The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Their farm, your table
Berries (and some peaches) are ready for picking at local farms.
Going to a farm and picking produce or fruit right from the vine or branch is a wonderful family outing, especially in these days of social distancing. Georgia farms offer plenty of opportunities to get out in the sun, work the fields and come home with baskets brimming with fruit, vegetables and nuts. It’s a true farmto-table experience. Many of the farms offer even more of an experience with petting zoos, rides and stores to purchase homemade pies and jellies.
Here are several local farms that invite you into their fields. It is advised to call ahead to see what produce is available for picking. Peach season starts in early June and continues through the summer but some of the farms have sold all their peaches. Also, be sure to check about their social distancing policy; many are limiting the number of people in their stores, for instance.
Southern Belle Farm is a 330acre working farm where strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are available for picking while supplies last. Its U-Pick peach orchard, which features 10 varieties, occasionally will close to allow them to ripen. The farm, located in McDonough, has a no bag policy and provides containers. The U-pick peaches are $14 for half a peck; $22 for a full peck. The two-acre blueberry patch offers a variety of blueberries and costs $6 a pint; $9 a quart and $18 a gallon. The farm also has several varieties of thornless blackberries. U-pick blackberries are $6 pint; $9 quart and $18 a gallon. Pre-picked options are also available in the store. Be sure to visit Belle’s Barn, which is home to chickens, donkeys, cows and calves, goats and horses. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. 1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough. 770-288-2582, southernbellefarm.com.
Berry Good Farms offers a variety of chemical-free and organically grown fruits, vegetables and berries. Currently, just blackberries and blueberries are available for picking. Only two persons are allowed in the store at one time. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 930 William Gibbs Road, Tifton. 229821-0746, berrygoodfarms.com.
Green Acres Farm still has peaches available for picking from its 2,500 trees, as well as blueberries and blackberries. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday. Free. 952 Empire Chester Highway, Cochran. 478-230-4124, tsfgreeneacres.com.
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is open on Saturday and Sunday for blueberry picking. However, they strongly suggest calling before visiting to ensure they still have enough berries. They also offer tractor rides to the orchard but are now limiting the number of persons on the ride. Masks are strongly suggested. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. SaturdaySunday. $12 per half gallon. $5 tractor ride. 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge. 706-632-3411, mercier-orchards.com.
Whitley Farms is offering strawberries and blueberries for picking; as their voice recording notes, it is the end of strawberry season, so the strawberries may be “few and far between,” and since it’s the start of blueberry season, they are “everywhere.” The Sharpsburg farm also offers homemade jams and honey. Don’t miss Curly, the bull. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 917 Bob Smith Road, Sharpsburg. 678300-9443, facebook.com/whitleyfarmsstrawberries.
Sugar Hill Berry Farm is open for peach picking on the weekends. The family-owned farm also harvests and sells local honey as well as blueberries and muscadines. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. SaturdaySunday. Free. 6646 Jake Kemp Road, Murrayville. 770-540-6952, facebook.com/SUGARHILLBERRYFARM.