WOW! Southern Hill Farms in Clermont Florida puts on quite the production with their many u-pick options. We went as a family in early May to pick peaches and sunflowers and had a blast. The farm offers so much to do for people of all ages.
Southern Hill Farms is only 30 minutes outside Orlando and an hour and a half outside Tampa making it a great Saturday activity for the whole family. Since the farm has so many different crops available for u-pick you can visit practically any time of year. Simply check their website or facebook to find out what is in season and ready to be picked.
Since the farm is outdoors make sure you pick a sunny day to go and remember they are closed on Mondays.
Please be respectful and pay for everything you pick, don’t waste good fruit or flowers by leaving it on the ground or being destructive to the plants.
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Peach and Sunflower Picking at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, FL
Southern Hill Farms Address: 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714
Phone Number: 941-322-2168
What to Pick: In early spring there are sunflowers, zinnias, peaches and blueberries available for picking. In the winter there are strawberries available for picking.
Cost: $5 per person to pick sunflowers and zinnias plus $2 per sunflower after the first one and $1 per zinnia. Peaches cost $4 per lbs and blueberries are $5 per lbs.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
More Flower Picking Fun:
Our Visit to Southern Hill Farms
I visited Southern Hill Farms in early May with my husband and our four month old son, Roman. We drove from Tampa which took us about an hour and forty-five minutes since we hit a bit of traffic. It was a really warm sunny saturday, perfect for peach picking!
Getting to the farm is super easy with large signs directing you where to go once you get close. There is a long dirt road leading to the farm and lots of parking available on the grass lot.
After a short walk from the car to the farm entrance though the signs disappear and it can be a little confusing on where to go.
Right at the entrance is a tent with wagons available for rent, then a little further is the check out tent where you will purchase all your fruit once you are done picking the fruit. Next is a large covered playground that is perfect for kids to play under and get a break from the hot sun.
There are also bathrooms and a large food court with a large number of tables, although this farm is very popular so the tables will fill up at peak business hours on the weekend.
Just past the bathrooms and to the left is where you are going to go for peach picking and sunflower picking. We started with peach picking but I would recommend doing the sunflowers first because the peaches are heavier and the box they give you to hold them all is a bit awkward to carry.
Sunflower Picking
To enter the sunflower field you will wait in line and pass through a tent to purchase your flower field pass which costs $5 per person 10+, $2 per person 3-9. Kids 0-3 are free. This pass includes one free sunflower. Sunflowers cost $2 per stem after that.
Tip: If you pick fruit before entering the sunflower field then you must purchase it first.
You can bring your own clippers or borrow a pair of scissors that they have available to use. Sunflower stems are THICK so you’ll definitely want to use something besides your hands.
This is a great place to take photos and enjoy the GIANT sunflowers beauty. The farm has set up a couple photo spots like an old truck that are fun to see.
There are a couple isles that are wider, those are the best places to walk down and get away from the crowds.
When you are done picking your sunflowers there is another white tent where you will purchase the sunflowers. The staff will also give you a plastic bag with water to put the flowers in so that they survive the drive home. The line can get LONG but if you only picked your free flowers staff will occasionally walk through the line with the plastic bags so that it goes quicker.
Peach Picking
Just past the flower check out tent is another tent where you can pick up your cardboard box for peach picking. There are about ten rows of peach trees with their branches full of delicious, juicy peaches.
The workers can help instruct you on knowing when a peach is ripe but basically you want the peaches to be soft to the touch.
Look for the biggest fruit on the tree and squeeze gently. If it is as hard as a rock then it is not ready, but if there is some give then the peach is ripe. Be gentle when handling the peaches and try not to let them roll around in your box too much because they bruise easily.
The further you head into the orchard the more fruit you will find because it has been less picked over. Only pick ripe peaches because they will not ripen later once they’ve been picked off the tree.
Once you are done you simply take the box of peaches to the check-out tent to have the fruit weighed and paid for.
Crop Picking Tips
- Make sure you cut long stems to be sure the sunflowers will fit any vase height.
- Wear shoes that can get dirty. I wore white shoes and they got very dusty and dirty.
- There is no shade in the fields so bring sun protection. Wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses etc.
- If you are going with young babies or toddlers consider bringing a baby carrier rather than a stroller. It works better in small spaces and you don’t have to worry about the rough ground.
- I also recommend bringing extra water. You’ll get thirsty in the hot sun and you may need extra water for the flowers depending on your drive home.
- Lastly, try going earlier in the day for cooler temperatures and to beat the crowds.
Nearby U-Pick Options
- Go Blueberry Picking near Tampa at these 13 U-Pick Fields
- 6 Must Visit Orange Groves in Florida
- Strawberry U-Pick Farms in the Tampa Bay Area
Southern Hill Farms Details and FAQ’s
- When is Southern Hill Farms open?
Southern Hill Farms is open Tuesday-Friday from 9-3 and Saturday-Sunday 9-4. The farm is open from most of the year with seasonal crops.
Please check their Facebook or give them a call for updates on crop availability or weather related closures.
- Is Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida pet friendly?
No. No animals besides service animals are allowed on site.
- How many acres is Southern Hill Farms?
The Southern Hill Farms property is 120 acres.
- What activities are available at Southern Hill Farms?
Southern Hill Farms has u-pick fields for seasonal produce, a playground, food stand (food trucks on weekends), gift shop, bakery, farm wagon rides, a wedding venue and a large pumpkin festival each Fall.
- Can we have professional photos done at Southern Hill Farms?
Unfortunately, Southern Hill Farms does not allow ANY professional photography on site. There is also no professional equipment allowed such as tripods, lighting or props.
Peaches and Sunflowers Near Orlando and Tampa
Take advantage of the great spring weather in Florida and get outside. A day trip to Southern Hill Farms from Orlando or Tampa is going to be fun filled and memorable. Plus you get to take home delicious fruit and beautiful flowers from your trip.
Warm peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream anyone? If you need any help using up peaches this is one of my favorite desserts!
