2024 Southwest Michigan Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Southwest Michigan 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

Allegan County

• Riverbend Farms - blackberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), U-pick and already picked
  44 72nd Street, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 269-350-9529. Email: riverbend@i2k.com. Open: Late June until October; 7 days per week; 8am to 6pm. Directions: I-196 exit 22, North Shore Drive and 72nd Street. In the south east quadrant of the interchange. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: 800-406-5482 Raspberries and blackberries U-pick or fresh picked.June through October. Pears in August. Chestnuts in October and November. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)

Berrien County

• Lehmans Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, cherries, red currants, black currants, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Nectarines, Blueberries, Blackberries, Plums, ​Peaches, ​Tomatoes, Peppers, ​Pears, Sweet Cherries, Tart Cherries, Gooseberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food
  2280 Portage Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: 269-683-9078. Email: stevelecklider@aol.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm, from late May through October; Off season hours open every day from 12 pm to 5 pm November, December, closed January, February, March then open in April and May. Directions: coming from Chicago, Take I80-90 Toll Road east to exit 72. Drive north on bypass 31 into Michigan, turn right on US12 and head east one mile. Turn right on Portage Road and head south one mile, the red farm house is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Lehmans Orchard Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 574-286-7815Fax: We use integrated pest management practicesPick your own tart cherry and blueberry starting around July 1; Please check website or phone for current pick your own information. Also visit our farm winery/cidery/farm stand during the season. We are always adding interesting products and crops(UPDATED: August 28, 2023, JBS)
• Nye's Apple Barn and Farms - apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries
  3151 Niles Avenue (m63), Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Phone: (269) 429-0596. Email: amthompson8@hotmail.com. Open: Please call ahead for dates; The season varies from year to year; Hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm Daily. Directions: Exit 27 from I-94. Coming from Chicago: Turn left, cross over bridge, market is on the right. From Detroit: Turn right, market is on the right. . Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: (269) 208-2344 Grape varieties: Fredonia, Niagara, Concord (all available at discount quantities). Apples are usually ready from September 27 to October 13, from 9:00-5:00 Michigan time.
• Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic - Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, apricots, red and black blackberries, grapes, and hayrides
  7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, MI . Phone: 269-471-1401. Open: 9 am to 6 pm everyday except Sundays; Early June to late October. Click here for a map and directions.
  Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic Facebook page. U-Pic Schedule: Dates are TENATIVE, please call for availability! Strawberries: June - July; Sweet Cherries June - July; Tart Cherries: June - July; Red and Black Raspberries: June - July; Blackberries: July - August; Apricots July - August; Blueberries: July - August; Peaches July - September; (Red Haven, Crest Haven, Glo Haven, Baby Gold, Red Skins); Fall Red Raspberries: September - October; Pumpkins: September - October; Grapes September - October; Apples September - October; (Molly Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Red Rome, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonathan, Mutsu and others). Stovers has hayrides in October(UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)

Cass County

• Eckler's Produce - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Spring, black), tomatoes, porta-potties
  1879 Barron Lake Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: (269) 683-2509. Email: seedsman@ecklerfarms.com. Open: Call for availability. Directions: Take I94 to Niles exit us 12 to Niles becomes m60 continue on TO Barron Lake Road turn north down 3 12 miles on east side of road. From the north m51 take south of Dowagiac Mi. to Pokagon highway turn east to Barron Lake Road turn south take for a little over a mile on east side of road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Take I94 to Niles exit us 12 to Niles becomes m60 continue on TO Barron Lake Road turn north down 3 1/2 miles on east side of road. From the north m51 take south of Dowagiac Mi. to Pokagon highway turn east to Barron Lake Road turn south take for a little over a mile on east side of roadWe use integrated pest management practices (IPM)(UPDATED: May 21, 2018)

St. Joseph County

• Burda's Berry Farm - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants and gooseberries
  20095 M 60, Three Rivers, MI . Phone: (269) 506-1746. Open: June 15 - October. Directions: 6 miles East of Three Rivers on M-60. 7 miles West of Mendon on M-60. U-pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants and gooseberries available. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone:

Van Buren County

• Vineyard 354 Family Farm - blackberries, grapes, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, Bounce house, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  24777 County Road 354, Lawton, MI 49065. Phone: 540 903-1275. Email: Vineyard354@comcast.net. Open: Pick your own raspberries and blackberries seasonal same day as Market. Directions: From US 131 go west 6.5 miles on U Avenue. cross VanKal, U Avenue becomes County Road 354 go 1.5 miles farm on left From Lawton M-40 turn left on third street to end take right go 2.5 miles to left on County Road 354 4.5 miles Farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 269-655-6230 Annual Harvest Days October 13 2012 10 am to 4 pm October 20 2012 10 am to 4 pm October 27 2012 10 am to 4 pmConcord grapes. Book your private parties by calling (703) 819-3747 Or EMAIL us. Book your private evening BONN-FIRE and Hayride party with up to 25 friends we supply Bonn-fire picnic tables private party area and of course tractor HayRide from 4 pm to 10 Pm. $275.00 flat(UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)

 

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