Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, MD is one of those places I visit in the summer, fall and winter. Yes, it’s that much fun!
From their pick-your-own patches (mmmm…strawberries!) to festivals and a really fun farm park, there is so much to do at Butler’s Orchard.
And that’s why we keep coming back to the pick-your-own fruits and vegetable opportunities throughout the year.
I always find the farm very well managed and all the produce delicious.
Pick Your Own Strawberries & More
The first step to pick-your-own is to either have your container from home weighed or purchase a container. Then, you wait for a tractor to come 
give you a ride out to the fields.
Unlike some other farms, Butler’s does not permit walking to the fields and you must ride the tractor.
After a short, but bumpy, ride you arrive at the fields where you are directed to a portion of the fields to start your picking.
Although you aren’t given the run of the fields this helps ensure that you don’t waste time in areas that have already been picked over. Then, you are free to spend as long as you like picking.
With my two children (ages 5 and 2) I found that a half-hour of picking was about the right amount of time, but if your children are older or you want a lot of fruit you can stay until the fields close.
When you are done picking, you walk to the edge of the fields to wait for a tractor to take you back. While you are waiting water is available.
There is often more than one crop available for picking, and on our recent visit sugar snap peas, English peas, and black raspberries were also available.
Fresh flowers are available a little later in the summer.
If your children are interested in picking multiple crops, this is a nice way to show them where different food comes from while going home with a nice variety of fresh food.
Once you are done picking, your haul is weighed and you pay by the pound.
Pick-Your-Own Fruits & Vegetables By Month
Here are what fruits, flowers, or plants you can pick per month:
- May: Strawberries, Peonies
- June: Strawberries, Tart Cherries, Black Raspberries, Blueberries, Sugar Snap Peas, English Peas
- July: Black Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Flowers, Peppers (Yummy, Banana), Tomatoes (Cherry, Slicers), Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley), Potatoes
- August: Red Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Flowers, Peppers, Tomatoes , Herbs, Potatoes
- September: Red Raspberries, Apples, Flowers, Herbs, Potatoes, Peppers, Tomatoes
- October: Pumpkins, Apples
- November & December: Christmas Trees
Playground
Picking your own isn’t all there is to do at Butler’s Orchard.
There is a very nice playground complete with:
- A pirate ship
- Castle
- Train
- Enormous slides
There are also rubber duckie water races and kiddie-sized tractors to sit on.
Some kids might enjoy a trip to Butler’s just to play!
The Farm Market
Before you leave, it is also worth stopping in the farm store to pick up some locally grown produce, pies, jams, and other treasures. Muffin mixes are available if you’re not sure what to do with all the fruit you picked.
They also have a kid’s corner, and a garden center. Check more of what the Farm Market can offer.
Fees & Pricing
It is best to check with them about the most recent pricing of PYO items by calling (301) 428-0444 or by visiting their website but in terms of passes, they also offer annual passes so be sure to check on their website.
Hours
Market:
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesdays-Sundays: 9am-6pm
Farm Park:
Opens for General Admission on April 22nd
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesdays-Sundays: 9am-6pm
Good to Know
- Butler’s Orchard also has a Pumpkin Festival in the fall
- You can have a birthday party at the farm
- If you go to pick-your-own, you can bring your own container (anything from Tupperware and sand pails, to paper bags work) or you can purchase a bucket for $1.75 at the farm.
- If you bring your own container be sure to have it weighed before boarding a tractor so that its weight can be deducted from your final price.
- Also, it can get hot. We recommend traveling light in the fields, but you may want to bring some water along.
- Prices vary according to crop, but on our recent visit blueberries were $2.49 per pound.
- Service animals are allowed here.
Getting There
There is plenty of free parking, but when you arrive be sure to drive past the store parking lot and follow the signs to where there is parking available near the tractor pick-up.
Butler’s Orchard is located at: 22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876
Things to Do Near Butler’s Orchard
- Cool off on the water slides at Germantown Indoor Swim Center
- Enjoy more nature at Seneca Creek State Park
- Play at the popular South Germantown Recreational Park
- Or visit the South Germantown Splash Playground
Photos by Jamie Davis Smith
