CHARLOTTESVILLE’S BERRY & FRUIT PICKING GUIDE
What better way to celebrate warm weather with your family than to get outside for fresh air, sunshine, and berry picking?
The Charlottesville area has many local orchards and berry farms that welcome families, including children of all ages. Most of them are open from spring through fall. Depending on the time of year, you can find strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and more at many agritourism destinations in Central Va. Bring your family to experience the outdoors, teach your kids where their food comes from, and of course, leave with as many baskets of treats from the berry farm as you like.
Check out our Charlottesville Berry & Fruit Picking Guide to start planning your seasonal visits now! Other great warm weather activities include pick-your-own flower farms, goat-cuddling, swimming pools & splash pads, playgrounds, lake fun, and should it be a rainy day we have a guide for that too!
Charlottesville, Virginia Fresh Fruit Availability by Month
Not sure what’s in season? Most orchards and berry farms will provide monthly calendars on their websites and regular updates on farm conditions on their social media. You should also check with each farm before visiting to confirm what is available. To get a general idea of what fruits grow in each season in the Charlottesville area, we’ve broken it down by month.
April: strawberries
May: strawberries
June: strawberries, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches
July: blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries
August: blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, grapes, apples
September: raspberries, grapes, apples
October: raspberries, grapes, apples
November: apples
Not sure you’ll have a chance to make it out to pick your own berries and fruit? Check out our list of Charlottesville farmers markets where you can get fresh produce directly from local growers.
Pick-Your-Own Berries, Peaches & More Near Charlottesville
Chiles Peach Orchard (Crozet)
Pick-your-own season at Chiles starts with strawberry picking in late April and continues through peach picking in the summer and apples in the fall. Check their Facebook page for daily updates. 434-823-1583, chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiles-peach-orchard
Critzer Family Farm (Afton)
Visit Critzer to pick strawberries in May and June, blackberries and raspberries in mid-July, and a selection of vegetables throughout the summer and fall. Updates are posted on the farm’s Facebook page. 540-241-3305, critzerfamilyfarm.com
Dickie Brothers Orchard (Roseland)
You’ll find black raspberries to pick in mid-June, blackberries and peaches in July, nectarines in August, and pick-your-own apples from August to September. You can also buy pre-picked peaches, plums, and nectarines in August. 434-277-5516, dickiebrothers.com
Fruit Hill Orchard (Palmyra)
Pick-your-own blackberries, peaches, and apples fill the summer and fall months. At Fruit Hill Orchard there are also locally baked goods available, freshly made ciders, and an array of vegetables. If you’re from out of town, consider staying on the property at their AirB&B, The Cottage at Fruit Hill. 434-589-7215, fruithillorchard.com
Gold Hill Blueberry Farm (Unionville)
Enjoy picking blueberries in July and August. In September, you’ll also find kiwis, persimmons & paw paws. 540-222-7954, https://www.facebook.com/Gold-Hill-Blueberry-Farm-113974898651476/
Henley’s Orchard (Crozet)
This family-owned orchard offers pick-pick-your-own peaches in June, July, and August. Apple picking season starts in late June and lasts through October. 434-823-7848, henleysorchard.com
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery (Nellysford)
Hill Top is primarily a winery, but it also offers blackberry picking in July and August. Don’t forget to visit the annual Blackberry Harvest and Music Festival on the first Saturday in August every year. 434-361-1266, hilltopberrywine.com
Kipps Grapes (Rochelle)
Visit Kipps to pick your own grapes in August and September. The farm also has a limited supply of apples and peaches; call to ask about availability. And be sure to check out the jams, jellies, and sauces made from their fruit. 540-948-4171, kippsgrapes.com
Liberty Mills Farm (Somerset)
Strawberry picking in May, along with enjoying popcorn, fudge, and ice cream. Liberty Mills also has an extensive flower-picking garden. Be sure to check out the Strawberry Fest in late May and the Sunflower Festival at the end of August. 434-882-6293, libertymillsfarm.com
The Market at Grelen (Somerset)
The berry picking at Grelen starts in early June and typically goes through early August. During the summer you can pick blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Other times of year you’ll find asparagus, peaches, apples, figs, and paw paws in season.
540-672-7268, themarketatgrelen.com
Miller Farms Market (Locust Grove)
Pick-your-own strawberries are available in May from the three-acre strawberry patch. Be sure to check the website for updates on strawberry picking availability before planning your visit. 540-850-5009, millerfarmsmarket.com
Morris Orchard (Monroe)
Pick-your-own blueberries and blackberries are available starting in June and usually lasting until August. Pre-picked peaches are also available during the summer. 434-929-2401, morrisorchard.com
Saunders Brothers Farm Market (Piney River)
Saunders Brothers offers limited pick-your-own during the summer, but they do have pre-picked peaches and nectarines available starting in June. Pre-picked Asian pears are available in late summer and early fall. If you visit June-October, however, you’ll be able to pick your own apples. 434-277-5455, saundersbrothersfarmmarket.com
Seamans’ Orchard (Roseland)
Pick-your-own season at Seamans’ starts with strawberries in May. Come back to pick cherries and blueberries in June, followed by apples in September. 434-277-8130, seamanorchard.com
For late summer and fall visits, check out our Charlottesville Apple Picking Guide to find the best local pick-your-own orchards.
Spring Valley Orchard (Afton)
Spring Valley is owned by the same family as Chiles Peach Orchard and Carter Mountain Orchard. It offers pick-your-own sweet cherries from May until June or July, depending on the weather. 434-960-9443, chilesfamilyorchards.com/venues/spring-valley-orchard/
Wenger Grapes (Waynesboro)
Visit Wenger to pick your own Concord and Niagara grapes from late August through September. You can also call ahead to pick up fresh juices and jams. 540-943-4956, wengergrapes.com
Tips for Berry Picking at Charlottesville Farms & Orchards
Never visited a pick-your-own berry farm before? Here are a few things to know before you go.
- Always check websites or call ahead to ask about restrictions and availability. Weather can impact what’s available and what parts of the farm you’re allowed to visit. For example, rain can dampen strawberry picking the week after storms.
- Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and close-toes shoes to protect your feet.
- Pack sunscreen, hats, and water—you’ll be out in the sun for most of your visit.
- Look for signs and stay in the designated pick-your-own areas.
- It’s okay if little kids want to try a berry or two while you’re picking, but try not to eat more than that since you’ll be paying by either the weight or volume of your container. This is how farmers make their living so respect their work.
Happy berry picking!
ELLEN SEWELL is our associate editor. With a degree in Communications and Media Studies and a gift for the written word, she especially enjoys interviewing local people making a positive difference and sharing events with other parents. Passionate about hands-on-learning and being active, she loves to explore museums, playgrounds, and outdoor attractions of all kinds with her three amazing children.