Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Cincinnati, Dayton and southwestern Ohio 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

Adams County

• B and D Berry Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries, U-pick and already picked, school tours, group reservations
  1042 Inlow Avenue, Peebles, OH 45660. Phone: (937) 509-1327. Email: bdberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm, July to August; Please see our Facebook page for current updates and information. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: (937) 509-0072. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From State Route 32, turn onto Route 41 into Peebles. Turn at the red light in the center of town onto Vine Street (Old State Route 32). About one half mile from town, turn left on Inlow Avenue. We are about a mile down Inlow Avenue. Blackberries are usually ripe from mid-July to mid-August; Please see our Facebook page for current updates;. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Please phone ahead to order pre-picked blackberries, for same-day pick-up. Our blueberry plants are still quite young, so please call to check availability of blueberries. Thank you!. (UPDATED: April 01, 2018) (ADDED: June 24, 2016)

Brown County

• A & M Farms - apples, pumpkins, blueberries, tractor-pulled hayride
  22141 State Route 251, Midland, OH 45148. Phone: 513-875-2500. Email: adaeh@cinc.tds.net. Open: January-February, June and August- December, Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. A & M Farms Fax: 513-875-2420. . Wagon rides Saturday and Sunday afternoons late September-early October. You pick blueberries in July and you pick apples in September In SOME years (last was 2018) they have strawberries. A visitor writes on October 05, 2013: "We just returned from picking apples at A and M farm today and I had to leave feedback for others to read. My wife and I took 6 kids on an hour and 10 minute car ride to A and M and it was well worth the trip. There was a tractor ride to the orchards which my small boys enjoyed and their trees were literally loaded with beautiful, healthy apples of many varieties. It rained on us the entire time but even my teenage daughters enjoyed themselves. The family that runs the farm was very kind and helpful. We will make this a yearly excursion and I am encouraging my family and friends to go there on an apple picking adventure."
  Comments from a visitor on September 17, 2011: "This farm is well maintained and the family had a wonderful time!! There were many treasures here - Pumpkins and Apples were the highlights (pick your own at that!), but they had cider, plums, various squashes, gourds, etc. as well. The kids also enjoyed the tractor ride to and from the fields! Well worth the hour+ travel time!"
  Comments from a visitor on September 19, 2008: "If you want an experience that is less commercialized and away from the big crowds, try A & M Farm. This is not the big crowd draw that some places are..that is why we love it!! A terrific family runs this Pick-Your-Own apples and pumpkins farm. We go every year and enjoy the cider, hay ride to the fields, following the maps to the apples we like to pick. I always feel like I belong there, like I am not just a visitor. As I mentioned above, I feel so welcome there every year. The members of the family are friendly and offer a laid back, country setting that makes everyone enjoy the feast of Fall, both young and old. They have a small barn/shop with squash, apples, cider, and old fashioned candies for sale. "

Clermont County

• Simmons Farm - No pesticides are used, corn (sweet), mulberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, flowers, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, picnic area, school tours
  3020 Schaller Road, Bethel, OH 45106. Phone: 513-734-3117. Email: simmonsupickfarms@gmail.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: see thier wbesite. We do not use pesticides on the . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Simmons Farm Facebook page. . Our farm is our home; We are open for business on weekends and some evenings during harvet times; Please check our website and/or call ahead for harvesting information; Due to weather, crops are ready at different times and some years produce better crops than others; We are willing to sell our evergreen trees year - round for landscaping; Don't forget to come back to our farm after the Thanksgiving season for pumpkin chunking!. Click here for current open Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. crops. s is a family property located in Bethel, Ohio. Our passions lie in family time and sharing God's creations with others. We raise crops we enjoy growing with our children and genuinely hope others enjoy their moments picking with their loved ones too. Facebook page. We offer the sale of sunflowers (September-November), berries (mulberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries), corn (NO SPRAYs used), pumpkins (September-November), hay, eggs, jams, syrups, vegetables, and honey (all year). Don't forget to stop by this fall to pick your own pumpkins and try your hand at Pumpkin Chunking with our trebuchet!.

Greene County

• Berryhill Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, blueberries, flowers, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red),
  330 E. Krepps Rd, Xenia, OH 45385. Phone: 937-374-8747. Email: Berryhill10@yahoo.com. Open: hours vary based on available fruit; Closed for all business on Sundays. Directions: Located between US 42 and 68 off of State highway 380. Fields at two location on E. Krepps Road Watch for signs posted during season. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . Call, Email or check the web site for updates through the season. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. We provide buckets and bags, but feel free to bring your own containers. We will tare the weight for you before picking. All P-Y-O berries are sold by the pound, which we will weigh for you after picking. Please see our U-pick page for all details. Red raspberries and blackberries will come in season the beginning of August and run at least through labor day. Blueberries are done by the second week of August. We have drive up sales for pre picked berries every day 830 am to 6 pm at our 127 E Krepps address. No sales on Sundays. Call for orders and to make sure berries are available.
  Comments from a visitor on August 11, 2010: "The blackberries that I picked yesterday on August 10th were absolutely delicious at this farm on Krepps Rd. off of route 42 at this farm near Xenia, Ohio. They were so big and juicy as well as fun and easy to pick and everyone at the farm was polite and respectful."
  Comments from a visitor on June 28, 2010: "We loved this farm and the people who owned it. they were so hospitable and gracious. It was a quiet and beautiful farm. They allowed us to pick the nite before their opening day. They accommodated our diet beautifully. We actually made plans to run around town a bit and decided to hang out at the farm in the hammock and sky chair and enjoy the peace for a few hours instead. You will enjoy it! "
• Once in a Blue Moon Farm - blueberries,
  3984 East Social Row Road, Waynesville, OH 45068. Phone: 937-586-8749. Email: stevekuflewski@woh.rr.com. Open: Picking dates vary as the crop matures. Directions: The farm is a few hundred yards east of the intersection of Social Row Road and Wilmington Pike. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . We also have pre-picked blueberries available on the days we are open for you pick. No restrooms on site. We supply the picking buckets and give you bags to take the blueberries home in. (UPDATED: June 10, 2016)

