At a Glance
The Treasure Coast has a growing selection of true u-pick farms where you can pick your own citrus, strawberries, blueberries, sunflowers, and flowers directly from the fields, alongside farm stands and markets offering similar farm-fresh experiences. Farms are spread across St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties. U-pick availability is seasonal and weather-dependent — always call or check social media before visiting.
St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County sits in the heart of the Indian River Citrus District and is home to the Treasure Coast’s most active u-pick scene. Fort Pierce anchors most of the hands-on farm experiences in this county.
U-Pick Farms
Hamilton Farms U-Pick and Market
📍Location: 1500 North Header Canal Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
📆 Date & Time: October through March/April; Friday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM during season
🌱 What to Pick: Strawberries, citrus (Bingos, Cuties, tangerines), sunflowers, zinnias
✅ Overview: Hamilton Farms U-Pick is a fifth-generation, 80-acre family farm operated by Matt and Jenna Hamilton in Fort Pierce. Their farming roots date to the 1930s when the Hamilton family began growing tomatoes, before acquiring their first citrus grove in 1958. Today, it is one of the only true u-pick operations in St. Lucie County, offering seasonal picking across citrus, strawberries, sunflowers, and zinnias. Buckets and clippers are provided. The Hamilton Farms Market on-site sells fresh produce, pre-cut flowers, local honey, Sutton Milk ice cream, smoked fish dip, and farm merchandise. Special events throughout the season include festivals, hayrides, petting zoos, pony rides, and food trucks. Strawberry season typically runs from December through March; flower picking peaks in spring. Dress for the outdoors, as most of the farm is grass, sand, or dirt.
Also Worth Visiting: Farm Stands and Markets
Al’s Family Farms
📍Location: 2001 N Kings Hwy, Fort Pierce, FL 34951
📆 Date & Time: Mid-October through April/May; Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday, CLOSED
🌱 What’s Available: Indian River citrus, local peaches, fresh-squeezed juice, homemade fudge, guided citrus packing tours
✅ Overview: A Fort Pierce institution housed in a historic Big Red Barn Packinghouse on Kings Highway, Al’s Family Farms has been hand-picking and gift-packing Indian River citrus since the 1930s. While not a u-pick, it offers self-guided and guided tours of the citrus packing operation from November through April, along with the OJ Corral agricultural playground, a veggie patch, and the on-site Red Barn Grill restaurant. Fresh-squeezed juice, Southern peaches, vine-ripe tomatoes, watermelon, and homemade fudge are available in season. One of the most authentic farm experiences in St. Lucie County.
Nelson Family Farms
📍Location: 875 W Midway Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
📆 Date & Time: Year-round; Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
🌱 What’s Available: U-pick blueberries (peak season); year-round open-air market with fresh produce, citrus, fresh-squeezed juice, gourmet coffee, and ornamental nursery plants
✅ Overview: Established in 1938 by Alfred and Hilda Nelson, Nelson Family Farms is one of Fort Pierce’s most enduring agricultural landmarks, now in its 80th year of operation and recognized as one of the last remaining open-air produce markets in the area. The farm offers u-pick blueberries during peak season, making it the only operation in St. Lucie County where visitors can pick blueberries directly from the field. Beyond u-pick, the open-air market carries locally grown fruits and vegetables, Indian River citrus, fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet coffee, and ornamental nursery plants. Nelson Family Farms prioritizes sourcing from local Treasure Coast farmers first, then regional Florida growers. The farm also includes a nursery for those looking for ornamental and decorative plants.
Martin County
Martin County‘s farm scene is anchored by a mix of working farms, flower fields, and farm markets spread across Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. The county has a strong farm-to-table culture, with several farms supplying local restaurants and hosting regular public events.
U-Pick Farms
Painted Sky Farms
📍Location: 7025 41st Street, Vero Beach, FL
📆 Date & Time: Seasonal; follow social media for current u-pick dates and availability
🌱 What to Pick: Seasonal flowers, u-pick flower bouquets, DIY workshop options
✅ Overview: Painted Sky Farms is a small flower farm offering u-pick flower experiences alongside on-farm DIY workshops, horse boarding, horseback riding lessons, and a farm stand with fresh eggs, seasonal flowers, and handmade goods, including skin care products crafted from farm harvests. The u-pick experience lets guests wander the flower fields and cut their own seasonal blooms. Availability is seasonal and weather-dependent, so following their social media channels is the best way to know when u-pick days are open.
Also Worth Visiting: Farm Stands and Markets
Hobe Sound Farms & Farmers Market
📍Location: 1425 SE Bridge Road, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
📆 Date & Time: Year-round; Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🌱 What’s Available: Fresh local produce, flowers, local honey, handmade goods, baked goods, organic meats
✅ Overview: Set on 126 acres of working farmland, this year-round weekend market began in 2020 as a seasonal u-pick pumpkin patch and has grown into one of Martin County’s most popular family destinations. Local vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, honey, crafts, and baked goods inside converted pole barns. Beyond shopping, the farm offers tractor rides, gem mining, a Bouquet Bunker seed ball launcher, a cattle feeding station, and an animal encounter area. Live music plays every weekend. Story Time at the Farm runs regularly for young children. Note: pets are not permitted except for trained service animals.
Kai-Kai Farm
📍Location: 8006 SW Kanner Hwy, Indiantown, FL 34956
📆 Date & Time: Saturday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM; online ordering available for Saturday pickup
🌱 What’s Available: Field-grown specialty vegetables, local honey, pasture-raised eggs, artisan bread; not a u-pick
✅ Overview: Kai-Kai Farm is a 40-acre specialty vegetable farm operated by farmers Diane Cordeau and Carl Frost since 2006, located halfway between Stuart and Indiantown. The farm uses sustainable and best management practices and grows specialty vegetables not typically found in grocery stores. The Saturday morning market inside the farm’s packing house draws serious home cooks and chefs for field-grown seasonal produce alongside local honey, eggs, and artisan bread. A recipient of the Slow Food Snail of Approval Award, Kai-Kai also hosts farm-to-table chef dinners and private events. Online ordering with Saturday market pickup is available through their website.
