Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern Virginia, Virginia Beach 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

Chesapeake City

• Greenbrier Farms - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplants, flowers, nectarines, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
  225 Sign Pine Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Phone: (757) 421-2141. Email: torib@greenbrierfarms.info. Open: Times change seasonally Call for Details. Directions: Take exit 8A from VA-168 South. Take Hillcrest Parkway to Edinburg Parkway. Turn left on Street Brides Road, then turn left on Sign Pine Road. Greenbrier Farms is at the end of Sign Pine Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate Phone: (757) 421-4550. . We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. is a working farm with more than 300 acres of plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. Our popuar pick-your-own strawberry field is a favorite for families throughout the Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina area. We have great fields, with plenty of berries to pick from! While you're here, the kids can play on the playground, visit our animal petting area, see ducks, chickens and Millie the pig, see antique tractors and generally enjoy running around the farm. (UPDATED: March 25, 2019)

James City County

• Bush Neck Farm - Pick-your-own apples, blueberries, sweet corn, peaches, pumpkins.
  1502 Bush Neck Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Phone: (757) 258-0114. Email: mabrown12@cox.net. Open: Mid April to mid November; from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday. Click here for a map and directions. 48404"> Bush Neck Farm . About 7 miles west of Williamsburg. At Lightfoot, next to the Outlet Mall, turn down Centerville Road, which is Route 614. Go 4.3 miles to Route 633, Jolly Pond Road. This road becomes Bush Neck Road, which dead-ends at the farm. U - Pick: Apples, Blueberries, Peaches, Pumpkins in season end of June through Mid-November. School Field Trips September through Mid-November Also, School tours May 1-November 10. Picnic area. A visitor writes on July 29, 2013: "July 2013 - Went twice during blueberry season and was amazed at how many blueberries there were. It was a long drive, but beautiful and well worth it! Abundant blueberries for $2/lb. No crowds to deal with and had no encounters with wasps, etc. Already planning to go again next year! (James City, VA)"A visitor writes on July 03, 2013: "Me and my two young kids had a great experience today at bush neck! David was very nice and the fruit was beautiful. We picked and smacked on blueberries and peaches and enjoyed the singing birds and georgeous property! It was a long drive out there but well worth the trip! We will definitely be back :-)"
  Comments from a visitor on May 05, 2011: (positive) "My 11yr old daughter and I went to Bush Neck Farms in Williamsburg last year. We had a great time and was pleasantly surprised to find the owner was her retired elementary school principal. The owners were very nice and accommodating. The peaches were in abundance and sweet. I believe they have only white peaches. The peaches & blueberries were easy to pick in well maintained groves. The blueberries were at the end of their season, but we still found plenty to pick. Will definitely go back again."
  Comments from a visitor on May 01, 2011: (positive) "We have been going to Bush Neck Farms several times a summer for 8 years. The owners are wonderful- they have watched our children grow up and care about our family. They love what they do and how they do it. The location is stunningly beautiful and the peaches and blueberries are amazing. By far our favorite picking location! "
  Comments from a visitor on July 13, 2010: (positive) "I visit Bush Neck Farm with my family every year. We always enjoy the blueberries, apples, and peaches. The prices are reasonable, not outrageous, and the owners- while they don't always seem bubbly or excited to see you- are good people. The gentleman that owns the farm and spends most of the summer out in the heat has always been patient and pleasant when I have been there. I hope that future visitors are not so quick to judge. "
  Comments from a visitor on July 11, 2010: "The farm is a half-hour drive from Rte.60. I note that one former visitor used the term "crumudgeonly" (sic)to describe the owners of this farm. I think the actual term should be "curmudgeonly." I would use the simple term "grouches." Be forewarned: They only accept cash AND only checks from James City County, Williamsburg, Poquoson and Yorktown!? They were skeptical about allowing use of our own picking containers as well. Needless to say, we moved on without their berries. There are friendlier farms in the surrounding counties."
  Comments from a visitor on July 01, 2010: (positive) "Went blueberry picking on June 30th. Delicious and plentiful! Also picked yellow transparent apples for applesauce. "
• Millfarm Christmas Trees & Berry farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries,
  4900 Fenton Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Phone: 757-566-2035. Open: May Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 7pm for Strawberries July Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 7pm for Blueberries and Blackberries. Directions: I-64 east or west take exit 231 B Croaker exits Turn right onto Fenton Mill rd, Williamsburg VA 23188 Farm is 1.5 miles on the left. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check. Can come tag . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 757-879-4666. Christmas trees starting on October 31st. Bring something with you to use as a tag. Open every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas, for cutting trees. Pick Your Own.. Strawberries (May) Blueberries (June & July) Blackberries (July)Fresh picked Peaches July & August (ADDED: July 10, 2015)

