2024 West-Central Michigan Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in West-Central Michigan 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

Isabella County

• Papa's Pumpkin Patch - Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, sweet cherries, pumpkins, corn maze
  3909 S Summerton Road, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. Phone: (989) 773-4345. Email: contact@papasfamilyfarm.com. Open: all year, Fri-Sunfrom 3 pm to 6 pm; in season daily 3pm-dark, Fri-Sun 11am-dark. Directions: From Mission St. in Mt. Pleasant, go 2 mi. E on Broomfield Road, then 18 mi. N to S Summerton Road. From US-127 take M-20 go E 12 mi. to Summerton Road, then S on Summerton Road approx. 2 mi. to 3909 S. Summerton. Papa\'s Pumpkin Patch is the home of the Michigan Maze and Michigan\'s Field of Dreams. Visit Michigan\'s largest display of farm toys and collectibles, pumpkins, gourds, crafts, and other fall decorations. Hayrides and gator train rides available. Group tours by appointment. Chi - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Papa's Pumpkin Patch Alternate phone: (989) 854-1041 From Mission St. in Mt. Pleasant, go 2 mi. E on Broomfield Road, then 1/8 mi. N to S Summerton Road. From US-127 take M-20 go E 1/2 mi. to Summerton Road, then S on Summerton Road approx. 2 mi. to 3909 S. Summerton. is the home of the Michigan Maze and Michigan's Field of Dreams. Visit Michigan's largest display of farm toys and collectibles, pumpkins, gourds, crafts, and other fall decorations. Hayrides and gator train rides available. Group tours by appointment. Children and adults have enjoyed hayrides, farm parties, rides on the Pumpkin Train, shopping in the Toy Store, playing in the playground center and much more. In June, Strawberry season is in full swing, u-pick or we pick open officially from 10am to 6pm, on nice weather days we start earlier and end later. Join us July 4th to watch the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe fireworks display from the mountain. Raspberries and blackberries are a couple weeks later in mid June as are traverse city sweet cherries. If you want to order tart cherries, just let us know! We also have many bakery items, cookies, pies and breads!

Kent County

• Blok Orchard - Blueberries, peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries
  6365 4-Mile Road, NE Ada, MI 49301. Phone: 616-676-1153. Open: July to December , Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5:30pm. Click here for a map and directions. E Beltline to Knapp, E 4-1/2 mi. to Egypt Valley, N to 6365 4-Mile Road. Many varieties of apples, peaches, nectarines, also many vegetables, pumpkins, melons, mums, & u-pick blueberries. GPS: 43.030088, -85.512738. We have Honeycrisp and many other varieties of good quality apples. We grow Red Haven and Flaming Fury Peaches. We have some blueberries and cherries for U-pick. We also grow many varieties of vegetableshas: 45 acres of apple trees, 3 acres of peach trees, 1/2 acre of blueberries and 1/2 acre of cherries.

Mason County

• Christofferson Farms - apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), U-pick and already picked
  3441 South Morton Road, Ludington, MI 49431. Phone: 231-845-5831. Email: hattrickred@gmail.com. Open: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: From the city of Ludington: Head south on the Old PM Highway to Chauvez Road. Turn left \(east\) on Chauvez Road, and follow it to Morton Road, approximately 2 miles. Turn right \(south\) on Morton Road. We are the second house on your right \(west side\), a large brick house with black shutters. Go up the driveway and park. Honk the horn if no one comes out - we are probably out in the orchards. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Christofferson Farms Alternate Phone: 231-233-5281 From the city of Ludington: Head south on the Old PM Highway to Chauvez Road. Turn left (east) on Chauvez Road, and follow it to Morton Road, approximately 2 miles. Turn right (south) on Morton Road. We are the second house on your right (west side), a large brick house with black shutters. Go up the driveway and park. Honk the horn if no one comes out - we are probably out in the orchardsPlease call for specific availability of varietiesIf you would like to visit the farm outside of our normal business hours, please call to make other arrangements. For more specific information on varieties and types of fruit available, please call us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Oceana County

• Jazz U-Pick/We-Pick Berries, Flowers, Pumpkins - blueberries, blackberries, melons, peas, raspberries (red), rhubarb, summer squash, flowers, pumpkins
  7223 West Grant Road, Shelby, MI 49455. Phone: (734) 649-6351. Email: jazz@jazzrunning.com. Open: Wednesday to Monday, closed on Tuesday, from July 11th to the first week in September. Directions: Take Exit 140 to Stony Lake to Shelby Road to 40th Avenue. Corner of 40th and Grant Grant Avenue in Benona Township. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Jazz U-Pick/We-Pick Berries, Flowers, Pumpkins Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates Formerly Andrews BlueberriesIn 2020, we will be expanding our u-pick to of course blueberries but we are venturing into u-pick flowers including peonies, irises, sunflowers, zinnias, gladiolas, dahlias, sweet peas and other gorgeous wildflowers! Along with these items, we will have seasonal farm fresh strawberries, raspberries, and other season fruit and vegetables. We are also planting a u-pick pumpkin patch! Please "Like" our Facebook and Instagram @katiexbobjazzupickfarmers page for information and announcements about the 2020 u-pick season. We also host fitness events include trail runs/walks and kids runs and personal training! (UPDATED: May 28, 2020) (ADDED: June 29, 2018)
• Satterlee Small Fruits - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, currants (red and black), raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), rhubarb,
  3056 West Buchanan, Shelby, MI 49455. Phone: 231-861-2755. Email: oliversam@frontier.com. Open: First week of July through the first hard freeze; 9am to dark but please call first for availability. Directions: One mile north of Shelby on Oceana drive, turn right onto Buchanan. Proceed about 16 mile to the top of the hill farm is located on the north side. From Hart turn south onto Oceana drive travel about 5 miles and turn left on to Buchanan. Proceed about 16 mile to the top of the hill farm is located on the north side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 231-301-2659 One mile north of Shelby on Oceana drive, turn right onto Buchanan. Proceed about 1/6 mile to the top of the hill farm is located on the north side. From Hart turn south onto Oceana drive travel about 5 miles and turn left on to Buchanan. Proceed about 1/6 mile to the top of the hill farm is located on the north sideWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsOur farm is opening for the first time July of 2012. Many of our plants are three years old and will have their first good crops. We will be adding more and different plants this year.

 

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