2024 the St. Louis area of Missouri Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in the St. Louis area of Missouri 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 any state, nor even every 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

Callaway County

• Kingdom Valley Farms - blackberries, blueberries,
  4091 County Road 210, Fulton, MO 65251. Phone: 573-530-0859. Email: info@kingdomvalleyfarm.com. Open: see their website for dates and times; typically starts in mid to late June. Directions: From Kingdom City, Missouri : Take highway 54 towards Fulton. In roughly 2 miles, turn right on to county road 209. Turn left on county road 210. Turn right, using the grass drive in front of a small tan shed. Welcome!. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . Blueberry season is typically: June 15 to July 30 Blackberry season is typically: June 25 to July 30. Sometimes we need to close the field in order for more fruit to ripen - check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information or you may call. Local Honey: Our farm is home to several hives of honey bees which help to pollinate our berries each spring and early summer. Honey is harvested throughout the summer and sold by the pound. Honey from the farm is raw and unfiltered, providing all of the benefits you look for in local honey. ​ Our honey bees have ample access to blueberry and blackberry blooms each spring, Dutch and red clovers, and native wildflowers. Occasionally, we will plant buckwheat and other seasonal sources to help build a unique and flavorful selection of flowers for our bees. .formerly Danamay Farm (UPDATED: May 12, 2023) (ADDED: May 19, 2017)

Crawford County

• Ozark Berry Farm - Blueberries, Blackberries and Elderberries
  552 Lick Creek, Leasburg, MO 65535. Phone: 573-677-1130. Email: info@ozarkberryfarm.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, credit cards or debit.
  Ozark Berry Farm Facebook page. . . We anticipate opening weekend for blueberries to be June 15 and blackberries to follow around June 22nd;Many years we start in in late May, through June and part of July. cards. We have blueberry and blackberry soap and honey along with a few other goodies. We have picking buckets and plastic bags for your blueberries and picking trays for the blackberries. We also accept cash, We have restroom facilities. You might want to bring a hat and some sunscreen. Blackberries are available for 3 or 4 weeks only. facebook page. Elderberry Picking is typically late July and August. We have York, Adams, Wildwood and Bob Gordon varieties. Elderberries and their flowers are used to make juice, pies, tea, wines but are not meant to be eaten uncooked. Also called Berries, Bugs & Blooms. (UPDATED: May 16, 2019, JBS)
• Sunny Day Farms LLC - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, Bounce house, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo
  3297 Highway F, Cuba, MO 65453. Phone: 573-205-3398. Email: gcc8cgs@hotmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021: They are closed until the 2022 season;Saturdays only from 11am to 5pm. Directions: Take Highway 44 to exit 203. Go north 3 miles and make right into our parking lot. 3297 Highway F Cuba, Mo 65453. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . UPDATE for 2021: They are closed until the 2022 season;Saturdays (only) from 11am to 5pm.

Franklin County

• Lakebrink Apiary - blackberries, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked
  2073 Hickory Ridge Road, Union, MO 63084. Phone: 314.581.5501. Email: dave72848@aol.com. Open: Call for appointment. Directions: For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Fax: 636-583-1677. . (ADDED: June 08, 2016)

St. Charles County

• Hermans Farm Orchard - apples, blackberries, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, restrooms, school tours
  3663 N. Highway 94, St. Charles, MO 63301. Phone: 636-925-9969. Email: hermansfarmorchard@gmail.com. Open: Daily, from 9 am to 5 pm, until October 31st. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Hermans Farm Orchard Facebook page. . . U-PICK SUMMER: JULY to AUG Tomatoes, Peaches, Blackberries, and more. ​FALL: SEPT 1 to Tomatoes, Apples OCT 1 to Pumpkins. 5 Varieties of tomatoes; homegrown Heirloom, Canning Quantity, Grafted Heirloom Tomatoes from both local and European varieties. (UPDATED: July 07, 2018, JBS)
• Wind Ridge Farm - 2024 permanently closed, they used to have blackberries, blueberries, peaches, Honey from hives on the farm
  Highway F, New Melle, MO 63365. Open: UPDATE: November 23, 2024: The owner tells me they are now permanently closed.

