Due to its subtropical climate, Florida has an extended growing season, which allows farmers to grow crops much earlier and later than in northern climates. Florida’s agricultural history began with the indigenous tribes, who grew corn, beans, and squash, and evolved as Spanish colonists introduced crops like citrus and sugar, followed by British plantations that grew cotton, rice, and indigo. Today, Florida grows a diverse range of crops from citrus and sugarcane to vegetables such as bell peppers and sweet corn and fruits such as watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries.
Visiting a u-pick farm is a popular activity that allows guests to pick produce straight from the tree or vine. Some farms also have seasonal festivals and other activities such as petting zoos and farm-to-table treats. Attending a u-pick farm is a fantastic way to obtain fresh produce as well as have family-friendly fun and support local farms. We love u-pick farms and visit them as often as we can. If you are interested in participating in this authentic Florida experience, read on to discover some of the best u-pick farms in Central Florida!
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U-PICK SEASONS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Different seasons bring different produce to enjoy in the Sunshine State. We recommend always checking with the specific farm you will be visiting ahead of time to see what they have in season for picking.
In general, winter is the time for strawberries (December-April) and citrus (November-March). Spring is probably the best season for u-pick. Warmer weather brings blueberries (April-May), peaches (April-May), and a variety of vegetables, as well as flowers. The heat in summer limits the opportunities for u-pick, but you may be able to find farms offering u-pick corn, tomatoes, and blackberries. Fall is the season for picking sunflowers and even pumpkins! Traditional carving pumpkins do not grow well in Florida, but many farms offer u-pick for mini or heirloom varieties. In the picture above, the girls were excited to pick their own mini-pumpkins at Sunsational Farms in Umatilla.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
As mentioned above, always check with the farm you’re planning on visiting ahead of time to see what they have in season for picking. Sometimes farms also pick out for the day, especially at the beginning or end of the season when crops are smaller, so checking ahead of time will save you a trip if they close early.
We also recommend dressing appropriately for a farm visit, which means closed-toe shoes to protect against ants and dirt, sunscreen, a hat, and water. Make sure to always be mindful of the farm’s rules. Rules vary by farm, but most do not allow pets or excessively sampling the produce while picking. Always follow the farm’s instructions for harvesting the produce–some fruits, such as strawberries, must be picked a certain way to avoid damaging the plant.
Another tip is to arrive early. This will not only help you avoid the peak sun hours, but it will also help insure that you are able to get some produce in the event that the crop gets picked out for the day.
BEST U-PICK FARMS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
SOUTHERN HILL FARMS (CLERMONT)
We’re starting this list off with our very favorite u-pick farm in Central Florida! Located in Clermont, Southern Hill Farms is a family-owned farm that offers seasonal u-pick for a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as u-pick sunflowers, a fun zone with carnival-style rides and games, and an amazing fall festival!
We go to Southern Hill Farms every spring for their u-pick events. Although the exact dates and produce available vary by year, their strawberry u-pick is usually December-March, and from March-May they have blueberries and Florida peaches, plus vegetables such as onions, zucchini, yellow squash, jalapenos, and green beans. Last year was the first time they also had blackberries available for u-pick, and they were huge and delicious! Their u-pick events also include rides, games, and plenty of delicious food. We recommend trying their blueberry donuts and frozen blueberry lemonade!
In the fall, Southern Hill Farms hosts a lively fall festival complete with a fun zone, live music, wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, and mouth-watering apple cider donuts and pumpkin muffins! Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
If you decide to visit Southern Hill Farms, consider making a day of it and exploring the scenic lake town of Clermont! You can check out our guide here for things to do.
SHOWCASE OF CITRUS (CLERMONT)
Just down the street from Southern Hill Farms in Clermont is Showcase of Citrus. As the name implies, this farm celebrates Florida’s citrus industry with u-pick oranges, lemons, and limes, as well as a variety of citrus-themed goodies, including a delicious orange slushie!
In addition to u-pick fruits and tasty treats, Showcase of Citrus hosts a variety of family-friendly activities. You can take a monster truck tour to view the citrus groves as well as wildlife habitats. Meet and even feed some of their farm animals, including goats, pigs, chickens, and a donkey. You can also participate in gem mining, where you can potentially unearth not only gems but also arrowheads, shells, and shark teeth! Once you’re done with all the adventures Showcase of Citrus offers, peruse their store for delicious Florida jams, sauces, salsas, and flavored butters. Showcase of Citrus is a unique, family-friendly experience that is definitely worth a spot on your itinerary.
(Note: The u-pick season usually runs from November-May, but at this time, Showcase of Citrus has temporarily paused their u-pick to allow their young trees to mature. Please check their website for updates before visiting.)
BECK BROTHERS BLUEBERRIES (WINDERMERE)
Beck Brothers Blueberries is a lovely family-run blueberry farm located less than half an hour from Orlando’s theme parks. The farm is well-kept, the owners are friendly, and the blueberries juicy and delicious! They also sell local orange blossom honey. Hours vary based on availability, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates.
AMBER BROOKE FARMS (EUSTIS)
Located in Eustis, Amber Brooke Farms is a 55-acre estate that offers multiple family-friendly events from fall through spring. In the fall you can pick sunflowers and zinnias; in winter you can pick flowers as well as strawberries; and in the spring they offer strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn, and peaches.
They also offer a farm fun pass ($10) which provides a variety of entertaining activities for kids, such as giant jump pillows, a slide hill, and a bubble barn! For additional fees, you can also try your hand at archery or gem mining.
In addition to their annual farm activities, Amber Brooke Farms also hosts a Strawberry Festival (select dates in February and the beginning of March) which includes u-pick strawberries, sunflowers, and zinnias, as well as face painting and barrel train rides. They also have a fall festival (September through November) for even more festive fun!
GRAHAM FARMS (UMATILLA)
Florida is not known as a producer of peaches, but the University of Florida has developed low-chill cultivars that do well in our state’s warm climate. These varieties are smaller than the more well-known Georgia peaches but equally delicious. Several farms in Florida offer u-pick peaches, including Graham Farms in Umatilla.
Graham Farms is a historic farm that has been run by the Graham family for over a hundred years. Peaches, blackberries, and sunflowers are available to pick in April-May, and oranges can be harvested in December.
MICK FARMS (ST. CLOUD)
Mick Farms in St. Cloud is a popular local spot that focuses on providing farm fresh, high-quality produce. Here you can enjoy seasonal u-pick fields. In the winter you can pick strawberries, and in the fall you can pick sunflowers and even pumpkins! Mick Farms is one of the few Florida farms where you can pick a pumpkin off the vine. Don’t miss their Home Harvest, held in October, which includes face painting, food trucks, a live band, and an apple pie contest.
Throughout the year, you can also shop for local produce and goods at their farm stand, such as fresh eggs, milk, honey, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
CAMELLIA GROVES (WINTER HAVEN)
Camellia Groves is a small family farm in Winter Haven that has been in the citrus industry for a hundred years. Originally specializing in tangerines, they now have 35 acres of fresh, pesticide-free Florida lemons. They occasionally offer local harvests and u-pick events. Last year was their first annual Limoncello Festival, which included lemon u-pick along with a limoncello tasting contest, crafts, kettle corn, food trucks, and live music.
The above is not an exhaustive list of u-pick farms in Central Florida, but it includes some of our favorites where you can not only savor fresh produce and support local businesses, but also learn about Florida’s agricultural history and enjoy family-friendly festivals and events. We hope you have a chance to visit a u-pick farm this season and see why they are such a popular Florida tradition!
Do you have a favorite u-pick farm? Please share in the comments below!
Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
