At Home in the Pines
A Guide to Berry Picking in the Sandhills
A Guide to Berry Picking in the Sandhills
By Melissa Holt
What could be better than standing in the warm sunshine with the wind in your hair as you hold beautiful, ripe berries you just picked? There’s just something incredibly satisfying about picking your own berries and then meeting the farmers who grew them. In the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area, we’re lucky to have an abundance of local farms, including many that offer U-pick (or you-pick) opportunities.
The arrival of spring and warmer weather signals the start of strawberry-picking season in the Sandhills, quickly followed by blueberry-picking season. Don’t tell the golfers, but berry picking may be one of the best things to do in Moore County, especially with children, and makes a great annual tradition. Meet local farmers, pick fresh berries, and enjoy making delicious memories in the sunshine.
Typical growing seasons in North Carolina:
- Strawberries: Late April to the beginning of June
- Blueberries: Late May to mid-July
Insider tips:
- Before heading out to pick berries, make sure to check the farm’s website and social media pages for the most up-to-date hours and information.
- While many farms offer baskets at an additional cost, feel free to bring your own basket or cooler.
- Wear clothing you don’t mind getting stained. Berries ripen in the sunshine, so be sure to wear sunscreen and consider bringing a hat. Choose footwear that is comfortable for standing and walking and ones that you don’t mind getting dirty (think old tennis shoes over flip-flops).
- To help plan your trips to local farms and for information on farmers markets and farm events, download the NC Farms Today app.
Below is a list of U-pick farms in Moore County, including several that offer ice cream and other fun activities while you’re there.
Blueberries of Cameron
1171 US Hwy 1 Business
Cameron, NC 28326
(910) 366-3310
Products Available:
Blueberries
Dates and Times:
Call for times/days. Usually open several days within the week and Saturday 7:00am-12:00pm.
Product Specifications:
Pesticide-free
Carter Farms
673 Eagle Springs Road
Eagle Springs, NC 27242
(910) 673-7730
(910) 673-2666
Products Available:
Strawberries
Dates and Times:
April 15-June 1; Call for hours and availability.
Product Specifications:
Strawberries: April-June
Sweet Potatoes: August-November
Callie’s Berry Patch
599 Doubs Chapel Road
West End, NC 27376
(910) 528-6419
(910) 235-0519
Products Available:
Blueberries, Strawberries
Dates and Times:
Mid-April thru end of season: Tuesday & Wednesday 7:30am-noon, Friday & Saturday 7:30am-6:30 pm
Product Specifications:
Strawberries: April-May
Blueberries: late June-July
Fairway Farm
274 Wood River Road
West End, NC 27376
(910) 528-6834
Products Available:
Blueberries, grapes, and honey
Dates and Times:
From June to August as berries ripen.
Established in 2015, we offer five varieties of Rabbiteye Blueberries and three varieties of Southern Highbush Blueberries. We are building our vineyard with Muscadine and Concord grapes and also produce local honey from our own apiary. With nearly one thousand blueberry bushes, we have ripe blueberries throughout most of the summer and are conveniently located just 4 miles from Pinehurst.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairwayFarmWestEndNC/
Frank’s Strawberries, Sweet Corn & Vegetable Barn
444 Bryant Road
Carthage, NC 28327
(910) 947-5775
Products Available:
Strawberries, Beans, Cabbage, Corn, Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Vegetables
Dates and Times:
Sunday – Saturday 7:30am-6:30 pm
Product Specifications:
Strawberries: April 16-June 20 | Cabbage: April 16-May 15 | Beets: June 15-July 15 | Squash: May 15-Oct 1 | Sweet Corn, Butterbeans, Green beans, Okra & Peas: June-October 1 | Melons: June 15-September 10 | Tomatoes & Potatoes: June 15-October 1
Highlanders Farm
5784 NC Hwy 22
Carthage, NC 28327
(910) 947-5831
Products Available:
Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Collards, Flowers, Greenhouse Tomatoes, Greenhouse Vegetables, Peaches, Peppers, SpriteMelon, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons
Dates and Times:
- Mid-April through Labor Day, closed Sundays and Mondays
- Tuesday-Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm (during strawberry season we close when strawberries sell out)
- Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Ice Cream Hours:
- Tuesday – Friday: 10:00am-7:30pm
- Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Product Specifications:
Strawberries u-pick, pre-picked seasonal farm fresh produce, and homemade ice cream
Highlanders Farm is a 6th generation family farm. We open in the spring and offer strawberries, greenhouse tomatoes, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, seasonal vegetables, and homemade ice cream.
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandersFarm
Karefree Produce
4680 Hwy 15-501 South
Carthage, NC 27376
(910) 690-6772
(910) 639-4971
Products Available:
Apple Butter, Beans, Blueberries, Butter, Cabbage, Cheese, Collards, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggs, Grapes, Greens, Honey, Jams, Jellies, Onions, Peanuts, Peppers, Pork, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Scuppernong Grapes, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Zucchini
Dates and Times:
April, May, and June: Tuesday through Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm
July through December: Tuesday through Friday 9:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm
Closed January-March
Product Specifications:
Preserves, molasses, homemade ice cream, pies, cakes, and local crafts are also available.
McLeod’s Table Farm
228 McLeods Corner
Carthage, NC 28327
(910) 986-4062
(910) 986-4063
Products Available:
Blueberries, Watermelons
Dates and Times:
Monday through Friday 7:00am until dark, and by appointment.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/McLeodsTableFarm/
Olde Carthage Farm
2270 US 15-501 Hwy
Carthage, NC 28327
(919) 770-5190
Products Available:
Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Muscadine Grapes, Organic Fruit/Vegetables, Peppers, Tomatoes
Dates and Times:
Mid-April September. Call or check website for weekly schedule.
We are a small family-owned and run organic farm currently offering strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, tomatoes and flowers. We will pick them for you or you can spend some time with us picking your own.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OldeCarthageFarm/
White Hill Farms
5030 South Plank Road
Cameron, NC 28326
(910) 783-8552
Products Available:
Cantaloupe, Corn, Jellies, Onions, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Strawberries, Vegetables, Watermelons
Dates and Times:
- April through mid-July and late September-October.
- Hours are generally 8:00am-6:00pm during strawberry season. Other days/times are posted on website and Facebook page.
The Produce Stand is open for 2022! We are ready for a great year at the farm! Strawberries and asparagus are in! Stop in and see us at the farm Monday through Friday from 8-6 and Saturday from 8-4.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitehillfarms/
