2024 Alachua County, Florida Blueberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Alachua County, Florida 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 a 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.
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Alachua County
Alachua County Organic Farms - No pesticides are used, blueberries, 11908 S.W. First Street, Micanopy, FL 32667. Phone: 352-494-9932. Email: mikemorgan20102010@hotmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2020, Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, last reported hours were May 5 to June 28. Directions: 4 miles south on Highway 441 toward Micanopy, Florida from the Gainesville city limits. Make a right hand turn onto S.W. First Street and we\'re at 11908 S.W. First Street. There will be signs on the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 352-466-4327 4 miles south on Highway 441 toward Micanopy, Florida from the Gainesville city limits. Make a right hand turn onto S.W. First Street and we're at 11908 S.W. First Street. There will be signs on the roadWe do not use pesticides on the crops$1/lb on weekdays and $2/lb on the weekends. We have 8 acres of blueberries with early and late harvest dates. We were USDA Certified Organic with QCS in Gainesville, Florida for 7 years and still are organic! There is port-a-potties on site. There is plenty of parking, lots of picking buckets, belts to wear and bags to put the berries in. There's plenty of shade trees. Formerly called "West Morgan Farms". Comments from a visitor on May 17, 2012: "Looks like the listed hours are out-of-date: I called them this afternoon (a Thursday) and was told they were NOT open on ANY weekdays, and only open on weekends from 8 AM-12 PM. Huh!" Comments from a visitor on May 12, 2012: "I called on Saturday and they told me their hours were only from 8am to 12pm. I don't know if it was only that day but they may have changed their hours." Comments from a visitor on May 23, 2011: "The clickable map is the wrong location- the farm is actually just off of 441 before SE 119th Ave, between 441 and I75, NOT near Tuscawilla Lake as the map shows. Although the address is typed in correctly, there is some minor change to it that takes you to the right location. Also, went picking on May 21st and there were loads of berries, I barely had to leave my original spot and filled up with 10lbs in a couple hours. The owners are very nice and the berries are delicious. " Comments from a visitor on May 08, 2011: "Had a fantastic time picking berries on Saturday. After getting myself hopelessly lost, I called the farm and the owners gave me fantastic directions and got me there in no time. The bushes are absolutely loaded with amazing sweet berries. The owners are beyond nice and I can't wait to come back next weekend! "
Aunt Zelma's Blueberries - blueberries 21209 U.S. 301, Island Grove, FL 32654. Phone: (352) 317-6110. Open: Beginning early April, daily, from 9am to 5 pm. Directions: Located right on US Highway 301 approximately 18 miles north of Ocala. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. If the weather stays on track, we expect to be open to the public in the first week in April. We look forward to seeing everyone out picking in our blueberry fieldsZelma's offers a U Pick option for our customers. We love to have people out at the farm and have made our You-Pick season a key part our our blueberry growing operation. Picking season varies depending on weather and when the berries ripen in the fields. We have seven varieties of on the property, including Windsor and Sweet Crisp. We provide the buckets and weigh the that are actually picked. Although the market price varies, typically the price runs approximately 4 dollars a pound which is roughly 1/2 of the typical grocery store price. While we are not CERTIFIED ORGANIC, we use no pesticides or herbicides on our berries; they are only touched by water and Florida Sunshine! You can eat them right off the bush; we encourage taste testing as you pick to find the variety you like best. We are conveniently . We would very much enjoy having you and your students come visit us at. We are also planning on having our ice cream truck out there again as schedule permits. (UPDATED: April 8, 2021 JBS)
Berry Bay Farm - blueberries, 12002 NE 203 Terrace, Waldo, FL 32694. Phone: 352-468-2205. Email: katwrenriley@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021: their Facebook page has not been updated since 2018, always call before you go; Saturday 9 am to 1 and Sunday 9 am to 1; We usually open the 3rd or 4th weekend of May depending on ripeness of crop; Call for opening date; We close early July A late frost keep them closed in 2017, but they expect an excellent from in 2018. Directions: : from Gainesville: Come east on 26Univ Ave towards Melrose. You will cross 301 at the railroad tracksstop light in Orange Heights. Continue on 26 a few miles & turn left on CR1469. Go through Earleton \(Post Office & small store\) In approximately 1 mile you will go around a big curve past the entrance to the Cove & past the entrance to Blue Berry Bay. The farm is the next drive on the right. Look for picket fence, a sign with the draft horse & colorful flags. From Jacksonvill - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. you\'ve gone too far."
