As we settle into spring and look ahead to summer, there’s a natural pull to spend more time outdoors. Luckily, there are a variety of farms just outside the Birmingham city limits (and even one spot Downtown), where you can find opportunities to explore the season’s offerings and get to know local producers — everything from U-Pick floral bouquets and berries to beekeeping experiences!
Blue Rooster Farms
Location: Sterrett, AL
More Info: blueroosterfarms.com
Floral fans won’t want to miss all the beauty blooming at Blue Rooster Farms in Shelby County. Blue Rooster Farms became a flower-focused farm in 2020, with approximately 30 to 40 varieties growing at any given time. (Fun fact: They plant over 10,000 flowers each season, so something is always blooming!)
Flower Walks are scheduled throughout the late summer and early fall, allowing visitors to tour the fields. Plus, you can learn all about the flowers and even create your own beautiful bouquet to take home.
U-pick times are by appointment only through the website but will be available (weather permitting) through fall. Pay for a cup, then wander the picturesque fields and cut flowers.
Foxhound Bee Company
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: foxhoundbeecompany.com
If you’re looking for an authentic, one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t find anywhere else, make plans for a beekeeping experience with Foxhound Bee Company.
Beekeeping was a decades-long hobby for Foxhound Bee Company owner Adam Hickman, but he turned that hobby into a full-time business a few years ago. Foxhound Bee Company’s only beekeeping supply store in Alabama is conveniently located in downtown Birmingham.
In addition to maintaining a supply store, the company provides a one-day, hands-on beekeeping class. Or, if you can’t make it in person, you can even sign up for an online option.
Lyon Blueberry Farm
Location: Wilsonville, AL
More Info: Facebook
For over 20 years, Lyon Blueberry Farm has offered a chance to pick blueberries straight off the bushes. With approximately 2.5 acres of blueberries, this Wilsonville farm has plenty of blueberry bushes to peruse. They provide the bucket, and you can go to town! You can even bring a picnic and find the perfect spot to lunch, laugh, and lounge in the sun once your “chores” are complete.
Though the blueberries aren’t quite ready yet this year — they’re usually not ready to pick until June — the strawberry fields are ripe with all the berry goodness and ready to be picked.
Stone Hollow Farmstead
Location: Harpersville, AL
More Info: stonehollowfarmstead.com
Springtime excitement extends well into the summer and fall at Stone Hollow Farmstead. This family business is located about 30 minutes east of Birmingham in Shelby County, and you can find a wide variety of items for sale, from cheese and honey to botanicals and cosmetic extracts.
Stone Hollow Farmstead opens its gates a few times each year for special events, allowing guests to experience the farm’s beauty firsthand, including the much-anticipated Dahlia Mania Farm Experience on May 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This immersive event includes a behind-the-scenes farm tour, a look at the gardens and growing practices, a curated tasting of Stone Hollow’s farm-to-table delights, and even a dahlia starter kit to take home.
For those eager to learn more about the art of growing dahlias, the Dahlia Intensive Workshops offers a one-day deep dive with Deborah Stone and Alexandra Stone Flowers, where they share their expertise on these stunning blooms.
And later in the year — currently set for October — Stone Hollow’s beloved Dahlia Day returns, giving visitors the chance to tour the farm, visit with the animals, and learn expert tips for growing dahlias.
Sugar Hill U-Pick Farms
Location: Verbena, AL
More Info: pentonfarms.com
Springtime is strawberry season at Sugar Hill U-Pick Farms in Verbena. The farm prides itself on offering some of the best strawberries around, and the growing team has spent over 15 years perfecting the techniques! This year, the strawberry patch picking got going in March.
For those who would rather not pick, there are also pre-picked baskets for sale. In addition to strawberries, you can often find other fresh produce such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, onions, collards, and even strawberry onions.
Brandberry Farms
Location: Hayden, AL
More Info: brandberryfarms.com
Brandberry Farms is a locally family-owned farm in Hayden run by a mother, daughter, and close family friend for over 30 years. Their passion for all things produce initially began as a hobby, and today, the operation is a full-fledged business.
In addition to selling strawberries and other produce at The Market at Pepper Place and various other farmers’ markets around the state, Brandberry Farms welcomes visitors to pick up their own delicious produce (though call first to ensure availability).
Currently, only strawberries are being harvested, and patrons can even place orders for chocolate-covered strawberries. Soon, the farm will also be harvesting vegetables such as corn, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, peas, green beans, and blackberries. For anyone interested in starting their own strawberry growing, Brandberry Farm also has strawberry plants for sale.
Sleepy Hollow Blueberry Farm
Location: Hayden, AL
More Info: Facebook
When Billy and Linda Edwards first planted blueberry bushes in the late 1980s, they were just looking for something to keep them busy in retirement. They never expected it to turn into an anticipated blueberry U-pick each year.
Located in Hayden, Sleepy Hollow Blueberry Farm is gearing up for harvest, though it’s not quite ready yet this year. The family expects blueberries to be ready for harvesting by early July, and when ready, visitors can visit and pick their own fresh fruit. Be sure to bring your own container. An empty milk jug is recommended, as it holds a gallon.
Hepzibah Farms
Location: Talladega, AL
More Info: hepzibahfarms.com
Hepzibah Farms is a small eco-farm located in Talladega, about an hour east of Birmingham. Though it’s not currently offering any sort of on-site opportunities to check out its stunning flowers or produce, they can be purchased at The Market at Pepper Place.
The farm’s exquisite flower selection has become a staple at the Saturday farmers’ market, and they can even be enjoyed through the Farm’s Flower Club. With the club, Hepzibah’s freshly cut flowers are delivered straight to your front door each week — an easy way to bring nature’s beauty into your home.
Morgan Creek Vineyards
Location: Harpersville, AL
More Info: morgrancreekwinery.com
Morgan Creek Vineyards may not technically be a farm. Still, it is a unique destination (just a short drive from Birmingham) that offers a morning or afternoon filled with fun in a picturesque setting. The vineyard started in 2000 when Charles Brammer Sr. decided to use the fruits grown on their family farm to produce wine. Just one year later, Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery was official, providing niche muscadine and fruit wines, which are typically a little sweeter than traditional wines.
While many of the wines can be purchased at wine shops and grocery chains across Alabama, you can make a day of sampling them at the winery itself. Not to mention, you can take advantage of the beautiful views.
Mountain View Orchards
Location: Jemison, AL
More Info: Facebook
Just a short drive from Birmingham, Mountain View Orchards is a working farm in Jemison with a retail market, making it the perfect spot for a fun and delicious day trip. As of March 29, you can pick up fresh, juicy strawberries with peaches well on their way. Whether stocking up on farm-fresh produce or simply soaking in the beautiful countryside, this charming orchard offers a taste of spring you won’t want to miss!
Howard Family Holiday Farm
Location: Moody, AL
More Info: Facebook
Howards Family Holiday Farm is the perfect spot for a fun-filled outing year-round. The charming, family-friendly destination offers fresh produce, jelly and preserves, freshly grown plants and flowers, and even ice cream. It also becomes a pumpkin and Christmas tree farm during the holiday season.
Smith’s Farm
Location: Sterrett, AL
More Info: Facebook
Smith Farm in Sterrett is a local favorite for blueberry picking. It offers rows of lush, sun-ripened berries waiting to be gathered. While the official opening date for this season hasn’t been announced yet, be sure to follow its Facebook page for updates. In addition to its delicious blueberries, Smith Farm often has other fresh produce available, making it a must-visit spot for a taste of summer straight from the source.
Get out there and enjoy all that spring in Birmingham has to offer!
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