Southampton County

• PandA Homestead - No pesticides are used, blueberries, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  23332 Felton Dr, Capron, VA 23829. Phone: (434) 658-0516. Email: pandahomestead@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6pm; July 1st to July 30. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . . We do not use pesticides on the crops. Our blueberry patch is located in the middle of the property with easy access from the driveway, and beautiful views of our livestock and the entire farm. The bushes have been planted at least 30 years ago by The Feltons, the family who farmed this land before us. They are 100% NON-GMO, and we don't use any chemicals on them. No pesticides, no insecticides, no fertilizers. They give us a great fruit, packed with oxidants and flavor. They are great for jellies and jams, but they keep fantastic in the freezer for smoothies or muffins and they are such a wonderful twist to your morning oatmeal.(ADDED: February 15, 2019)

Surry County

• College Run Farms - blueberries, pumpkins, ,
  2051 Alliance Road, Surry, VA 23883. Phone: 757-294-3970. Email: collegerunfarms@aol.com. Open: See our website for current hours, starting mid June. Directions: Located 2 miles from Chippokes State Park and 4 miles from the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . ​ CASH OR CHECKS ONLY. We provide the containers for you. (UPDATED: January 20, 2020)
• Drewry Farms - blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, organically grown strawberries, Galloway Grass Fed Beef, Mangalitsa Pork, Produce, Turkeys
  541 Strawberry Lane, Wakefield, VA 23888. Phone: (757) 899-3636. Email: michael_drewry@yahoo.com. Open: 7 am to until dark, Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Monday, approximately June 30-August 31. Directions: Located approximately 3.5 miles north of Wakefield on Route 31. Look for farm sign. 3 miles North of Wakefield, Virginia on Route 31. The blueberry picking season kicks off at our Blueberry Jam Festival in late June. We have been growing blueberries for over 20 years and thought is was time to evolve. In addition to our classic berries, we have many exciting new additions! Literally, Drewry Farms is growing by leaps and bounds. Last fall we planted 12,000 strawberry plants. We picked our first c - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. . Fax: (757) 899-8175. . Located approximately 3.5 miles north of Wakefield on Route 31. Look for farm sign. 3 miles North of Wakefield, Virginia on Route 31. The blueberry picking season kicks off at our Blueberry Jam Festival in late June. We have been growing blueberries for over 20 years and thought is was time to evolve. In addition to our classic berries, we have many exciting new additions! Literally, is growing by leaps and bounds. Last fall we planted 12,000 strawberry plants. We picked our first crop April 18 and sold them at the Smithfield Farmer's Market. Additionally, we have added hundreds of blackberry and raspberry vines for our u-pick operation. Click here for our Facebook page.

Virginia Beach City

• Apple Berry Manor - Blueberries
  2601 West Landing Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Phone: 757 434 9644. Email: proshow1212@gmail.com. Open: Daily, starting after July 4th and usually continuing into August; Please call ahead for availability. Click here for a map and directions. 021144">Apple Berry Manor . Eight miles from Virginia Beach Court House. South on West Neck Road at North Landing Road. Cross Indian River Road on West Neck Road. At fork, turn right onto West Landing Road and go one mile west on West Landing Road to 2601 West Landing Road. (UPDATED: May 22, 2024)

 

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