BlueBela Farm - No pesticides are used, blueberries, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms, weddings and wedding parties, school tours 7650 NE 40th Street, High Springs, FL 32643. Phone: 386-454-3116. Email: valdes1000@aol.com. Open: Blueberry U-pick opens near the end of April; Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Gainesville, Florida, merge onto I-75 North exit 399 take 441 North towards High Springs, Turn left onto Main StreetUS 41NW continue to follow US 41, turn right onto SW Poe Springs Road continue to pass Poe Springs on your right keep going until you see the entrance to Blue Springs on your right turn left onto 80 street go to the stop sign and turn right onto NE 40th street, The farm is on your right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Fax: From Gainesville, Florida, merge onto I-75 North exit 399 take 441 North towards High Springs, Turn left onto Main Street/US 41NW continue to follow US 41, turn right onto SW Poe Springs Road continue to pass Poe Springs on your right keep going until you see the entrance to Blue Springs on your right turn left onto 80 street go to the stop sign and turn right onto NE 40th street, The farm is on your rightOpening from April 16 to Memorial weekend, please always call head to verify availability, we do not use pesticide on our crops. We do not use pesticides on the cropsClick here for our Facebook page. Comments from a visitor on April 17, 2012: "This was my first time ats. I have picked blueberries at other farms and I was really impressed and comfortable here. The bushes are lush, healthy and full of berries. The rows between the bushes are mulched so the walking is easy. Most of the berries were from dime to nickel size. I picked 9 pounds of blueberries. They are beautiful - some are sweet and some are still a little tart. I understand that the berries will really be "yummy" in about 7 to 10 days from now. So I am marking my calendar for a return trip. I am also thrilled to be able to pick blueberries now and not have to wait until May or June. Wonderful! " Comments from a visitor on May 06, 2011: "My wife, son and I came to Blubela Farm last weekend after hearing the blueberries were approaching the height of ripeness. We drove, AGAIN, from Daytona Beach, 2.5 hours away, because last year Blubela Farm grew some of the largest, sweetest, natural (pesticide free) blueberries we'd ever tasted. Upon our arrival we could see that we weren't alone. There were several pickers already in the fields loading their huge plastic buckets full of gorgeous blueberries. It was early in the day, around 9:00, and the dew was still sitting on each berry. We were greeted by the nice owners who told us which part of the fields had the most blueberries to be found. That info was not necessary because there were tons of blueberries in big thick clusters everywhere. Yes, there were many blueberries that won't be ready to pick until next week, but that will just give us a reason to come right back! In an hour we picked 15 lbs of the sweetest most delicious dark blue blueberries, and were all set. At the check-out counter we found fresh BluBela honey for sale. 3 LBS. for $9.00. (Another price bargain no store can match!) Oh, did I say the blueberries were priced the same as last year? An unbelievable $5.00 a LB.! They even have small healthy blueberry plants for sale for those, like me, that want to grow these great berries at home. The farm was ultra clean, the rows of bushes were expertly arranged and manicured, and the shouts of joy from small children to large adults made this adventure one that we will take next week, next year, and for years to come. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES!!!" Comments from a visitor on May 02, 2011: "Guys they are open again this year and the way it looks has a lot more blueberries than last year, they are big and delicious! The owners always there happy and friendly it is a joy to go pick at the, my kids love it! After, spring time to cool it off!! We had a great family time!" Comments from a visitor on April 30, 2011: "We picked Blueberries at the today and it was a wonderful experience. The berries are very sweet and tasty and the people are incredibly nice! We hang out there chatting with them for a long time! We got two large buckets for 35 bucks and we ate about the same amount for free.. We will go back before the end of the season for sure! It's conveniently located across from Blue Springs, so you can go cool off after the picking! " Comments from a visitor on April 30, 2011: "BlueBela just opened for the season today - 4/30/2011. There were plenty of blueberries and plenty of pickers. This farm has some of the biggest and most plentiful blueberries we have seen. The berries are great. The owners are warm and friendly. Well worth a trip to High Springs." Comments from a visitor on May 29, 2010: "Fantastic!! Couldn't find a sour berry or bad bush and the owners are fabulous. Filled a bucket in about 30 minutes. Don't delay or they won't be there. Between Memorial Day weekend and the next two weeks will be the peak. They are awesome. " Comments from a visitor on May 26, 2010: "this farm is worth the drive. the bushes are full of berries. the owners are very helpful and very fun to talk to. " Comments from a visitor on May 23, 2010:"The farm is great, very clean, nice mowed areas between bushes. The blueberries are delicious. The bushes are so full you can fill up your bucked in a few bushes. The owners are wonderful. It is a little ways off the main road, but well worth the trip. Go pick!!" Comments from a visitor on May 22, 2010: "PLEASE go relieve these bushes of their berries. I have been picking avidly for 10 years in the Gainesville area and have not seen anything like this. They are staying open every day this week to get people out to pick these berries!!!! Bring a suit and go to Blue Springs after." Comments from a visitor on May 08, 2010: "It was an amazing experience! I have picked at u-pick farms before with great experience, but this was really great. Angela and Pedro operate the farm. This is the first year that they have had it operational. The berries are just starting to ripen and there was more than enough to pick. The price was $4.00/lb. They use no pesticides, so it is safe to "sample" while you are picking. The berries are almost as big as quarters and so sweet and juicy! I have some baking into a Blueberry Pound Cake right now! I shared that recipe with Angela via email, and have linked up with her on Facebook as well. We brought along a daughter's friend and that friend's mom and they had a great time as well. I think in total we picked 10# of berries. My kids swung on the tire swing when they were tired of picking and mom was not, and Pedro even discussed some "tricks of the trade" with my husband to help my lonely blueberry plant in the front yard do better. My daughter's Girl Scout troop will be picking blueberries as a part of learning about the land and we will definitely bring them tos. The owners also said to bring our own buckets as they try to be as "green" as possible."
Bluefield Estate Winery - No pesticides are used, blueberries, Muscadines, grapes, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, restrooms 22 NE Cr 234, Gainesville, FL 32641. Phone: 352-337-2544. Email: bluefields_winery@hotmail.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Bluefield Estate Winery Facebook page. . Blueberry U-pick opens 5/30/15; $3.00/lb; through June and July: Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 6; or call for an appt. Click here for current open We do not use pesticides on the cropsU-Pick Muscadine grapes in August Thursday- Friday 11-5 and Saturday-Sunday 12-6. In 2018, U-Pick grapes were $1/lb. Facebook page. (UPDATED: October 14, 2019, JBS)
Burton (Tom) - blueberries 2814 West SR 235, Brooker, FL . Phone: 352-485-1292. Click here for a map and directions. . Call for hours and directions (June only) (check before going, a government website says they have vegetables, not blueberries)
Case Farms - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, restrooms 1917 NW 102 Place, Gainesville, FL 32653. Phone: 352-375-4472. Email: ronaldcase@hotmail.com. Open: Usually open Memorial Day through first week of July; Call for days open; 8 am to 8 pm, Saturdays only currently. Directions: \(2 14 mile N of 441 on 121, turn right at 102 place\). Go North on 441, \(13th street\) until you get to 121 \(34th street\). Turn right onto 121 and go 2 14 miles then turn right onto 102 place. We are near the end of this short dirt road on the right hand side. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. (2 1/4 mile N of 441 on 121, turn right at 102 place). Go North on 441, (13th street) until you get to 121 (34th street). Turn right onto 121 and go 2 1/4 miles then turn right onto 102 place. We are near the end of this short dirt road on the right hand sideCrops are usually available in May, June, July. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic(UPDATE: May 25, 2012)
Deep Spring Farm - Uses natural practices, blueberries, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations 16419 W Cr 1491, Alachua, FL 32615. Phone: (352) 507-8128. Email: mail@deepspringfarm.com. Open: U Pick Organic Blueberries in June, U Pick Organic Roselle Florida Hibiscus in October; Visitors welcome by RSVP; Please email ahead or text for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Deep Spring Farm Facebook page. Ripe, ready to U pick organically grown blueberries are anticipated in June, with the season extending into the first couple weeks of July. We will post more about prices and hours closer to opening. You are welcome to visit before June. We've been working on establishing other organic U pick fruit crops and making the farm hospitable to people and events. The pond is looking inviting and U fishing is available by donation. We take texts since calls don't always work with marginal Verizon coverage. Email is good too. Alachua Florida's gathers food and friends together. Grandaddy live oaks shade picnickers enjoying organic U Pick blueberries and other treats by the one acre 35' spring fed pond. Catch up with the farmers and inspect natural farming methods and projects for yourself. Volunteers, collaborations and event rental inquiries welcome. Email / text ahead to come see what is growing on at NW Gainesville's U pick destination, 10 miles north of Alachua. The farm is in process of becoming Certified Naturally Grown, a farmer peer review program for organically grown practices. We look forward to welcoming you. Michael + Leela Robinson. Secluded Outdoor Gathering Space on two Waterfronts, Tours ~ Events ~ Workshops ~ Weddings, Wellness Arts: Yoga | Massage | Yoga Swing (ADDED: November 04, 2015)
Green Guys Hydroponic Farm - blueberries , Archer, FL . Phone: 352-871-2236. Open: Jan to June. Click here for a map of the area. (ADDED: June 06, 2011, from USFl)
Maid Marian's - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, U-pick and already picked 26001 NW 62nd Ave, High Springs, FL 32643. Phone: (352) 871-6399. Email: macip46@yahoo.com. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate Phone: (352) 472-2591. UPDATE: May 03, 2023: The owner tells me they are now
Monteocha Gardens - ORGANIC, Organic Blueberries 1425 NW 156th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609. Phone: 352-485-1930. Open: in June, 7 days from 8 am to 8 pm Be sure to call ahead. Directions: Off Route 231. . Click here for a map and directions. Pre-picked available for a higher price. Comments from a visitor on May 24, 2012: "There is an ad in today's Gainesville Sun saying "-We are sorry to announce that for the first time in over 35 yrs we will not be open for picking Blueberries due to the disastrous weather. We hope to see our valued customers next year & appreciate your business." " Comments from a visitor on July 04, 2011: "We went to pick blueberries yesterday at . The people were wonderful, with cold drinks, a gazebo with ceiling fan, and chairs to sit and rest. The berries were not as large as usual we were told, (due to the drought) but oh my goodness..the sweetest berries I have ever had the pleasure of popping into my mouth! The price was wonderful also. We appreciate you greatly, and send links of your site to friends often. Thank you and have a wonderful 4th of July." Comments from a visitor on July 01, 2011: "My partner and I stopped by at 7pm on 7/1/11. We were greeted by a sweet dog as soon as we hit the triangle at the gazebo. We had to knock on the door as the older woman who owns the place was working in the garden. She was great! Very nice lady! There are loads of blueberries. I was worried because the best time to pick is usually in June but she has plenty. We had a great time and had the place to ourselves. I would encourage people to visit this farm this month as there are still lots of berries to be picked and they are sweet. The owner encourages you to taste as you go which is helpful when you select bushes to pick from. The 2 of us picked over 7lbs in an hour. " Comments from a visitor on June 27, 2011: "We have gone the last two weekends to . Very nice older lady runs it and she has lots of blueberries and wants people to know they are open..they have not had many pickers this year and expect to have blueberries through July. $3/lb U-pick or if you call in advance they will pick them for a slightly higher price (think it is $4/lb but cannot remember for certain). You do not have to call ahead unless you want prepicked. Just knock on the door if there is no response to the triangle/bell at the gazebo. She welcomes pickers any day and time between 8am and 8pm " Comments from a visitor on May 27, 2009: "May 27, 2009 Update: I just spoke with the owner of the farm. They DO have berries and will be opening on Friday, May 29th. There is always someone on the property so they welcome pickers anytime. Their berries are $3/pound."
