Who doesn’t love the sweet taste of strawberries in the spring? They’re even sweeter when you pick them yourselves, and if you’ve started researching “strawberry picking near me”, we’ve got you covered.
Thankfully, we have plenty of strawberry picking farms near Raleigh in Wake County and further afield into our neighboring counties less than an hour’s drive away. (Our favorite so far is down in Johnston County. See down below).
Strawberry Picking Season in Wake County
When is strawberry picking season? Strawberry picking is a popular activity for families and friends during the spring and summer months.
We remember when our girls were in that toddler, preschooler age, hanging out for this season to come as they loved it so much, and we were so grateful for an activity that didn’t need our creative input.
Just show up, pass them the basket, let them have fun, sneak a few in between the cutting, and snap those cute pics of the strawberry rimmed grin.
In addition to strawberry picking, many of these Raleigh U-pick farms offer other activities and events, including festivals, games, farm animals, farm stands, and other seasonal produce.
Many of their farm activities continue throughout the year, such as pumpkin patches in the fall, Halloween fear farms, and Christmas tree farms in the winter. Some also offer birthday party packages and group tours.
The hours of operation for each farm vary and can be dependent on the supply and demand chain, so it is recommended to check their websites or call ahead before planning a visit.
Why not make a day out of it and incorporate other things to do near the farm you are visiting like hiking trails and exploring nearby downtowns etc?
Most farms are open during the week and on weekends, with some offering extended hours during peak season. We’ve done our best to include updated information for 2024, but finding updated information is difficult as farms don’t update their websites. It’s best to phone ahead or check their Facebook.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Pre-picked berries will always be available until supplies last. The earlier you arrive the better!
We have a full spring guide to Raleigh. You can also get our printable Spring bucket list when you join our free email community. We regularly share insider tips, bucket lists, updates and freebies!
Strawberry Picking in Raleigh Area
There are several strawberry picking farms in Raleigh and neighboring Wake County districts. Just look for the places that have more land and less development!
DJ’s Berry Patch, Apex
DJ’s is that charming southern roadside stand you’re searching for. It’s located just outside downtown Apex. This family-owned farm has been in operation for over 35 years. The farm is usually open for strawberry picking from April to early June.
You can enjoy picking their own strawberries or purchase pre-picked ones (picked fresh daily) They have the large Sweet Charlie strawberries that have a good balance of sweet and tart. Their Camarosa is a blood-red strawberry great for pies, shortcake and freezing. The farm also offers hayrides, a playground, and a picnic area for visitors to enjoy.
- Address: 1223 Salem Church Road Apex, NC 27523
- Website
- Hours: Opens April 10 to possibly June
- Mon-Sat: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Porter Farms and Nursery, Willow Spring
In Australia we’re kinda obsessed with big things – like the Big Pineapple or the Big Banana. Giant sculptures that become tourist attractions and point the way to things like banana or pineapple farms.
At the Porter Farms and Nursery produce stand in South Raleigh you have the Big Strawberry – large grain bin out front – painted to resemble a strawberry! Porter Farms has five luscious acres of sweet red ripe strawberries – where the ones you eat in the fields are free! Two locations in Willow Spring and Raleigh.
Their Willow Spring Market location has rich and creamy homemade ice cream in 16 seasonal flavors, including strawberry!
- Address: 3525 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring, or 7615 Ten-Ten Rd., Raleigh
- Opening Hours: Saturdays: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Sundays: 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm
- Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
- Website
Phillips Farms, Cary
One of the most well-known farms in the Triangle area is Phillips Farms, located in Cary. This year will be their third year of their Spring Shop & Play Saturdays (starting April 6, 2024) featuring a market, family fun and MORE! They partner with local farmers and artisans to showcase their offerings. Each Saturday has a particular theme, so check their site for details.
It also includes a Family Fun Zone with activities the kids will love from a giant slide to cow trains. Cost $10 cash / $12 card. There’ll be food trucks including Dampf Good BBQ, and Local Donuts. Watch our video.
They’ll be open each Saturday from 9am-3pm, and they’re excited to partner with local farmers and artisans to showcase their offerings. This family-owned farm has been serving North Carolina for over 100 years.
