The air is crisp and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Florida grows some of the best fruits and vegetables, so ditch the supermarket and head to a farm to pick your own produce. We did a little research and discovered these 20 Florida farms with the freshest fruits and veggies in season right now.
VoLaSalle Farms
601 Johnson Lake Road, Deleon Springs | 386-985-0046
The Crump family, fourth-generation citrus farmers, operate this citrus u-pick farm that also offers a hydroponic garden with everything from strawberries to heirloom tomatoes. You can also pick a bushel or two to be sent anywhere in the country.
Photo via chasejelder/InstagramClub Lake Plantation
3403 Rock Springs Road, Apopka | 407-703-2707
This multipurpose venue is big on promoting agritourism. You can visit the farm where they host fall festivals, weddings and all sorts of outdoor events, where you can pick out a pumpkin from the patch or visit the country store for something with a shelf-life.
Photo via delmis.c/InstagramShowcase of Citrus
5010 US Highway 27, Clermont | 352-394-4377
More than 70 different kinds of citrus await you just 15 minutes away from Disney. You can tour the citrus and cattle ranch estate for an hour in a monster truck or just pick the fruit you’d like from the 2,500 acres and hop back in your car.
Photo via Showcase of Citrus/FacebookBrook Hollow Farm
8505 Silver Star Road | 407-234-9877
Strawberries will be fully sprouted and in-season when this hydroponic u-pick farm opens up again in December. In the summer, watermelon, kale, spinach and cantaloupe adorn the greenhouse rows.
Photo via Brook Hollow Farm/FacebookHydroeats
18430 FL-19, Groveland | 352-429-0686
Born in 2013 out of patriotism and a love for fresh produce, this farm is run by a retired Air Force officer with 13 rows to represent the original 13 colonies. Hydroeats is a Florida gem for picking your own hydroponically grown fruits and veggies.
Photo via hydroeats.comSouthern Hill Farms
16651 Schofield Road, Clermont | 407-986-5806
Southern Hill is currently open with a pumpkin patch and upcoming fall festivals, but they’re best known for their 40 acres of blueberries, opening again in April 2017.
Photo via southernhillfarms.comAquaponic Lynx
8748 Guava St., Yalaha | 407-342-8515
The lettuce, celery, eggplants and kale currently in season are grown without pesticides or fertilizers by cultivating plants and fish together, creating a sort of artificial self-sustaining ecosystem. Visits to the farm are by appointment only.
Photo via remainrelaxed/InstagramHeart of Christmas Farms
21310 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas | 407-512-2004
Heart of Christmas doesn’t even use dirt. The hydroponic squash, sprouts, strawberries and peppers in this farm are grown in a mixture of coconut fiber and perlite or in plain nutrient water to ensure a strong, clean taste.
Photo via kimsager/InstagramBlue Bayou Farms
26921 Bloomfield Ave., Yalaha | 352-324-4069
Owned and operated by the McCormacks, this family-owned USDA certified organic farm features a blueberry field and Amish products for those who want their food as close to nature as possible.
Photo via finally_a_farmgirl/InstagramScotty’s Produce/Barefoot Creek
1210 Creekwood Run, Lakeland | 863-904-8620
Visits to the farm are by appointment only, but Jeff and Peggy — the organic do-gooders behind this initiative — deliver pre-orders to the Dixieland Twilight Market every Wednesday evening. Fall products include eggs, medicinal flowers and herbs.
Photo via Barefoot Creek/FacebookBekemeyer Family Farm
1055 E. Story Road, Winter Garden | 407-917-8068
Strawberries are this farm’s draw of the moment, but come at the right time and this farm’s hydroponic greenhouse may have anything from blackberries to fresh garden vegetables for you and your family to choose from.
Photo via Bekemeyer Family Farm/FacebookDansk Farms
1825 Cornell Ave, Winter Park | 407-965-5551
Natural bee and apiary products are this farm’s unique draw. Joe, the owner, started out by beekeeping in his backyard. Now he sets up at the Winter Park farmers market every Saturday to sell honey, beeswax and soaps.
Photo via Dansk Farm/FacebookShady Oak Farm
3320 E. Shady Oak Drive, Lakeland | 863-512-1547
Shady Oak has 10 acres with 26,000 blueberry plants and a vegetable garden. If you stop by, you can enjoy the scenic picnic area by the pond.
Photo via Lakeland Berries at Shady Oaks Farm/FaacebookB&G Rucks
1031 Oak Shore Drive, Saint Cloud | 407-928-1261
B&G Rucks boasts one and a half acres of blueberries, vegetables and free-range chickens laying eggs. Blueberry season is from April to May.
Photo via B&G Rucks/FacebookLong & Scott Farms
26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora | 352-383-6900
Known for their sweet corn, kirby cucumbers and red potatoes, this full-service U-pick farm has a café and a market in the premises, ensuring that you won’t leave unless at least an hour has passed.
Photo via jeff__kearney/InstagramLake Apshawa Farm
18030 W. Apshawa Road, Clermont | 352-394-3313
Specializing in citrus and grapes, the citrus season is about to begin and last from November to March, so grab your wooden basket and bug spray and head to the fields (during business hours, of course).
Photo by Sherry BoasPlanted Earth Vegetables
687 E. Kentucky Ave., DeLand | 386-450-0868
Organic and seasonal, this harvest boasts more herbs and vegetables than fruits. If you need a break from the orange and grape groves, here’s where you can find all the ingredients you could possibly need for a farm-fresh salad.
Photo via Planted Earth Vegetables/FacebookValley View Vineyard
22310 CR 455, Howey in the Hills | 352-243-4032
The on-farm market is currently offering in-season chestnuts and pears through the end of October. Peaches arrive in April, and figs in June.
Photo via Valley View Vineyards/FacebookRidge Island Groves
6000 Polk City Road, Haines City | 863-422-0333
You can order packages of red navels, ruby red grapefruit and other citrus goodies delivered straight to your door by placing an order on Ridge Island’s site. If you go in person, you can check out the groves and try out their orange juice. A-plus on the online presence, Ridge Island.
Photo via ridgeislandgroves/YoutubeSoggy Acres Pomelo Grove
100 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs | 407-443-3808
Prime pomelo season is coming soon, but until then, family farm has mulberries, lychees and other prime picks. Soggy Acres does run on the honor system, so make sure you leave your payment inside the shiny metal mailbox at the front.
Photo via wellfedfamily.net
