Find a local pick your own farm here!

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in South Island of New Zealand in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for raspberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of New Zealand have raspberries 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.

Canterbury

  • Otahuna Berries - raspberries
    Rhodes Rd R D 2, Tai Tapu, North Canterbury, NZ . Phone: (03) 3296687. Open: January to ?. Click here for a map and directions.
  • Pataka Berries - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, raspberries (Autumn, red), tomatoes, U-pick and already picked
    768 Marshland Road Ouruhia, Christchurch, NZ 08083. Phone: 03 323 7896. Email: patakaberries@xtra.co.nz. Open: PYO Raspberries start 27 December until mid - January; PYO Tomatoes start 01 March until mid - May. Directions: Typically raspberries are available mid-December until mid-January and Tomatoes beginning of March until mid-May;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Frozen berries and real fruit ice creams, homemade jams, fruit jellies, tomato relish and tomato sauce available all year. Please check facebook for updates. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
    Pataka Berries Facebook page.
  • Smithfield Berries - blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (black),
    90 Smithfield Road 2RD, Ashburton, NZ 07772. Phone: 64 03 3083498. Email: smithpears@clear.net.nz. Open: 7 Days from 8 am to 5:30 pm; Closed Xmas Day and New Years Day; December and January. Directions: 90 Smithfield Road 2RD Ashburton. Signposted from Seafield Road- Smithfield road-Bridge Street Intersection. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  • Southberry - PYO Raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, tayberries, Ranui, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries
    56 Tinwald Westerfield Mayfield Road, Tinwald, Ashburton, NZ 07771. Phone: 03 308 1338. Email: info@southberry.co.nz. Click here for a map and directions.
  • Willowbank Raspberries - raspberries
    Northwood, 8051 Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ . Phone: 03 359 8864. Email: willowbankraspberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: usually after Christmas then through January. Click here for a map and directions.

Nelson

  • Berrylands - PYO Raspberries, Boysenberries, Strawberries, Karakaberries
    108 Appleby Highway, Appleby, Nelson, NZ . Phone: 02 1983391. Email: berrylands@conning.co.nz. Open: typically from 9 November 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm; Usually open until mid March. Directions: between Mapua and Nelson; See their Facebook page for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards .
    Berrylands Facebook page. The ONLY pyo crops offered are Raspberries, Boysenberries, Strawberries, KarakaberriesThere is a visitor's description of their visit, with photos, here. (UPDATED: November 15, 2018)
  • Tasman Bay Berries - boysenberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (black),
    337 Mcshane Rd Appleby, Richmond, NZ 07081. Phone: 35440534. Email: info@tasmanbayberries.co.nz. Open: Season runs from late November until February approx; Please see our website or Facebook page for current hours; 7 days a week from 9am until 6pm. Directions: from Richmond, follow Queen Street \(the main street\) out of town until it becomes Lower Queen Street Turn left onto McShane Road We are opposite Eyebright. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards. Tasman Bay Berries from Richmond, follow Queen Street (the main street) out of town until it becomes Lower Queen Street Turn left onto McShane Road We are opposite Eyebright Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: October 30, 2015)

 

Raspberry

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. RaspberriesIn the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

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 raspberries, 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 raspberries 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 raspberries

  1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.
    Raspberries Nutritional Data
    (fresh)
    Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
    Energy 220 kJ (53 kcal)
    11.94 g
    Sugars 4.42 g
    Dietary fiber 6.5 g
    0.65 g
    1.2 g
    Vitamins
    Thiamine
    (3%)
    0.032 mg
    Riboflavin2
    (3%)
    0.038 mg
    Niacin3
    (4%)
    0.598 mg
    Pantothenic acid5
    (7%)
    0.329 mg
    Vitamin B6
    (4%)
    0.055 mg
    Folate9
    (5%)
    21 μg
    Choline
    (3%)
    12.3 mg
    Vitamin C
    (32%)
    26.2 mg
    Vitamin E
    (6%)
    0.87 mg
    Vitamin K
    (7%)
    7.8 μg
    Minerals
    Calcium
    (3%)
    25 mg
    Iron
    (5%)
    0.69 mg
    Magnesium
    (6%)
    22 mg
    Manganese
    (32%)
    0.67 mg
    Phosphorus
    (4%)
    29 mg
    Potassium
    (3%)
    151 mg
    Zinc
    (4%)
    0.42 mg
    Other constituents
    Water 85.8 g

    Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
    Source:

  2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
  3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. 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!
  4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
  5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
  6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
  7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
  8. 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.

When you get home

  1. raspberries, just pick from a pick your own farmDON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
  2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
  3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
  4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
  5. 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) raspberries 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 raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
  6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
  7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

  1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
    raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
  2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
  3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
  4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

  • rasoberriesRaspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
  • Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
  • The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
  • 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
  • An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
  • Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
  • Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
  • Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
  • Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
  • In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
  • Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
  • 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
    Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
  • The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
  • Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
  • According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
  • U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
  • Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries 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 raspberry 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)