Have you always wanted to pick fresh tulips from a flower field? Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC will let you live that dream at The Flower Patch, their u-pick tulip farm! Picking blooming tulips is delightful, and Thompson Family Farms is one of the only farms near the Upstate that offers this unique experience.
The small family farm’s tulip field opens March 10, 2023 through March 18, 2023 [UPDATE: THEY SOLD OUT ON MARCH 16, 2023] for their u-pick tulip season. Thompson Family Farms also plans to have u-pick sunflowers in the mid-summer, so be sure to check back in for more information.
As some of the first pops of color to emerge from the ground, tulips are a welcome sign that spring is here. Fresh-picked tulips make excellent gifts, centerpieces, and decor. Plus, it is so much fun going out to a u-pick patch and selecting the flowers yourself. It’s pretty joyful.
Let Thompson Family Farm add some delight to your home by picking your own bouquet! You can even rent the space for private photography sessions, enjoy a picnic during your visit, and take tons of adorable photos.
A special thank you to Thompson Family Farms for having us visit for this review!
Looking to make a day trip out of your adventure? Check out Campbells Covered Bridge located just a few miles’ drive of the Thompson Family Farms. You can also find other fabulous things to do in our discovery guide to Landrum, SC!
Scenes from the tulip farm
Check out some of the beautiful scenes waiting for you at Thompson Family Farms.
Arriving at Thompson Family Farms in Landrum, SC
Located just 25 minutes from Greer, you will find Thompson Family Farms in Landrum at the base of Hogback Mountain. The Flower Patch can easily be found by following the signs off of Arledge Road. You can park in the gravel area, and head down to the tented shelter. The fields are not hard to miss, as they are busting with color from the blooms. Down at the welcome tent you will be greeted and shown baskets, buckets, and scissors to use for picking your tulips.
The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm beginning on March 10, 2023. The length of time the patch is open is depending on weather and bloom time, and the season is very short!
U-Pick Tulips in The Flower Patch at Thompson Family Farms
Tulips are synonymous with the cool, breezy weather of early Spring. This is Thompson Family Farms first year opening The Flower Patch, and they went all out with over 30,000 tulip bulbs planted. You can u-pick from 9 varieties of tulips. They have multiple colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, and variegated orange/red, and more.
The tulips will be in bloom at different times throughout the month of March, so you will be able to find tulips just about to open their blooms or ones that are in full bloom.
Be sure to stay on the paths when walking through the flowers. In addition, if you cut the flower, you buy it. Be sure it is the flower you want before taking your scissors to the stem.
The Thompsons recommend cutting the flower at the length that you want, and we found cutting low on the stem to be best for us. Most importantly, make sure to not dig or stomp on the bulbs, as they will be left in the ground to bloom again next year!
Once you have all of the tulips you would like, you can head back to the tent to have them wrapped in bouquets. If you plan to pick a large number of tulips, I recommend bringing something sturdy like a box to take them home in, so they are safe from damage.
Photo Opportunities at The Flower Patch
Other than the obvious photos of you and your children amongst the flowers, The Flower Patch also has two lovely photography setups on the property. If you head to the far ends of the fields you will find a red tractor set up with a rustic farm vibe of window panes and flower buckets that make for some adorable photos!
There is also a pallet-style backdrop with a chair and blooming flowers to take pictures with. The property itself is situated in a field that is surrounded by trees, so there are many opportunities to get that perfect spring picture.
Photographers that are interested in renting the space can contact Thompson Family Farms directly through their sign-up link to book private sessions. There are a limited number of sessions available due to the short season for tulips. Private sessions occur from 5 pm until sundown.
Price of Admission and U-Pick Tulips
Admission is $5 per person for ages 12 and older. Children under 12 are free to attend. If you want to participate in u-pick, Tulips are $1 per stem. The farm does take cash, card, and Venmo.
It is important to protect the tulips and their bulbs, so please do not stomp or dig up the bulbs. Also, follow the farms guidance for cutting and watch your step to ensure that the other tulips are safe for other people to enjoy their u-pick experience.
Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh
Sara Thompson, the owner of The Flower Patch, recommends making a fresh cut before putting your flowers in their water vase once you arrive home. You should then display your flowers out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will cause the flowers to open up more quickly. She also mentioned the fascinating fact that tulip stems continue to grow once placed in water, so they may appear to be longer after a few days in the vase. Be sure to change out your water regularly to elongate your bloom time. And most importantly, enjoy!
Key Things to Know Before Visiting Thompson Family Farms
- There are no dogs allowed at The Flower Patch.
- There is only one porta potty for emergencies, so be sure to take a potty break before arriving.
- You can pack a picnic and enjoy the view. There are two picnic tables located by the creek, and plenty of grassy space to lay down a blanket. If you picnic, please pick up all trash before leaving.
- It can be muddy on the u-pick tulip field, so wear appropriate shoes.
- The farm is accessible but is bumpy because of the gravel parking lot. If you plan to bring a stroller, ones with wheels made for rough terrain are highly recommend. A soft body carrier for baby may be easier.
- Reservations are not required. However, you should follow the Thompson Family Farms’ Facebook for updates and information before heading to the farm.
- The u-pick tulip fields are open in light rain but be prepared for mud in that scenario.
Thompson Family Farms
328 Arledge Road, Landrum
Hours: Monday – Saturday
10 am – 5 pm
Are you ready for spring?
Find all the wonderful things to do in our Ultimate Guide to Spring. You can hang out with baby animals, visit gardens in bloom, and explore spring festivals throughout the Upstate!
