2024 Southeastern New Hampshire Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern New Hampshire 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

Strafford County

• Berrybogg Farm - blackberries, blueberries, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
  Providence Road, Strafford, NH 03884. Phone: 603-664-2100. Email: berrybog@metrocast.net. Open: Tues-Saturday 7 am to 5 pm, Sunday 8 am to 5 pm and closed Mondays. Directions: From the Lee Traffic Circle: Route 4 West Right on 202,202A,9 Follow 202A signs to Bow Lake Village Berrybogg Farm is on the right 14 mile past Blue Loon Variety Store From Concord: Route 4 East Turn left on Bow Lake Rd after passing Coe Brown Academy Follow signs to Bow Lake Berrybogg Farm is on the left, approximately 5 miles from Route 4 From Dover: Follow Route 9 West into Barrington Turn left on 202 Make a quick right on route 126 Left on Route 202A Follow 202A into Bow Lake Village Berrybo - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. From the Lee Traffic Circle: Route 4 West Right on 202,202A,9 Follow 202A signs to Bow Lake Village is on the right 1/4 mile past Blue Loon Variety Store From Concord: Route 4 East Turn left on Bow Lake Rd after passing Coe Brown Academy Follow signs to Bow Lake is on the left, approximately 5 miles from Route 4 From Dover: Follow Route 9 West into Barrington Turn left on 202 Make a quick right on route 126 Left on Route 202A Follow 202A into Bow Lake Village is on the right 1/4 mile past Blue Loon Variety Store Crops are usually available in July, August, September offers nine varieties of highbush blueberries on 7 acres so there are always plenty of blueberries during our long season.Throughout the month of August we have pick-your-own blackberries and you can always find delicious pies, muffins, jams and barbecue sauce at our farm stand.
• Butternut Farm LLC - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, NH 03835. Phone: 603 335-4705. Email: giffandmae@butternutfarm.net. Open: See our website for current hours because they vary depending on season. Directions: Take exit 13 off the Spaulding turnpike. Head west on rte 202 for 1 mile. At the blinking light turn right onto Estes Road Go for 4 miles through Meaderboro corner and we will be on your right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Fax: Picking updates: click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October We are a family run and family orientated Pick Your Own Fruit Farm. We pride ourselves on offering a clean farm and the best quality produce available. Typical harvest dates are: Strawberries mid June to early July. Raspberries in July. Sweet Cherries in July. Blueberries from late July through August. Peaches from late July through September. Apples from late August through October. Pumpkins in September and October. (UPDATED: August 10, 2013, by a visitor) A visitor writes on August 10, 2013: "little hard to find as their sign is a mini sign - if you take ( STRAFFORD ROAD - AKA 202a ) down Meaderboro Rd you will pass a lot of farms - Valley farm ( Apples ) Scuton Dairy ( milk ) 4 rod road the house is a sunny Yellow in color on the right - or from Farmington it is on left "
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2011: "I just loved this farm. A great Family run farm. Prefect for families with small children. The strawberries we pick were the biggest sweetest I have ever picked. Look forward to apples and raspberries picking."
  Comments from a visitor on October 03, 2010: "Farm is beautiful! I've never seen such big, beautiful apples. Great place for the whole family and tons of fresh produce. Many varieties of apples to choose from. Will certainly return."
• Cardinal Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blueberries, raspberries (red), strawberries, blackberries
  1186 Ten Rod Road, Farmington, NH 03835. Phone: (603) 781-1608. Email: Cristina.welch@hotmail.com. Open: During the picking season; Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm; Sundays 11 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Rochester: To avoid dirt roads, take Route 11 towards Farmington. Take a left on Ridge Road 14 mile past Camerons Home and Garden Center. Take your next left onto Hornetown Road. Follow Hornetown about a mile and a half, and take your next Right onto Ten Rod Road. We are the second driveway on your left. *. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Cardinal Farm Facebook page. From Rochester: To avoid dirt roads, take Route 11 towards Farmington. Take a left on Ridge Road 1/4 mile past Camerons Home and Garden Center. Take your next left onto Hornetown Road. Follow Hornetown about a mile and a half, and take your next Right onto Ten Rod Road. We are the second driveway on your left. *We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsApples, peaches, yellow raspberries, and blackberries in seasons to come!. Our typical fruit seasons are: Strawberries: Mid June-early JulyRaspberries: July​Blackberries: July​Blueberries: Mid July-AugustPeaches: Coming Late Summer 2019 ​Apples: Coming Fall 2019It is always a good idea to give us a call before you come to check picking conditions and be assured that we have not closed for ripening. (UPDATED: July 01, 2018)
• Tuts Blueberries - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, restrooms
  64 Bolan Rd, Milton, NH 03851. Phone: (603) 652-8380. Email: tutsblueberries51@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm, from July1 to October1. Directions: Spaulding turnpike exit 17E,east on route 175 1 mile, left on route 125 north 4 miles right on Bolan road one half mile the farm is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Blueberry picking is usually July 15 to September 1;. We use integrated pest management practices(ADDED: August 05, 2021) (ADDED: July 01, 2015)

 

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