Better by the Bushel Special to The Washington Post Friday, May 18, 2001

Hand-picked fruits and berries are always better by the bushel. (File Photo)

These farmers will let you stroll into their fields and pick your own fruits and vegetables. Note that the specific varieties offered at each farm are listed below; not everyone grows strawberries. Prices vary. Some farmers will give or sell you baskets, but it's best to be prepared with your own containers.

Most 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.

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

PUMPHREY'S VEGETABLES -- Vegetables. In Millersville, at 8220 Veterans Hwy. 410/987-4290.

HUBER'S FARM -- Strawberries, blackberries, red raspberries, vegetables. In Bradshaw, at 12208 Old Philadelphia Rd. 410/679-1948 or 410/679-1941.

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

SEIDEL FARM -- Thornless blackberries, grapes. In Huntingtown, at 2790 Plum Point Rd. (Route 263). 410/535-2128.

BAUGHER'S ORCHARD -- Strawberries, sweet and sour cherries, black raspberries, peas. 1236 Baugher Rd., about three miles west of Westminster on Route 140. 410/857-0111 or 410/848-5541.

SEWELL'S FARM -- Strawberries. In Taneytown, at 3400 Harney Rd. 410/756-4397.

SHADY HILL FARM -- Apples. In New Windsor; from Frederick, Route 26 east through Libertytown to Route 31, left eight miles to farm on right at 2001 New Windsor Rd., 1/4-mile north of Route 407. 410/875-0572.

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

CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD -- Black raspberries, blueberries, sweet and sour cherries. At 15036 N. Franklinville Rd., on U.S. 15, 1/2-mile north of Thurmont. 301/271-2737.

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

MAYNES FARM -- Strawberries. In Buckeystown, at 3420 Buckeystown Pike. 301/662-4320.

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

LOHR'S FARM -- Peaches, sour cherries, vegetables, apples. In Churchville, at 3212 Snake Lane. 410/836-2783.

SHAW ORCHARDS -- Strawberries, sweet and sour cherries, blueberries. Md. Route 23 at Pa. Route 24, north of Norrisville. 410/692-2429 or 717/993-2974.

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

BECRAFT'S FARM -- Strawberries. In Silver Spring, at 14722 New Hampshire Ave. 301/236-4545.

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

HOMESTEAD FARM -- Strawberries, blackberries, red raspberries, peaches, apples, vegetables. In Poolesville, at 15600 Sugarland Rd. 301/977-3761.

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

CHERRY HILL FARM -- Strawberries, sour cherries, blackberries, peaches, red raspberries, apples, vegetables. In Piscataway, at 12300 Gallahan Rd. 301/292-1928 or 301/292-4642.

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

MILLER FARMS -- Strawberries, vegetables. In Clinton, at 10140 Piscataway Rd. 301/297-9370.

MOUNT OLYMPUS FARM -- Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. On U.S. 1 one mile north of I-95 Exit 104, in Carmel Church. 804/448-0395 or 800/440-3276.

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

HARTLAND ORCHARD -- Sweet and sour cherries, 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 1/2-mile to Hartland Lane. 540/364-2316.

LINDEN VINEYARDS -- Blueberries, apples. 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 -- Sour cherries, pears, nectarines, peaches, apples. In Markham, on Route 688 1/4-mile south of I-66 Exit 18. 540/364-3040.

VIRGINIA PERFECTION -- Peaches, blackberries, vegetables. In Delaplane, at 1562 Leeds Manor Rd. 540/592-3730.

WILLOW OAKS BERRY FARM -- Blueberries, blackberries, red raspberries. In Somerville, at Midland Road (Route 610) and Bristersburg Road (Route 616). 540/788-1086.

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

RICK & VAN'S -- Vegetables. On Route 3, 12 miles east of Fredericksburg. 540/775-7890.

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

GREAT COUNTRY FARMS -- Strawberries, black and red raspberries, blackberries, vegetables. In Bluemont, at 18780 Foggy Bottom Rd. 540/554-2073.

DOUBLE B FARMS -- Strawberries, thornless blackberries, red raspberries. In Rhoadesville; from Fredericksburg, Route 3 west 11 miles to Route 20, south nine miles to signs on left. 540/854-4277.

CHERRIES-ON-TOP ORCHARDS -- Cherries. In Flint Hill; from I-66 Exit 27, right at Route 647, left at Route 522, right at Fodderstack Road (Route 641), left at Aileen Road, right at Grinton Road and on to top of mountain. 703/845-1160.

HIGH PLACES ORCHARDS -- Black, red and gold raspberries; peaches; plums; nectarines; apples. In Flint Hill, at 121 Winesap Lane. 540/635-5537.

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

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 -- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, vegetables. From U.S. 81 at Woodstock exit, west nine miles on Route 42 to Swover Creek Road, left 1 mile to farm on right. 540/984-8973.

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

SNEAD'S ASPARAGUS FARM -- Strawberries. About 12 miles southeast of Fredericksburg on Route 17. 540/371-9328.

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), follow signs. 804/224-9171.

RIDGEFIELD ORCHARD -- Apples. Near Harpers Ferry, on Kidwiler Road off Route 230. 304/876-3647.