Valley Rd., Washington. 540-675-3982.

HIGH PLACES ORCHARDS -- 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. 540-937-5191 or 540-937-5892.

Shenandoah County

BLUE RIDGE BERRY FARM -- Blueberries. 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 -- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, vegetables. From I-81 at Woodstock exit, west nine miles on Route 42 to Swover Creek Road, left 1/2 mile to farm on right. 540-984-8973.

Spotsylvania County

BELVEDERE PLANTATION -- Strawberries. On Route 17 seven miles southeast of Fredericksburg. 800-641-1212 or 540-373-4478. http://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. http://www.westmorelandberryfarm.com/ .

West Virginia
Jefferson County

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