While they do not have u-pick strawberries, they partner with a farm in Dunn to supply the market with sweet, fresh strawberries for purchase.
- Address: 6720 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary
- Website
Page Farms, Northwest Raleigh
Page Farms is located in Raleigh and is open for strawberry picking from mid-April to early June. Visitors can pick their own strawberries or purchase pre-picked ones. The farm also offers a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and a farm stand where visitors can purchase fresh produce.
Don’t just stop with the strawberries though. Page Farms have pre-picked flower bundles, which include their popular Snapdragons, as well as several other varieties of beautiful blooms.
Is there anything more beautiful than the aroma and bright colors of fresh cut flowers in your home? Even better when you’ve gifted them to someone. You can also purchase spring vegetables while here.
- Address: 6100 Mount Herman Road, Raleigh, NC 27617
- Website
- Hours:
- Monday – Saturday 8AM – 6PM
- Sundays 9AM – 6PM
Ogburn Berries and Produce, Willow Springs
Located in Willow Springs just outside Fuquay Varina is Ogburn Berries and Produce, a fourth-generation family farm committed to providing the best quality strawberries and the freshest produce.
At this Wake County farm, you’ll find sweet red strawberries available for picking mid-April through June. They also have a variety of jarred goods including our local honey and a few flavors of ice cream from a local dairy.
- Address: 13065 Old Stage Road, Willow Spring, NC 27592
- Hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 9am-7pm
- Sunday: 12pm-5pm
- Website
Pope’s Strawberry Farm, Knightdale
Pope’s Strawberry Farm is located in Knightdale and is open already for strawberry picking and pre-picked strawberries for purchase.
- Address: 1305 Fayetteville St Knightdale, NC 27545
- Check their Facebook updates for opening hours.
Hunts Strawberry Farm, Raleigh
Hunts Strawberry Farm in Raleigh is open for mostly U-Pick strawberries. Come early to ensure supply. They also sell a famous pound cake and strawberry honey!
- 4505 Watkins Rd, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
- Check their Facebook updates for opening hours.
Buckwheat Farm, Apex
Buckwheat Farm is located in Apex and is open for strawberry picking from mid-April to early June. They also have fresh bouquets of tulips for sale.
- Address: 2700 Holland Road Apex, NC 27502
- Check their Facebook page for updates on supply & hours.
Strawberry Picking near Wake County
Below are some additional strawberry picking farms in Johnston County, Chatham County, Orange County, and Durham County.
J&L Produce, Princeton
We’ve done a lot of strawberry picking across the US, in the Raleigh region, and in Australia and I’ll have to say the strawberries at J&L produce were some of the prettiest and sweetest I’ve ever picked. In fact, they were near perfect.
This local family-owned business has been growing strawberries for 14 years at the fourth-generation family-owned Worley Family Farms. What is their secret to longevity with a fruit known for being a difficult grower in a very short season? LOVE.
While Lisa’s husband Jason and his brother take care of their other grain crops, Lisa has taken control of the strawberries with a lot of love and commitment to producing quality strawberries that look and taste good. She personally oversees the quality of each strawberry for sale in their store or local grocery stores. If it’s not near perfect, it doesn’t make the shelf!
There is no wastage here at the farm, however. The strawberries that don’t make the cut, go to a local distiller for some special Joco drinks!
Fill up your bucket as much as you like and pay per pound. The strawberries are spray free here so you can enjoy a sweet snack while you pick straight from the field.
They also have a small farm store with produce from other local farms, strawberry preserves and jellies made on the farm, and other products like soaps and candles.
Read this post for more ideas on things to do while you’re in this area of Johnston County. (You can’t miss the Waffee Station for unique waffle inspired food!)
- Address: 5837 US Hwy 70 E, Princeton, NC
- Website: jandlproduce.com
Double R Cattle Farm, Hillsborough
This Northern Orange County farm has a long family history of farming (over 150 years). Double R typically starts their strawberry picking season in May but call ahead in case it’s earlier. They also sell grass-fed beef and pastured pork.
- Address: 701 Ollie Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
- Opening hours Mon- Sat 8am – 7pm; Sun closed
- Website
McAdams Farm, Efland
The McAdams Farm has been in operation since 1885. In the year 2000, the family pivoted due to changes in the economic climate of farming, and replaced the tobacco fields with strawberries, produce, and cut flowers.
