5 u-pick strawberry farms just a short drive from Birmingham, and more

Birmingham, Alabama, U-Pick, May, Strawberries
Photo via @LouAllenFarms on Facebook

Slather on the sunscreen and pack a cooler of drinks and snacks. U-pick strawberry season is still in full gear in Alabama for the month of May. Bham Now has the scoop on the strawberry farms within reasonable driving distance of Birmingham. Plus, we’ve got a sneak peek of u-pick options for June right here in Jefferson County.

Tip: Before you head out the door, call your u-pick destination to double-check availability and hours. Weather and farming are unpredictable by nature.

Jerry Marsh Farms—strawberries—Blount County

Where: 234 Marsh Cutoff Road, Cleveland, Alabama 35049
Phone: 205-681-8514
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday (closed Sunday)
Price: $10 per u-pick gallon
Notes:
Bham Now confirmed on May 18 that strawberries are still available.

Trina’s U-Pick Strawberries—Blount County

Where: 78409 Hwy 278, Blountsville, Alabama 35031
Phone: 256-385-6772
Hours: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday)
Price: $9 per u-pick gallon
Notes: Bham Now confirmed on May 18 that strawberries are still available.

J. Durbin Farms/Sunshine Farms—strawberries—Chilton County

Where: 11728 Co Rd 37, Clanton, Alabama 35045
Phone: 205-280-0242
Hours: call for hours
Price: $9 per u-pick gallon
Notes: J. Durbin Farms/Sunshine Farms expects to have strawberries for another week, as told to Bham Now on May 17.

Birmingham, Alabama, U-Pick Guide, Strawberries, Sugar Hill, Chilton County
Photo via on @sugarhillupick on Facebook
Sugar Hill U-Pick Farms—strawberries—Chilton County

Where: 3358 County Road 59, Verbena, Alabama 36091
Phone: 205-389-3080
Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (closed Sunday)
Price: $9 per u-pick bucket
Notes: With lots of strawberries still available for the picking, the grounds also offer picnic tables and a playground with slides, swings and a sandbox.

LouAllen Farms—strawberries—Lawrence County

Where: 1974 County Road 177, Moulton, Alabama 35650
Phone: 256-974-0078
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Price: $11.50 per u-pick bucket
Notes: If you want to take the DIY one step further, LouAllen Farms also sells vegetable plants, including many varieties of tomatoes and peppers.

With summer fast approaching, a plethora of u-pick options are still to come. Stay tuned for Bham Now’s U-Pick Guide coming this June. But for now, if it’s peaches and plums you’re craving, McCraw Farms is your answer.

Birmingham, Alabama, U-Pick, May, Peaches, Plums, McCraw Farms
Photo via @mccrawsupick on Facebook
McCraw Farms—peaches and plums—Chilton County

Where: 7299 County Road 15, Maplesville, Alabama 36750
Phone: 334-366-4263
Hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m., seven days a week
Price: $8 for u-pick peaches, $12 for u-pick plums
Notes: It’s a bit early yet, but McCraw Farms will have even more options you can pick yourself later in the season. We’re talking nectarines, blackberries, blueberries and figs. Bham Now will keep you updated.

Coming soon: You can pick your own right here in Jefferson County! The plums will be ready any day now, and expect blueberries in June.

Charles Gamble, green and red plums, Jefferson County

Where: 5614 Hidden Valley Road, McCalla, Alabama 35111
Phone: 205-529-5999
Hours: Daylight; call ahead
Notes: U.S. Steel retiree Charles Gamble’s old-fashioned plums are a labor of love. One of his prized plum trees is 26 years old, seven feet tall and about 20 feet in diameter. He will open to the public when the plums are ready. Reportedly, people drive from Fort Payne for the green plums, which they eat with salt.

“You know you got a plum when you eat these.”—Charles Gamble

Birmingham, Alabama, U-Pick, June, Blueberries and Blackberries, Judy Bee’s Honey and Berry Farm
Photo via @JudyBeesHoneyandBerryFarm on Facebook
Judy Bee’s Honey & Berry Farm—blueberries and blackberries—Jefferson County

Where: 1601 Downs Road, Mount Olive, Alabama 35117
Phone: 205-631-2895
Hours: Beginning in June, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., seven days a week
Price: $15 per u-pick gallon for blueberries; blackberry prices TBD
Notes: Judy Burton told Bham Now that they insist customers pile baskets to overflowing, so a “gallon” is more like five quarts. The blueberries are looking good and could be ready by end of May or the first of June. (Call to check.) The blackberries are a little late blooming this year, but will be available for picking as soon as they are ready. 

 Birmingham, Alabama, U-Pick, June, Blueberries and Blackberries, Judy Bee’s Honey and Berry Farm
Photo via @JudyBeesHoneyandBerryFarm on Facebook
Max and Lydia Blackburn—blueberries—Jefferson County

Where: 750 Blackburn Lane, Warrior, Alabama 35180
Phone: 205-647-2420
Hours: 6 a.m.–noon, Friday and Saturday. Call for additional days.
Price: $10 per u-pick gallon
Notes: Lydia Blackburn expects the blueberries to be ready mid-June. Starting June 1, she will put an informational message on the farm’s voice mail, so you can call then to check.

And, of course, if you can’t make it out to one of these farms, Birmingham has plenty of farmers markets where you can buy fresh, local, in-season produce.

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