2024 The Roanoke Area and surrounding Western Virginia Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!
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Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in The Roanoke Area and surrounding Western Virginia in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blackberriesthat we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have blackberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using theadd a farmform!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email themif they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect infousing the "Report Corrections" form below.
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Bedford County
A J. Gross and Sons- apples, blackberries, nectarines, peaches, 6817 Wheats Valley Road, Bedford, VA 24523. Phone: 540 586 2436. Email:gross.orchards@gmail.com. Open: Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Directions: from downtown Bedford take route 43 north right on jopling road left on Wheats Valley Road Orchards will be on left. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. A J. Gross and Sons Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 540-874-4749. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. mid June thru mid September peaches are available; apples available mid August thru November first for pick your own and harvested apples are available year-round. . The apple festival is the 3rd Saturday in October. Apple valley 5-k on the 1st. Saturday in November. Apple blossom festival is the 2nd.Saturday in April. Peach festival on the 4th Saturday in July. Gross' Orchard is a family owned and operated orchard which has been in business since before the turn of the century. Our specialties are mountain grown peaches and apples. Fall apples -- beginning September 1st. You also have the privilege to participate in our pick your own program. Peaches June 15 - September 10. Also Produce, Summer Apples June 15 - August 31, Fall Apples Starting September 1, Tours Welcome Year Round - Just Call For An appointment, Jams & Jellies with Sugar and Without; Country Ham and Bacon, Apple Cider. Apple Harvest Festival -3rd Sat. in October (UPDATED: September 26, 2019) Comments from a visitoron September 01, 2009: "Extremely well organized. Very, very friendly. Lots of produce, jellies, jams, etc. Highly recommended."
Buffy's Blueberries- Blueberries, blackberries, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals 1085 Capital Hill rd., Moneta, VA 24121. Phone: 540-330-5144. Open: July into September from 7am till noon, Wednesday thru Sunday; Select times are available for groups picking a minimum of 20 pounds. Directions: Take White House Road toward Smith Mountain Lake Park about 5 miles and see orchard signs on left at crest of long hill. Take first right to parking and barn. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check . Buffy's Blueberries Harvetta the Emu and chickens. 4 Acres of blueberries and 12 - 15 varieties ,Blueberries are being raised pesticide free. is formerly TLC Orchard. They are a pick your own pesticide free orchard. The blueberry bushes at TLC Buffy's Blueberry Orchard are loaded with berries that will begin to ripen the first week of July. There are twelve varieties of blueberries in the field and the plants will produce berries through the month of September and possibly into October. Call For more information or to schedule special picking times. In 2018 if you pick the berries the price is 4.00 per lb. and if you call ahead and want them picked for you the price is 6.00 per lb. Blackberries are also available in July. There are 4 acres of blueberries that are pesticide free. Because of this we cannot use chemicals to control pests or poison ivy. It is recommended to wear long sleeves and long pants and to spray your legs or pant legs to prevent chigger and tick bites. Sharleen has bug spray available if you forget yours. (ADDED: July 23, 2018, Suggested by a visitor)
Scotts Strawberry Farm (aka, A&E Farms)- blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, events at your location (call for info),Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms 5234 Joppa Mill Road, Moneta, VA 24121. Phone: 540-297-7917. Email:aferguson@hughes.net. Open: UPDATE for 2022, Their Facebook page has not been updated since 2020; so I assume they have closed permanently. Directions: from Roanoke 24 east 17 miles turn left onto 747 go 2 miles on right. from Bedford 122 south 4 miles turn right onto 747 go 4 miles on left. from Lynchburg 460 west to Bedford 122 south exit go 4 miles turn right onto 747 go 4 miles on left. from Franklin County 122 north 20+ miles to 24122 intersection left on 24 west go 5 miles right onto 801 1-12 miles right onto 747 .8 mile on right. Strawberries: May to early June, Produce: May thru August, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries: late June thru August, all dates determined by the weather. Payment: Cash, Check. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Scotts Strawberry Farm (aka, A&E Farms) Alternate Phone: 540-871-0635. . mid May on; Monday thru Saturday 7:30 am till 7 pm Sunday 1 pm till 6 pm. from Roanoke 24 east 17 miles turn left onto 747 go 2 miles on right. from Bedford 122 south 4 miles turn right onto 747 go 4 miles on left. from Lynchburg 460 west to Bedford 122 south exit go 4 miles turn right onto 747 go 4 miles on left. from Franklin County 122 north 20+ miles to 24/122 intersection left on 24 west go 5 miles right onto 801 1-1/2 miles right onto 747 .8 mile on right. Strawberries: May to early June, Produce: May thru August, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries: late June thru August, all dates determined by the weather. click here for their Facebook page. NOTE: 2021 THE FARM IS FOR SALE: just under 127 acres, 4 acre lake, underground irrigation going to any field on the property, several buildings and barns, very large shop, 4 wells, 5 septic's, 3 mobile homes. Main house 4 levels, 3600+ SF, 4 BR, 5 BA, 2 Great rooms, 1 on main floor w/open fireplace thru both sides and 1 in basement with wood insert and room is finished, spiral stairs getting off 3 levels, stairs in front hall up to 2 BR, HP, can also use wood for heat. I probably left something off.anyway it is close. Comments from a visitoron July 08, 2010: (positive)"I picked blackberries on July 6, 2010 for the first time ever - they are the most amazing blackberries! I had to look for the really ripe ones but there were plenty to be found. It took me about an hour to fill the field bucket- you pay by the bucket full not by weight and they allow you to heap it as high as you can for $16.00. There were a ton of yet to ripe berries so I will be going back again for sure. It seemed to me that the berries have not been affected by the drought because they have a nice watering system. The berries were incredibly JUCY. Nice perks are: you can drive right up to the field, they have clean, real (not porta-pot)bathrooms, and they sell other farm fresh produce as well. " Comments from a visitoron July 07, 2010: (positive) - "I have been Scott's twice recently and have to say I disagree with the other two recent posters. First was during the strawberry festival, it was too hot to stay long, but we did pick a 5qt bucket full, very easily. Most recently we picked blackberries and raspberries on 6/27/10. I will agree that there were not many raspberries, but there were LOTS of blackberries. We picked three 5 qt buckets full. I don't know if the previous posters misunderstood where to turn, as the fields can be confusing, but there were 5 rows of completely ripe blackberries and about 10 rows that had some ripe and some not. " Comments from a visitoron June 26, 2010: (negative) - "I noted that a upset visitor posted a response in June 2010. I am not normally one to post such derogatory remarks but I am sorry to say that the previous poster is fairly correct. We were told there was blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. When we went out, we were told to go to a particular field. We arrived and found about 5 blueberry bushes and was able to pick about 1/2 cup of ripe blueberries. We did not see any blackberries. We did see about 35 raspberry bushes. While there were a lot of raspberries on the available bushes, 95% were not ripe. When we checked out, we were told that the berries should be ready in about 2 weeks. It is posted as being ready and we too were told on the phone about the readiness of the berries. It was a huge disappointment since we too drove about 40 minutes to get there. I would not recommend visiting this farm. " Comments from a visitoron June 19, 2010: (negative) - "WOW what a disappointment. I called before had for directions , . From my Home it was 45 miles, Asked about the different kinds of berry that "were in season NOW" I quoted, She explained a " bunch of blueberry bushes. raspberry and black berry would be here soon... Lies ,lies lies. I got there only 12 blueberry bushes ( which is what I was going for) and NOT ONE BERRY ON THE BUSH. So I picked not a berry and stopped by to ask why she lied to me on the phone and to my face before I went out to the fields. She said You must have misunderstood me. B*** S***. Then she offered to sell me her pre-picked berries at 3.99, a pint well I I explained I do not plan to buy her pre-picked week old berries after spending 1.5 hours driveng and 1/2 a tank of gas to a horrible lady. oh yes I did " A HORIBBILE LADY" Another visitor writes in 2009: (positive) - "Pick your own price for 2009 is $1.80 quart or $9.00 for the 5 quart field bucket. They also have a Scott Strawberry Farm Festival - (the last weekend in May) 10 am to dusk Saturday, Noon-Dusk Sunday - Crafts & food, door prizes, pony & carriage rides, bungee jump, moonwalk, homemade ice cream, homemade strawberry & blackberry pie, flatfoot contests and the BEST strawberries around. U-Pick or buy ready-picked."
Halifax County
Giant Oaks Farm and Orchard, Bed & Breakfast- Uses natural growing practices, apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, muscadine grapes, pears, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, black), strawberries, walnuts, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours 3035 Neals Corner Road, Clover, VA 24534. Phone: 850-691-9661. Email:ericakay55@hotmail.com.Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate Phone: 804-712-1738. . UPDATE for 2019, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me
Montgomery County
3 Birds Berry Farm- Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (yellow), 1876 Brooksfield Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Phone: 540-552-4195. Email:3birdsberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: See our website for current picking hours June - Sept or call the farm phone anytime for a recording. Directions: .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. 3 Birds Berry Farm Facebook page. . . Blueberries (early June-late August) Blackberries (late June-August) Raspberries (July-September). We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Our farm is just 7 minutes from downtown Blacksburg, Virgina! We are passionate about berries! New for season 2012: we are ADA compliant (with accessible porta potty, picking path & parking). We are also considered "transitional" (seeking organic certification). Our Prices: All berries $3/pint (or $20/gallon for volume picking discount). Price includes sales tax & pint containers. We provide picking buckets and take home pints/bags. Our apologies in advance: dogs NOT permitted on farm for health/safety reasons. See you in the fields!. The ONLY pyo crops offered are: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. Our farm is just 7 minutes from downtown Blacksburg, Virginia and the ONLY U-Pick berry farm in Blacksburg! It ran as "Crow's Nest U-Pick Berries" for over 30 years.
Al's Blueberries- blackberries, blueberries, 3960 Mt. Tabor Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Phone: . Email:r.lafon@yahoo.com. Open: All week during season; 8am to Dusk. Directions: About 5 12 miles past Slusser Chapel Church on mt. tabor road. .Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
Patrick County
Windy Hill Orchards-Uses integrated pest management practices, apples,
blackberries, blueberries, cherries, Muscadines, grapes, nectarines, peaches, raspberries (red), Cider mill (fresh apple
cider made on the premises), restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations 176 Windy Hill Lane,
Ararat, VA 24053. Phone: 276-251-5222. Alternate Phone:
276-692-8157. Email:debbe@windyhillorchards.com. Open:
Spring & Summer hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am
to 5pm; Closed Sunday and Monday: Tuesday and Wednesday by
appointment.
Directions:Click here for a map and directions.
We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, PayPal. Typical dates: Blueberries - Due May 30th; Peaches - Due the 3rd
week of June. Blackberries - Due in July. Grapes - First grapes due in July. Apples - Gala's due in Aug....We have a beautiful crop of apples this
year. We have raw cider at the shed for purchase. We also have raw cider vinegar available.(UPDATED: September 24, 2023)
Blackberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
In
the U.S. Blackberries typically peak during June in the South, and in July in
the North. Crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part
of the state you are located. In order to produce good local Blackberries,
producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions.See this page for a list of
blackberry festivals around the U.S.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
Always call before you go to the farm - And when they are in season, a large
turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Blackberries, but they
may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to
bring
containers. If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Blackberries more than
5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries.
Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large
pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one
at right.
Bring
something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up
a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs
usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it
has been rainy.
Tips on How to Pick Blackberries
There are two types of blackberries to know about: thorny and thornless!
Obviously, the thornless are easier to pick, but some people claim the
thorny varieties are sweeter. With the thorny plants, you want to reach into
the plant in the gaps, so you don't need to touch anything but the berry
you're after, avoiding the thorns.
A ripe blackberry is deep black with a
plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug.
If the berry is red or purple, it's not ripe yet.
Repeat these
operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.Unlike
strawberries, blackberries are usually pretty tough, I dump mine into the
bucket. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill
your containers or try to pack the berries down.
General Picking Tips
Whether you pick Blackberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here
are a few tips to keep in mind:
Pick only the berries that are fully black. Reach in between the stems to
grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the
plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary.
It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car
trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.
Blackberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week,
depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in
storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and
tends to shrivel.
When you get home
DON'T
wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing
makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting
berries
Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash off the others, drain
them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
Blackberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but
refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34
F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the blackberries (while
they are in the fridge)!
Even under ideal conditions blackberries will only keep for a week in a
refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible
after purchase
Blackberry tea was said to be a cure for dysentery during the Civil War.
During outbreaks of dysentery, temporary truces were declared to allow both
Union and Confederate soldiers to "go blackberrying" to forgage for
blackberries to ward off the disease.
Blackberries were enjoyed by the ancient Greeks, who believed them to be
a cure for diseases of the mouth and throat, as well as a preventative
against many ailments, including gout.
The blackberry leaf was also used as an early hair dye, having been
recommended by Culpeper, the English herbalist, to be boiled in a lye
solution in order to "maketh the hair black".
Researchers have known for quite some time that berries contain
antioxidants which help to fight cancer causing free radicals. A study at
the University of Ohio has found that blackberries are the most potent
cancer fighting berries of them all, by nearly 40 percent!
U-pick Blackberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart
equals 1 and 1/2 pounds of fresh berries.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Blackberries quickly
mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the
refrigerator.
You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just
wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much
air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this!
The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.