2024 Fresno area of California Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Fresno area of California in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blackberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have blackberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if 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 info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Inyo County

• Apple Hill Ranch - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apples, apricots, beans, beets, blackberries, boysenberries, carrots, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, figs, grapes, herbs or spices, melons, nectarines, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pomegranates, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, birthday parties
  475 Sierra Grande, Bishop, CA 93514. Phone: (760) 937_0413. Email: rdevore@schat.com. Open: Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4:30 pm, cherry season 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: When traveling from Bishop Go past the Bishop Country Club on highway 395 south And about 3 miles turn right on Gerkin Road When you reach Wilkerson Turn on Sierra Grande Go to the top of the road Turn left at the Iron Gate Come on up to the house. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Apple Hill Ranch cherry season starts Memorial DayPeaches June 30; Apples July 30; All veggies July 15/ raspberries June 30. We Are USDA Certified Organic for all crops! USDA-NOP national Organic Standards California Registration # 99-0008

Kings County

• Genesis Organic Farm - Certified Organic, apples, apricots, blackberries, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, flowers, peaches, persimmons, plums, pumpkins, Other fruit or veg, farm animals
  7595 Central Valley Highway, Hanford, CA 93230. Phone: (559) 410-3607. Email: jeannie@genesisorganicfarm.com. Open: Fruit picking is by appointment only; Please call to schedule appointment Note from 2022, we downsized, sold most of the land and semi-retired. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We still have a small orchard and I plan to grow a veggie patch in 2023. Since the trees didn’t get the memo that I’m semi-retired they are still producing fruit. I plan to run fruit picking tours when I feel up to it. Just give me a call and see what’s in season and if an appointment is available. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe are certified organic for all crops! We grow many varieties of Stonefruit, Pluots, Apriums, Colorcots and Pluaries. Some are rare and quite unusual in limited supply. Get on our mailing list to get current info on what is harvesting. All of our fruit is Certified Organic through CCOF. Beginning in Fall 2019 we will open the Worlds First Cucamelon Maze. (UPDATED: September 3, 2023, JBS) (UPDATED: May 14, 2019)
• Rancho Notso Grande - Uses natural growing practices, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, flowers, nectarines, olallieberries, other berries, peaches, pecans , raspberries, tayberries, walnuts, and prepicked produce
  5051 12th. Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230. Phone: 559-269-1152. Email: ranchonotsogrande@gmail.com. Open: We have a refrigerated, pre-picked fruit stand that is open from 7 AM to 7PM for seven days a week during the harvest season. Directions: South East corner of 12th and Excelsior Avenues in Hanford, CA. This is 30 minutes south of Fresno, 25 minutes West of Visalia. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Fax: 559-589-0420During the season we are open for you pick and roadside sales from 7AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday and all other times by appointmentCrops are usually available in May, June, July, August. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicOur roadside Farm-stand has (when they are in season) apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, flowers, nectarines, olallieberries, other berries, peaches, pecans , raspberries, tayberries, walnuts, farm made wine, jams, frozen cobblers and other prepicked produce.(UPDATED: June 26, 2018)

Tulare County

• Naylor Organics - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apricots, blackberries, nectarines, olallieberries, peaches, plums, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours
  38918 Road 64, Dinuba, CA 93618. Phone: (559) 824-0811. Email: naylor.organics@gmail.com. Open: Wednesday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: We are located 40 minutes south of Fresno, CA. From the South, take the Avenue 384 exit and turn right at the stop sign. From the North, take the 384 exit and turn left and then turn right at the stop sign. Cross the Railroad tracks and drive to Road 64 \(approximately 6 miles\). Turn left and drive about a 14 mile to the entrance. Follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate Phone: (559) 824-3780 We are located 40 minutes south of Fresno, CA. From the South, take the Avenue 384 exit and turn right at the stop sign. From the North, take the 384 exit and turn left and then turn right at the stop sign. Cross the Railroad tracks and drive to Road 64 (approximately 6 miles). Turn left and drive about a 1/4 mile to the entrance. Follow the signsOur PYO is open from June 14th to September 16th this year;Please park in designated areas only. There is no smoking anywhere on the property. See photos on our website We are certified organic for all crops! The Naylor farm is located 40 miles south of Fresno, California in rural Tulare County. It consists of 40 acres of farmland planted with several varieties of apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines. has been using organic practices since 1984

 

Blackberry

Blackberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blackberries typically peak during June in the South of the U.S., and in July in the north and in Canada. 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:

1. 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!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. 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.
4. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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:

1. 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!
2. 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

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. 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)!
4. 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 Recipes, Freezing and Jam directions

1. How to make Blackberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Blackberry jam directions - very easy!
2. How to make Blackberry jelly
3. How to freeze berries
4. Blackberry syrup, make and can it! 
5. Seedless blackberry pie!
6. Blackberry Festivals: Where, When and More to Find an Blackberry Festival Near You this year:

Blackberry Facts and Tips

• Black Raspberries, also known as "black caps" are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• The USDA says 1 cup of blackberries has about 62 calories.
• 1 cup of blackberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• Select plump, firm, fully blackberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Ohio State University's Article Regarding Their Prevention of Cancer
• Oregon Berry Black Raspberry Brochure
• 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 forage 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".
• Guide to blackberry varieties
• 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.
• Want to go to a blackberry festival? See this page for a list!

 

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers