Black Raspberries in Illinois - PYO and Fresh Picked

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Black Raspberries in Illinois - PYO and Fresh Picked

Black Raspberries in Illinois - PYO and Fresh Picked

 Black raspberries grow just about anywhere, even in hot southern climates, but they do best in cooler, mild climates. They are not a common crop, even among raspberry growers, since many consumers are unfamiliar with them. Black raspberries, like all raspberries, do not last long after being picked; a few days in the fridge, at best.  Of course, those from the grocery store may last a week, but then, they're coated in fungicides, so good luck with that!

Black raspberries grow well in Illinois, and you could pick some, bring them home, wash them, and pop them in the freezer until you are ready to make jam.  I've been doing that for decades.

So here are some farms in Illinois that have PYO or already picked fresh black raspberries:

Christian County (Springfield area)

• Big M Berry Patch - Strawberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries, 
  928 E 1090 North Road, Taylorville, IL 62568. Phone: (217) 824-6625. Directions: Route 48W, right on County Road 900E, first turn right on CR 1090, first place on right. click here for a map. Open: Call first: 8 am to 5 pm. Big "M" Berry Patch also has hay mazes, and pumpkin picking in the Fall.

Grundy County

• Olive Berry Acres - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), rhubarb, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  2575 West Mine Road, Mazon, IL 60444. Phone: 815-474-6511. Email: oliveberryacres@aol.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Mazon is located on Illinois Route 47, about 15 miles south of Interstate 80. The farm is about 70 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, about an hour and a half drive. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page.     
  Comments from a visitor on June 05, 2010: "We visited Olive Berry Acres (Grundy County, IL) today and had a great time. The owner, Nik, was very friendly and informative. There were three varieties of strawberry available, all were very tasty and flavorful. There were plenty of berries. We picked ten pounds and it was a drop in the bucket. The price was very good ($2/lb). The farm is nice and tranquil, very relaxing. Raspberries will be ready next week, and even though we live in Chicago, we're trying to make time to go back."

Read more at https://www.pickyourown.org/ILchicago.htm#JUuLtfeeaAyLCF58.99

Grundy County

• Olive Berry Acres - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), rhubarb, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  2575 West Mine Road, Mazon, IL 60444. Phone: 815-474-6511. Email: oliveberryacres@aol.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Mazon is located on Illinois Route 47, about 15 miles south of Interstate 80. The farm is about 70 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, about an hour and a half drive. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page.     
  Comments from a visitor on June 05, 2010: "We visited Olive Berry Acres (Grundy County, IL) today and had a great time. The owner, Nik, was very friendly and informative. There were three varieties of strawberry available, all were very tasty and flavorful. There were plenty of berries. We picked ten pounds and it was a drop in the bucket. The price was very good ($2/lb). The farm is nice and tranquil, very relaxing. Raspberries will be ready next week, and even though we live in Chicago, we're trying to make time to go back."

Iroquois County

• Mulberry Lane Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, beans, beets, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), grapes, onions, other berries, peppers, raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  414 N Mulberry Street, Loda, IL 60948. Phone: 217-386-2690. Email: helen@mulberrylanefarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed Sunday; Open from April 1 to October 1; Open Saturdays year round from 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.

Montgomery County

• Kern Family Orchard - apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
  7375 Mackay Avenue, Raymond, IL 62560. Phone: (217) 820-1266. Email: kernfamilyorchard@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm; Saturday, from 8 am to 1 pm; Very flexible to appointments outside standard hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: August 27, 2015)

Union County

• Blue Berry Hill Farm - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelons. 
  675 Wrights Crossing Road, Cobden, IL 62920.  Phone: 618-893-2397. Directions: Strawberry farm is just off Hwy 51, north of Cobden. Open: 8 am to 8 pm., 7 days a week. Fresh peppers, squash and turnips. Typical harvest dates: strawberries (May 10- June 10), blackberries and blueberries (June 20-July 31), red & black raspberries (June 7-July 14). Will take drive in orders but does not ship. Call for more info.

Winnebago County

• Harrison Market Gardens - Registered naturally grown, asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, onions, peppers, raspberries (black), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  9024 Harrison Road, Winnebago, IL 61088. Phone: 815-980-0589. Alternate Phone: 618-967-4729. Email: billjillbeyer@yahoo.com. Open: We are a subscription pick your own and also offer CSA shares; You can choose either a weekly ($475) or bi - weekly ($325) pick that runs from May through October; Once you have had your initial pick/training, your family can come out whenever convenient;; ; any day of the week any time of the day. Directions: We are located aboaut 10 miles northwest of Rockford, Illinois. Click here for a map and directions. We are registered naturally grown for all crops. Payment: Cash, Check.