The 11 Best Pick Your Own Fruit Farms and Orchards in Central Maryland

These 11 Central Maryland locations are simply the best pick your own fruit farms and orchards in the area. Great strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and apples!

Sometimes, the simplest activities make the best childhood memories.

Driving up to the edge of a farm, armed only with a wide brimmed hat and rain boots. Jumping over the mud puddles at the low points in the picking row, stooped over, turning over every leaf in search of perfection. Bright, red, plump berries. Your mouth starts watering immediately because you can almost taste the delicious strawberry shortcake you will make with your kids that afternoon.

Or maybe it is August. Hot, sticky, August. The wagon jostles along the dusty dirt road to the edge of the peach trees. You walk halfway down your row and then you see them; the biggest, most delicious looking peaches you have ever seen. Seriously, your three year old plucks one off the tree and it is almost as big as half her head! Later, after your fruit has been weighed and paid for, you relax on the shaded porch and bite into one of these beauties– you can’t help but giggle a little bit as the juice runs down your chin.

Who would have thought picking fruit with your kids would become such a cherished memory?

Related: Check out the Kid Friendly Maryland comprehensive resource for parents: Things To Do In Maryland With Kids!  

Thankfully, there are scores of great pick your own farms in Maryland. This post highlights the best Pick Your Own Fruit Farms in Central Maryland and will give you insider details on where to find the best pick your own strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, and apples. Hmmmmm….. are you hungry yet?

pick your own in maryland

The 11 Best Pick Your Own Fruit Farms and Orchards in Central Maryland

For the purposes of this post I am defining Central Maryland as anything about an hour from Howard County, which is pretty much in between DC and Baltimore. I also included the county to give you a better idea of where the farm or orchard is located.

1. Larriland Farms (Howard County)

pick your own fruit in maryland

2. Butler’s Orchard (Montgomery County)

  • Pick your own for most popular fruits (except peaches) and heirloom tomatoes. New in 2017, they have started a pick your own sunflower field as well!
  • Daily updates here: http://www.butlersorchard.com/pick-your-own/crop-calendar/ or call 301-428-0444
  • Butler’s Orchard puts on some fantastic special events for the Fall and Easter. Click the hyperlinked text for my reviews!
  • At Butler’s Orchard you purchase a day pass or family pass that includes a ride out to the picking fields and access to the giant slides, farm animals, and nature trails.
  • Stop by their Bakery for fresh baked pies and breads (and cider apple donuts in the Fall!)
  • Accepts cash and credit card.
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/apynu8EWpgw

pick your own fruit in maryland

3. Baugher’s Orchard and Farm (Carroll County)

  • Pick Your Own for strawberries, cherries, peaches, and apples.
  • Daily updates here: http://baughers.com/baughers_pick_your_own.php or call 410-857-0111
  • You can read my review of our apple picking experience here. 
  • You pay a minimal fee to ride out to the picking fields. Afterwards, let your kids play on the great playgrounds (there are two of them) and visit the petting farm! Also, there is a market with delicious pre-picked fruits and veggies plus amazingly delicious baked goods. There is also a snack bar open seasonally (peach slushies and cider donuts are our favorites!) and a restaurant just down the road.
  • Accepts cash and credit card.
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/dkVAJZE98r72

pick your own fruit in maryland

4. Gorman Farms (Howard County)

5. Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm (Baltimore County)

  • Pick Your Own crops include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and apples.
  • This is a 100% certified organic fruit farm and has been since its inception.
  • It is a working farm (most of the farms on this list are) so come dressed to plod through fields.
  • The farm charges $8/lb for picked organic berries and you can bring your own container or use the containers they provide.
  • There are port-a-potties on site.
  • Accepts cash or credit card payment.
  • After you pick your fruit stay for ice cream and freshly made fruit pies!
  • There are swings and a slide play house for kids.
  • Here is the link to the farm’s pick your own page: http://www.hybridomafarm.com/pick-your-own
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/HjRLegpFZNq

pick your own fruit in maryland

6. Weber’s Peachberry Farm/Cider Mill Farm (Baltimore County)

  • Pick Your Own crops include: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and apples.
  • Peachberry Farm is separate from Cider Mill Farm (which hosts a lovely fall festival starting in September) but they are owned by the same family.
  • Once you pick your fruit, stop by their bakery for delicious pies and baked goods, ice cream, and homemade fudge. Oh wow… my mouth is watering.
  • Prices are posted at the field, containers are provided, and port-a-potties are located at the picking fields.
  • Here is a link to Peachberry Farm: http://www.weberscidermillfarm.com/webers-farm-peachberry-orchard.php
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/57SdHjou8MN2

