Urban farm offers $14 flower picking by reservation

I’ve got a 5-year-old and 3-year-old, so I’m always looking for family-friendly activities (I can only play so much Monopoly Junior).

A friend told us about McLawland Farms, so we decided to book a reservation on a Saturday morning. It’s a simple experience, but super enjoyable if you’re looking to get outdoors with the kids. We loved it.

Farmers: McLawland Farms is run by partners Larry Land, a 5th grade teacher, and Jason McLawhorn, a healthcare professional. They’re both incredibly nice guys and very passionate about the farm, which is in its second year of operation. Fun fact: Larry and Jason are getting married on the farm in about two weeks.

How it works: You book a 30-minute reservation on the McLawland Farms website. Once you arrive, you’ll head to the tent and Jason or Larry will give you a 2-minute overview of the farm. You can bring your own scissors and mason jar, or use their scissors and buy a mason jar from the farm. Then you go out into the field — it’s only about the size of a football field — and cut your flowers. Only one other family was there during our 30-minute reservation block, so there’s plenty of space for social distancing. At the end of your time, Larry or Jason will add some greenery to your mason jar of flowers, and you can buy some veggies or herbs (we purchased fresh basil for $2). We paid via Venmo on our phone, all contactless.

Location: It’s roughly a 25-minute drive from Uptown. The exact address is 8632 Reedy Creek Road. Again, it’s not a huge operation, so don’t expect some elaborate farm. The season runs through mid-September, but reservations will be limited as Larry goes back to teaching next month. 

OK, here’s a quick look around McLawland Farms.

This guide was last updated on July 12, 2021 with up-to-date prices.

Related Agenda guides: 15 cheap and free kid-friendly activities to enjoy during the pandemic and 50 best outdoor activities within 2 hours of Charlotte