Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Vancouver Island in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blueberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have blueberries 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.

Cowichan Valley

• Blueberry Lane Farm - blueberries
  3955 Rowe Road, Duncan, BC . Phone: 250 748-0246. Email: dlzeitz@shaw.ca. Open: Call for dates, hours and availability. Click here for a map and directions. . . (UPDATED: May 09, 2024, JBS) (ADDED: April 17, 2015, JBS)
• Fruit Forest Farm - apples, blueberries, cherries, cucumbers, elderberries, figs, flowers, table grapes (with seeds), kale, lemons, Asian pears, peaches, raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, tomatoes, walnuts, Fresh eggs, farm animals
  802 Aros Road, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L4. Phone: (250) 888-0843. Email: warmlimes@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 3 pm, June 15 to October 15. Directions: We are Certified naturally grown for all . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, PayPal. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. crops. Our small farm is focusing on fruit (heritage and traditional apples and berries), and chicken/ducks pastured under our orchard. U-picks are easy, as all picking can be done from the ground (we have dwarfed trees). Heritage and cider apple varieties including Bulmer's Norman, Belle de Boskoop, Bramley's Seedling, Yarlington Mill, Priam, Prima, Sabina, Liberty, Dabinette. (ADDED: November 10, 2020)

Nanaimo Area

• Dudinks Gardens - asparagus, beets, blueberries, carrots, cucumbers, currants (red and black), eggplants, flowers, gooseberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  2219 Gomerich Road, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1R8. Phone: 250-740-0302. Email: info@dudinksgarden.com. Open: See website. Directions: Heading south of Nanaimo to Victoria, turn West on Morden Road. See website for more detailed instructions and map. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Fax: 250 740-0302. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. 2009 strawberries expected starting June 10; See website for updated information. Potatoes, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, cabbage, and cauliflower.(UPDATED: June 28, 2018, JBS)
• Haslam Creek Berry Farm - Certified Organic, blueberries,
  2900 Rugby Road, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1T2. Phone: (250) 797-0623. Email: blueberryfarm2019@gmail.com. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 8 pm, August 1 to August 31. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. 76827/Haslam Creek Berry Farm. . We are certified organic for all crops! Please bring your own containers, keep 10 meters social distance.Cash or e--Transfer. (UPDATED: August 06, 2020)
• Stocking Creek Farm - No pesticides are used, blueberries, fresh eggs, chicken
  10735 Edgelow Rd S., Ladysmith, BC V9G 1X6. Phone: 250-245-8615. Email: farm@shaw.ca. Open: Daily, Blueberries starting late July into September, 8 am to dusk daily. Directions: Turn east at the traffic light 3.5km south of Coronation Mall in Ladysmith, or approx. 5km north of Chemainus. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. 38139/?rf=880361425352507">Stocking Creek Farm. . . Crops are usually available in July, August, September. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Chicken, Turkeys, Eggs (chicken), Plus already picked crabapples, pears, Rhubarb. Rhubarb in the Sprring, Crabapples and pears in the fall. Fresh and frozen free-range chicken all year. Fresh free-range, non-medicated turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas (pre-order is recommended). Poultry is air-chilled for best quality. Delivery can be arranged. (UPDATED: February 09, 2024, JBS)

