2024 San Antonio area of Texas Mulberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

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 Mulberries, 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 Mulberries 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 Mulberries

1. A ripe mulberry is deep purple, almost black with a plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug.  If the berry is red, it's not ripe yet.
2. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.  Repeat the picking process with both hands.
3. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick Mulberries 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. Mulberries 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) Mulberries 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 mulberries (while they are in the fridge)!
4. Even under ideal conditions mulberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase

Mulberry Recipes, Freezing and Jam directions

1. How to make Mulberry jam - It is VERY easy, just like blackberry jam directions - very easy!
2. How to make Mulberry jelly
3. How to freeze berries
4. Mulberry syrup, make and can it! 
5. Seedless mulberry pie!
6. Mulberry Festivals: Where, When and More to Find an Mulberry Festival Near You this year:

Mulberry Facts and Tips

• Mulberries are believed to help reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and cancer risk. They are a traditional Chinese herbal medicine
• In China, the trees are grown for their leaves as that is the only food silkworms eat.
• Mulberries are made into wine, fruit juice, tea, or jam.
• Nutritional content of fresh mulberries:
  88% water
  62 calories per cup (140 grams)
  9.8% carbs,
  1.7% fiber,
  1.4% protein,
  0.4% fat.
• In a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of fresh mulberries:
  Calories: 43
  Water: 88%
  Protein: 1.4 grams
  Carbs: 9.8 grams
  Sugar: 8.1. grams
  Fiber: 1.7 grams
  Fat: 0.4 grams

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)