8 Places to Pick Your Own Flowers Around the Front Range

Self-care is so in these days, and you know what’s even better than buying yourself flowers from TJ’s? Spending a sunny Colorado morning plucking your own peonies and pastel zinnias at a U-pick farm.

Below, our eight favorite places to pick flowers around the Front Range.

Half Moon Farm

Lakewood
Spend golden hour clipping goldenrod with your girlfriends at this urban farm and vegetable garden. Half Moon Farm is bringing back its U-pick days on Thursdays this summer, starting June 27 and ending August 22. Don’t leave the house without your shears and a vase, though, because these events are BYO.

Upon your arrival, the farm’s flower experts will give you a tour and show you which growths are fair game for cutting. They’ll even offer tips on how to dry out your florals so they last long after the petals begin drooping. If you want this oasis all to yourself, you can reserve the house on property for a sunny staycation among the scarlet gilia. Thursdays from June 27–August 22; Clip Your Own Flowers starts at 6 p.m.; tickets $55 per person; 1660 Hoyt St., Lakewood

SHEGROWS

Arvada
This European-style garden in the northwest Denver suburbs has sprouted quite a few new shoots since last summer. If you drop by this year, you’ll notice a brand-new barn; a farm store stocked with prearranged flowers, aromatherapy products, and handmade soap; and a greenhouse where you can shop for specialty seedlings to grow your own cutting garden.

SHEGROWS is also offering fresh ways to frolic among the flowers this season. Instead of meandering through the aisles aimlessly, cutting stems all willy-nilly and winding up with a bouquet that looks a little…busted, sign up for one of the new En Plein Air workshops. Each class is a crash course on a different species—like peonies (June 9) or lavender (August 18)—with growing tips, directions for cutting your own, and tricks for designing with them. If you’re an artist looking to leave with more than an arrangement, the farm’s two-day Creative Retreat (September 7–8), thrown in partnership with the Makerie, is a deep dive into dying fabric using the natural pigments found in Colorado flora. Retreatgoers will forage for flowers rich in color and then learn how to dye linen napkins and a silk/wool wrap using their finds. Dates vary; En Plein Air workshop prices start at $75; Creative Retreat enrollment is $1,595 per person; 7491 Kline Dr., Arvada

Anderson Farms

Erie
This Instagram-worthy attraction is perhaps best known for its fall corn maze and pumpkin patch, but you don’t need to wait for the first chill to check out the farm. Anderson Farms will open its gates to the public for sunflower season on July 19 (pending Mother Nature’s cooperation). Give yourself plenty of time to wander the 15 acres where you can pinpoint 17 varieties of sunflowers, from the two-toned Crimson Blaze bloom to the fluffy Teddy Bear sunflower with its characteristic plush, golden petals. Fill a cup or a bucket with flowers and then use your loot as inspiration during the Pick and Paint class—paint and canvas provided.

The property transforms after dusk, so don’t leave too soon. Pack your s’mores supplies and book your own private campfire cove nestled among the greenery. Sunflower farm open July 19–August 24, Thursdays through Sundays; hours TBD; admission $15 per person; U-pick pricing TBD; 6728 County Road 3-¼, Erie

The Bee Hugger Farm

Longmont
If your summer plans tend to be spontaneous, the Bee Hugger Farm is one of the most laid-back locales for flower foraging. Appointments aren’t accepted—walk-ins only every day of the week from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. If you visit, mosey over to the sprawling sunflower field, which sprouts up each July. The owners offer up buckets and scissors for picking. There’s no cost, but consider dropping a few bucks at the Volkswagen bus donation station. And don’t forget bug spray; the mosquitoes love the Bee Hugger Farm almost as much as we do. Open every day from 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; free, donations encouraged; 12590 Ute Highway, Longmont

Ya Ya Farm and Orchard

Longmont
Before autumn brings the annual apple harvest, this eight-acre farm and orchard comes alive with yellow marigold, blush mountain rose, and more. Beginning in mid-August, you can roam the rows of flowers on-site and pluck as many as you wish—no reservation required. While you’re there, say hello to the resident percheron draft horses, mini donkeys, and peacocks. If the weather gods are in your favor, you might leave with a basket of lip-puckering montmorency cherries, too (perfect for pie). Opening date and hours TBD; admission $3 per person; U-pick pricing TBD; 6914 Ute Highway, Longmont

Native Hill Farm

Fort Collins
DIYers rejoice: Family-run Native Hill Farm hosts a slew of workshops from assembling table centerpieces to creating dried flower wreaths to help guests turn their selected stems into something beautiful. If you prefer to amble through the rows and pluck as you please, opt for the traditional U-pick experience, which is open every day of the week from mid-July through the first frost in September. No reservation is required, and Native Hill supplies clippers, cups, and an outdoor sink to give your fresh finds a drink. U-pick flowers runs from mid-July through September; open everyday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; $22 per cup of flowers, $95 per bucket; 2100 County Road 54G, Fort Collins

Garden Sweet

Fort Collins
Perfect for the indecisive at heart, the build-your-own bouquet experience at Garden Sweet is fueled by the farm’s fields that flourish with more kinds of flora than even the most avid anthophile could name. Grab a pair of clippers and a bucket from the staff, and then while away the morning perusing the rows of lavender columbines, purple salvias, and pink gladioluses. No need to make up your mind, your bucket can brim with as many varieties as you can fit, but co-owner Ryan Wilson says the peonies are shaping up to be extra impressive this year. (If you visit in August or September, you can fill a basket with raspberries and strawberries, too.) U-pick flowers runs from June 12–Sept. 30; hours vary; admission $5 for nonmembers, free for members; $20 for a cup of flowers, $52 for a bucket; 719 W Willox Lane, Fort Collins

Gather Mountain Blooms

Colorado Springs
Wander the grounds of historic Venetucci Farms on the southeast edge of Colorado Springs in search of stems to spruce up your space. The 1936 property, now leased by three sisters, is a playground for petal-peepers. With more than 30 varieties of flowers and fillers to choose from, don’t skip a row if you want to see the full roster.

To leave with a bouquet as big as your head, reserve your spot online for You-Pick season, which has a tentative opening date of July 13. Scissors, cups, and water are supplied, but if you want to go big and fill a bucket (60 or 70 stems), you’ll need to bring your own. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, opt for the farm’s Brunch & Blooms event, which takes place every Sunday in June. There, snack on a breakfast board and let a mimosa or two fuel your creativity as you arrange a custom bouquet from a selection of pre-cut flowers. U-pick flowers runs from July 13–Oct. 15; Thursdays from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–noon; $5 general admission, $22 per cup of flowers, $68 per bucket; 5210 S. Highway 85, Colorado Springs