Victoria Area

• Arbor Blueberry Farm - blueberries
  305 Walton Place, Victoria, BC V9E 2A4. Phone: 250-704-0053. Open: Blueberries usually start in early July; from 9AM until 1PM. Directions: Between Brookleigh and Bear Hill, look for our signs at Walton Place and Oldfield Rd, turn left coming from Brookleigh Rd, turn right coming from Bear Hill Rd. We invite you and your family to visit our quiet and friendly Blueberry field tucked away at the top left of Walton Place. Our Blueberries are unsprayed, large, delicious and well cared for. Pre-Order our 10lb Blueberry boxes or U-Pick that perfect amount. Phone ahead for orders and stock up on fresh berries for Winter enjoyment. Some fro - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. . We understand that sometimes schedules get hectic so if our hours are not convenient for you, come by the house to pick up your orders in the afternoons or in the evenings. (ADDED: June 28, 2018, JBS)
• Bear Hill Raspberry Farm - 2024 Permanently closed, Blueberries
  5939 Bear Hill Road (Off Oldfield), Victoria, BC . Phone: 250-721-0883. Email: eschulz@shaw.ca. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: 250-652 1338. Email : . UPDATE for 2024, A visitor tells me they are . blueberries in July and August. Travel north on Pat Bay Hwy, left onto Keating Cross Rd (Butchart Gardens turnoff) for 1 km, left onto Oldfield Rd for 1.5 km, left onto Bear Hill Rd for 1 km. Quality, unsprayed fruit & friendly service.
• Blue Haven Farm/a> - blueberries, picnic area
  2046 Idiens Way, Comox, BC V9N 3Y9. Phone: 250-334-7964. Email: jenikadickens127@hotmail.com. Open: July to September 8am to 4pm Daily. Directions: On the corner of Idiens way and Anderton road in Comox. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Blue Haven Farm is a u-pick, family run blueberry farm located in the Comox valley. We have pre-picked as well as frozen blueberries available daily from July till early September . We also have and ice-cream parlor that serves Island Farms Ice-Cream, fresh home baking, coffee and lots more. Come down to our friendly, family run farm and pick your own blueberries! We offer three varieties of blueberries that are in season from the beginning of July to early September. Our farm stand sells pre-picked and frozen blueberries, our very own blueberry ice cream and sundaes, and a great selection of Island Farms Ice Cream. We also make the best frozen yogurt in town with real fruit added in right in front of you. (UPDATED: June 28, 2018, JBS)
• Blueberry Hill Farm - blueberries
  5927 Oldfield Road, Victoria, BC . Phone: 250-652 0461. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick, pick-up or orders (20lbs and over)- Unsprayed fruit.
• Ocean View estates - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blueberries, U-pick and already picked, school tours
  7979 Central Saanich Road, Saanichton, BC V8M1T7. Phone: 250 588 3741. Email: amarjit@shaw.ca. Open: July to October 11am to 5 pm all days of the week. Directions: drive north from victoria on Patricia Bay highway , Turn left on mount newton cross and immediately turn right on Central saanich road to 7979 central Saanich. : our family farm is located on patricia bay highway . the entrance is on central saanich road from mount newton cross road. come on in going to or from ferry. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . strawberries ; 15th June to end July, Corn maze : September/October. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (UPDATED: July 05, 2018)
• Phil's Farm - Raspberries & Blueberries - Picked and U-Pick
  6080 Oldfield Rd, Saanich, BC . Phone: 250-652-2264. Click here for a map and directions. . Fax:. Berries and pasture-fed poultry, all in a sustainable farm environment. Chickens - All-natural pasture-fed poultry, no antibiotics, hormones or animal byproducts. . Raspberries start late June, Blueberries mid-July. (ADDED: July 30, 2013X)
• Saanich Organics Northbrook Farm - blueberries
  1438 Mt Newton X Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1S1. Phone: 250-652-9035. Email: admin@saanichorganics.com. Open: daily, except Mondays, From early July to mid-September. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. . Organic self-serve U-Pick . For bulk , call or email after June 1. From spring until late fall every Tuesday and Sunday our farm stand also includes a wide variety of organic vegetables. (ADDED: June 28, 2018, JBS)
• Silverside Farm - blueberries
  3810 Cobble Hill Road, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L5. Phone: 250-743-9149. Open: July and August: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 5:30pm; closed on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. . If you love your berries and want to make an excursion out of getting them we can help make that happen. During the summer we also offer you-pick for $2.50/pound. Bring your buckets ; and maybe a picnic basket too! We're happy to have you make an afternoon of it and enjoy the great outdoors with the family. Don't hesitate to bring along lunch! We have many places where you can spread out your blanket and enjoy a great time of picking berries and eating lunch out on the farm. We've even got you covered for dessert ; you can drop by our store that's open during the summer and enjoy our famous frozen yogurt or some ice cream. The farm produces thousands of pounds of fresh sweet each year, that are hand picked ready for you or you can choose to come and pick your own while enjoying the farm fresh air. Our store is open seasonally and offers our famous frozen yogurt and ice cream for treats as well as our homemade jams, jellies and syrups. (ADDED: June 28, 2018, JBS)
• Skylark Farms - blueberries
  6435 Oldfield Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1X8. Phone: 250-652-8357. Email: skylarkblueberries@shaw.ca. Open: Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were ; 7 days a week during the picking season, from 8am until 3pm or until sold out. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. .
• Sparton Acres - blueberries,
  402 Sparton Road, Victoria, BC V9E 2H4. Phone: 250-213-8788. Email: laptop@ronneal.com. Open: July, August, December. Directions: Between the corners of Prospect Lake and West Saanich and Old West Saanich and Oldfield. We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Fax: 250-386-8180. . open Our hours are: Call 1st for availability and crop status We are certified organic for all crops! Saanich County.
• Stewart's Berry Patch - blueberries
  6283 Oldfield Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1X7. Phone: (250) 652-6768. Open: 8 am to Noon; call for days of operation. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Crops are usually available in July, August. As a seasonal operation, it's cash and carry at our farm. The closest bank machine is located in the Peninsula Co-op on Keating Cross Road. Our farm specializes in . We feature six varieties of available in early July to mid-August. There are no sprays on our berries as lady bugs are used for pest control. Both U-Pick and ready-picked berries are available. Please call ahead to ensure that we are open, especially when it's wet and rainy. The answering machine is updated daily. (UPDATED: June 13, 2024, JBS)
• Theos Blueberries - No pesticides are used blueberries,
  6410 Old West Saanich Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W8. Phone: 604-992-7501. Email: tgconstruction@shaw.ca. Open: the berries typically start in July, Monday to Friday 11:30 to 4pm Saturday and Sunday noon to 4pm these times are subject to changes so we suggest that customers call before coming over. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. 614971Theos Blueberries. . We do not use pesticides on the crops. Our farm grows the best blueberries around. They are free from sprays and pesticides. We also sell Frozen Blueberries. (UPDATED: June 28, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: April 16, 2015)

