It’s that time of year! Tampa Bay farms are opening up their fields for U-Pick events. There’s nothing better than picking your produce and supporting local farms. This is always a fun event for the whole family and a great weekend afternoon activity. There are a lot of U-Pick farms in the Tampa Bay area, so we condensed our list to the best 3 farms less than an hour drive from the Tampa area.
Remember before you go to check the farm’s social pages! Events can change based on weather, seasons, or availability. This is the perfect time of year to grab fresh strawberries, oranges, citrus, and tomatoes (December- March). Blueberries and peaches hit their peak during March-May, and you can find gorgeous sunflower fields during the Spring and Fall.
What do you bring to a U-Pick Farm?
Some farms will have bags and boxes for you to store your produce. But sometimes that does come as an extra charge! Be sure to bring your own container when picking fruit and veggies. It’s also a good idea to pack some water, sunscreen, and wet wipes (you WILL get dirty). If you’re going to pick flowers, remember to bring a pair of scissors or cutters. It’s also a good idea to bring cash, some farms take credit cards but it’s better to be safe than go running around a rural area for an ATM. Even though these U-pick farms are mostly pet-friendly, it’s a good idea to leave your dog at home (because even if they are a good boy/girl, we still don’t want them peeing on crops). Tampa Bay Parenting has a full list of U-Pick farms in Tampa Bay, but some of them may be about a 1.5-hour drive.
Here are the best U-Pick Farms that are a quick drive (1 hour or less) from Tampa
