2024 Macon - Columbus area of Georgia Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Macon - Columbus area of Georgia 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.

Bibb County

• Elliott Farms - onions, summer squash, blackberries, strawberries, tomatoes, garlic, Honey from hives on the farm, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  4761 Holley Road, Lizella, GA 31052. Phone: 478-935-8180. Email: elliottfarmsga@pstel.net. Open: Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm Sunday 10am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Elliott Farms . April 01 thru May 31. Crops are usually available in April, May. And now, we have Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream! Cash, Check. Note: they have two locations for picking strawberries: Location 1: 4761 Holley Road, Lizella, GA 31052 Location 2: 9515 Feagin Road, Macon, GA (off hwy 247)
  Comments from a visitor on July 05, 2009: "Love it"

Crawford County

• Fox Valley Farms - blackberries, blueberries, farm animals
  550 Greer Rd, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Phone: 478-822-9483. Open: Starts around first week in June; Open Tuesday Thursday; Saturday; 7:30 am to 7:00 pm Pick through mid July. Directions: From Ft. Valley go north on highway 341North. Go through 4Way Stop at bi-pass, take first road on right . 1.7miles on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Irwin County
• Sunshine's Berry Farm - No pesticides are used, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, & figs.
  Big Six Farms Rd, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Phone: (478) 955-7688. Email: sunshinesberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Saturdays 8-12 for U-Pick & during the week by appointment. Click here for a map and directions.
  Sunshine's Berry Farm Facebook page. . This is a small family farm south of Macon, GA. We have 5 acres of organic blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, & figs. is a small family owned & operated farm in Crawford County just outside of Fort Valley, south of Macon. We currently have five acres of organic blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, figs, and grapes. Although we aren't CERTIFIED ORGANIC, we use only organic fertilizers with no pesticides or herbicides. We will even pick for you! Come by yourself or with family & friends for a basket of juicy fresh mouth-watering berries! You will also find us at the local markets. Future plans are to raise vegetables and free-range chickens. In several years we will have pecans from our 95 trees that are two years old. Bring a picnic with you to enjoy on our family-friendly farm after you pick your blueberries! Sunshines Berry Farm Facebook page. We have picnic tables, a play area for children & lots of chairs for relaxing! (No pets please.)

Dodge County

• Greene Acres Farm (also called Tom Sawyer Farm) - strawberries, blackberries, onions, peaches
  952 Empire-Chester Highway, Cochran, GA 31014. Phone: (478)-230-4124. Email: admin@tsfgreeneacres.com. Open: Normally April-July; Call before you come to verify availability! Bring your own containers to take home what you pick. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: 478-934-7584. . We also have fresh peach ice cream! Greene Acres Farm specializes in U-Pick strawberries from March 15th - May 31st (always depending on crop production and availability). We have over three acres of strawberries for you! And our most popular item is our fresh, homemade strawberry ice cream - made daily during open hours! We currently have about 2,500 peach trees and offer U-Pick when availability of peaches is plentiful. Peaches are available June 15th - July 31st (and always depends on immediate availability of the crop). Blackberries are available every year beginning June 1st until about the middle of July. As always, crops are depending on production and weather. We do offer U-Pick blackberries for our customers. Blueberries are another popular U-Pick option at the farm. Blueberries are ready around June 15th until the the beginning of August. Georgia Grown member. (UPDATED: May 20, 2022, JBS)

Peach County

• Lane Southern Orchards - strawberries, corn maze, pumpkins, blueberries and blackberries
  50 Lane Road, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Phone: 478-825-3362. Email: wendybarton@southernorchards.com. Open: daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm; Memorial Day through September, daily from 9 am to 7 pm; the six-acre, you-pick, we-pick strawberry patch is open the second week of April through May. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 800-27PEACH. . click here for a map. Southern hospitality will greet you at , where Georgia's most famous product is being harvested and processed only 5 short minutes from I-75. From I-75, take Exit 142 Georgia Hwy 96 and go west. Lane Packing Company is only 5 minutes away. Formerly called Lane Packing Company. Facebook page. There also already picked (not U-pick) crops, like peaches, and pecans. We grow over 10,000 acres of peaches and pecans! Our Roadside Market has fresh produce, gourmet items, craft beers and wine! While you're here, enjoy lunch at our Peachtree Cafe. is dedicated to planting, growing and harvesting the best-tasting peaches and pecans in Georgia. Around here, that's something to be proud of. To keep things friendly, we give each crop the same amount of special attention. The farm has grown over the years to include 5,000 acres of peaches, 5,000 acres of pecans and 5 acres of strawberries.

Sumter County

• Cornwell Blueberry Farm - blueberries, blackberries
  304 Cornwell Road, Americus, GA 31709. Phone: (229) 938-9496. Email: lcturpin@att.net. Open: call or email, their hours vary; please call ahead for us to pick. Click here for a map and directions. . . Family owned Blueberry and Blackberry Farm. Come pick your own or we sell to local Markets. Come enjoy the taste of a fresh blueberry or blackberry. 2022 price update: $18 for u pick and $24 for prepicked. (ADDED: June 14, 2022, JBS)

Upson County

• The Rock Ranch - blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, muscadine grapes, other berries, raspberries (red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, ziplines, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock, GA 30285. Phone: 706-647-6374. Email: info@therockranch.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year 2022. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  The Rock Ranch Facebook page. . UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year (2022). After much thought and consideration,our team has made the very difficult decision to suspend operation for the time being. We will miss seeing each of you, but our highest priority is the safety of our guests and our team. If you have a specific question, please email Check the Website for availability. (ADDED: February 24, 2015) A visitor writes on October 29, 2013: "This farm offers all sorts of special events for families. They have a locomotive train, pony rides, paddle boats, pedal carts, a giant jumping pillow, Tiny Town (a children's playhouse village), zip lines, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon and more. You can camp in a covered wagon. Their produce stand and U-pick area is great with awesome strawberry ice cream and a free playground and tree fort area. This place is awesome for company picnics, family outings, school field trips, senior bus tours, camping outings and more. "

Webster County

• Brasfield Farm - blueberries, blackberries, plums, peaches
  430 Pine Valley Road, Richland, GA . Phone: 706-566-2107. Open: May through September, call for hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions. . Tell them you saw their information on PickYourOwn.org! (ADDED: May 13, 2013, from GaFCMB)

 

Blackberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. Blackberries typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. 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 forgage 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