The Best Pick Your Own Flower Farms around Richmond

My children love seeing beautiful flowers... and picking them! Unfortunately, you're not allowed to pull any of the pretty blooms at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden or Agecroft Hall & Gardens.

Luckily, we've found some amazing pick your own flower farms around central Virginia over the past 2 years. I really like these PYO flower farms because they are easy to navigate with kids, they offer other attractions or are close to other family friendly spots, and they are an hour or less from Richmond.

Here are the best PYO flower farms for families to visit around Richmond:

1. Alvis Sunflower Farm: Located in Manakin Sabot, this sunflower festival usually takes place in late July and early August. It’s hosted by Alvis Farms, a working dairy farm that’s been in Goochland since 1965. Alvis Farms has 50 acres of sunflowers, and we like how this festival has a bunch of activities: touch a truck, lawn games, animals, a misting tent, and food trucks.

It does get very hot picking sunflowers in August. We like to visit early in the morning or at sunset to get the coolest temperatures possible! This is also a very big farm, so depending on the ages of your kiddos, you may need two adults. We've visited as a family the past two years.

*Check here for my full review.

2. Amelia Lavender Festival: We have a brand new lavender farm in central Virginia! Located in Amelia, Windsor Lavender Farm has more than 2,000 lavender plants and they are set to open for their first year in 2022. To celebrate, they are hosting a festival on June 11 from 9am-7pm on their farm. Tickets are sold at the gate for $10, and children under 10 are free. Parking is also free! There will be 30+ vendors, concessions, music, a petting zoo & face painting. We are really excited to check out this flower farm!

*Check here for more details.

3. Belvedere Plantation: Located in Fredericksburg, this 600+ acre working farm is about an hour from #RichmondVA on the Rappahannock River. Also known as The Peony Farm, Belvedere Plantation hosts events in the spring, summer & fall. This farm has everything: hayrides, a pumpkin patch, flower picking, clean restrooms, changing stations, a market, food options & so many activities! This is a huge farm, so depending on the ages of your kiddos, you may need two adults (we went as a family).

The Sunflower Spectacular is Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 17 to June 26. Attractions close at 7 on Friday and Saturday, and at 4 on Sundays. Tickets cost $14.95, and single stems cost $3 (sunflower blooms).

*Check here for my full review.

4. Braehead Farm: Located in Fredericksburg, this farm has been family owned since 1937. Braehead Farm has pick your own produce fields for strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, sunflowers & more. The market has prepicked produce, goods and ice cream. There are also bathrooms in the market. Behind the barn is an amazing play area for children with farm animals ($5pp). Chickens roam freely! It’s located about 50 minutes from Short Pump, and it’s right off 95 - perfect for a day trip. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣You don't need to call ahead or make reservations.

This farm is currently open from 9-6 daily for PYO strawberries and some vegetables. Cut your own flowers is between June and September. You can cut sunflowers, zinnias, celosias, and wildflowers. Check here for pick-your-own schedule.

*Check here for my full review & here for details from our last day trip to Braehead!

5. Fresh Branch Farm: Located in Chesterfield, this family-run farm hosts an annual Sunflower Festival each summer (late July/early August). You can cut your own sunflowers, see tractors & pet goats and chickens. This is a smaller farm with parking right by the sunflowers. It is doable solo with kids!

While they don't have food options on property, Hull Street has so many restaurants. Swift Creek Place has Mission BBQ and Gelati Celesti. At the light for Winterpock Road, there’s Mod Pizza & Chick-Fil-A.

*Check here for my full review.

6. Liberty Mills Farm: Located in Orange, Liberty Mills Farm opens from June to October for pick your own flowers. They have Zinnias, Gladiolus, Echinacea, Cosmos, Lisianthus, Dahlia, Lavender, Snapdragons, Gomphrena, Rudbeckia, Blue Ageratum, Sunflowers and more!

Besides picking your own flowers, little ones can play in the outdoor play space that has a large wooden tractor play structure, a slide, natural stepping stones and more! Don't forget to grab some tractor-made ice cream (yep - they make their own ice-cream with a tractor!) as a sweet treat to finish off your adventure.

If you're looking for an entire day adventure, you could pick your own flowers at Liberty Mills Farm, grab lunch at BBQ Exchange, and then tour James Madison’s Montpelier.

*Check here for my full review.

7. Snead's Asparagus Farm: Located in Fredericksburg, this sustainable family farm has pick your own sunflowers in late summer, pumpkins in the fall & cut your own Christmas trees in December. We also love the whimsical, woodland play area that is open throughout the year. At our last visit, we spent 3 hours exploring during our last visit, only leaving for food!

As of May 2022, the farm is currently open from 9-2 on Saturdays for visits, and it will be open for Memorial Day weekend (Saturday 9-2, Sunday 12-4, and Monday 9-4). Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) is Military Appreciation Day on the farm. All current and retired military and families will get in for %5 per person (usual rates are $7 pp). Their operating hours change throughout the seasons.  

*Check here for more details on Snead's.

8. Sweet Haven Lavender Farm: Located in Williamsburg, this family owned lavender farm is about an hour from Richmond, Virginia. You can cut lavender, eat lavender infused treats like cotton candy & brownies and explore the beautiful farm. You can also pick your own Zinnias, Sunflowers, Lance Leaf Coreopsis, & Blue Flax mid-June through July. This year's season will only be 30 days, and the farm opens on Saturday, May 24. Grab your tickets here.

Sweet Haven Lavender Farm is also the perfect spot for a picnic- there are picnic tables & large trees for shade. There are hammocks & a children play area too! Our adventures here usually last about 3 hours, and this is a doable trip solo with 2 kids. This was my first solo day trip adventure with an 11 month old and an almost 3 year old.

*Check here for my full review.

Unfortunately, Lavender Fields Herb Farm is not opening for pick your own lavender anymore - they've sold the fields, but the garden center will still be open. This farm is located in Glen Allen off Woodman Road.

*Check here for my full review.

Quick Tips & Facts:

1) When we visit farms, I always bring our sunscreen, bug spray, hats and snacks. You just never know when the market will be closed or if it will be extra hot that day! All the flowers grow in full sun, too.

2) Almost every farm and orchard has uneven terrain - vines in the field. Strollers usually don't work. Bring a baby carrier or plan on using your stroller as a "home base."

3) These are working farms. Dress accordingly. We always wear closed toed shoes.

4) Most PYO farms do not allow backpacks or large bags in the fields. Because we use a backpack as a diaper bag and we need it all the time, I've had our backpack checked before.

5) Some farms don't have bathrooms, and some only have porta potties. We always bring our car potty because it's just easier for little kids. Click here for the one we use and love.

6) If it has rained recently, the farms, including the parking lot, fields & play areas will be very wet and muddy.

7) Depending on the farm, the cutters can be pretty sharp. Watch little kids closely!

8) Most opening dates are announced last minute based on weather & blooms. Make sure to contact the local farm or check its Facebook page for the most up to date information!

Looking for more pick your own farms around Richmond? Check out our favorites here!

For more details on these getaway spots and more Virginia adventures, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!