A Guide to U-Pick Farms in the Olde English District
Fresh-picked strawberries in spring, peaches and berries in summer, pumpkins in fall. U-pick season in the OED gives you plenty of reasons to head straight to the source.
From family farms to roadside markets, these local stops offer a chance to pick your own produce, shop what’s in season and make a day of it. Crop availability can change with weather and growing conditions, so always check with the farm before you go.
What’s in Season
Here’s a general guide to what you may find throughout the year:
- Strawberries: spring into early summer
- Flowers: spring through early fall, depending on the variety
- Blueberries and blackberries: summer
- Peaches: summer
- Apples and pumpkins: late summer through fall
Picking seasons can shift from year to year, so check current availability before planning your visit.
Black’s Peaches
Family-owned since 1923, Black’s Peaches is a year-round farm market, restaurant and seasonal U-pick stop in York. Visitors can shop fresh produce and local goods, grab lunch or homemade treats, and return throughout the year for what’s in season.
Pick-your-own offerings vary, with strawberries in spring, peaches in summer and pumpkins in fall. Check current availability before you go, since weather and crop conditions can shift the picking schedule.
Bush-N-Vine Farm
Family-owned for more than 150 years, Bush-N-Vine Farm in York has grown from its peach-farm roots into a year-round stop for fresh produce, seasonal U-pick experiences and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
Depending on the season and crop conditions, visitors may find U-pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, flowers and pumpkins. After picking, stop by the Farm Café for fresh doughnuts, ice cream, slushies, hot dogs and other treats.
U-pick availability can change throughout the year, so check the farm’s current picking updates before you go.
Cherry Place Farm
Rooted in Rock Hill since 1940, Cherry Place Farm is a small family-run farm with something different to experience throughout the seasons.
Spring brings U-pick strawberries, followed by summertime produce and cut-your-own flowers. In October, the farm shifts into fall mode with a corn maze and pumpkin patch, then wraps up the year with fresh Christmas trees beginning around Black Friday.
Because Cherry Place operates seasonally, check current dates and availability before you go.
Cotton Hills Farm
Growing in Chester County since 1882, Cotton Hills Farm pairs generations of farming history with plenty of reasons to visit today. The farm grows everything from strawberries and peaches to pumpkins, flowers and other seasonal produce.
U-pick offerings include strawberries, peaches, flowers and collards, depending on the season. Before you leave, stop by The Market in Lowrys for homegrown produce and other local favorites.
Check current picking conditions before your visit, since availability can change with the weather and harvest.
Five Blossoms Farm
Five Blossoms Farm in Clover is a family-run specialty cut flower and small-scale beekeeping farm with more than two acres of blooms grown using sustainable, chemical-free practices.
Unlike a traditional drop-in U-pick farm, Five Blossoms is open to visitors during ticketed events, workshops, private events and other prebooked experiences. Group visits are also available by appointment, giving visitors a chance to experience the flower fields throughout the season.
Check the farm’s current event schedule before planning your visit, since regular walk-in hours are not available.
Hall Family Farm
Hall Family Farm in Lancaster has been family-owned and operated for more than 70 years, with seasonal U-pick experiences that change throughout the year.
Spring is all about strawberries, while fall brings pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hayrides and plenty of activities for kids. After picking and playing, stop by the café for doughnuts, funnel cakes, ice cream, slushies and other farm-day favorites.
Seasonal dates and activities can change, so check the farm’s current schedule before planning your visit.
The Ivy Place Berry Farm
The Ivy Place Berry Farm in Lancaster is a family-run pick-your-own farm where visitors can spend the season filling baskets with berries, tomatoes and fresh-cut flowers.
Strawberries kick things off in spring, followed by blueberries and blackberries in summer. Tomatoes and other seasonal produce continue into the warmer months, while the flower fields offer U-pick blooms from spring into fall.
Crop and flower availability changes throughout the season, so check the farm’s current updates before planning your visit.
McLeod Farms
Established in 1916, this farm in Chesterfield County is famous for its delicious peaches and a variety of other fresh produce. Visitors can enjoy U-pick strawberries, filling their buckets with juicy berries straight from the field. With over 800 acres of peaches, 60 acres of strawberries, and 10 acres of blackberries, McLeod Farms offers plenty of farm-fresh goodness to enjoy.
The Peach Tree Orchard
You pick or they pick—this open-air market specializes in peaches and other local vegetables. The Peach Tree Orchard also serves tasty ice cream cones, milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits.
Springs Farm
Springs Farm in Fort Mill has a little something for everyone. Enjoy freshly picked produce, baked goods, canned goods, boiled peanuts, old-fashioned soda, slushies and homemade soft serve. And don’t forget to pick a basket of juicy, fresh strawberries during mid-spring.
Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery
If apples are your thing, Windy Hill is the place to be in the fall. Pick your own apples (reservations required), sip on fresh-pressed cider, and don’t leave without trying their famous apple cider donuts.
Tips for a Great U-Pick Experience
- Call ahead or check the farm’s website for availability and hours.
- Dress for the weather—comfortable shoes and sun protection are a must!
- Bring cash or a card—some farms have farm stands with fresh produce and homemade goods.
- Respect the farm—stay on designated paths and only pick what you plan to purchase.
Share Your Experience!
Have a favorite U-pick farm in the Olde English District? Tag us in your photos on social media and let us know what you picked!
Looking for more local adventures? Check out our Things to Do page. Happy picking!