They grow about 2-acres of the Chandler variety of strawberries. Their strawberry picking season usually runs from late April to June. They also have pre-picked strawberries until supplies run out.
They also have a huge variety of produce including vegetables, fresh cut flowers, meat, local honey and eggs.
- Address: 1100 Efland Cedar Grove Rd, Efland, NC 27243
- Check Facebook for hours and updates.
Lyons Farm, Creedmor
Lyon Farms in Granville County is a family owned and operated fruit and vegetable farm with pre-picked and u-pick strawberries available. They also have a Fruit and veg stand in Raleigh with other produce available.
- Address: 1544 Munns Rd Creedmoor, NC 27522
- Hours:
- Monday-Friday 8-8
- Saturday 8-6
- Sunday 1-6
- Check Facebook for updates
Smith’s Nursery and Strawberry Farm, Benson
Located in Johnston County, this farm offers pick-your-own strawberries from late April through May. They also offer pre-picked strawberries and a farm stand with other fresh produce, plants, and flowers.
A great additional feature of this strawberry farm near Raleigh is their Ice Cream Shack which offers Maple View Dairy Ice Cream products including milkshakes, slushies, and delicious hot and cold coffee drinks using the wonderful Larry’s Coffee.
For the season they’ll also host fun and educational workshops, egg hunts, lots of pick-your-own blueberries, story times, and family fun!
They’re kick starting the season on April 6th, 2024, from 9-5 for their 30th anniversary celebration with goat yoga, Mr. & That Dang Woman Food Truck, farm animals, u-pick, and more. Stay updated via their facebook page.
- Address: 443 Sanders Road, Benson, NC
- Website
Pace Family Farms, Clayton
Pace Family Farms is a family-owned farm who practices sustainable agriculture. Apart from farm fresh meat they offer pre-picked and U-Pick fresh strawberries – from mid-April to around the second week in June. They already have pre-pick strawberries available so the u-pick shouldn’t be far behind. Check Facebook for updates.
- Address: 12701 Buffalo Road, Clayton, NC, United States, North Carolina
- Website
Waller Family Farm, Durham
Located in Durham County, Waller Family Farm has been a working farm since 1943. The tobacco fields were replaced with strawberries but they still have cows, chickens, and now horses.
They offer pick-your-own strawberries from late April through May, as well as pre-picked strawberries and a farm stand with other fresh produce.
They also have other seasonal produce, eggs, fresh cut flowers, honey and homemade pound cake. Check Facebook for current updates.
- Address: 5030 Kerley Rd, Durham, NC, United States, North Carolina
- Website
Map of the U-Pick Farms Near Raleigh
To use the map below, Click the top right button to open it in a full page. From there, click the top left drop down to make a copy of the map. Then you can adjust it as needed for your personal use. Or click the star next to the map, to add it to your Google Maps account. You’ll then find it under Your Places on the menu tab in google maps.
Things to consider when strawberry picking
- The best strawberries grow in the sun. So expect little shade when picking. Arrive early in the day and wear sun protection and drink plenty of water.
- Pick only red berries. They’re the sweet and ripe ones. The berries will get redder once they’re picked, but they won’t get sweeter!
- Keep an eye on small children. Strawberry patches can get busy.
- Take care of the strawberry patches. Don’t walk on them or the black plastic surrounding them. It’s protecting the fragile strawberries.
- Always check with the farm as to opening hours, supply and conditions. And whether they accept cash or card.
- Store strawberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Don’t wash strawberries until ready to eat. It’s probably best not to eat them before you do!!
- Take lots of photos. Have fun!
- Remember Mother’s Day is in May, so cover those chocolates in strawberry and serve them up to Mom with a glass of bubbly!
In conclusion, strawberry picking farms in Wake County and in neighboring county farmland offers a fun and enjoyable experience for families and friends.
With several farms to choose from, visitors can pick their own strawberries, enjoy other activities, and purchase fresh produce. So, grab your baskets and head out to one of these farms for a sweet and memorable day!
Do you know of any other strawberry picking farms near Raleigh? Share your favorites in the comments.
