Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blueberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have blueberries 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

Bond County

• Stoecklin's Orchard - blueberries, gooseberries, paw paws, chestnuts, pecans
  1709 Ayers Rd, Donnellson, IL 62019. Phone: 217/537-3801. Email: prairie1709@gmail.com. Open: gooseberries in early late May, blueberries starting in late June, paw paws starting in September, chestnuts starting in late September, and pecans starting December or January. Directions: Located in the taupe colored shed with the dark green roof and trim on the west side of Ayers Rd. Click here for a map and directions. . We sell local B&K honey from Greenville, and local jellies too. Farm tours and natural prairie tours available; please call ahead. We are also a hummingbird hot spot, featuring a hummingbird festival held late June of most years. We capture and band hummingbirds, approaching 1000 banded birds from this location, feeding an average of 400 lbs. of sugar per year. Check our facebook page for more information. From Greenville, IL, go north on Rt. 127 to Sorento Ave. Turn EAST on Sorento Ave and go 2 miles to the SECOND crossroad called Ayers Rd. (DON'T take the first crossroad - it's called West Ayers). Turn NORTH on AYERS RD and go approximately 1/2 mile. We are . We will have signs up during blueberry season at the corner of Ayers and Sorento directing you to our farm and orchard.

Jefferson County

• Martin's Nest - blueberries,
  23650 N. Harmony Lane, Texico, IL 62889. Phone: 618-755-9910. Email: martin.richard46@gmail.com. Open: Call for available picking times. Directions: Route 15 East from Mt. Vernon, turn on to Harmony Route. Proceed 9 miles until you come to a four way stop sign. Continue straight ahead 1.8 miles, gravel road and signs on right. From Route 161, look for the Iuka RoadDonoho Prairie Christian Church sign. Turn south. Go approximately 3 miles to the stop sign, continue straight 34ths of a mile, look for blueberry signs on the left, turn up the graveled road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Route 15 East from Mt. Vernon, turn on to Harmony Route. Proceed 9 miles until you come to a four way stop sign. Continue straight ahead 1.8 miles, gravel road and signs on right. From Route 161, look for the Iuka Road/Donoho Prairie Christian Church sign. Turn south. Go approximately 3 miles to the stop sign, continue straight 3/4ths of a mile, look for blueberry signs on the left, turn up the graveled road. Blueberries available end of June thru July. We have Spartan, Toro, Bluecrop, Chandler, Berkley and Aurora blueberries.

Lawrence County

• Benson's Blueberries / Bensons Berry Farm - blueberries
  RR 2 Box 91, Lawrenceville, IL . Phone: 618/928-2115. Open: mid June to early July; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 7 am to 1 pm; call for start and end dates or check Benson Blueberries page on Facebook. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Benson's / Bensons Berry Farm. Alternate phone: 618/928-2516. 8 mi. south of Palestine on Rt. 33 OR 8 mi. north of Vincennes, IN, on Rt. 33.

Madison County

• Reinhardt's Berry Patch - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.
  7508 Kerin Rd, Alhambra, IL 62001. Phone: 618-633-2888. Open: Call for availability and picking appointments. Click here for a map and directions. . Pick Your Own/U-Pick: fresh berries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries; squash, pumpkins, gourds, ornamental Indian corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, fresh cut sunflowers and dried sunflower heads for bird seed, and dried hard shelled gourds for crafting.

Marion County

• Beal's Orchard - Pick your own: Blueberries, peaches
  471 Jasper Road, Centralia, Illinois, IL 62801. Phone: 618-822-6169. Open: mid June through November 1;. Click here for a map and directions. . Also a roadside market with breads, cakes, pastries with fillings, donuts, caramel apples, popcorn, molasses, fresh apples, blackberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet corn and turnips. Aunt Beth's brand apple butter (sweetened/unsweetened). Prairie Apiaries brand honey and Larry Miles/Millsap brand sorghum. Call for hours. Farm bakery items include apple cider donuts, strawberry, apple, and blueberry snack stix, jams, jelly, and preserves, apple butter, honey, sorghum. We also have apple cider and cherry-apple cider. (UPDATED: February 28, 2013, from the state Ag website)
• Schwartz Farms in Centralia - apples, blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  1942 Copple Road, Centralia, IL 62801. Phone: 618-532-8058. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Open: strawberries in May, peaches and blackberries in June,apples and pumpkins from September thru November. Directions: In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and \you\" pick fruits and berries. """. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Centralia Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items. Apples, strawberries, blackberries. Award winning apple cider. Bakery with apple cider donuts, pastries, strawberry shortcake and homemade cobblers.
• Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon - blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  Route 37, Dix, IL . Phone: 618-266-7756. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Directions: Located 8 miles north of Mt. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon Facebook page. . Phone: 618-532-8058. Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is . Vernon on route 37. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items.

Massac County

• Quint's U-pick - blueberries
  Unity School Road, Brookport, IL 62910. Phone: 618-564-2086. Open: Tuesday from 7 am to 11 am; Thursday from 7 am to 11 am and Saturday from 7 am to 11 am or call or see our facebook page for hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Quint's U-pick

St. Clair County

• Braeutigam Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, eggplants, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, farm market, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, IL 62221. Phone: (618) 233-4059. Open: Seasonal from June to October Monday thru Friday: 8 am to 6 pm Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: 20 miles Southeast of Street Louis. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Braeutigam Orchards Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates.

