This U-Pick Farm in Kentucky Is a Must-Visit During Strawberry Season

One of the best ways to spend a spring day is to pick your own strawberries in Kentucky. Fresh-picked strawberries delight the senses; the ripe, juicy red fruit smells divine and tastes even better. I visit a strawberry farm about once a year, and what a wonderful day it is. Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market in Kentucky is the perfect place to pick buckets of strawberries.

At Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market, visitors can pick their own strawberries or purchase them at the market. It's a great family-friendly orchard in Kentucky that offers some of the most delicious, ripe berries in the state. Ready to visit yourself? Here's what to know about the unique Kentucky farm experience before you go.

A Charming U-Pick Farm Experience in Hodgenville

Hinton's Orchards traces back eight generations in LaRue County, Kentucky. In 2002, Jeremy and Joanna Hinton started growing apples and peaches on the property, and it has expanded to more delicious produce ever since.

The farm has two market locations, one in Elizabethtown and one in Hodgenville. It's also part of the Kentucky Proud Program, which promotes Kentucky-grown products, and Kentucky Farm Bureau's Certified Farm Market Program, which promotes the state's roadside markets.

Beyond strawberries, visitors can pick their own pumpkins in the fall, or purchase flowers and veggies in the spring, peaches and melons in the summer, and Christmas trees in the winter. Families can also enjoy other farm activities like seasonal hay rides, corn mazes, and themed festivals.

What to Expect at Hinton's Orchard and Farm Market

When you arrive at Hinton's Orchard & Farm Market, you'll see all sorts of flowering plants to purchase at the greenhouse. Spring often means vibrant, colorful flowers to choose from. May is when the sweet strawberries begin ripening, and they usually last through early June. This year, the U-pick field opened the last week of April.

You can pick your own strawberries in the farm's field, or you can purchase pre-picked containers of berries at both markets. If you're going to U-pick, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and make sure plenty of berries are ready to pick.

Depending on the time of year, sometimes the farm will sell other delicious treats, like strawberry donuts and ice cream. You can also find asparagus, seasonal vegetables, hanging baskets, pots, or bedding plants, and vegetable slips if you want to start growing your own produce.

Seasonal Events and Family-Friendly Activities

Hinton Orchard & Farm Market is also known for its exciting events. The farm hosts regular festivals to celebrate its seasonal crops, including a Kentucky strawberry festival in the spring. In the fall, visitors can enjoy a corn maze, pick pumpkins from the patch, and take a hayride through the property. If you're lucky, you might also score the best apple cider donuts in Kentucky.

You can also book field trips, birthday parties, and other group outings for the kids. They'll love Hinton's FarmLand, a permanent play area with Jacob's Barn (a slide, swings, and lookouts), tractor rides, and a Mini-Market where they can "pick and cook" their own play fruit.

No matter the time of year, there's always something fun to do!

Tips for Visiting This Kentucky Strawberry Farm

Before visiting Hinton's Orchard & Farm Market, double-check the farm's hours of operation. The farm is typically open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but call ahead or check the farm's Facebook page for specific hours and U-pick times.

Bring some containers to take home your harvest, plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the hot Kentucky sun. Bring cash or a card to pay for your harvest. Dogs are not allowed in the U-pick patches, Hinton's Farmland, or the corn mazes.

If you're hoping to visit one of the farm's markets, check the hours of operation before you go. Both markets are open Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Elizabethtown market is open on Sundays from late April through May, and the Hodgenville farm market is open on Sundays from late September through October. These are the busiest seasons for each location.

Why This Farm Belongs on Your Kentucky Bucket List

If you're looking for something fun today on a lovely spring day, picking strawberries at Hinton's Orchard & Farm Market should top your list. The whole family will love the farm and picking deliciously ripe strawberries straight from the field.

For more about this local produce shop in Kentucky, visit Hinton's website and Facebook page. You'll get frequent updates about the state of each crop and when harvesting season is for each one!

If you've never been to the farm before, consider making a day trip and stopping at other U-pick flower farms in Kentucky while you're at it. Agape Fields in Nicholasville is one of our favorites.