According to the Georgia Farm Bureau, “agriculture contributes approximately $72.5 billion annually to Georgia's economy” and is the “largest industry” in the state. What does this mean? Quite simply, farming is great in this state, meaning pick-your-own farms are easy to come by. Known as “The Peach State,” clearly peaches are one fruit to pick. But that’s not all. Make sure and check out one of the many farms where you can pick what you want.
1. Southern Belle Farm
Where: McDonough
Having been featured on ESPN, Extreme Weight Loss and Fox 5 Atlanta and in USA Today, clearly the word is out about how great this place is. At this 330-acre working farm, pick blueberries and strawberries during the summer. During the fall, visit for the pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races and cow train.
Cost: $12 for one gallon
Hours: Summer picking hours: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
Spring picking hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday; 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday.
Information: (770) 288.2582; www.southernbellefarm.com
2. Washington Farms
Where: Watkinsville (second location in Loganville)
Here, the fun doesn’t stop when the season changes. Pick blueberries and blackberries in the early summer (early morning if you want to beat the heat). Come fall, take a hayride around the farm and visit the farm’s barnyard animals (goats, rabbits, chickens, pigs and a miniature donkey). Autumn highlights are the 8.5-acre corn maze and pumpkin picking. Hibernate for winter, then pick strawberries in the spring, also planning on enjoying the Strawberry Festival.
Cost: Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries: $12 per gallon. During the fall, admission is charged for the corn maze and daytime farm activities ($12 per person for children ages 5 and up and adults)
Hours: Summer: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Fall: 4 – 7 p.m., Fridays; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays; 1 – 6 p.m., Sundays.
Information: (706) 769-0627; www.washingtonfarms.net
3. Gardner Farms
Where: Locust Grove
Things are just peachy at this farm, located just south of Atlanta. While the main crop here is, yes, peaches, you’ll also find blueberries, okra, corn, blackberries, tomatoes and nectarines.
Cost: Varies
Hours: Summer hours vary. Call ahead.
Information: (770) 957-4912; www.gardnerfarm.wordpress.com
4. Dacula Briar Patch
Where: Dacula
Sure, it’s got a funny name (thanks to the funny-named city it’s located in), but it offers great picking. Located in Gwinnett County, this farm offers picking of everything from plums and blueberries to muscadine grapes and peaches.
Cost: varies
Hours: 8 a.m. – 7p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; June through September. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Information: (770) 962-4990; www.daculabriarpatch.com
5. Hillside Orchard Farms
Where: Lakemont
It all began in 1983 as a small cannery in Northeast Georgia. Today, this 100-acre place sells 700 homemade products, offers a Pick-Your-Own farm and hosts a corn maze and gem mine in the fall. In the early summer, pick blackberries, and August through November, pick apples (13 varieties grown). Go hungry for pies, homemade ice cream, lunch at the Sorghum Mill Café and even a Muscadine slushie.
Cost: $2 per pound for blackberry picking. Call for other pricing.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.
Information: -800-262-9429 or (706) 782-2776; www.hillsideorchard.com
6. Brown’s Vineyard & Berry Farm
Where: Union City
This place prides itself on running and maintaining a pesticide-free farm. Pick thornless blackberries through mid-July and move to muscadines from early August until the first frost.
Cost: $9 per gallon for blackberries, $11 per peck for muscadines.
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for blackberries; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily for muscadines. Open July through first frost.
Information: (770) 964-5304
Do you have a favorite pick-your-own farm that isn't on our list? Tell us about it in the comments below.
All photos courtesy of Washington Farms.
