Fresh, local strawberries
Heidi Finley
CharlotteFive
This story has been updated to remove Pasture Shed Farms, which has now closed.
Spring in the Lowcountry brings warm breezes, longer days and one of the season’s sweetest treasures: fresh, sun-ripened strawberries.
One of the most significant Lowcountry traditions is from mid-March through May, when local farms burst with rows of these berries, ready for picking.
The Lowcountry offers plenty of local farms where you can pick and choose the best berries to fill your baskets and enjoy the beauty of the season.
Whether you’re looking for a fun family outing or simply want to savor the taste of freshly picked fruit, here’s where you can find some of the best spots to pick your own strawberries in and around Beaufort County this spring.
For over 60 years, family-owned Dempsey Farms on St. Helena Island has offered farm fresh, seasonal produce like strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and more. They are known for their commitment to sustainable farming and providing high-quality, locally grown produce.
Their strawberry picking season runs from April 4 to May 30.
Dempsey Farms is located at 1576 Sea Island Parkway in St. Helena. Check their Facebook page or call 843-838-3656 for hours of operation.
Also located on St. Helena Island, Barefoot Farms offers strawberries, fresh melons, peaches, squash, tomatoes and sweet corn.
They also have a farm store selling local products, including Angus beef. Barefoot Farms is a great spot to find fresh produce and support local agriculture.
Barefoot Farms is located at 939 Sea Island Parkway in St. Helena. The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Located right off of 278, this Bluffton area farm specializes in fresh, locally grown produce. They frequently supply local markets with high-quality fruits and vegetables.
This small family farm offers tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers and strawberries.
Okatee River Farms is located at 1921 Okatie Highway and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 843-206-5023.
Farmer’s Markets
If you can’t make it to one of these Lowcountry farms for strawberry picking, you can still find these sweet spring treats at local farmers’ markets this season.
Lynn Hammond works with family and friends to collect strawberries from their fields for a weekend event. Lynn’s Berries, like many local area strawberry farms, have struggled to meet demand with this Spring’s berry crop. April 13, 2023. JASON LEE JASON LEE
However, some of the colder weather earlier this year offset the crop schedule, but you can still expect to see these ripe, red berries popping up around South Carolina in the next few weeks.
Lowcountry Strawberry Festival
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure this spring to fulfill your strawberry picking, then the Lowcountry Strawberry Festival might be the place for you.
The festival stretches over two weekends this year:
April 4 to the 6
April 11 to the 13
The festival is held at Boone Hall Plantation, 2434 North Highway 17, in Mount Pleasant, which is about two hours north of the Hilton Head area.
This festival is perfect for all-day fun for families and little ones. Tickets are required and start at $15.
Other than endless strawberry picking, other features of the festival include:
Petting zoo
Pig races
Giant slide and obstacle course
Bubbles
Playground activities
Live music
Pony rides
Food and more
Strawberries are gathered by family and friends at Lynn’s Berries for a weekend event. Lynn’s Berries, like many local area strawberry farms, have struggled to meet demand with this Spring’s berry crop. April 13, 2023. JASON LEE JASON LEE
While commercial strawberry farming in South Carolina took off in the 20th century, small-scale cultivation of strawberries dates back even further, benefiting from the area’s mild winters, sandy soils and long growing season.
This model has allowed local farms to thrive while providing fresh, local produce to the community. Today, strawberry farms remain an important part of the region’s agricultural landscape, with seasonal picking events marking a beloved Lowcountry tradition.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
