It’s one thing to eat the fabulous Virginia grown fruits and vegetables from local markets, it’s another thing altogether to pick your own right on the farm in which it is grown. Spring is the time for herbs, greens, raspberries, blackberries and peaches. At the many orchards and farms in driving to distance to the Richmond area. you can fully appreciate the source of your food and see the agricultural process. There are numerous farms that invite the public onto their properties during their growing seasons to participate in this harvesting process that make an orchard or farm visit the real farm to table experience. Many of these locations make the trip festive with additional treats to sample or entertainment on certain occasions.

It’s best to check each orchard or farm’s website or social media to understand schedules and growing seasons as well as availability.

Virginia Department of Agriculture provides a handy chart to learn more about the state’s growing seasons to be up-to-date on the availability of the bounty. Below is a list of farms and orchards in proximity to Richmond. Have fun and happy picking.

It’s pick your own peaches time at Hanover Peach farm.

Richmond area Pick-Your-Own Orchards and Farms

⭐️ = open to the public for picking

Agriberry. 6289 River Rd, Hanover, VA 23069. The Geyers produce perennial fruits, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and apples on 25 acres of land in Hanover, Virginia, about 30 minutes northeast of Richmond. The Geyers grow strawberries in Mosley, Virginia, which is south of Richmond. Throughout the year, Agriberry offers their bounty at pop up markets and CSAs.

Ashland Berry Farm Inc. Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, trees, landscaping, pumpkins, haunted house, haunted woods, designers, nursery, bedding plants and more. Special plant offer 7/10

⭐️ The Berry Patch, 27245 Alpine Dr Abingdon, VA 24212 Blueberries are ready. You pick $15 per gallon and $4 per quart. Call 276-698-4230 to schedule an appointment.

Blue Eden Farm (2172 Piping Tree Ferry Rd., Mechanicsville, VA, 23111) is known for its plentiful blueberry farm; however, this year the farm will also have strawberries for $4.00/pound. Blueberry season has not yet been announced; price is $4.50/pound. Should you choose to make a day of it, ice cream and light food is available for purchase at the farm as well. (Wednesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Field report: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

⭐️ Braehead Farm: (1130 Tyler St., Fredericksburg, VA, 22401) is a popular farm for picking berries and vegetables of all kinds. In addition to berry picking, there is a play area including a sand pit, play tractors and farm animals. Admission is $5.00 for the play area; ages 2 and under are free. Aside from playing and berry picking, the farm also offers a market and the Braehead Farm Lunch Kitchen so you can grab lunch at the farm. Price of pick your own produce varies; check the website for details. (Daily: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM) Field report: Braehead Farm is open everyday 9am-6pm. Pick your own berries, vegetables and flowers-no admission in the PYO fields-just pay for what you pick! Shop in the market. Stay for lunch and ice cream. Stay and play in The Family Playgrounds and visit the farm animals! This area is $5.00 per person, age 2 and under free.

Braehead Farm is open everyday 9am-6pm. Pick your own berries, vegetables and flowers-no admission in the PYO fields-just pay for what you pick! Shop in the market. Stay for lunch and ice cream. Stay and play in The Family Playgrounds and visit the farm animals! This area is $5.00 per person, age 2 and under free. (Photo courtesy of Judy Muffley)

⭐️ Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Orchard. Not RVA but almost! Pick your own apples and peaches or buy them them by the bag or basket! Pumpkins, cherries, nectarines, strawberries, and gourds in season. Apple cider donuts, homemade preserves and jams, pickles, wine, fresh cider, local crafts, and so much more. No apples yet, but you can go to Carter Mountain on Thursdays from 6-9pm for live music, food trucks, Carter Mountain Wine, Bold Rock Hard Cider, and the best view of a sunset from anywhere around. Advance tickets are required for every guest. $10/person, children under 12 are free. Reserve your tickets today: https://chilesfamilyorchards.ticketspice.com/thursday… View full musical and food truck lineup: https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/calendar/sunsets-2021. In addition to the weekly food trucks, we have grab-and-go food in our Apple Barn, plus ice cream, cider donuts, slushies, and other sweet snacks. Event admission begins at 5 PM with music starting at 6 PM. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, or come early for a picnic table on our terrace or decks. Field report: It’s pick your own peach season.