St. Francois County

• Liberty Blueberry Farm - blackberries, blueberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available
  1450 Oo Highway, Farmington, MO 63640. Phone: (573) 701-0281. Email: Info@libertyblueberryfarms.com. Open: Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 7 am to 7 pm, mid-June to until berries are gone. Directions: From saint louis: take ramp onto I-55 South, take 174B to merge onto US67 to Bonne TerreFarmington, continue onto MO-67 south, mergeexit left 32 East into Farmington, continue onto karsch boulevardhighway OO, continue to follow OO highway, 9 miles from last stoplight on Karsch boulevard. From Cape Girardeau: Merge onto I-55 North via the ramp to Saint Louis, take exit onto Jacksonhighway 72 West toward Fredericktown, turn right at Highway OO, continue 9 miles north to destination on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Liberty Blueberry Farm Facebook page. . . From saint louis: take ramp onto I-55 South, take 174B to merge onto US67 to Bonne Terre/Farmington, continue onto MO-67 south, merge/exit left 32 East into Farmington, continue onto karsch boulevard/highway OO, continue to follow OO highway, 9 miles from last stoplight on Karsch boulevard. From Cape Girardeau: Merge onto I-55 North via the ramp to Saint Louis, take exit onto Jackson/highway 72 West toward Fredericktown, turn right at Highway OO, continue 9 miles north to destination on right. Blueberry Season is typically end of May/beginning of June; Blackberry Season is typically middle to end of July. 2018 prices are You Pick $2.60/lb - PrePick $3.80/lb. For PREPICK, orders are preferred to ensure we have berries available for you; please call 573-701-0281, leave message please. The crop is looking amazing! Many beautiful berries ! Blackberry Season is later in the summer, end of July, information will follow later in the summer.

St. Louis County

• Thies Farm and Greenhouses - Uses integrated pest management practices, blackberries, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, face painting, ziplines, farm animals, birthday parties, group reservations
  4215 North Hanley Road, Saint Louis, MO 63108. Phone: (314) 429-5506. Email: dave@thiesfarm.com. Open: March 1 pm to December 24 Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 pm and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers.
  Thies Farm and Greenhouses Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Please contact us regarding your event! From weddings to tours.. we do it all. No two events are the same, we create memorable and unique experiences. Please contact Fran at the alternate phone or by email. Give us a call. Raspberries and Blackberries are available for picking at our North Hanley farm! Please call ahead to ensure availability! .

Warren County

• Hog Farm - apples, beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), horseradish, herbs or spices, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked
  15690 Ranch Road, Wright City, MO 63390. Phone: 636-456-0001. Open: Tuesday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm, year round. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . (ADDED: September 17, 2015)
• Thierbach Orchards & Berry Farm - Apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, tart cherries, gooseberries, child-sized haybale maze, and prepicked produce, gift shop, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo
  85 Town Branch Road, Marthasville, MO 63357. Phone: 636-433-2299. Open: Please call for berry picking dates and times. Directions: Our berry patch is located at 85 Town Branch Road, just off Hwy 47 at Marthasville across from the Ag Center. Our store, Thierbach\'s Market, is four miles north of Marthasville on Hwy 47. The apple orchard is on the same farm as the market. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Our market accepts cash, check, credit, and debit; our berry patch accepts cash and check only. . Apple Junction phone number 636-433-2757. Our berry patch is located at 85 Town Branch Road, just off Hwy 47 at Marthasville across from the Ag Center. Our store, Thierbach's Market, is four miles north of Marthasville on Hwy 47. The apple orchard is on the same farm as the market. Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Our market is open daily July-October. Monday through Saturday 9-6, 11-6 on Sundays. Strawberries ripen in mid-May, Blueberries in early-June, Blackberries are usually ripe around Father's Day. Peaches ripen in July, and you can pick apples weekends in September and early October. Please call for specific ripening and picking details. Our garden produce is available at the market. Located near the beautiful Katy Trail in Marthasville, we are just over an hour west of St. Louis. We also grow garden vegetables and pumpkins. If you are looking for a great outdoor activity, we offer many opportunities for you to pick your own fruit. Our berry patch is set up exclusively as Pick Your Own, you can pick your own peaches in July through early August, and kids of all ages can pick their own apples on weekends in September and early October. A visitor writes: "We had a wonderful time. We parked at the market and then we were taken, by hay ride, over to the picking site (orchard). They run every five minutes, so you knew you were not stranded. The trees are still small enough to pick some great fruit while standing on the ground (a six-foot orchard ladder was provided to pick from the taller trees). Our 14 month old son even got to pick an apple with very little help. The market has a covered picnic area so you can pick fruit in the morning, have lunch on site (B.Y.O.L.-Bring Your Own Lunch) and still get home at a reasonable hour. This facility is definitely family friendly, except for a lack of a modern bathroom (Johnny on the Spot outside market). Apple picking the way I remember, worth a trip with or without the kids."

Washington County

• Rons Blackberry Patch - blackberries, raspberries (red), U-pick and already picked, picnic area you may bring your own food
  10147 Wicket Road, Cadet, MO 63630. Phone: 573-438-5813. Email: ctr45956@centurytel.net. Directions: From highway 21 at Potosi Missouri, go east two and eight tenths miles on highway E to Wicket Road on the right. We are the first driveway on the left. look for signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Rons Blackberry Patch Alternate Phone: 573-701-3666. . UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone; There's nothing else about them on the internet, so I assume they have closed. If you have any information to the contrary, please write me. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7am to 6 pm from middle of June to end of August. . call for availability.

 

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