Spring means strawberry season. Here’s where you can pick your own in the Triangle
There are lots of things to love about North Carolina in spring, but fresh-from-the-farm strawberries might be at the top of the list.
We wait all year for those juicy, delicious berries, and when they’re finally ready to be harvested, sometimes we just don’t have the patience to wait for them to hit the store shelves. Instead, we like to pick our own, straight from the field.
Pick-your-own — sometimes called U-Pick — strawberry farms are scattered around the state, including in the Triangle. To help you plan your strawberry picking adventures this spring, we’ve compiled a list of some popular farms in the area, divided by location.
Ready to pick some strawberries? Let’s get started.
Note: Strawberry season in North Carolina typically begins sometime in April, but can vary by the weather each year brings, as well as by the individual farm. We recommend checking with each farm before you head out, either by calling or checking their website or social media, to get up-to-date hours for this year’s strawberry season and other information for picking.
Strawberry farms in Raleigh
▪ Hunts Strawberry Farm — Located in northeast Raleigh, Hunts Strawberry Farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked berries. A post on the farm’s Facebook page from late March says the farm anticipates having berries available for picking “around the last week of April,” but it depends on the weather. A post from last year’s strawberry season says the farm sells berries by the gallon, and you’ll likely be able to find other goodies during your visit, such as honey and pound cake. Location: 4505 Watkins Rd., Raleigh. More info: facebook.com/people/Hunts-Strawberry-Farm/100057352604694
▪ Page Farms — This northwest Raleigh farm is open during the spring, summer and fall, with strawberry season generally running from mid-April to early June, depending on the weather each year. Pre-picked berries are also available while supplies last. The farm also offers fresh-cut flowers and a variety of produce, including cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and more. Location: 6100 Mount Herman Rd., Raleigh. More info: pagefarmsraleigh.com/strawberry
▪ Porter Farms and Nursery — This farm offers two locations: one in Raleigh and one in Willow Spring. Find pre-picked and U-Pick strawberries, plus homemade ice cream and other goodies, like lemonade and vegetable plants. An April 13 Facebook post says the Willow Spring location is already open for the 2022 season, while the Raleigh location should open soon. Locations: 7615 Ten-Ten Rd., Raleigh, and 3525 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring. More info: facebook.com/Porter-Farms-and-Nursery-142977167259
Strawberry farms in Apex
▪ Buckwheat Farm — This farm in Apex has been growing strawberries for more than 20 years. The farm offers pre-picked and U-Pick berries, plus homemade ice cream. Other offerings from the farm throughout the year include honey, jams, jellies and more. Location: 2700 Holland Rd., Apex. More info: facebook.com/Buckwheat-Farm-299970047363
▪ DJ’s Berry Patch — Strawberry fields at this farm are generally open from late April through mid-May each year, depending on the weather. The farm offers pre-picked and U-Pick berries, plus a variety of other produce throughout the year. The farm provides buckets for strawberry picking, and encourages visitors to wear sunscreen, long pants and sturdy shoes. Location: 1223 Salem Church Rd., Apex. More info: facebook.com/DJs-Berry-Patch-122337307802631
Strawberry farms in Knightdale
▪ Pope’s Strawberry Farm — Located just east of Raleigh, Pope’s Strawberry Farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked strawberries, with the strawberry season typically beginning in late April. Location: 1305 Fayetteville St., Knightdale. More info: facebook.com/Popes-Strawberry-Farm-369293123226
Strawberry farms in Wake Forest
▪ The Collard Patch — This pick-your-own roadside farm market does offer collard greens (and a variety of other vegetables), but you can also find U-Pick and pre-picked strawberries. Find up-to-date picking hours and prices on the farm’s Facebook page. Location: 7012 Pulley Town Rd., Wake Forest. More info: facebook.com/thecollardpatch
Strawberry farms in Durham
▪ Waller Family Farm — Waller Family Farm is a working strawberry, vegetable and beef cattle farm in Durham County. The Waller family, who runs the farm, is “strongly committed to preserving the rural character and open space that their farm provides.” The farm’s strawberry season typically begins around the last week of April. Location: 5030 Kerley Rd., Durham. More info: facebook.com/Waller-Family-Farm-102676216473557
Strawberry farms in Orange County
▪ Double R Strawberry Patch — Also a cattle farm, Double R strawberries “have been a neighborhood favorite since 2009.” Strawberry season for this farm is typically around May, but may go earlier or later, depending on the weather. The farm encourages you to dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated while you pick your berries. Location: 701 Ollie Lane, Hillsborough. More info: facebook.com/Double-R-Cattle-Services-Inc-188796731163165
▪ Eno River Farm — Located in Hillsborough, this family-oriented farm offers fresh berries, plus a variety of plants and homemade ice cream. U-Pick and pre-picked berries are available, and wheelchair accessible picking has been offered in previous strawberry seasons. Location: 2127 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough. More info: facebook.com/enoriverfarm
▪ McAdams Farm — Generations of the McAdams family have been farming at this northern Orange County farm since 1885. The farm counts down the weeks to strawberry season — typically beginning in late April or early May — each year with a roadside sign, building excitement for passersby. The farm offers U-Pick and pre-picked berries, plus a wide variety of other vegetables and flowers. Location: 1100 Efland Cedar Grove Rd., Efland. More info: facebook.com/mcadamsfarm
Strawberry farms in Johnston County
▪ Pace Family Farms — Head to Clayton for U-Pick and pre-picked berries at this family-owned farm. The farm’s strawberry season typically begins in mid-April and lasts to about the second week in June. The farm provides buckets for picking, but you can also bring your own, as long as it’s clean. Location: 12701 Buffalo Rd., Clayton. More info: facebook.com/PaceFamilyFarms2
▪ Smith’s Nursery & Produce Farm — Find strawberries, blueberries, greenhouse tomatoes, pumpkins and more at this family-owned Benson farm, plus a roadside farm market and ice cream stand. The farm also operates a wholesale and retail nursery. Location: 443 Sanders Rd., Benson. More info: facebook.com/smithsnurseryandproducefarm
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Spring means strawberry season. Here’s where you can pick your own in the Triangle."