7. Catoctin Mountain Orchard (Frederick County)

  • Pick Your Own crops include: cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, and apples.
  • They also have a lot of other crops that are pre-picked and for sale like strawberries, peaches, and veggies.
  • There is a $2 entrance/wagon ride to the picking fields fee and it appears that pick your own is cash only (at least for the apples. The website isn’t clear about the other fruits).
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard also has a wide variety of pick your own flowers, including sunflowers!
  • After picking your fruit stop by the bakery for a wide variety of fresh pies, dumplings, cookies, cakes, and breads!
  • Here is the Catoctin Mountain Orchard website: http://www.catoctinmountainorchard.com/
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/T7osVU1s4hA2

pick your own fruit in maryland

8. Lohr’s Orchard (Harford County)

9. Shaw Orchards (Harford County– very close to PA border)

pick your own fruit in maryland

10. Homestead Farms (Montgomery County)

  • Pick Your Own crops include: strawberries, tart cherries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and apples.
  • Homestead Farms also has a pick your own flower patch!
  • Don’t forget to stop and feed the goats and see the alpacas and chickens.
  • There are hay bales kids can climb on too.
  • Port-A-Potties are available on site.
  • Homestead Farms accepts cash and credit.
  • Here is the link to Homestead Farms website: http://www.homestead-farm.net/HarvestSch.html
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/JvcbrvG7CpM2

pick your own fruit in maryland

11. Rock Hill Orchard (Montgomery County- Mount Airy)

  • Pick Your Own crops include: peaches, cherries, blackberries, apples.
  • Rock Hill Orchard is co-located with the Woodbourne Creamery, part of the Maryland Ice Cream Trail.
  • There are also lovely pick your own flowers at the orchard.
  • You can help bottle feed the calves at 4pm on fall weekends and you can also see the Guernsey cows be milked.
  • Here is the link to the Rock Hill Orchard website: https://www.rockhillorchard.com/
  • Google Map directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/xYmKCH5qKAG2

flower picking in maryland 

Which Farms Offer Which Varieties of Pick Your Own Fruit (all of Maryland list)

Strawberries

  • Shlagel Farms
  • Gorman Farms
  • Larriland Farms
  • Weber’s Peachberry Farm
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Baugher’s
  • Swann Farms
  • Shaw Orchards
  • Walnut Springs Farm
  • Emily’s Produce
  • Godfrey’s Farm
  • Family Affair Farm
  • Lohr’s Orchard
  • Gardenhour Orchards
  • Lewis’ Orchards
  • Litton’s Produce and Berries
  • Lockbriar Farm
  • Southern Comfort Berry Farm

Cherries

  • Larriland Farms
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Baugher’s
  • Homestead Farms
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard
  • Shaw Orchards
  • Rock Hill Orchard
  • Walnut Springs Farm
  • Godfrey’s Farm
  • Lewis’ Orchards
  • Lockbriar Farm

Raspberries (Black or Red)

  • Larriland Farms
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard
  • Shaw Orchards
  • Walnut Springs Farm
  • Emily’s Produce
  • Litton’s Produce and Berries
  • Lockbriar Farm

Blueberries

  • Larriland Farms
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Weber’s Peachberry Farm
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Homestead Farm
  • Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard
  • Shaw Orchards
  • Walnut Springs Farm
  • Godfrey’s Farm
  • Family Affair Farm
  • Garden of Eden
  • Frog Eye Bluberry Farm
  • Gardenhour Orchards
  • Litton’s Produce and Berries
  • Lockbriar Farm

Blackberries

  • Larriland Farm
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Weber’s Peachberry Farm
  • Homestead Farms
  • Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm
  • Rock Hill Orchard
  • Emily’s Produce
  • Family Affair Farm
  • Lockbriar Farm

Peaches

  • Larriland Farms
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Weber’s Peachberry Farm
  • Baugher’s
  • Homestead
  • Shaw Orchards
  • Rock Hill Orchard
  • Godfrey’s Farm
  • Garden of Eden
  • Gardenhour Orchards
  • Lewis’ Orchards
  • Lockbriar Farm

Apples

  • Larriland Farm
  • Weber’s Peachberry Farm (Cider Mill Farm)
  • Baugher’s
  • Milburn Orchard
  • Butler’s Orchard
  • Rock Hill Orchard
  • Homestead Farm
  • Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard
  • Shaw Orchard
  • Gardenhour Orchards
  • Lewis’ Orchards
  • Lockbriar Farm

When is picking season for my favorite pick your own fruit?

  • Strawberries– typically mid or late May until early or mid June. Southern Maryland will have strawberry picking season before Maryland farms closer to the Pennsylvania border.
  • Cherries– mid June to mid July
  • Blueberries– late June to early August
  • Raspberries– late June to mid to late July
  • Blackberries– late July through August
  • Peaches– mid July through mid September (different varieties of peaches ripen at different times)
  • Apples– mid August through late October (different varieties of apples ripen at different times)

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