2024 Western Kentucky Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Western Kentucky 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

Allen County

• Dowell Farms - blackberries, blueberries,
  303 Pruitt Lane, Scottsville, KY 42164. Phone: (270) 586-0480. Email: DowellFarms@yahoo.com. Open: Monday through Friday 7 am to 6pm Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Sunday 2 pm to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Blueberries are in season starting in second week in June through the middle of Augusts Blackberries are in the last week of June through the Last of July(ADDED: June 17, 2017)

Ballard County

• Love Shack Farms - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries (Spring, red), U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  697 Upshaw Road, Kevil, KY 42053. Phone: (270) 349-1835. Email: mattalbert70@gmail.com. Open: See our Facebook page for current hours. Directions: 697 Upshaw Road, Kevil, KY 42053. We are on the left about a half mile from when you turn onto Upshaw Road. Look for the black four rail wooden fence and our sign at the gate. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Blueberries and Raspberries in June; Blackberries and Peaches in July;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals(ADDED: May 18, 2020)A visitor writes on July 07, 2020: "Blueberries are $3/lb u-pick, $6/lb we pick Blackberries are $3/lb u-pick, $6/lb we pick Raspberries are $5/lb u-pick, $8/lb we pick"

Hart County

• Dennison's Roadside Market - U-Pick strawberries, blackberries and pumpkins.
  5824 S Jackson Hwy, Horse Cave, KY 42749. Phone: (270) 786-1663. Email: pbden@scrtc.com. Open: Apr-October 31, Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm, strawberries in April and May, Blackerries in May usually. Click here for a map and directions. Dennison's Roadside Market Fax: (270) 786-5884 Apr-October 31, Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm, strawberries in April and May, Blackerries in May (usually)From I-65, take Horse Cave Exit 58. Take KY 218 east 6 one half miles to US 31E. Turn left, go 1 mile on 31E. Market is on the right. From Glasgow, 12 miles north on US 31E. Antique Tractor Show - Sep 24-25. Hayrides available in fall, petting zoo, straw tunnel. Restrooms. (UPDATED: May 23, 2015, JBS)

Henderson County

• High Hill Orchard - peaches, blackberries, strawberries
  1018 Alves Ferry Road, Henderson, KY 42420. Phone: 270-748-4597. Open: You-pick berries hours: Saturdays and Wednesdays 7:30-4:00 and by appointment, Summer and early fall, most days. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, credit cards. Peaches and Blackberries come in around July 4. (UPDATED:May 1, 2015, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on July 24, 2009: "They have a variety of fruits and vegetables. It is my favorite place to buy produce. The owners are very nice and accommodating. You can pick your own at a reduced price or they have them already picked."
• Hillcrest Baskets & Greenhouse - blackberries, strawberries, flowers, herbs or spices, lavender, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, already-picked produce (of the pyo crops), gift shop, farm animals, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  4201 Anthoston-frog Island Rd, Henderson, KY 42420. Phone: 270 827 2275. Email: karenhillcrest@excite.com. Open: April - October as in season for each crop; Open Fridays and by appointment; 9 am to 4pm Basket shop open year round. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Hillcrest Baskets & Greenhouse Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 270-577-7575. Fax:Picking updates: Click here for picking updates Handmade Kentucky-Crafted baskets, classes on weaving and canning. Garden classes for children and adults. Farm animal petting and feeding educational tour. Greenhouse packs full of flowers, bedding plants, herbs and landscape shrubs. Fresh from the Garden produce

Warren County

• Berrylicious Orchard - blackberries, blueberries,
  531 Clay Starks Road, Woodburn, KY 42170. Phone: 270-392-0211. Email: Berryliciousorchard@yahoo.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
• Jones' Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, strawberries,
  382 Mt. Union Church Road, Smiths Grove, KY 42171. Phone: (270) 202-2591. Email: toddjones270@windstream.net. Open: Will open when the Strawberries are ripe May and June and Blackberries are ripe July. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Alternate Phone: (270) 563-2267 Will open when the Strawberries are ripe (May and June) and Blackberries are ripe (July). Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsPlease bring something to take your berries home in. Best thing to use is a box lid. 2018 is a brand new patch. PYO $2.25 quart and Picked is $3.50 quart. (UPDATED: April 24, 2018)

 

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