2024 Marion County, Florida Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Marion County, Florida 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.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Marion County

• Blues Brothers Farm - blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, gift shop, porta-potties are available, face painting, Inflatables or Bounce house
  4290 NE 97 Street Rd, Anthony, FL 32617. Phone: 352-629-0039. Open: UPDATE for 2021, 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, their last reported hours were Monday - Saturday open 8 am to 4 Blueberries April - May Blackberries June - July Peaches Grapes Aug - Sept Go to our website for more detail hours. Directions: Exit 358 from 75, go north on 441301 for 2.5 miles to 95 Street follow road to dead end, Ruth left go to dead end turn right you will be on 97 Street Road go 12 mile to 4290 on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Exit 358 from 75, go north on 441/301 for 2.5 miles to 95 Street follow road to dead end, Ruth left go to dead end turn right you will be on 97 Street Road go 1/2 mile to 4290 on rightMonday - Saturday open 8 to 4 Blueberries April-May Blackberries June-July Peaches Grapes Aug-Sept Go to our website for more detail hoursBring the family, fun for the kids. Vendors and gifts for allA visitor writes on April 12, 2014: "We went on opening day and even though it was early in the season, I still came away with 10lbs of berries! It was so clean and nice but there is very little signage to show the way. And my GPS tried to take me in a back way which ended up in someone else's driveway! But the berries were so good and I am ready to go back again! It was worth the drive to Marion County"
  Comments from a visitor on June 12, 2010: "My young sons and I picked 6 pounds of thorn-less blackberries today. The owners said they would have berries through at least Wednesday of this week (i.e. June 16th). Call ahead to be sure. Absolutely beautiful location, pristine grounds, luscious and delicious ripe berries, and NO THORNS. Super nice owners, as well. "
• Douglass Farm / Wet Hammock Nursery - Certified Organic, blackberries, blueberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  4500 E highway 318, Citra, FL 32113. Phone: 352-817-9996. Email: TavisDouglass@gmail.com. Open: Wednesday Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 5 pm; Open Memorial Day, From late May through June; Call or check our website for exact dates; Our crop of southern highbush blueberries are coming along nicely and we expect to be open towards the end of April and We are excited to say that we recently planted some Rabbiteye blueberries which are heavier producers and can extend our season well into July. Directions: From Gainesville: Head south on I-75 to exit 368 and head east, cross over 441 and 301 in Citra. We are 2 miles on right past 301 OR Head south on 441 to Highway 318 in Orange Lake, head east on 318 cross over 301, the farm is 2 miles past 301 on right. From Ocala: Head north on US441301, stay right on 301 at Sparr, turn right onto 318 in Citra, in 2 miles turn right into farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Fax: 352-595-4223 wethammockfarm@gmail.com From Gainesville: Head south on I-75 to exit 368 and head east, cross over 441 and 301 in Citra. We are 2 miles on right past 301 OR Head south on 441 to Highway 318 in Orange Lake, head east on 318 cross over 301, the farm is 2 miles past 301 on right. From Ocala: Head north on US441/301, stay right on 301 at Sparr, turn right onto 318 in Citra, in 2 miles turn right into farmNursery is open year round on Saturdays only 9 am to 3 pm. We are certified organic for some cropsU-Pick Blackberries are ready late May and June. We have a young field of Southern Highbush blueberries for U-Pick next year. Our nursery sells many native plants, large trees, fruit trees and shrubs of all sorts. Inquire about other crops we are growing as we grow and sell many fruits/vegetables some organic and hydroponic. We are a family farm Since 1918. Our crops are grown with BMPs (Best Management Practices). Along with U-Pick crops we raise cattle, grow various other agricultural crops and manage stands of timber. (UPDATED: May 01, 2016) (ADDED: May 19, 2015)
  Comments from a visitor on May 16, 2016: "The farm is now (late May 2016) open for blueberries, $3.00lb for upick. Typically open Fri-Sun. Should have blackberries around Memorial Day according to the owner."
• Taylor Gardens Nursery - No pesticides are used, blackberries, grapes, Muscadines, grapes, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals
  12871 NE 7th Avenue, Sparr, FL 32113. Phone: 352-629-0980. Email: taylorgardens@embarqmail.com. Open: our hours are by appointment only; Call; We will do our best to accomodate you. Directions: Taylor Gardens Nursery is on the south side of Highway 329 between Old Jacksonville Road and 441. Look for the Taylor Gardens Nursery sign on the north side of the road - and the U-pick sign on the south side! We\'re just off 329 on the little dirt road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit card s, Visa, MasterCard. Taylor Gardens Nursery is on the south side of Highway 329 between Old Jacksonville Road and 441. Look for the sign on the north side of the road - and the U-pick sign on the south side! We're just off 329 on the little dirt roadBlackberries are available in June and July; Grapes are available in late July, August and early September. We do not use pesticides on the cropsalso carries a wide range of native and ornamental plants for your landscaping and butterfly gardening. Come and pick some delicious, pesticide free muscadines. There are several varieties all good for eating, juice, jam, wine. We will be open most days from 9am to 2pm. If you need to come in earlier or later, please call us at 352 629 0980 and we will try to accommodate you. BEST TO CALL us before you come in to make sure we are here.

 

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