 

Blueberry

Blueberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. They have few natural pests, (other than birds), so pesticides are generally unnecessary! This year's crop is fantastic (see related news story), thanks both to the weather and to more farms planting more blueberry bushes due to increased consumer demand over the past few years as more studies proclaim the anti-oxidant and other health properties of blueberries.

Click here to find a local Blueberry Festival (usually held between April and July).

If you are looking for information about a similar berry, the saskatoon (also called the June berry or Serviceberry) see this page about saskatoons.

Picking tips:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened.

Ripening AFTER picking?

First, it is key to know that once picked, blueberries will NOT become any sweeter, nor will the flavor improve. The only change that occurs is the color. They will APPEAR to ripen, but it is only a color change, from white to green to rose to red to pale blue to fully blue. So, white and green colored blueberries will not "ripen" after they are picked; while blueberries that have already turned purple, red or blue-ish usually DO change color after they are picked (if they are kept at room temperature to "ripen").

As the blueberries ripen ON THE BUSH, the flavor goes from tastless to bitter to tasteless tart to tart blueberry flavor to sweet blueberry flavor.

Grocery stores sell blueberries that are tart, not sweet because they had them picked unripe by machine so they are very firm and can handled being bumped around in shipping. They may look good, but are not as tasty as those picked when actually ripe.

So, the key is, PICK ONLY RIPE BERRIES!

How to pick blueberries

Since blueberries hang on the bushes in bunches a but like grapes do, the easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers. The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

When the bushes are at peak, I can easily pick 2 gallons per hour (if I'm not being distracted by the kids and the sun isn't too hot!). A newbie might do 1 gallon per hour.and at the beginning or end of the season it takes more time as the berries are not as plentiful nor concentrated in clusters.

Tips for storing blueberries after harvesting:

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Blueberry Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that blueberries vary considerably in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• 1 gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 lbs or (4 liters of blueberries is about 3.5 kg)

• 1 pint of fresh blueberries weights about 3/4 of a pound. (1 liter of blueberries is about 700 grams)

• 1 pound of fresh blueberries is usually between about 2 and 3 cups of berries.

• It takes about 4 cups (about of blueberries to make a blueberry pie (see this fantastic and easy blueberry pie recipe)

• A normal batch of blueberry preserves, jam or jelly requires 5 pints of berries.

• Blueberries do come in a variety of sizes from small (190-250 berries per cup) to extra large (<90 berries per cup).

Blueberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Blueberries

Recipes

• The world's best Blueberry pie, recipe and directions and illustrated!
• Blueberry buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping blueberry coffee cake
• Other easy directions to make blueberry desserts: cobblers, etc.

Canning, freezing and other blueberry recipes:

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Blueberries
• How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam
• How to make blueberry jelly
• How to make and can blueberry syrup (it works for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, too)
• blueberry pie filling to use later,
• blueberry butter

Baking tips

If you have trouble with blueberries settling to the bottom of muffins and blueberry breads, try one or more of these tips:

• Coat them with flour before adding to the batter. Just gently shake the blueberries in a bag (plastic or paper) with 1/2 cup of flour, then dump them mix in a sieve to remove excess flour.
• It may just be that your batter is too thin. try making the batter a little thicker!
• Fill the muffin cups or baking pan up to 1/4 full with batter (which hasn't had blueberries added to it yet); then stir the blueberries into the remaining batter, and continue to fill the muffin cups or bread pan. The blueberries will start off higher in the mix!

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