2024 Austin area of Texas Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Austin area of Texas 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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Bastrop County

• Omi's Blackberry Farm - No pesticides are used, blackberries
  2548 Highway 21 East, Paige, TX . Phone: 512-656-9953. Email: swwoelfel@hotmail.com. Open: our season runs from the end of April to the end of June. Directions: The farm is located right off of Highway 21 East, about 250 yards east of the 29021 intersection. To get to the farm, turn off of Highway 21 East onto the dirt road that leads to the cell phone tower. Do not turn on Paint Creek Road or Railroad Track Road, no matter what Google Maps tells you. We are a "pick your own" blackberry farm in Paige, Texas. Our farm is pesticide, herbicide, and insecticide free, so you can eat the berries right off of the vine. When you come out to pick, you - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Omi's Blackberry Farm Facebook page. They have 4 varieties: Freedom and Bryson berries are ready to pick around the end of April. Kiowa berries come next towards the end of May and carry through June. Von berries are ready to pick in mid-JuneThe farm is located right off of Highway 21 East, about 250 yards east of the 290/21 intersection. To get to the farm, turn off of Highway 21 East onto the dirt road that leads to the cell phone tower. Do not turn on Paint Creek Road or Railroad Track Road, no matter what Google Maps tells you. We are a "pick your own" blackberry farm in Paige, Texas. Our farm is pesticide, herbicide, and insecticide free, so you can eat the berries right off of the vine. When you come out to pick, you will be provided with a bucket to pick the berries in and a bag to take them home. 2021 prices are $3.50/pound if paying by cash and $3.60/pound if paying by credit. Currently we do not sell pre-picked berriesFacebook page. (ADDED: April 8, 2021, JBS)

Bell County

• Aboud Family Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, sunflowers, tulips,
  918 Hackberry Road, Salado, TX 76571. Phone: (512) 656-2670. Email: jpaboud80@yahoo.com. Open: Seasons and hours vary; Please contact us for availability. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, All credit cards. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification(ADDED: March 20, 2023)

Burnet County

• Sweetberry Farm - strawberries and blackberries in season, new potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins
  1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654, TX . Phone: 830-798-1462. Email: info@sweetberryfarm.com. Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:30pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5pm, Closed Wednesdays. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
  Sweetberry Farm Facebook page. .Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturdayfrom8:30amto5:30pm,Sundayfrom1pmto5pm,ClosedWednesdays.MarbleFalls.BesuretogetDiscountcoupons.Theyhavepickyourownstrawberriesandblackberriesinseason,newpotatoes,tomatoes,pumpkinsandacornfieldmazeinFall.HarvestSchedule:Strawberries-MarchtomidMay,Blackberries-midMaythroughJune,NewPotatoes-May,Tomatoes-MaythroughthefirstofJuly,TheHayfieldMazes-MaythroughJuneandlateSeptemberthroughNovember,Pumpkins-lateSeptemberthroughOctober.Links:FreshNewsat:MarbleFalls.HarvestScheduleandHours,CostandPrices,HayfieldMazes:'Texas'and'America'.OrContactUs.ClickhereforourFacebookpage.(UPDATED:April14,2018,JBS)CommentsfromavisitoronMay20,2012:"MainlyStrawberriesandblackberries,butaddnewvegetablesallthetime.Theycurrentlyhavetomatoes,potatoes,andonionsasthemaincrop.Othersvaryassalesandrequestsindicate.,restrooms,giftshop,concessionsorrefreshmentstand,picnicarea,cornmaze,pumpkinsbroughtinfromthefield,pettingzoo,grouptours"

Hays County

• Moody Farms & Flowers - Blackberries
  2600 McGregor Lane, Dripping Springs, TX . Phone: 512-894-4330. Click here for a map and directions. ,. Does anyone know if they are still iin business? If so, please write me!

