As spring arrives in central North Carolina, the area bursts back to life with colorful landscapes that carry the sweet smell of blooming flowers and fruits. A favorite of the season? Strawberries! May is the perfect month to visit local farms as they open their gates for strawberry picking. This delightful pastime offers joy in harvesting food straight from the vine and quickly turns a fun activity into a core memory. 

A&G Residential Homes has a strong community connection as we build beautiful, new homes right where we live. It is common for our clients to see us out and about, including at our local strawberry farms.

What makes May the Perfect Month for Strawberry Patches? 

When you mix North Carolina’s temperate climate with its fertile soil, it creates the perfect recipe for plentiful berry crops. Picking strawberries in May means enjoying time outdoors before summer temperatures make the experience a little too sun soaked. As farms open for strawberry season, guests are greeted with rows and rows of ruby red fruit tucked beneath the shade of deep emerald leaves. The taste of a strawberry straight off the vine is hard to forget and brings visitors back year after year. 

Fresh Strawberries pair perfectly with your A&G Residential Home!

Pick your neighborhood and find a favorite spot to pick strawberries! A&G Residential is building stunning homes in over a dozen North Carolina communities. Prospective homebuyers first fall in love with our versatile floor plans and low-maintenance exteriors before discovering the southern charm of their surrounding communities. 

Harnett County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Harnett Lakes, Jones Creek, Kingsbury Ridge, and Turlington Acres. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Gross Farms has been family-owned for seven generations. Grab some berries before visiting the produce barn!
  • Langdon Farms Strawberry & Produce This farm is locally owned and prides itself on providing the highest quality produce. Pick your own or grab a ready-to-go bucket!

Hoke County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Bedford, Buffalo Creek, Carolina Crossing, and Gates Farm. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Jep’s Farm is a terrific resource for strawberries and endless ideas on what to do with your haul! Check out Jep’s Facebook page for hours of operation and a variety of recipes.
  • Way Better Produce is the sister of Way Better Arabians horse farm. Enjoy a day on the farm, admiring fields of produce and beautiful animals!

Johnston County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Chantilly Preserve and Johnson Ridge. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Hand Picked Nursery will host its inaugural strawberry festival on May 31st, celebrating the sweetest season of all!
  • Pace Family Farm’s annual Berries, Bluegrass, and BBQ is back on May 18th! This family-friendly event will become an instant favorite in your household. 
  • Penny's Produce has opened its fields for berry pickers! Check Penny’s Facebook page for hours of operation. 
  • Smith’s Farm Market offers pick-your-own strawberries, workshops, and will even host one-of-a-kind birthday parties. 

 Cumberland County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Baywood Preserve, Collier Gate, The Hills at Stonegate, Sandhills at Wade, Windemere. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Bunce Brothers Farms opened just a few weeks ago and will remain open daily until all strawberries have been picked! 
  • Gillis Hill Road Produce is the perfect spot to pick strawberries. The farm also has a large play area for kids–make a day of it!

Moore County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Ashley Heights. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Highlanders Farm is a sixth-generation farm filled with some of the area’s largest strawberries. 
  • Karefree Produce is home to the “Four-Bite Strawberries” -- proof that Moore County has the ideal soil for the area’s biggest berries. 
  • Old Carthage Farm is open for strawberry picking on the weekends. Check their page for additional hours!
  • White Hill Farms This year-round pick-your-own farm amps up for strawberry season. Grab a pint today!

Robeson County:

• A&G Residential neighborhoods: Jackson Estates. Visit these farms to pick the freshest strawberries:
  • Bo’s Berry Patch offers strawberries in containers of all sizes–even up to a gallon of delicious berries!
  • Jack Pait Strawberry Farms is a local favorite for both its strawberries and its commitment to the local community, including the Patrick Pait Scholarship program. 
  • Locklear Farms has your recipe for the perfect Strawberry Cool Whip Pie, and it starts with berries from their farm! 

Strawberry picking in May offers a perfect excuse to spend time outdoors, soaking in the sunshine and fresh air. North Carolina’s “U-Pick” farms support local families and the regional economy by investing in sustainable agriculture. The farming heritage in central North Carolina has a long history that continues to thrive thanks to residents.

To make the most of your strawberry picking adventure, consider the following tips:

• Visit your local farm earlier in the day when temperatures are cooler.
• Opt for comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for walking through uneven fields.
• Bring along sunscreen, hats, and shallow containers. 
• Pick with Care! Choose fully red, ripe strawberries as berries do not continue to ripen once picked. 
• Grab the stems and pull with a slight twist to avoid damaging the plant. 
• Once picked, place berries gently in containers rather than tossing them to prevent bruising.
• At home, refrigerate your haul promptly and wash only before consuming to extend their freshness.

The team at A&G Residential Homes loves where they live–especially during strawberry season. Plan a day to tour the communities in which A&G Residential is building, then stop by a local farm to pick strawberries straight off the vine.  

Reach out to A&G Residential Homes today to get started!