If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on way to spend a day outdoors near Shallotte, NC, a visit to Lively Grove Farms is hard to beat. Our family-owned u-pick farm in Bolivia, North Carolina gives you the chance to slow down, enjoy the countryside, and bring home ultra-fresh berries and flowers you picked yourself.
In this guide, you’ll learn what we grow, how our u-pick works, what to bring, and how to plan your visit so you can make the most of your time on the farm.
Where We Are and Who We Are
Lively Grove Farms is located in Bolivia, NC, just a short drive from Shallotte and other Brunswick County communities. We’re close enough for a quick morning outing, but far enough off the beaten path that you still get that peaceful, country-farm feel.
We are a family-run operation, and you’ll often see us out in the fields planting, weeding, or visiting with guests. When you come to our u-pick, you’re not just stopping by a field, you’re visiting a working farm that we care deeply about and are continually growing and improving.
What We Grow and When You Can Pick
Exact dates shift a little each year depending on the weather, but here’s a general idea of what you can expect in a typical season at a u-pick farm in coastal North Carolina. You can adjust these windows as you finalize your plantings and opening dates.
Spring: Strawberries and Early Flowers
Spring is usually strawberry season, and it’s one of the busiest and most fun times on the farm. Rows of ripe, red berries are perfect for kids to pick because the plants are low to the ground and easy to reach.
Alongside berries, you may find early-season flowers and greenery starting to come on. These are great for simple kitchen-table bouquets.
Early to Mid-Summer: Blueberries, Blackberries, and Blooms
As the weather warms, blueberries and blackberries typically follow strawberries. These berries grow on taller bushes and can be easier for older kids and adults to pick without as much bending.
This is also a prime time for cut flowers. Depending on your plantings, you may have sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, or other blooms available for u-pick bouquets.
Late Summer and Beyond: Peaches, Flowers, Herbs, and Other Produce
Later in the season, many farms transition into a mix of flowers, herbs, and any warm-weather veggies they grow. This is a great time for people who want to build their own bouquets, grab herbs for cooking, or enjoy a quieter trip to the farm outside peak berry rush.
How Our U-Pick Works: Step-by-Step
If you’ve never been to a u-pick farm before, here’s exactly how a visit typically works so you know what to expect and can plan ahead.
1. Check Our Updates Before You Drive
Because weather and crop conditions change quickly, we always recommend checking our social media or giving us a call before heading out. On any given day, we might need to adjust hours due to rain, field conditions, or limited ripeness.
Before you leave home, take a quick look for:
- Today’s open/close times
- What’s ripe and available
- Any special notes about parking, muddy fields, or limited quantities
2. Park and Check In
When you arrive, follow the signs to our parking area. From there, you’ll head to our farm stand where someone from our family will greet you and point you toward the fields.
At check-in, you’ll usually:
- Get your picking containers (if you weren’t able to bring your own)
- Learn which fields are open and which varieties are ready
- Hear any important instructions about where to walk and how to pick
3. Head to the Fields and Start Picking
We’ll direct you to the correct rows for picking that day. To keep the plants healthy and safe for everyone, please:
- Stay in the rows and within the areas marked for u-pick
- Always supervise children so they don’t run in the beds or step on plants
- Pick only what you intend to purchase (sampling and tasting while picking allowed, of course!)
We’re always happy to show you how to find ripe berries or the best stems for cutting flowers if you’re unsure.
4. Weigh and Pay
When you’ve picked all you want, head back to the check-out area. We’ll weigh your berries and flowers and calculate your total depending on our current pricing.
We accept cash, credit card, tap-to-pay and Venmo! Please note a 3% surcharge on credit card payments.