McLennan County

• Heart of Texas Farms - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, school tours
  5901 Rosenthal Parkway, Lorena, TX 76655. Phone: (254) 717-8046. Email: HeartofTexasFarms@gmail.com. Open: Blackberries are available early June through early July; Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm; Text before coming for availability due to heavy picking, weather, etc;;. Directions: I-35 exit 322. Go 5 miles east on Rosenthal Parkway towards Robinson. Farm is on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: (254) 424-8644 We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certificationCheck the home page for updates on times and days. As of April 2021 U-Pick prices on their website were $5/lb and We-Pick for you is $6/lb. The bushes are thornless Ouachita blackberries. (ADDED: June 18, 2018)
• Punkin Center Berry Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, grapes, U-pick and already picked
  1785 Waldo Road, Oglesby, TX 76561. Phone: 254-580-8096. Email: scott@punkincenterberryfarm.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: From Waco, drive 14 miles to McGregor, traveling west on Highway 84. Continue through McGregor 2 miles, still traveling west, and turn right on FM 938. Travel 4 miles and take a left on Waldo Road. Travel 1 12 miles to 1785 Waldo Road. Turn left into Punkin Center Berry Farm. Call ahead for availability of berries. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Punkin Center Berry Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 254-716-7889 From Waco, drive 14 miles to McGregor, traveling west on Highway 84. Continue through McGregor 2 miles, still traveling west, and turn right on FM 938. Travel 4 miles and take a left on Waldo Road. Travel 1 1/2 miles to 1785 Waldo Road. Turn left into. Call ahead for availability of berriesOur grapes are Champanel grapes. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsFacebook page.

Milam County

• Star Farmers Market - blackberries, cucumbers, melons, onions, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, purple-hull peas, black eye peas, other vegetables, prepicked produce, farm market, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  701 East Highway 79, Rockdale, TX 76567. Phone: 512-446-3078. Email: starfarmersmarket@yahoo.com. Open: 7 days a week from 12 pm to 5 pm or by appointments. Directions: We are .3 mile east from Rockdale, Texas on us 79. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Fax: 512 446 3078 Crops are usually available in March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November Call to set up special group outingsFacebook pageis a small (under 15 acres) varietal farm, with some 'you pick' crops, seasonal crops nearly year round, several farmers markets besides our road side store which has jams, jellies, butters, local honey besides all the crops we can possibly think of and then some. Spring crops are Strawberries, rhubarb and a few different greens, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green onions, then comes blackberries, peaches, plums, grapes, potatoes, onions, squashes of several varieties, salad greens, tomatoes, peas (black eyes, purple-hull peas, creamers and maybe some others) We have some okra, snow peas or sugar peas, hot and sweet peppers, winter squash, pumpkins and then start all over again. As soon as one crop is done, that ground is prepared for the next crop. We have a well which is a blessing during the dry seasons. We have school groups, senior groups, home school groups and just fun days out for families or individuals. We can harvest if you call ahead so your order can be picked up at our store or any of the farmers markets we participate in

Robertson County

• DeZavala Vineyard Sand Pit Enterprises - Blueberries, Blackberries, Grapes
  US-79, Franklin, TX 77856. Phone: 979-828-4767. Open: daily, from sun-up to sunset. Click here for a map and directions. (phone and fax) Eight and a half miles east of Franklin on U.S. Highway Highway 79. Turn at DeZavala Vineyard sign, south on DeZavala Road, cross railroad tracks.
• Kelumac Christmas Tree Farm Bed and Breakfast - blackberries, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area
  10379 Taylor Road, Bryan, TX 77808. Phone: 979-279-3931. Email: kelumac@aol.com. Open: the Day after Thanksgiving 10 am to 5:30 pm Thursday and Friday 10 am to 5:30 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5:30 pm. Directions: From Bryan take TX. highway 6 North to O.S.R. \(Old San Antonio Road\). Exit right on O.S.R.; 1.5 mi. to Jackrabbit Lane; 3.5 mi. turn left to 10379 Taylor Road; Farm located at end of Taylor Road. From Hearne Tx. take highway 6 South to FM 2549; turn left onto FM 2549 to Jackrabbit Lane\(1.5 mi\); right on Jackrabbit Lane\(3.5 mi.\) to 10379 Taylor Road; Farm located at end of Taylor Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Fax:From Bryan take TX. highway 6 North to O.S.R. (Old San Antonio Road). Exit right on O.S.R.; 1.5 mi. to Jackrabbit Lane; 3.5 mi. turn left to 10379 Taylor Road; Farm located at end of Taylor Road. From Hearne Tx. take highway 6 South to FM 2549; turn left onto FM 2549 to Jackrabbit Lane(1.5 mi); right on Jackrabbit Lane(3.5 mi.) to 10379 Taylor Road; Farm located at end of Taylor Road

 

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