2024 Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina 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.

Alamance County

• Buttermilk Creek Farm - blackberries, blueberries, peaches, restrooms, picnic area
  1905 Gwyn Road, Burlington, NC 27217. Phone: 336-212-1997. Email: buttermilkcreek@gmail.com. Open: Please check our website or Facebook page for EXACT opening and closing dates; we are generally open in July and August; When we are open, our hours are Wednesday - Friday: 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday: 7 am to 4 pm, CLOSED Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Directions: Located approximately 12 miles from I-40 north of Burlington. Take University Drive, Exit 140 off of Interstate 4085, Continue on Cook Rd. which becomes University Drive., turn left onto Shallowford Church Rd. \(it will be called Williamson Ave. to the right\), turn left onto Hwy 87 north, turn right onto Altamahaw Union Ridge Rd, \(you are following the signs to \Ace Speedway\"\)". Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, credit/debit cards. turn left onto Altamahaw Church St. \(the post office will be on your right\)

Caswell County

• Caswell Blackberry Farm # 7062 - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  133 Barnwell Road, Prospect Hill, NC 27314. Phone: (336) 562-2116. Email: caswellranchinfo@gmail.com. Open: Call for current hours. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. . Alternate Phone: (919) 805-0352. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Super large juicy berries with small seeds. Wide manicured rows for easy picking. Pre-picked available by order in store. We will have Prime Ark Freedom Blackberries for you to pick! (UPDATED: March 14, 2020) (ADDED: March 05, 2019)

Forsyth County

• Miss Ashley's Berry Patch - blackberries,
  5763 Regents Park Road, Kernersville, NC 27284. Phone: 336-944-3356. Email: missashleysberrypatch@gmail.com. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . We are in the process of making some changes to, we will not be opening for the public to pick this summer 2019. Sorry for the inconvenience. We will have some pre-picked available in July in various sizes.; daily, 8 am to 8 pm. From Winston Salem: I-40 Bus E/US-421 S, Take Linville Road exit. Turn right onto Old Greensboro Road Turn right at light onto W Mountain Street Turn right onto Hopkins Road Look for signs on right. There is a 2nd entrance if you turn onto Regents Park Road. July, early August;. (ADDED: July 17, 2016)

Guilford County

• Blueberry Thrill Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, flowers, picnic area
  6938 Eaglesfield Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: 336 449-7246. Email: farmer@blueberrythrillfarm.com. Open: UPDATE for 2020: no apples in 2020, but they will open for pumpkins in October, see their website for hours, dates and availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Blueberry Thrill Farm Facebook page. . We use integrated pest management practices. We grow 20 different varieties of apples that are a carefully selected assortment of the best heritage and commercial varieties available for our climate, including some not available elsewhere. In addition to commercial varieties like Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady, we grow heritage varieties, including two different varieties of Winesaps. Another heritage variety in our orchard is Roxbury Russet which originated with the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. Other heritage varieties include Grimes Golden, which is associated with Johnny Appleseed, and Albemarle Pippins. Pippins were grown by President Thomas Jefferson and President George Washington and are regarded as one the best apples in the world after they ripen in storage for several months. Apple picking (u-pick) is available at the beginning on the seasons. We offer both u-pick and pre-picked. Click here for the apple variety arrival and picking timesPeaches: They grow seven varieties of peaches that ripen over a long period of time. As a general rule, the early peaches are Clingstone. The Freestone peaches start with Redhaven, followed by Fireprince , Winblow, Contender and Flameprince. The early peaches like Rich May ripen at the start of the Pick Your Own Blackberry & Blueberry season, while variety like Winblo and Contender ripen later in the Blackberry & Blueberry season. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS)
• Windy Knoll Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, blackberries, chestnuts, eggplants, flowers, herbs or spices, Muscadines, grapes, pears, peppers, persimmons, tomatoes, Other fruit or veg,
  7149 Ludgate Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: (336) 449-5029. Email: angyal@elon.edu. Open: Hours and availability of crops to pick varies considerably; please call or email for current availability and hours. Directions: Windy Knoll Farm is located fours miles north of Gibsonville, one half mile east of NC Highway 61 north. Turn right onto Ludgate Road coming north from Gibsonville and our driveway and mailbox will be one half mile on the left. Turn left into the gravel driveway and continue one quarter mile to the farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Windy Knoll Farm Alternate Phone: (336) 447-0086. . Apples are available beginning in July and tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants by mid July; Paw paws are ready by early to mid August; Muscadine grapes are generally available by the end of August; Chestnuts are available mid September and Japanese persimmons by the end of September;. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Paw paws, Japanese persimmons, Jujube fruit, chi fruit. (UPDATED: May 12, 2018)

Randolph County

• Cedar View Farm - apples, beans, blackberries, broad beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, peas, peaches, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes,
  7466 Richland Church Road, Liberty, NC 27298. Phone: 336-202-7771. Email: poehouses@aol.com. Open: 7 days a week 8am to 6 pm. Directions: Call for directions and availably. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 336-622-3296. . June Thursday November.
• Millstone Creek Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, pecans , pumpkins, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  506 Parks Crossroad Church Road, Ramseur, NC 27316. Phone: 336-824-5263. Email: info@millstonecreekorchards.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm; Sunday, from 1pm to 5:30pm, June 1 to October 31. Directions: Located at 506 Parks Crossroad Church Road, Ramseur, NC approximately 4 miles east of Ramseur, then right on Parks Crossroad Church Road one mile, farm on right. Located 12 miles east of Asheboro, right on Parks Crossroad Church Road, one mile on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Millstone Creek Orchards Facebook page. . Crop availability: Corn - June-August Cantaloupe, Beans, Watermelon, Squash & Peaches - July & August Tomatoes - June-October Okra - July-September Pears - August-September Apples - August-November Pumpkins - September-November Pecans - November & December. Pumpkin Day, Apple cider, gift shop, tours, hayrides & Pick Your Own fruits & vegetables.

Rockingham County

• Blackberry Knoll - blackberries,
  Garrett Road, Stoneville, NC 27048. Phone: 914-312-3225. Open: Saturdays only from 1 pm to 5pm, from June 21 pm to June 30. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . 220 North to Price Road (Right-hand exit.) Take first left to Garrett Road.

 

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