I don't know about you, but for me there's nothing better than getting out on a farm and picking my own food. You know where it comes from, you appreciate it more, and you get a good dose of fresh air. There's always a bonus if your family comes with you. Then you can have a good family outing and pick extra of whatever you want. Here are 18 places in South Carolina where you can pick your own food. You might want to pull out those canning recipes, pickling recipes, or freezer hints for all that extra produce.

1. Barefoot Farms of Belton

They use all natural ways to grow their crops meaning that they don't like chemicals. They have many things that you can pick or that are already picked for you such as: beans, blackberries, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs/spices, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, and other vegetables. They also have on-site beehives so that means you get fresh from the farm honey! Here's all the info to find them and get in touch in case you have questions: 293 Murphy Road, Belton, SC 29627. Phone: 864-380-2002. Email: [email protected]. Open: Open Daily June through November you pick at 6am and regular store at 9 am close around dusk; Open November through May 9am through 6pm Closed Sunday's.

2. Dempsey Farms

Dempsey Farms is located down on St. Helena Island and you can go pick strawberries, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, beans, and corn. Here's their information so you can see their hours, where they are located, and call if you need them: St. Helenas Island, SC, zip. Phone: 843-838-3656. Email: [email protected]. Open: 9 am - 6 pm - Monday -Saturday, April - May - Strawberries, June and July - Tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers and watermelons, May, June and July - Squash, cucumbers, beans and okra, Sept and Oct - Pumpkins and Vegetables.

3. King's Farm Market

King's has vegetables and peaches available for you to pick or purchase. Here's their information: 2559 Hwy. 174, Edisto Is, SC 29449. Phone: 843-869-3600. Email: [email protected]. Open: March – December. Also, Boiled Peanuts, Cut Flowers, Honey, Jams, Jellies, Dressings, Pickles, Rice, Grits, Bakery Items, Shrubs. Directions: 8 miles north of Edisto Beach. U-pick vegetables, peaches, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, beans, peas, tomatoes, collards, sweet corn, boiled peanuts, cut flowers, honey, jams, jellies, dressings, pickles, rice, grits, bakery items, shrubs, gourmet hams, cheese.

4. McLeod Farms

Here you can pick: blackberries, pumpkins, strawberries, and pumpkin patch-pick in the field. They also have a store where you can buy pre-picked produce, jams, jellies, and other sundries. Here's their information: 29247 Hwy 151 South, McBee, SC 29101. Phone: 843-335-8335. Fax: 843-335-8873. Email us at: [email protected]

5. Dargan Farms

Strawberries and pumpkins are what you're going to be able to pick here. They have many other things here including fall festivities. Here's their information for you: 1306 South Charleston Road, Darlington, SC 29532. Phone: 843-307-6105. Email: [email protected]

6. Pick-It Fresh Farm

They use all natural ways to grow their crops. Here you're able to pick from a bunch of different items including: beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broad beans, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs/spices, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Here's the number and address to call them to see what times they have each crop open! Franklin Road, Johnston, SC 29832. Phone: 803-257-1688. Email: [email protected]

7. Diamond Branch Farms

Diamond Branch Farms offers you a chance to pick beans, broad beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, peas, pumpkins, and summer squash. There are many other things you can do there too. They have a petting zoo and farm animals as well. Here's the information for you: 543 diamond branch Road, Johnsonville, SC 29555. Phone: 843-386-2939. Fax: 843-380-0996. Email: [email protected].

8. Beechwood Farms

As you can see they are extremely organized and have everything "on board" for you. Here you can pick these or have them picked for you: beans, beets, broad beans, cucumbers, peas, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Here is the information you may need to answer any questions: 204 Bates Bridge Road, Marietta, SC 29683. Phone: 864-836-6075. Email: [email protected].

9. Fishers Orchard

This farm has peaches, nectarines, and apples. You can pick them or have them picked for you. They are open through October with some apples still left for picking in some cases, but here is the information just in case: 650 Fisher Road, Greer, SC 29651. Phone: 864 895-4115.

10. Stewart Farms

Steward Farms has blackberries, pumpkins, and strawberries as well as other vegetables at different times of the year. They also have on-site beehives...you know what that means? Fresh honey! Here is their information: 6600 Highway 92, Enoree, SC 29335. Phone: 864-969-7270.

11. Herb N Berries

They have all natural growing practices and they mostly grow blueberries, but they have a few other things at certain times of the year. You can find them here: 148 Keeper Lane, Aiken, SC 29839. Phone: 803 649-7037. Email: [email protected].

12. Lever Farms

Lever Farms has quite the place and it's open for you to bring your family for a day of fun! Here are all the things that you can pick at different times of the year: beans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peaches, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Here is the information: 5057 South Carolina Highway 34, Pomaria, SC 29126. Phone: 803-321-5952. Email: [email protected].

13. Bryson's Apple Orchard

Here you are going to find apples and peaches! I LOVE picking apples. They taste so good from the tree. Here is their information: 1011 Chattooga Ridge Road, Mountain Rest, SC. 29664. Phone: 864-647-9427. Email: [email protected]. Open: August 15 - November 15, 9 am to 6 PM.

14. Chattooga Belle Farms

Chattooga is a farm that has just about a little of everything! Here you will be able to pick: pples, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, muscadine grapes, nectarines, peaches, persimmons, and raspberries (red) or have them picked for you. Here's their information for you: 454 Damascus Church Road, Long Creek, SC 29658. Phone: 864-647-9768. Fax: 864-972-0646. Email: [email protected]. Open: 9-5 seven days a week and by appointment.

15. St. Julien Plantation

I do believe that this is just a summer operation as they mostly have peaches and strawberries plus some other things that they carry, but here's their information so you can find out all the information: 11786 Old # 6 Hwy., Eutawville, SC 29048. Phone: 803-492-7556. Alternate phone: 803-492-7414.

16. Nivens Apple Farm

You will find apples and pumpkins here among other things such as hayrides and mazes. Loads of fall activities. Here's their information: 130 Orchard Drive, Moore, SC 29369. Phone: 864-574-8889. Alternate phone: 864-576-4195. Email: [email protected]. Open: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm, from August - November.

17. Willard Farms

They try to keep as far away from chemical pesticides here as possible so if that's something you are looking for...look no further. They have all of these things that you can pick at different times: beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, melons, onions, other berries, peas, peaches, pecans , peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Here's their information: 1120 South Brick Church Road, Gable, SC 29051. Phone: 803-938-2814. Email: [email protected]

Open: Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm Sunday, 12 noon to 6pm.

18. Windy HIll Orchard & Cidery

I think I saved the best for last. They have apples here, of course, but they also have wassail, apple cider (all kinds), apples pies, fried apples pies, and apple doughnuts! All things apple! Here's their information: 11860 Highway 5, York, SC 29710. Phone: 803-684-0690Directions: 5 miles west of York on Highway 5....look for the Windmill! Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November, December. Open: mid August through December, Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm; Check our website or call for Sunday hours. Best time for apple picking is mid September till mid October.

I remember when my mom would take me somewhere out in the middle of nowhere to pick tomatoes until I think I was a tomato! However, I do remember how good those tomatoes were when we were having fresh tomato sandwiches that week or in the winter she would take some out of the freezer and make soups or creamed tomatoes and biscuits. They were delicious and well worth picking. I guess it's more than the food and more than the savings you can make....it can be about the memories that you will have that no one can ever take away. So, load up that family and go pick some apples or other winter vegetables that are about. You never know what the day will bring, but it's sure to bring a few smiles and loads of laughs!