The Best Seasons to Visit Georgia Farms

From iconic peaches and pecans to award-winning artisan oils and cheeses, Georgia farms and food producers work all year to turn out treats to share with the world. Any time of year, you'll find a bounty of local flavors to delight your senses, but visit when your favorites are at season's peak for the ultimate experience.

Follow this seasonal guide to some of the state's favorite foods and farm products, as well as experiences you can have right on the farm.

Spring

Strawberries

Founded in 1916, Rutland Farms in Tifton now encompasses 2,100 lush, productive acres. Pick your own berries fresh from the vine or visit The Market for fresh-churned strawberry ice cream, jam, and pastries.

Explore more: Places to Pick (or Pick Up) Strawberries in Georgia

Vidalia Onions

Celebrate Georgia's official state veggie in Vidalia at the four-day Vidalia Onion Festival in April. Get competitive with a baby onion–eating contest and cook-off or learn more about this sweet bulb's history at the Vidalia Onion Museum.

Explore more: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Vidalia Onions

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Summer

Peaches

Head to Fort Valley for a self-guided tour of Pearson Farm's packing facility where 50 peach varieties are handled with care. Or get in on the action at Jaemor Farms in Alto, which hosts an annual U-Pick Peach Day in August.

Explore more: Where to Get Fresh Georgia Peaches

Blueberries

This may be the Peach State, but blueberries are Georgia's number one fruit crop. Pick your own at Southern Belle Farm in McDonough or go all in at the Georgia Blueberry Festival in Alma, where the fruit-based fun includes a blueberry pancake breakfast and a blueberry pie–eating contest.

Explore more: Juicy Blueberry Picking in Georgia: Delicious U-Pick Farms

Watermelons

The melon is king at the Watermelon Days Festival — going strong since 1949 in Cordele (the self-proclaimed "watermelon capital of the world"). Enjoy eating and tossing contests, a parade, tastings, and more.

Explore more: Recipe for Watermelon Salad

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Fall

Pumpkins

Burt's Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville — now the largest pumpkin-grower in Georgia — draws guests with hayrides and fresh-baked pumpkin rolls and pie. Hit the patch to find your perfect pumpkin; weights range from several ounces to over 150 pounds.

Explore more: Georgia Pumpkin Patches for a Smashing Good Time

Corn Maze

Welcome autumn at the Buford Corn Maze, situated on a 32-acre farm in Buford. In addition to the maze, there are pony rides, hayrides, giant popcorn jumping pillows, and farm animals. Bigger kids can find thrills in the haunted forest.

Explore more: 6 Georgia Corn Mazes for Family Fun

Apples

Family-owned since 1943, Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge welcomes guests to pick their own from more than 50 varieties of apples or shop for treats ranging from apple butter and fried pies to apple donuts and hard cider.

Explore more: Where to Go Apple Picking in Georgia

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Winter

Pecans

Crack open the fun at Ellis Brothers Pecans in Vienna. Step inside the retail store nestled in the family's pecan grove and peek into the candy kitchen where the nuts are turned into sweet confections. Stock up on the buttery holiday staple, available whole, shelled, or coated in a range of flavors from coffee to jalapeno.

Explore more: Where to Eat Pecan Pie in Georgia

Christmas Trees

Cut your own from the grove of cypress and cedar trees on 206-acre Berry's Tree Farm in Covington, in the family since 1894. Hoping for a white Christmas? Have your tree flocked on-site.

Explore more: These 8 Small Towns Do Christmas Right

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Always in Season

These favorite offerings promise year-round fun.

Cheese

Shop for Thomasville Tomme, pimento, and Asher Blue at award-winning Sweet Grass Dairy's Cheese Shop in downtown Thomasville. Indulge in fried cheese curds or the cheeseburger at the on-site cafe.

Explore more: 18 Thomasville Restaurants with Big City Epicurean Delights

Creamery

See baby calves, watch the milking process, and try your hand milking "Janie," a pretend cow, at Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont. The tour's sweet ending? Ice cream samples.

Explore more: 20 of the Best Places to Get Ice Cream in Georgia

Artisan Oils

Visit The Station, 31072 in Pitts to buy Oliver Farm's top-notch sunflower, pumpkin, green peanut, and pecan oils. Visit in summer when the sunflower fields are in full bloom.

Explore more: For a Nutty Cooking Experience, Try Georgia Pecan Oil

Farm Stay

Stay in a cabin at Bluffton's White Oak Pastures, one of the South's most sustainable farms, and enjoy a down-home meal with the farmers.

Explore more: Five Overnight Farm Adventures