Union County

• Blue Berry Hill Farm - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelons.
  675 Wrights Crossing Road, Cobden, IL 62920. Phone: 618-893-2397. Open: 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: Strawberry farm is just off Hwy 51, north of Cobden. . Click here for a map and directions. Blue Berry Hill Farm Phone:, 7 days a week. Fresh peppers, squash and turnips. Typical harvest dates: strawberries (May 10- June 10), blackberries and blueberries (June 20-July 31), red & black raspberries (June 7-July 14). Will take drive in orders but does not ship. Call for more info.
• Hallsberry Farms - Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries
  20 United Missionary Ln, Buncombe, IL 62912. Phone: (618) 559-6127. Click here for a map and directions. 46573/?rf=204237323 We are a family owned farm in Buncombe, IL. We provide our community with fresh local strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Twenty years strong! A family owned farm that started with a small patch of blueberries in 1994. As we've grown, we now offer to our community fresh local blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries! (ADDED: September 3, 2017, JBS)

Williamson County

• Greer's Lost Creek Farm - blueberries
  5023 New Hope Lane, Carbondale, IL 62901. Phone: 618-457-5949. Open: June, July; Monday thru Saturday. Directions: 2 miles east of Giant City Grade school. OR Take Skyhawk West from Spillway...you will see the sign . Click here for a map and directions. 7 am to 12:30 & 4 pm til dusk. Depends on weather. Click here for a map to our farm.

 

Blueberry

Blueberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. They have few natural pests, (other than birds), so pesticides are generally unnecessary! This year's crop is fantastic (see related news story), thanks both to the weather and to more farms planting more blueberry bushes due to increased consumer demand over the past few years as more studies proclaim the anti-oxidant and other health properties of blueberries.

Click here to find a local Blueberry Festival (usually held between April and July).

If you are looking for information about a similar berry, the saskatoon (also called the June berry or Serviceberry) see this page about saskatoons.

Picking tips:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened.

Ripening AFTER picking?

First, it is key to know that once picked, blueberries will NOT become any sweeter, nor will the flavor improve. The only change that occurs is the color. They will APPEAR to ripen, but it is only a color change, from white to green to rose to red to pale blue to fully blue. So, white and green colored blueberries will not "ripen" after they are picked; while blueberries that have already turned purple, red or blue-ish usually DO change color after they are picked (if they are kept at room temperature to "ripen").

As the blueberries ripen ON THE BUSH, the flavor goes from tastless to bitter to tasteless tart to tart blueberry flavor to sweet blueberry flavor.

Grocery stores sell blueberries that are tart, not sweet because they had them picked unripe by machine so they are very firm and can handled being bumped around in shipping. They may look good, but are not as tasty as those picked when actually ripe.

So, the key is, PICK ONLY RIPE BERRIES!

How to pick blueberries

Since blueberries hang on the bushes in bunches a but like grapes do, the easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers. The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

When the bushes are at peak, I can easily pick 2 gallons per hour (if I'm not being distracted by the kids and the sun isn't too hot!). A newbie might do 1 gallon per hour.and at the beginning or end of the season it takes more time as the berries are not as plentiful nor concentrated in clusters.

Tips for storing blueberries after harvesting:

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Blueberry Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that blueberries vary considerably in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• 1 gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 lbs or (4 liters of blueberries is about 3.5 kg)

• 1 pint of fresh blueberries weights about 3/4 of a pound. (1 liter of blueberries is about 700 grams)

• 1 pound of fresh blueberries is usually between about 2 and 3 cups of berries.

• It takes about 4 cups (about of blueberries to make a blueberry pie (see this fantastic and easy blueberry pie recipe)

• A normal batch of blueberry preserves, jam or jelly requires 5 pints of berries.

• Blueberries do come in a variety of sizes from small (190-250 berries per cup) to extra large (<90 berries per cup).

Blueberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Blueberries

Recipes

• The world's best Blueberry pie, recipe and directions and illustrated!
• Blueberry buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping blueberry coffee cake
• Other easy directions to make blueberry desserts: cobblers, etc.

Canning, freezing and other blueberry recipes:

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Blueberries
• How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam
• How to make blueberry jelly
• How to make and can blueberry syrup (it works for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, too)
• blueberry pie filling to use later,
• blueberry butter

Baking tips

If you have trouble with blueberries settling to the bottom of muffins and blueberry breads, try one or more of these tips:

• Coat them with flour before adding to the batter. Just gently shake the blueberries in a bag (plastic or paper) with 1/2 cup of flour, then dump them mix in a sieve to remove excess flour.
• It may just be that your batter is too thin. try making the batter a little thicker!
• Fill the muffin cups or baking pan up to 1/4 full with batter (which hasn't had blueberries added to it yet); then stir the blueberries into the remaining batter, and continue to fill the muffin cups or bread pan. The blueberries will start off higher in the mix!

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