Yes, you can go kiwi picking in Northern Virginia! Chances are you are reading this because you were like, “What?! I didn’t even know kiwi picking was a thing! I want to do that!”– and so here are the details, my friends:
Kiwi picking at Virginia Golden Kiwi in Vienna, Virginia opens each Fall for about two-to-three weekends only, when the owners of a small, family-run kiwi farm open their private property for visitors to come and pick fresh, organically-grown, no-spray kiwi from their beautifully trellised kiwi vines.
In Virginia, the kiwi harvest is in Autumn/early Fall, so it’s a lovely family-friendly seasonal activity that’s great for kids and fruit enthusiasts, alike.
Picking takes place from roughly 10 AM to 5 PM each weekend that they are open.
Ultimately, the experience is as magical as it sounds, as the team here has trellised the kiwi vines in an arch that makes it so that you can walk through what is essentially a kiwi tunnel and pick fruit from the plants overhead.
The views down the “kiwi tunnel” are enchanting, and the fruit hangs heavy and so abundantly on the vine that it’s hard to believe each plant really produces this much fruit– especially if you go during opening weekend (which I would recommend, because people are understandably enthralled by this idea and they do sell out).
Large bags of kiwis like the one shown below are $30, and there’s a smaller one available for $15. Cash or Venmo are the two payment options.
There are also sheep and goats on site, which can be cute to look at on your way back to the car– but they do leave droppings when they graze in the field where you park, so be sure to wear durable, closed-toed shoes.
You can only pick golden kiwis here (as opposed to the bright-green variety, thus the farm’s name). Golden kiwis tend to be sweeter and juicier than typical green kiwis we most often consume here on the eastern seaboard.
Also, Virginia Golden Kiwi is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, but only barely (the grass can be a little knotty underneath wheels). The kiwi grove is mostly shady, but plan for sun if you want to frolick or picnic out in the field. There are no public restrooms, either. But don’t let any of that deter you, though– it’s lovely!
As of this writing, Virginia Golden Kiwi does not sell advanced tickets. Just come early on your intended picking day, and follow Virginia Golden Kiwi in Instagram for the latest updates when they open each Fall.
Cheers!
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Related: At This Paw Paw Festival in Maryland, Local Food Lovers Savor America’s “Secret Fruit”
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