2024 Baltimore area of Maryland Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Baltimore area of Maryland 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.

Baltimore County

• Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  13734 Baldwin Mill Road, Baldwin, MD 21013. Phone: 443-902-0370. Open: Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM with a resting period in between which allows the plants to mature more berries, Mid - June to Mid - September call or visit web for specific info. Directions: From SouthBaltimore City: From 695 Take exit 31A Harford RoadRt 147 NORTH. Drive 8 miles to Fork Road. Turn left onto Fork Road and drive 2.7 miles to a four-way stop. Continue straight across the intersection onto Baldwin Mill Road; the farm is 0.7 miles ahead, on your left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm Facebook page. . Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM) with a resting period in between which allows the plants to mature more berries, Mid - June to Mid - September (call or visit web for specific info). Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From South/Baltimore City: From 695 Take exit 31A Harford Road/Rt 147 NORTH. Drive 8 miles to Fork Road. Turn left onto Fork Road and drive 2.7 miles to a four-way stop. Continue straight across the intersection onto Baldwin Mill Road; the farm is 0.7 miles ahead, on your left. Blueberries: Late June to Late July; Black Raspberries: July; Blackberries: Late July; Red Raspberries: August to September. We are certified organic for all crops! .Please continue to monitor their website for updates, especially if weather looks concerning. 2020 prices: pick-your-own organic blueberries $8.50 ($11 pre-picked) per pound and black raspberries and blackberries is $8.50 ($11 pre-picked) per pound. Gooseberries and Black Currants will be $11 per pound for pound. .
• Mingodale Farm - blackberries, raspberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Pick your Own Flowers, and prepicked produce
  17201 Masemore Road, Parkton, MD 21120. Phone: 410-357-0403. Email: spring711@comcast.net. Open: Thursday to Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Sunday 12pm to 5 pm. Directions: I 83 to Exit 27 West\( Mt. Carmel Road\). Travel 1 mile and take a right on Masemore Road. Follow 14 to Mingodale Farm on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Mingodale Farm Fax: same. . I 83 to Exit 27 West( Mt. Carmel Road). Travel 1 mile and take a right on Masemore Road. Follow 1/4 to on the right. Crops are usually available in July, August, September. prides itself on the quality of our naturally grown produce available for sale directly on the Farm. We offer a wide variety of unique and artisan grown produce. Our specialties include Asparagus, Tomatoes, Garlic, Herbs and Gourmet Peppers. We encourage all of our visitors to walk around and enjoy the ambience of our Farm, which was first established in 1760.
• Weber's Cider Mill Farm - strawberries, blueberries, apples, blackberries, peaches
  2526 Proctor Lane, Parkville, MD . Phone: 410-668-4488. Email: admin@weberscidermillfarm.com. Open: See their website for crop availability and hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Apple picking on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, until the supply runs out (usually at the end of September). Also has "make your own scarecrow".The annual Weber Cider Mill Farm Johnny Appleseed Festival is on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, with crafts, pit beef, children's games and live bluegrass. Kids' Weekend September 25 and 26 from noon to 4 features hayrides ($1), a large hay maze ($2) and free performances by the Singing Scarecrow from 1 to 2:30 each day. More Fall activities on weekends during October. Typical harvest dates:Strawberries Mid-May thru Mid-JuneBlueberries Late June thru Mid-JulyBlackberries Mid-July thru Mid-AugustPeaches Mid-July thru Late AugustApples September thru Early November

Calvert County

• Seidel Farm - Thornless blackberries, grapes.
  2790 Plum Point Road (Route 263), Huntingtown, MD . Phone: 410-535-2128. Open: call for hours, crop availability and directions. Click here for a map and directions. .
• Swann Farms Produce and PYO Berries - U-pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, all produce is sustainably grown, restrooms, picnic area
  7740 Swan Lane, Owings, MD 20736. Phone: . Email: swannfarmsmaryland@gmail.com. Open: May- September. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard .
  Swann Farms Produce and PYO Berries Facebook page.

