Strawberry Picking Near Bethesda

Lise Howe

8 years ago

Baugher’s Orchard

Baugher’s has announced that their strawberries are blooming, and they expect berrries to be ready for picking the third week of May! Baugher’s Orchard has been a family owned, working fruit and vegetable farm since 1904. It started out as a 60 acre piece of land and has expanded to become a 600 acre operation, and one of the largest orchards in Maryland. Enjoy a wagon ride from the market to berries where you’ll find field workers that will help guide you on your berry picking journey! Kids can run around at the playground and even picnic!

1015 Baugher Rd. (Westminster, Md)
Online: baughers.com

Butler’s Orchard

Butler’s is one of the most popular farms in the DMV. Located right off I-270 in Germantown, MD., they are well known for their fun festivals and ample play areas for little ones. It’s also a great place for a school field trip! Their pick-your-own summer options include strawberries, sugar snap peas, English peas, black raspberries, blueberries, tart cherries, flowers, blackberries, potatoes, and red raspberries. You have lots of company to pick strawberries as you enjoy a jitney ride through the fields to your appointed location. They also have a big farmers market where they sell their own baked goods, honey, syrups, decorations and kitchen accessories. The Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival with hay rides is huge in the fall – another reason to come back.

22200 Davis Mill Rd. (Gemantown, Md)
Online: butlersorchard.com

Catocin Mountain Orchard

Best known for its apple picking, in recent years, Catocin has also added PYO summer fruits! Starting in mid-June, they offer PYO black raspberries, dark sweet cherries and blueberries that last through August. You’ll likely smell this charming orchard before you see it. Catocin whips up fresh apple cider, pies, and jam in it’s on site kitchen and bakery, even in summer!.

15036 N. Franklinville Rd. (Thurmont, Md)
Online: catoctinmountainorchard.com

Godfrey’s Farm

Located in Queen Anne’s County on the eastern shore of Maryland, Godfrey’s Farm is an easy 45-minute drive from the Bay Bridge. They are open every day from mid-April through Labor Day, growing and harvesting the best produce the Eastern Shore has to offer! Head out to the family farm for a day of u-pick fun featuring the freshest and tastiest strawberries, tart cherries, peaches, and blueberries! The farm also has a beautiful field of PYO flowers for hand-picked bouquets!

302 Leager Rd. (Sudlersville, Md)
Online: godfreysfarm.com

Homestead Farm

Homestead Farm is probably the pick your own location that is the closest to downtown Bethesda. Strawberry season at low-key Homestead Farm usually begins in late May and runs about three weeks, followed by cherries, blueberries, and blackberries. Kids will love ogling the goats, chickens, pigs, and sheep, and they can either ride a tractor out to the fields or enjoy a stroll (unless you’re feeling generous and want to push them in one of the wheelbarrows). The small market sells fresh, local honey, jam, and other treats. Homestead is the host to lots of school field trips in the fall to pick a pumpkin – and hosts a very nice fall festival.

15604 Sugarland Rd. (Poolesville, Md)
301-977-3761
Online: homestead-farm.net

Larriland

Strawberry season at Larriland will likely begin in late May, when you can also plan to pick kale, chard, turnips, spinach, and radishes (if you can find a way to get your kids to eat these that does NOT involve cheese, please share your genius). Adults are given a picking container, but children must either share with a parent or bring their own container. To grow the safest and most delicious produce possible, Larriland employs Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which only uses pesticides as a very last resort. Check out their website for a great collection of kid-friendly recipes using all of their produce!

2415 Woodbine Rd. (Woodbine, Md)
301-854-6110
Online: pickyourown.com

Swann Farms

Just 35 miles from D.C., this wholesale fruit and vegetable farm is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the city. Make sure you pack a picnic for those hungry tummies! You can enjoy your home-packed meal at their waterfront picnic area and strawberry patch (on the Patuxent River) while your kiddos run around in their play area.

7740 Swan Ln. (Owings, Md)
443-904-2687
Online: swannfarms.com