New to town? Dive into the Charlotte area’s strawberry picking traditions
If you’re new to the Charlotte area, you’ll soon find that strawberry season is kind of a big deal here.
Starting in mid-April, fresh, ripe berries will start to flood into the area’s farmers markets, and there are plenty of places you can go to pick them yourself, too, before the season comes to a close in May.
Then, you can gorge on all the strawberries you’ve scored, make them into strawberry shortcake or jam, or even make one of my favorite spring recipes, chef Greg Collier’s Grilled Gus with Toasted Almond Vin and Strawberries.
Pro tips: Weekends are often pretty crowded in the Charlotte area’s strawberry fields, so if you can go on a weekday, you won’t be fighting the crowds. You’ll also want to check social media for your farm of choice before you go, as conditions are often subject to change.
Here are farms where you can pick your own strawberries near Charlotte.
Bush & Vine
Location: Farm, 1650 Filbert Hwy, York, SC 29745
Location: Rock Hill farm stand (next to Dollar General), 1662 Ebenezer Rd, Rock Hill, SC
Location: Lake Wylie farm stand (next to Bagel Boat), 4090 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, SC
What to know: Bush & Vine’s pick-your-own strawberry patch opens mid-April and typically closes in mid-May, but is subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. You can pick as soon as Saturday, April 19.
It will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and they suggest you come early. Buckets are provided. (Follow the farm on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram to receive updates.)
Cost: $4.25/pound
Carrigan Farms
Location: 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
What to know: Carrigan Farms offers strawberry picking across 5 acres with no reservations needed. The farm is open for strawberry picking starting April 24, and owners anticipate the season lasting through the end of May. (Check the website before you go for availability.)
Cost: $22 per 4 quart basket and $8 per 1 quart container. Pre-picked quarts are $24.
Pro tip: The farm also has fresh asparagus and heirloom leaf lettuce available through early May.
Hall Family Farm
Location: 445 W Rebound Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720
What to know: Hall Family Farms has opened the strawberry fields for picking this year.
Hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with varying times for ticketed activities and food, especially on school holidays and during school field trips. (The farm recommends you stay tuned to its Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates, or call ahead at (704) 562-4021 to hear its daily update before you head out to the farm.)
Cost: U-pick and pre-picked strawberries are $3.99/pound.
The Ivy Place
Location: 8525 Van Wyck Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720
What to know: The Ivy Place’s strawberry season has begun and will last until June. (Its website includes updates on picking availability and conditions.)
Cost: $3.89/pound. Pre-picked strawberries are also available for $8/quart, $12/half gallon and $24/gallon.
Lineberger’s Farm
Location: 906 Dallas Stanley Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034
What to know: Strawberry picking is available from mid-to-late April through June at the Lake Norman area farm that grows its berries the old-fashioned way — on straw. The playground is free to visit, as well. This year, you can start picking Saturday, April 19.
Cost: Pre-picked berries are $10/1/2 gallon, and this year’s u-pick prices are $9 for 1/2 gallon or $16/gallon.
Patterson Farm
Location: 10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla, NC 28125
What to know: Patterson Farm’s strawberry picking fields, northeast of the Lake Norman area, have a growing season that typically runs from April to mid-June. This year, it hasn’t announced an opening date yet.
Cost: Last year’s pricing was set at $1 online or $3 per person admission at the gate, plus $9 per basket. For access to the barn and playground, as well, tickets are $13 online or $15 per person at the gate on the weekend (including a cow train and wagon ride) and weekdays are $10 online or $12 per person at the gate. Purchase tickets online.
Pre-picked strawberries can also be purchased at the farm for $6 per quart, $20 per bucket or $20 for a 4 quart basket.
Springs Farm
Location: 835 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715
What to know: Springs Farms’ strawberry fields will be open starting Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. They’ll remain open through the end of May, and no reservations are needed. Its indoor market stocked with local and handmade items, ice cream and slushies will also be open. (Follow its Facebook and Instagram for updates.)
Cost: Pricing has not yet been released. Last year’s pricing was set at $4.25 per pound, with a fully picked gallon container estimated at $25.50 — and its pick-your-own stand only takes credit cards.
This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