Frederick County

• Catoctin Mountain Orchard - blackberries, black raspberries, blueberries, sweet and sour cherries, strawberries, flowers
  US Route 15, 15036 North Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Phone: 301-271-2737. Email: CMOinfo@aol.com. Open: The market is open daily Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm; Call our Market for more Information. Directions: On U.S. 15, north of Thurmont, Maryland. Apple varieties: Autumn Gala, September Wonder, Crimson Crisp, Cortland, Jonagold, Mountain Honey. coming soon, Mt Honey, Cameo. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Catoctin Mountain Orchard Facebook page. . Facebook page. Bakery - frozen and fresh baked pies, Snacks, Cut your own flowers, Jams & Jellies, Playground, Canned goods, Crafts, Soup and dip mixes and so much more
• Mayne's Tree Farm - Strawberries, blackberries, pumpkins & cut your own Christmas trees, hayrides, custom made wreaths, roping, door decorations for all seasons. Fall activities include u-pick pumpkins, scarecrow making, corn maze, free hayrides October thru December.
  3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, MD 21717. Phone: 301-662-4320. Email: info@maynestreefarm.com. Directions: click here for a . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mayne's Tree Farm Facebook page. . . Map and Driving Directions. Take Interstate 270 to Exit 31-B (Route 85); the farm is four miles south of I-270, on the right. Cornstalks, straw bales and farm tours by appointment. Christmas hayrides for pre-cut trees or cut your own Christmas trees on weekends. Accepts major credit cards most months of the year. Maynes Tree Farm Facebook page.

Harford County

• Shaw Orchards - strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, raspberries, plums, apple cider, jams, jellies, natural honey, syrups, salad dressings, apple butter, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, grapes tomatoes, other vegetables, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, wagon rides
  5594 Norrisville Road, White Hall, MD 21161. Phone: 410-692-2429. Email: shaw@shaworchards.com. Open: Monday thru Friday 8 to 6 (8 to 5 in Nov.) Saturday 8 to 5 and closed Sunday Pick-Your-own Strawberries in Late May, early June. Pick-your-own Sweet cherries in June/July. Pick-your-own Blueberries June through August. Pick-your-own apples Friday and Saturday's in September and October. Directions: From Baltimore, I 83 North to exit 36. East on 439 to Bond Road. Left on Bond and stay straight for 6 miles to Pa. Route 24. Right (South) on Rt. 24 (Barrens Road South) for about 2 miles. Market on the Right at the Mason-Dixon-Line. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. We provide a weekly e-mail service called the RipeLine with up to the minute seasonal information. Sign up by going to Shaw Orchards and click on Ripeline at the lower right of home page.  (UPDATED: October 20, 2023, JBS)

Howard County

• Larriland Farm - apples, strawberries, blackberries, black and red raspberries, peaches, sour cherries, blueberries, vegetables.
  2415 Woodbine Road (Route 94), Lisbon, MD 21797. Phone: 301-854-6110. Email: contactus@pickyourown.com. Open: see their website. Directions: three miles south of I-70 Exit 73, near Lisbon, Maryland. Apples, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries \(thornless\), nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries \(fall\), strawberries, red raspberries \(spring\), sour cherries. Vegetables: Beans \(snap\), beets, spinach \(spring\), spinach \(fall\), tomatoes, flowers, honey-local, jams-jellies. Tours and evening hayrides by appointment. October activities: straw maze, hot dogs & hamburgers & hayrides. Here\'s when the . Click here for a map and directions. or Phone: 410-442-2605. . three miles south of I-70 Exit 73, near Lisbon, Maryland. Apples, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries (thornless), nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries (fall), strawberries, red raspberries (spring), sour cherries. Vegetables: Beans (snap), beets, spinach (spring), spinach (fall), tomatoes, flowers, honey-local, jams-jellies. Tours and evening hayrides by appointment. October activities: straw maze, hot dogs & hamburgers & hayrides. Here's when the crops are usually available to pick:Strawberries - early June to mid JuneTart Cherries late June - mid JulyRed Raspberries late June - late SeptemberBlack Raspberries late June - early JulyPurple Raspberries Royalty - mid JulyBlueberries late June - late August Thornless Blackberries - AugustPeaches - mid July to early September, Apples - mid August to early November.
  Comments from a visitor on June 30, 2011: "Just went there the first time last weekend --- LOTS of blueberries! GREAT!"

Montgomery County

• Homestead Farm - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, MD 20837. Phone: 301-977-3761. Email: HomesteadFarmEmail@gmail.com. Open: Check our website for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Check our website for approximate harvest dates and other information. Tart Cherries: Our tart cherry season usually starts in early June and lasts about three weeks.Blueberries: Our blueberry season usually starts in mid/late June and lasts about three weeks.Blackberries (Thornless): Our blackberry season usually starts in mid July and goes into mid August.Peaches (Yellow and White): Our peach season usually starts in early/mid July and goes into late August (usually). We grow both yellow and white peaches.Apples: Our apple season usually starts in late August and goes into late October (usually). Sometimes individual varieties get picked out quickly.Pumpkins: Late September through Halloween.(UPDATED: November 23, 2018, JBS)
• Rock Hill Orchard - apples, beans, blackberries, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, onions, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, Honey from hives on the farm, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals
  28600 Ridge Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771. Phone: 301-831-7427. Email: rockhillorchard@gmail.com. Open: Check website, normally open when market open, closes one hour early. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers.
  Rock Hill Orchard Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Peaches July - August Blackberries July Apples September - November. They also have Prigel ice cream, as well as fresh bread and jams. Apple varieties: Empire, Jonathan, Jona Gold, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Rome, Fugi, Gala, Granny Smith, Stayman. In the Market there are lots of fresh picked fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, okra, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, radishes, beets, and squash. They also have Prigel ice cream, as well as fresh bread and jams.
  Comments from a visitor on September 27, 2012: "Staff was very friendly and the apples were plentiful!"

