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Grocery store berries cost a lot, and they rarely taste like they came off the bush that morning. A short drive from Orlando, though, you can pick your own fruit and flowers for about five dollars a pound at many farms.
Several of these spots don’t even charge an entry fee, which makes them an easy, cheap family outing. Here are six local farms where a small budget goes a long way, from blueberry rows in Lake County to an old citrus grove right off US-27.
1. Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis, FL
Few u-pick farms near Orlando rotate crops as often as this one. Amber Brooke Farms grows blueberries, strawberries, sweet corn, peaches, sunflowers, and zinnias, so the reason to visit changes with the calendar.
Winter belongs to strawberries, which run about $4.95 per pound. Spring brings blueberries and sunflowers, and fall turns the property into a festival with a pumpkin patch, farm attractions, seasonal food, and live entertainment.
Entry is free, which is the part budget-minded families will like most. Kids can add a $10 pass that covers most of the play activities, but you can skip it and just pick.
The farm sits about 45 minutes from downtown Orlando on County Road 44A. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Tuesday through Friday closed.
Crops depend on weather, so I’d check the website or social pages for current availability before heading out. Parking is free.
2. Southern Hill Farms, Clermont, FL
Five dollars a pound and no gate fee. That simple math is a big reason Southern Hill Farms keeps showing up on Central Florida weekend plans.
The farm in Clermont focuses on seasonal blueberries and sunflowers. Visitors wander the rows and fill their own containers, and the price stays the same whether you pick a handful or a heaping bucket.
Weekends add extra energy, with food trucks and live music during events. It’s an easy way to turn a quick berry run into an afternoon.
The location on Schofield Road puts it just west of the Orlando metro and the theme park corridor. That makes it a handy escape for visitors who need a break from crowded rides.
Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm is closed Tuesday through Friday, and parking is free.
3. Showcase of Citrus, Clermont, FL
Oranges are the fruit Florida is famous for, yet picking one straight off the tree is a rare experience for most people. Showcase of Citrus fixes that along US-27 in Clermont.
Visitors pick citrus in the groves, then stop by the old-timey country store. The shelves hold locally made jams, jellies, marmalades, honey, hot sauces, BBQ sauces, salsas, dressings, spices, rubs, and soaps.
Don’t skip the 100 percent natural orange juice slushy or the creamsicle. They are a fitting reward after a hot stroll through the trees.
Families get extra perks here, including a playground and a petting zoo. There are restrooms and a restaurant on site, too.
The grove is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., which makes it the most flexible stop on this list. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, and an appointment is listed as required, so call ahead at 352-856-0507.
4. Tom West Blueberries, Ocoee, FL
Here’s a blueberry patch that throws in a boat ride. At Tom West Blueberries in Ocoee, the free boat and tractor tours make a $5 pound of berries feel like a full outing.
Picking costs about $5 per pound. Kids also get swings, a bounce house, and a few small chickens to visit.
Location is a big plus. The farm sits on East Orlando Avenue in Ocoee, right next to west Orlando, so there’s no long highway drive involved.
It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which is handy for weekday visits when other farms are closed. Free street parking is available.
I’d save this one for a weekday morning with little kids. Short drive, simple picking, and enough extras to keep everyone happy.
5. Blue Bayou Farm, Yalaha, FL
Yalaha is a small Lake County community, and Blue Bayou Farm fits its quiet, rural pace. The family-owned farm grows organic blueberries for picking.
Bushes here tend to be loaded with ripe berries in season. It’s a popular pick for grandparents bringing grandkids out for a slow, easy morning.
The farm shares its family operation with Yalaha Bootlegging Co. The berry fields are the focus for u-pick visitors.
Plan for about 45 minutes northwest of Orlando along County Road 48. The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Because blueberry season is limited, a quick call to 352-324-4069 before driving out is smart. That way you arrive when the bushes are ready.
6. Stanley Pond Adventure Farm, Astatula, FL
Not every bucket has to hold fruit. At Stanley Pond Adventure Farm, the harvest is sunflowers, pulled straight from two fields.
The farm also has a year-round catfish pond, a splash pad, and a large shaded bounce pad. Plenty of seating and clean, air-conditioned restrooms make a longer stay easy.
Many visitors leave with more than flowers. Local honey, coffee, and homemade jam are available to take home.
Astatula sits roughly 35 miles northwest of Orlando. Note the short schedule: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., closed weekdays.
Activities change with the seasons, so this works well as a repeat trip. A bucket of sunflowers also makes a cheaper gift than a florist bouquet.
Whichever farm you pick, go early, bring water, and check crop updates first. A few dollars and a free morning can fill your kitchen with fruit and your table with flowers.