Chesterfield Berry Farm. 26002 Pear Orchard Road Moseley, VA 23120. Seasonal events and produce. The Chesterfield Berry Farm offers pick your own strawberries in the spring. Picnic area and hay rides. Field report: Coming up at the end of July: sweet corn and sunflowers.

Chesterfield Berry Farm. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

⭐️ Chiles Peach Orchard. 1352 Greenwood Road, Crozet, VA. Yep, almost RVA! From springtime, summertime peaches, and autumn apples and pumpkins, there’s usually something ripe and ready to pick at Chiles Peach Orchard. Visit the fruit availability page for more about our seasonal fruits. Field report: Virginia is for blueberry lovers. You are invited to visit this weekend for sunshine and blueberries. Visit their website or call ahead Sunday and/or Monday for a picking update. 434-823-1583 on peach picking availability: chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiles-peach-orchard/fruit/

Gallmeyer Farms Berry Patch. 3622 Darbytown Court, Richmond 23231. Field report: Only farm stand is open.

Hanover Vegetable Farm. 13580 Ashland Road, Ashland, VA 23005. Come explore The Market, where you’ll find delicious produce and seasonal, locally-made products. Outside, you can visit with our goats, Sulley the turtle, chickens, cows and more or have a relaxing picnic in our picturesque fields.

⭐️ Hanover Peaches, 6012 Elder Ridge Ln, Mechanicsville, VA, United States, Virginia – Field report: For the weekend of July 10 and 11 Hanover Peaches will be open for pick your own yellow freestone peaches, the Redhaven variety and some white peaches. Hours will be from 9 am to 3 pm each day. The last entry into the orchard will be 2:30 pm. Cash or cards and dogs are welcome on a leash. The farm has restocked preserves and salsas and added Dilly Beans and a Kicking Vinegar BBQ sauce.

Lloyd Family Farms. 12204 Pinhook Road, Rockville, VA 23246. Now with over 600 acres, Lloyd Family Farms opened to the public in the fall of 2013 with their first pumpkin patch quickly followed by a new Christmas farm experience in December, 2013.

Skinquarter Farm Market, 20800 Hull Street Rd Moseley, VA 23120, is a family owned farm and produce stand. Fresh local vegetables, plants, jams and jellies…and much more.

Swift Creek Berry Farm. 17210 Genito Road, Moseley, VA 23120. As Clyde and Kathryn began their U-pick blueberry farm, their three children joined in the “fun” of planting thousands of blueberry plants by hand, pulling weeds, pruning each blueberry plant, and picking blueberry after blueberry. Somehow or other, each of their grown children have continued to be a part of the family farm. Kimberly helps with maintaining the mailing list. David began working full time in 1999 and helps manage the greenhouses. Jonathan started full time in 2000 and he too helps with the management of the farm. Field report: Due to continued rains, fields closed to picking until Monday, July 12th. Check social media for updates Sunday evening.

The Berry Patch. Gallmeyer Farms, 3622 Darbytown Court, Richmond, VA 23231. Field report: You pick $15 per gallon and $4 per quart. Call 276-698-4230 to schedule an appointment.

The Pumpkin Patch. 4506 Millers Lane, Richmond, VA 23231. Take your family on an inexpensive outing this year. As the summer vegetable growing season winds down, our farm gears up for The Pumpkin Patch, where we offer a popular low-key “on the farm” family experience. Our long-standing customers bring the children out to enjoy free activities: hayrides, spooky house tours, the straw bale maze, and the romping pile. And pumpkins! Growing right in the fields are jack-o-lantern pumpkins for your pick-your-own pleasure. Our selected varieties grow from between 1 and 100+ pounds. Other popular fall offerings: pie pumpkins, winter squash, Indian corn, straw bales, corn shocks and gourds of many shapes, sizes and colors.

The Strawberry Patch at Quail Hill Orchard, 10543 Gould Hill Rd Hanover, VA 23069. Pick-your own farm + fruit & vegetable store open. Field report: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.

If you can’t get out to the farms for the actual field experience, be sure to get out to one of the Richmond area’s many farmers markets for really flavorful and delicious local crops sold by the growers. Want to grow your own? Workshops at Southern States or Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University offer numerous hands-on skills for budding gardeners who wish to enjoy their bounty.

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