U-Pick Farms in Northern Virginia
- abbiesroadhome
- May 18
- 4 min read
There’s something about filling a basket with sun-ripened strawberries, wandering through sunflower fields, or hunting for the perfect pumpkin that feels like an escape from the busy Northern Virginia weekends we typically see. Agritourism is a growing industry and farms across Virginia have been opening up their fields to create experiences that offer everything from classic berry picking to full family farm experiences complete with cider donuts, play areas, and live events. Family Outing? Day date? Just looking to enjoy a beautiful day outside and support your local farmer's business? These U-pick farms deserve a spot on your seasonal bucket list.
Loudoun County: Northern Virginia’s U-Pick Capital
Loudoun County is home to some of the best-known pick-your-own farms within the Northern Virginia area, with seasonal offerings that change from spring strawberries to fall pumpkins. Tourism officials highlight strawberries, cherries, peaches, apples, flowers, and pumpkins as some of the county’s most popular U-pick crops.
The iconic Wegmeyer Farms offers strawberry picking at three locations. The Home Farm in Hamilton, Oatlands Historic Mansion in Leesburg, and Strawberry Hill in Hamilton. Reservations are required and tend to fill up quickly, as this is one of the most popular strawberry picking locations in Northern Virginia. During the fall they offer U-Pick pumpkins at their Home Farm and pre-picked at all three locations.
Located in Bluemont, Great Country Farms is much more than a simple U-pick farm. Offering multiple U-Pick seasons, as well as festivals throughout the year, there is rarely a bad time to visit Great Country Farms.
April - Tulips
May - Strawberries
June - Cherries
June, July, August - Peaches
July - Blackberries
August - Potatoes
August - September - Apples
September - October - Pumpkins
This farm is especially popular for families with young children because there’s enough entertainment to turn a quick berry-picking trip into an all-day adventure including playgrounds, mazes, wagon rides, splash area and farm animals. Seasonal festivals throughout the year add even more reasons to visit.
A major bonus? The farm sits in the heart of Loudoun’s wine and brewery country, making it easy to pair your farm day with stops at nearby wineries, cideries, and breweries.
Flower Picking & Specialty Farms
Loudoun’s U-pick scene extends beyond fruit. Seasonal flower farms allow visitors to cut their own bouquets featuring dahlias, peonies, hydrangeas, and sunflowers. For those wanting a quieter agricultural experience, smaller local farms and orchards throughout western Loudoun provide a more relaxed alternative to the larger destinations.
Prince William County U-Pick Experiences
Prince William County offers a growing collection of seasonal farm experiences. While Eastern Prince William County is a much more urban, city-like feel - a short drive to Western Prince William begins to open up, offering road side egg stands, family farms and some fun U-Pick Options:
Located in Bristow - They offer strawberries in the spring (Typically May into early/mid-June) and pumpkins in the fall (Late September-October). Strawberry season requires reservations only for Saturday and Memorial Day, and is closed on Sundays. Feel free to drop-in during the week. The Fall season offers a fall festivities wristband, great for the littles, with a cow train, hayrides, animal exhibits and a play area available
Flowers, Flowers, Flowers! For a little different experience, check out Burnside Farms. They offer 2 pick-your-own seasons: Festival of Spring, featuring daffodils and tulips; and Summer of Sunflowers with over 70 acres of sunflowers over a 4 week period. A hot-spot destination for photographers, or just those instagram-worthy photos everyone loves. A playground is available with admission and summer also offers a lineup of entertainment throughout the season.
Quick Day Trips Worth the Drive
This farm has it all! Located in Fredericksburg, you can get everything you need at Braehead Farm. They also have an awesome farm playground for the kids, animal encounters from their animal rescues and events year-round!
April: Beets, Carrots, Collards, Turnips and Turnip Greens, Lettuce, Carrots and Winter Squash
May: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Lettuce, Kale, Collards, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Bok choy, kohlrabi
June: Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, one row of Black raspberries, Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Beets, Carrots, Lettuce, Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Bok Choy, cress, daikon radish, sugar snap peas and flat peas, green beans-bush beans, Sweet Peppers, hot peppers, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Cucumbers, Okra, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Flowers, Sunflowers
July-September: GRAPES (Norton, Concord, Niagra, Catawba), Peppers (Bell, Snacking, Hungarian, Jalapeno, Habanero, ghost, Chili), Beets, Carrots, Kale, Collards, Okra, Squash, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Zucchini, Green Beans, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Canary Melon
September: Pumpkin and Squash
October and November: Pumpkins, Zucchini, Bell Peppers, Winter Squash, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Carrots, Beets, Swiss Chard, Green Beans, Collards, Kale, Mustard Greens, Lettuce, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts.
December - April: Arugula, Kale, Collards, Cabbage, Mustard Greens, Kohlrabi, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Beets, Turnips, Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Carrots.
Berries! Berries! Berries - Messicks offers seasons for Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries. You can also pick some gorgeous flowers while you are there. They have a sweet playground for the littles and a delicious custard stand and treat filled market! Located in Bealeton, it's an easy drive down from PWC and offers a fun-filled day for everyone. Check out their events throughout the year as well!
Why U-Pick Farms Are One of Northern Virginia’s Best Traditions
In a region known for traffic, busy schedules, and suburban sprawl, U-pick farms offer a chance to slow down and reconnect with the countryside that still exists throughout Northern Virginia. They’re part outdoor adventure, part local agriculture, and part memory-making experience.
Whether you’re introducing kids to farm life for the first time, planning a weekend date, or simply searching for the freshest fruit possible, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax County residents have some of the Mid-Atlantic’s best seasonal farm experiences just a short drive away.
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