2024 Columbia and surrounding counties in central South Carolina Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Columbia and surrounding counties in central South 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.

Aiken County

• Gurosik's Berry Plantation - PYO strawberries and ready-picked strawberries, hybrid blackberries, pasteurized berry products, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes and other seasonal produce.
  345 Briggs road, North Augusta, SC 29860. Phone: 803-278-0594. Email: gurosiks@yahoo.com. Open: from April to July, Farm Market hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm; Roadside Market hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash and checks ONLY. . From 1-20, take SC exit #1 (Highway 230). Travel North (toward Edgefield) for 6 miles to Sportsman Corner store. Turn right on Briggs road. Travel three miles to the farm. Be sure to read their rules! They have strawberries, hybrid blackberries and related products in the Central Savannah River Area. Enjoy friendly, courteous service, gorgeous flowers, the peaceful relaxing rural atmosphere and farm fresh, tasty, top quality vine ripened fruits and vegetables. We do not accept debit or credit cards. Please call our information line prior to your visit as we may occasionally have to close to allow the fields to ripen. The answering machine message is changed daily. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS)
• Herb n Berries - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, blackberries, Honey from hives on the farm
  148 Keeper Lane, Aiken, SC 29839. Phone: 803 649-7037. Email: herbnberries@outlook.com. Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, from 7:30 am to 12 pm. Directions: \(montmorenci\) From Aiken SC follow Route 78 towards Montmorenci. Just past the fire station turn right onto Old Barnwell Road. Drive 3 miles and turn left onto Candlewood Road; there will be a blue arrow pointing the way. Drive approximately 0.3 miles and turn left onto Keeper Lane; there will be another blue arrow pointing the way. Drive 0.2 miles and turn right at the gate. Please drive slowly towards the barn and park along the fence \(left side\) or along the tree line \(right side\). We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check. For ease of picking, a limited number of carts, stools, and picking harnesses are available. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Herb n Berries Facebook page. . . (montmorenci) From Aiken SC follow Route 78 towards Montmorenci. Just past the fire station turn right onto Old Barnwell Road. Drive 3 miles and turn left onto Candlewood Road; there will be a blue arrow pointing the way. Drive approximately 0.3 miles and turn left onto Keeper Lane; there will be another blue arrow pointing the way. Drive 0.2 miles and turn right at the gate. Please drive slowly towards the barn and park along the fence (left side) or along the tree line (right side). We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. For ease of picking, a limited number of carts, stools, and picking harnesses are available. In 2018, our PYO blueberries are $3.00 per pound and our PYO blackberries are $3.90 per pound. While we normally have PYO blueberries through the end of July, the 2018 season may be shorter because of the heat. Likewise, the PYO blackberries may end sooner than normal. The red, yellow, and black raspberries (not PYO) are about done. Tomatoes and cucumbers are coming along nicely while peppers and eggplant are getting ready to produce; none of the vegetables are PYO. We expect to extract honey in the next week or so (late June). (UPDATED: June 17, 2018, JBS)

Edgefield County

• Sweetwater Creek Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries,
  191 Sweetwater Creek Drive, North Augusta, SC 29860. Phone: 803-426-8949. Email: lcadle@comcast.net. Open: See their Facebook page. Directions: This farm is less than 10 miles from Augusta and Columbia County, Georgia, 5 miles from the center of North Augusta, South Carolina. From Interstate 20, South Carolina Exit 1. Go North on highway 230 \(Martintown Road\) 3.5 miles. Sweetwater Creek Drive is on the left. 191 is the third house on the right. Follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Sweetwater Creek Farm . Last reported prices were, 2018; Blueberries will be $3/pound, Blackberries $3, and Raspberries (a limited number still) $3.00; see our website for updates, or call. This farm is less than 10 miles from Augusta and Columbia County, Georgia, 5 miles from the center of North Augusta, South Carolina. From Interstate 20, South Carolina Exit 1. Go North on highway 230 (Martintown Road) 3.5 miles. Sweetwater Creek Drive is on the left. 191 is the third house on the right. Follow the signs. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Supervised children welcome! No dogs, please. (UPDATED: June 16, 2018, JBS)

Lancaster County

• The Ivy Place LLC - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area, events at your location (call for info)
  8603 Van Wyck Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. Phone: (803) 804-6017. Email: ivyplaceevents@gmail.com. Open: Daily from 9 am to 3 pm, generally from late June into the first or second week of August. Directions: From Interstate 77 in Rock Hyll take highway 5 to-wards Lancaster after crossing the Catawba River take first road on left go approx. 5 miles on Van Wyck Road to arrive at The Ivy Place. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  The Ivy Place LLC Facebook page. . Phone: 704-651-3700. . The Ivy Place grows strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Strawberries have been our most successful crop so far and the season lasts from mid April to early June. To stay updated about our farm visit our facebook page. We grow four major crops: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and tomatoes. The Berry Farm anticipates opening up for pick your own strawberries with limited appointments by mid-April. Strawberries (April/May)Blueberries (June/July) Blackberries (June/July)Heirloom Tomatoes (June- August)Vegetables (UPDATED: April 6, 2021 JBS)

Orangeburg County

• Hinnant Farm  - Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Corn, Pumpkins
  205 Hinnant Road, Eutawville, SC 29048. Phone: 803-492-3788. Open: Apr-Aug-Oct, 8 am to 6 PM. Click here for a map and directions. . Strawberries (Apr-Jun) Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches (June to Aug) U-Pick and We-Pick Sweet Corn & Other Vegetables. 3 miles west of Eutawville on Hwy. 6.

Sumter County

• Dorr Farms - blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, summer squash, strawberries, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
  5225 Dorr Acres, Gable, SC 29051. Phone: 803-495-2639. Email: dorrfarms@ftc-i.net. Open: April 1 to August 30 from 9 am to 8 pm. Directions: 378 East, Right onto Brewington Road, 1.5 miles, right onto Congruity, go .7ths dirt road on left. For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. . Strawberries April to June Blackberries June to July Blueberries May to August. We also sell hives of bees and lots of other produce such as Blackberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Watermelon, Plums, Squash, Zuchini, Okra, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Pototoes, Peppers, String beans, Butterbeans, Carrots, Collard Greens, and Corn.(ADDED: January 28, 2017)

 

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