Santa Fe Berry Farm - blueberries Lake Santa Fe, Earleton, FL . Phone: 352-468-1790. Open: Call before you go - Facebook reports they are closed permanently but Facebook is frequently wrong. Directions: Located in Earleton, 2 miles north of SR 26 on the right, on Lake Santa Fe. Click here for a map and directions. Call before you go - Facebook reports they are closed permanently (but Facebook is frequently wrong.) 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week; May to June (blackberry), May to July (blueberry, okra, onions, squash, tomatoes). Prices were last reported as: $2/pound and U-cut flowers: giant sunflowers for $2, medium for $1 and bouquets of zinnia, cosmos and multibranched sunflowers between $1 and $4. . Comments from a visitor on May 08, 2012: "Called today (5/8/12) and was told that the farm is out of business." Comments from a visitor on June 10, 2011: "It was so nice, a friendly man greets you when you come and he says "One in the tummy one in the bucket." He was really nice to talk to and let my mother and I each have a free sunflower (mine was 1 foot in diameter). A great and FUN experience." Comments from a visitor on May 15, 2011: "Went today to pick some and was met by and very kind man. He was very helpful and knowledgeable, prices were fair, and he weighed your berries directly in front of you, no funny business. This farm, unfortunately, no longer produces blackberries."A visitor tells me: "Right now (June 19,2008) they have U-Pick Sunflowers,. $2/.5 lbs U-Pick - $2/lb"
South Moon Farms - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, 15912 S County Road 325, Hawthorne, FL 32640. Phone: 352-466-0105. Email: southmoonfarmsfl@gmail.com. Open: Please refer to website for dates and hours of operations. Directions: 25 Min from Gainesville From Gainesville take I-75 S to Micanopy exit. Make left off of exit drive until reach 441 make a right, continue 1.5 - 2 miles to CR 346 Make left, go 5 miles until dead ends onto County Road 325 and make a right farm is 1.7 miles on right From Hawthorne - take 301 to County Road 325 Make left, go about 7 miles and South Moon Farms is on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesSeason is May to July. Check website or call before coming. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified. Organic
Southland Berry Plantation - blueberries CR 1469, Earleton, FL . Phone: 352-468-2087. Open: 8 am to 6 pm every day. Directions: Located on CR 1469 in Earleton, the first farm on the left going north from SR 26, located in front of the former Longnecker\'s berry farm. Last reported price was several years ago at blueberries $2.75pound if you pick, more if they they pick. Typically available May to July. A visitor writes on June 01, 2013: \Southland is ". Click here for a map and directions. Southland Berry Plantation Located on CR 1469 in Earleton, the first farm on the left going north from SR 26, located in front of the former Longnecker's berry farm. Last reported price was several years ago at $2.75/pound if you pick, more if they they pick. Typically available May to July. A visitor writes on June 01, 2013: "Southland is open 8 am to 6pm as of 6/1/2013. They said they have a fair amount of berries but are getting heavy picking, probably because most other places are not yet open. $2.75/lb." Comments from a visitor on June 02, 2011: "Just picked 5 lbs of at Ms. Joanne's and had 10 lbs picked for me. Wonderful!! The bushes are heavy with berries. They have pruned some of the bushes so you have your choice of lower thicker bushes or you can pick from the tall bushes that have more berries(some of the branches are bending to the ground) and less leaves. The taller bushes also provide great shade so you are protected from the sun. The berries are plentiful and sweet. The best thing about Southland is that you get Ms. Joanne. Sitting around talking to her is like talking to a best friend. Thank you Ms. Joanne and all of your wonderful helpers. Great fun!!" Comments from a visitor on June 01, 2011: "Visited this farm on May 31st,2011 and picked almost 20lbs of great . Bushes were plentiful and lots of berries to come still. $2.50 a lb." Comments from a visitor on June 03, 2010: "Just picked 8 pounds of at Southland going down just one row! This is a great place! Lots of shaded area to park your car. Picnic tables for lunch or a water break. Rows are clean and well maintained. And most of all ripe, sweet !!! Enjoy!!" Comments from a visitor on June 04, 2009: "Farm is open for u-pick . 8am to 6pm. Price is $2.50/lb" Comments from a visitor on June 15, 2008: "I was just at Miss Joanne's with my two year old and a friend (in the rain even). We had a marvelous time. The "plantation" is quiet and loaded with berries even as of today. We picked nine pounds in about two hours even while monitoring the little one. Miss Joanne is a lovely woman. She wants to stay open until the 4th of July because of the good crop she's had this year, but fears most people think the jig is up on the berries this year. An added bonus - her berries were only $2 a pound.
Stratton's Blueberries - Blueberries 17228 NE County Rd 1471, Waldo, FL 32694. Phone: 352-468-3387. Directions: Located on CR 1471 between Earleton and Waldo. Click here for a map and directions. Call before you go - I haven't had an update from this farm in years and there is nothing current about them on the internet; last reported was May - July, 10am - Dark. 5-acre farm.
Straughn Farms - blueberries, Muscadines, grapes, honey from hives on the farm 13000 SW 121 Avenue, Archer, FL 32618. Phone: (352) 468-1903. Open: see their page, typically only on select weekends in late April and May announced on their Facebook page with hours usually then 7 am to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. In 2022, prices are/were U-pick 3$/# and we pick 4$ per pound. Message them on their Facebook page for "we pick" orders and ask about discounts for large ordersis a family owned commercial farming operation that grows 750 acres of Blueberries and manages 3,000 honeybee hives and 200 head of cattle. You-Pick muscadines start in August at $1.00/lb (2017 price). Bronze and purple varieties available. (UPDATED: May 3, 2022, JBS)
Straughn Farms Windsor Location - blueberries, Muscadines, grapes, honey from hives on the farm 3534 NE County Rd 234, Gainesville, FL 32641. Phone: (352) 468-1903. Open: see their page, typically only on select weekends in late April and May announced on their Facebook page with hours usually then 7 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. In 2022, prices are/were U-pick 3$/# and we pick 4$ per pound. Message them on their Facebook page for "we pick" orders and ask about discounts for large orders. Straughn Farms is a family owned commercial farming operation that grows 750 acres of Blueberries and manages 3,000 honeybee hives and 200 head of cattle. You-Pick muscadines start in August at $1.00/lb (2017 price). Bronze and purple varieties available. (UPDATED: May 3, 2022, JBS)
Top Flora Inc. - blueberries , Archer, FL . Phone: 352-495-7340. Click here for a map of the area. Call before you go - I haven't had an update from this farm in years and there is nothing current about them on the internet; last reported was May to June.
Wacahoota Farms You Pick Blueberries - blueberries 1223 SW 136th Pl, Micanopy, FL 32667. Phone: (352) 538-3290. Email: micanopyupick@outlook.com. Open: Blueberry season is usually March and April; Thursday through Sunday 9 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash only. Wacahoota Farms is a You-Pick Blueberry Farm, In Micanopy, Florida. We are proud to be able to offer the highest quality of to our customers. They have 8 different varieties. 2018 PRICES: $18/gallon bucket or $4/pound
Wekiva Road Nursery - blueberries 5870 NE 77th Ave, Bronson, FL . Phone: 352-486-2509. Click here for a map and directions. Call before you go - I haven't had an update from this farm in years and there is nothing current about them on the internet; last reported was May and June.
Windsor Farm - blueberries , 3534 NE CR 234 Gainesville, FL 32641. Phone: (352) 468-1903. Open: Typically April and May, weekends, from 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map of the area. 2018 price: You Pick $3/lb. Pre-picked $4/lb., must pre order for pre-picked. .Owned by Straughn Farms.
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.
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.
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!