Indian River County
Indian River County is part of the world-renowned Indian River Citrus District and is home to the Treasure Coast’s most established u-pick citrus operations. Vero Beach anchors most of the county’s farm experiences.
U-Pick Farms
Schacht Groves U-Pick Citrus
📍Location: 6100 12th St, Vero Beach, FL 32966
📆 Date & Time: November through mid-May; Monday – Saturday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Sunday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🌱 What to Pick: Bingos (mandarins), Fallglos (tangerines), Sugarbells, Murcotts (honey tangerines), Valencia oranges, and other seasonal Indian River citrus
✅ Overview: Founded in 1950 by Henry H. Schacht, Schacht Groves has grown from a 50-acre orange grove into a 145-acre, third-generation family operation producing citrus free of wax, dyes, and color-enhancing gases. Located west of Vero Beach in the heart of the Indian River Citrus District, the u-pick experience lets visitors walk the groves and pick fresh citrus straight from the trees. Fruit variety rotates throughout the citrus season, making each visit a little different. After picking, the on-site Schacht Groves Market offers fresh-squeezed juices, citrus sorbet, local honey, gourmet gifts, and seasonal produce. Farm tours of the groves are also available.
Countryside Family Farms
📍Location: 6325 81st St, Vero Beach, FL 32967
📆 Date & Time: U-pick strawberries mid-December through February; flower u-pick in summer/spring. Call the Farm Store or check social media for daily patch openings and closings as availability is first-come, first-served.
🌱 What to Pick: Strawberries (mid-December through February), flowers and sunflowers (summer/spring U-Pick Flower Patch)
✅ Overview: Countryside Family Farms is a multi-generational family farm in Vero Beach offering two distinct u-pick experiences: a strawberry patch open in winter and a flower and sunflower patch open in spring and summer. Sunflowers, marigolds, and wildflowers grow in rows at the Westside location, and guests can pick their own seasonal bouquets. The Westside location also hosts a popular Fall Festival and Corn Maze in October, featuring a children’s zipline, air cannon, Orange Blossom Train ride, duck races, hayrides, and more. A large farm store on-site offers Indian River citrus, fresh-squeezed juice, ice cream, local honey, and Florida specialty gifts.
Also Worth Visiting: Farm Stands and Markets
Peterson Groves
📍Location: 3375 66th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32966
📆 Date & Time: Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🌱 What’s Available: Indian River citrus, fresh-squeezed juice, farm animals, organic produce, gourmet gift shop
✅ Overview: In continuous operation since 1913, Peterson Groves is one of the oldest citrus operations in Indian River County. Purchased in 2013 by the Barkwell family, the farm maintains its century-old traditions while welcoming families to walk the grounds and interact with resident farm animals, including goats, pigs, peacocks, chickens, and rabbits. Children enjoy the Squirrel Treasure Hunt throughout the property. The farm store carries Indian River citrus, fresh-squeezed juice, local honey, organic produce, gourmet sauces and jellies, and Florida souvenirs. While primarily a farm store rather than a u-pick, the open grounds and hands-on animal experience make it a standout farm visit in Vero Beach.
Seasonal Picking Guide
| Crop | Peak Season | Where to Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus (mandarins, tangerines, oranges) | November through April | Schacht Groves, Hamilton Farms |
| Strawberries | December through March | Hamilton Farms, Countryside Family Farms |
| Blueberries | Spring (peak season varies) | Nelson Family Farms |
| Sunflowers and Zinnias | Fall and Spring | Hamilton Farms, Countryside Family Farms |
| Flowers (u-pick bouquets) | Seasonal | Painted Sky Farms, Countryside Family Farms |
Tips for Visiting U-Pick Farms on the Treasure Coast
- Always check before you go. U-pick availability changes with weather, crop health, and season. Follow each farm on social media or call ahead on the day of your visit.
- Go early. Strawberries and sunflowers sell out or get picked over quickly on busy weekends. Morning visits on weekdays are your best bet for full availability.
- Wear the right gear. Most Treasure Coast farms involve walking on grass, sand, or dirt. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are essential. Florida heat is intense even in winter months.
- Bring containers. While many farms provide buckets, bringing your own reusable basket is helpful, especially for flowers.
- Check for pricing. Most u-pick farms charge by weight, not per entry. Have a budget in mind and ask about pricing before you start picking.
- Weekdays are quieter. Crowds are heaviest on weekends, especially during strawberry and flower season. A weekday morning offers a more relaxed experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there u-pick farms for flowers on the Treasure Coast?
Yes. Hamilton Farms U-Pick (Fort Pierce) offers sunflowers and zinnias seasonally. Painted Sky Farms offers u-pick flower bouquets from their flower farm. Countryside Family Farms (Vero Beach) offers a flower and sunflower patch in spring and summer.
Is there a fee to visit u-pick farms?
Most u-pick farms charge either a small entry fee plus per-pound pricing, or just per-pound pricing for what you pick. Hamilton Farms charges $5 per car plus picking fees. Schacht Groves and Countryside Family Farms price by amount picked with no separate entry fee. Confirm current pricing with each farm before visiting.
Are u-pick farms open year-round on the Treasure Coast?
No. True u-pick operations are seasonal, generally running from October through April. Farm stores and markets like Al’s Family Farms, Peterson Groves, and Hobe Sound Farms Market maintain year-round or near-year-round hours.