Prince George's County

• C & E Farms, L.L.C. - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, blackberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, grapes, melons, onions, pears, peas, peppers, persimmons, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, walnuts, Other fruit or veg, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, and prepicked produce, tractor-pulled hay rides, face painting, petting zoo
  11415 Old Pond Drive, Glenn Dale, MD 20769. Phone: 301-352-2958. Email: emmadudley0906@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Thursday, by appointment Friday and Saturday, 8am to 5pm Pick your own Greens: Spring and Fall Late September through Thanksgiving. Directions: Washington Beltway 49595 to MD Route 450 East. Proceed approximately 2 and 12 miles to Route 953 Glenn Dale Road. Left onto Glenn Dale Road to first street on right Old Pond Drive. Farm is first driveway on right--11415. House in the rear. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax:. Washington Beltway 495/95 to MD Route 450 East. Proceed approximately 2 and 1/2 miles to Route 953 Glenn Dale Road. Left onto Glenn Dale Road to first street on right Old Pond Drive. Farm is first driveway on right--11415. House in the rear. Monday to Thursday, by appointment Friday and Saturday, 8am to 5pm Pick your own Greens: Spring and Fall (Late September through Thanksgiving. Harvest Fest Each Saturday in October, 10am to 4pm We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We have Herbs, both potted and cut; Collaloo and Potatoleaf, White Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes and southern varieties of vegetables. All farm products are grown without use of synthetic chemicals. We have firewood all year round, Group Activities can be scheduled for young and old.
• Johnson's Berry Farm - blueberries, and thornless blackberries
  17000 Swanson Road, Upper Marlboro, MD . Phone: 301-627-8316. Open: July?. Click here for a map and directions. . This is a very small size farm, only has 2 acres of blueberries and perhaps 1/2 acre in blackberries and that is all. .

St. Mary's County

• Berrywood Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries,
  43865 Thompson Farm Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636. Phone: 301 373 8545. Email: mikeandbarbara.thompson@verizon.net. Open: Blueberries June 20 to July 4; Blackberries July 4 to July 28; Monday to Saturday 7 am to 8 pm. Directions: Maryland State Routes 235 & 245 in Hollywood, travel east on Sotterley Road \(Route 245\) for 34 of a mile to \Berrywood\" farm sign on right at \""Thompson Farm Lane\"". Go to end \(14 mile\). """. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Maryland State Routes 235 & 245 in Hollywood, travel east on Sotterley Road (Route 245) for 3/4 of a mile to "Berrywood" farm sign on right at "Thompson Farm Lane". Go to end (1/4 mile). We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification.
• Forrest Hall Farm and Orchard - U-pick grapes, blackberries, Crazy corn maze, hayrides, kids games, farm animals, face painting, a hay wagon slide, a stationary tractor to play on and a grain pit playground (a small building filled with six inches of wheat)
  39136 Avie Lane, Mechanicsville, MD . Phone: 301-884-3086. Email: admin@forresthallfarm.com. Open: Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to dusk through October 31. Click here for a map and directions. . (recording with directions). . Blackberries start in July. U pick you can make an appointment for u pick by calling 301.481.5544. We will provide the pint containers so no need to bring containers of your own. Vanessa red table grapes and Neptune white table grapes. Grapes were (in 2020) .99 per lb and they are sweet, juicy and delicious. We have u pick available and there will also be some picked and ready for you to buy in the store. Available for only a short time, starting in mid to late July. Also open until 9pm for evening maze walks October 29 - 31. off Route 5, 1 1/2 miles from intersection with Route 235, Mechanicsville. Haunted hayrides, offered during the maze's evening hours, are $3. Picnic tables are available. They have apples, but I don't think the apples are pick-your-own (just the greens and strawberries) (UPDATED: April 5, 2021 JBS)
• Owen's Berry Farm - Blackberries.
  Rt. 235, Lexington Park, MD . Phone: 301-862-3427. Open: Call for hours and directions. Click here for a map and directions. . Route 235, two miles south of Lexington Park, Maryland.

 

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