There’s no better way to celebrate warm weather with your family than to get outside for fresh air, sunshine, and enjoy local berry picking in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties.
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 Virginia. 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.
Fruit Picking by Month in Charlottesville, Virginia
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.
Central Virginia and Charlottesville Berry Picking & More
In addition to berry picking, many farms and orchards in the Charlottesville area have pick-your-own peaches, grapes, and apples. You’ll also find farms that have flowers, cafés, homemade ice cream, and baked goods. And don’t forget to check the orchards’ calendars for fun family events like live music and seasonal festivals!
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.
Learn more: 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.
Learn more: 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.
Learn more: 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.
Learn more: 434-589-7215, fruithillorchard.com
Gold Hill Blueberry Farm (Unionville)
This little farm, located between Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, is a hidden pick-your-own gem that locals love. Gold Hill opens for Blueberry picking in July and August. In September, you’ll also find kiwis, persimmons & paw paws.
Learn more: 540-222-7954, facebook.com/Gold-Hill-Blueberry-Farm
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. The orchard also makes hard ciders and wine from the fruit they grow, along with hosting weddings and events.
Learn more: 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. And kids will love seeing the farm’s animals, including goats, geese, ducks, sheep and horses!
Learn more: 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.
Learn more: 540-948-4171, kippsgrapes.com
Liberty Mills Farm (Somerset)
Liberty Mills has pick-your-own strawberries in May, along with an extensive pick-your-own flower garden that blooms throughout the summer and fall. Visitors can also enjoy popcorn, fudge, and homemade ice cream. Be sure to check out the Strawberry Fest in late May and the Sunflower Festival at the end of August. And don’t miss their pumpkin patch in the fall!
Learn more: 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. After picking, stop by the garden café for a treat.
Learn more: 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.
Learn more: 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, and you’ll find apples starting in the summer and going into the fall. The orchard also presses and cells fresh apple cider!
Learn more: 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 apples in the spring, and pre-picked peaches and nectarines available starting in June. Pre-picked Asian pears are available in late summer and early fall. StarIf you visit June-October, however, you’ll be able to pick your own apples.
Learn more: 434-277-5455, saundersbrothersfarmmarket.com
Silver Creek & Seamans’ Orchards (Roseland)
Silver Creek & Seamans’ Orchards have limited pick-your-own options in the spring and summer; call ahead to ask about strawberries, cherries, and blueberries. The biggest pick-your-own season at these orchards starts with their apple season in September and October. Remember to bring cash, as they don’t have card processing for pick-your-own visitors.
Learn more: 434-277-8130, silvercreekseamansorchards.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 the end of May until June or July, depending on the weather. Cherry picking season is short, so be sure to watch the website for the best dates and call before your visit to see what’s available.
Learn more: 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. Wenger also sells grapes at farm stands and farmer’s markets around Central Virginia.
Learn more: 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! However, stick with 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!
When warm weather arrives, there’s plenty to do in Charlottesville! Explore local pick-your-own flower farms, goat-cuddling, and playgrounds. Find some water adventures at our local swimming pools and splash pads, or take a trip to a public lake for kayaking, boating, and fishing.
Sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag to receive family news and events right in your inbox. Plus, meet the amazing local businesses and partners who help families thrive in our community.
ELLEN SEWELL is the associate editor at CharlottesvilleFamily. 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.