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Fall is a great time for fruit. Oranges, grapes and other fruit are ripe for the picking. An afternoon trip to a local farm will provide some of the freshest fruits in the Tampa Bay area.

First Fruits Hydroponics grows strawberries, blueberries and lots of vegetables. It has over 10,000 strawberry plants available for picking. This you-pick site grows its berries in towers in a dirt-free organic medium for easy, clean picking. Scissors and containers are supplied at the farm to make the process easier. Owners Shelly and Jeff Kellogg suggest calling ahead for availability of crops. The farm is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Schedule a visit any time from November to the end of May.

Oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruit and pummelos are just a few of the citrus fruits available at this Fort Lonesome Farm. Buckets are supplied for picking citrus where different types of citrus can be mixed together in one bucket for the same price. Grapes, both Muscadines and Scuppernongs, are available in September. Citrus is available through November. Fresh fruits are picked daily and available for those who cannot go into the groves to pick their own fruit. There is also an herb farm for picking fresh, pesticide-free herbs. Leashed pets are welcome at this farm but it is a cash-only spot.

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Parke Family HydroFarms is a family-owned and operated farm. Strawberries, citrus and vegetables are available for your outreached hands. The fruits and vegetables are grown through the use of Integrated Pest management, whereby good bugs are used to combat bad bugs. No chemicals are used on any of the crops at Parke Family Hydrofarms, but they are not certified as organic. This farm has 10 acres of fruit trees open for picking and harvesting. It is open Tuesday through Saturday only during the season. The owners request that visitors please call ahead to determine what fruit is available for picking.

This farm grows blackberries, peaches, blueberries, plums, pears, peaches and various vegetables. Please call ahead to find out what fruit is available for your desired visit. This is a small, family-owned and operated farm. Support the local Masaryktown farmers by enjoying a family outing that will send you home with some great produce. The farm is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily during the fall season.

Seven Acres Farm offers muscadine grapes, strawberries and several varieties of fall vegetables. Strawberry season starts in November but other fruits and vegetables are available as early as September. This farm grows everything in organic soil and is pesticide free. It is a cash-only business so bring some bills to enjoy your fruits of labor.

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