Preble County

• Wesler Orchards and Farm Market - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, raspberries (black), strawberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  9319 Wesler Road, New Paris, OH 45347. Phone: 937-437-8921. Email: jrwslr@yahoo.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Wesler Orchards and Farm Market Facebook page. . . Facebook page. A visitor writes on March 05, 2016: "love it ! Weslers make the best cider !!!! " A visitor writes on September 19, 2011: "Amazing orchard. This isn't one of those stands that sells trinkets and country themed home decorations and happens to have a bit of over priced fruit. They have a wide variety of high quality, reasonably priced apples as well as pairs and other fruit. The cider is better than any grocery store brand. It reminds me of the type of orchard we went to as kids and not what fruits stands have morphed into the last few years."A visitor writes on July 26, 2009: "I have loved it since i was a child. They are all about the Apples. Apple dummplings- Cider-Yum!! Every year there is a Apple fest in the town of New Paris. You can find it on the web. In tha summer they do tractor tours around the City Of New Paris. Every October they have a haunted chicken coop. You can also buy pumpkins. They used to sell fresh eggs and milk but no longer do. They also sell country store items, such as chairs, candles, exc. It's been there a long time. I use to collect eggs for them when i was a child now I'm thirty some thing."

Warren County

• Blooms & Berries Farm Market - pumpkins, strawberries, blueberries, snap peas, elderberries, potatoes, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  9669 Street Route 48, Loveland, OH 45140. Phone: (513) 697-9173. Email: Jeff@BloomsAndBerriesFarmMarket.com. Open: Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm Fall On The Farm: Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday 11am to 6pm. Directions: I-275 to exit 52 \(Loveland Indian Hill\) turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Travel 2.5 miles, turn right onto Loveland Avenue. Travel .5 mi. Cross RR crossing, turn left at next light \(St. Route 48\) Travel 3 miles, Farm is on Left. If you get to a stop sign, you have traveled .25 mi too far. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Blooms & Berries Farm Market Facebook page. . . I-275 to exit 52 (Loveland / Indian Hill) turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Travel 2.5 miles, turn right onto Loveland Avenue. Travel .5 mi. Cross RR crossing, turn left at next light (St. Route 48) Travel 3 miles, Farm is on Left. If you get to a stop sign, you have traveled .25 mi too far. Crops are usually available in April through October. Strawberries: Memorial Day through 2nd week in June Fall On The Farm Festival 2008: (Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hayrides, Play Area Saturday, Animals, Concessions) Sept 27th 28 Thursday, Blooms And Berries Farm Market Facebook page. Every weekend in October, Great Giant Pumpkin Escape: (Phil Dalton attempts to escape from inside a giant pumpkin 70 ft above the ground) Only Sept 27th 12:45pm. Super cute hayride with 100+ scarecrows playing in the woods and along the way. a-MAIZ-ing 7 acre corn maze, sunflower maze, awesome play area with giant slide, egg throw, animals, picnic area with concessions and much much more. (UPDATED: August 8, 2022, JBS)A visitor writes on July 22, 2021: "Blueberries: PYO $4.99 (plus $0.35 card fee) "field pass" per person (ages 2+), fruit is $4.99/lb PYO Strawberries: PYO $2.95 (plus $0.35 card fee) "field pass" per person (ages 2+), fruit is $3.75/lb PYO Sugar Snap Pees: No "field pass", $3.99/lb PYO Potatoes: $9.95 PYO pail (approx 8-9 lbs) Elderberries: No pricing listed "
• Hidden Valley Orchards - apples, blueberries, raspberries (red), strawberries, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, inflatables or bounce houses, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  5474 North State Route 48, Lebanon, OH 45036. Phone: (513) 932-1869. Email: info@hiddenvalleyorchards.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Hidden Valley Orchards Facebook page. . Fax: 513-932-2869. . Hours and availability of crops to pick varies; please call, email, or see our Facebook page for U - Pick days/times. Click here for current open Strawberry U-Pick is late May until mid June; Blueberry and Red Raspberry U-Pick is late June to July; Apple U-pick begins in September to October; Pumpkin U-Pick is in October; Strawberry Festival is typically first weekend in June, Berry Festival is typically first weekend in July, Peach Festival is typically first weekend in August, Apple Festival is in mid September, Cider Festival is in early October; Festival Schedule: Strawberry Festival is early June, Berry Festival in early July, Outdoor Market is July, Peach Festival is in early August, Grape Day is late August, Apple Festival is mid September, Cider Festival is October, Santa and Cider Weekend is early December ,. Apples: Over 30 varieties of apples are available u-pick. They have lots of activities in the fall, and they have a nice deli-type area with a very well stocked store in an old barn. Apple Fest from September 9, 2021 to September 13, 2021HERBS are new U-pick in 2021! . BLUEBERRIES - Late June, early JulyPEACHES - Mid to Late SummerGRAPES - Mid to Late SummerPUMPKINS - September and October. (UPDATED: June 22, 2018)

 

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