Over the last decade, several Nature Coast farms have added u pick blackberries to their offerings and the season is ON! Blueberries are still available at several U pick farms, but ones like JG Ranch have transitioned to strawberries for the winter and then blackberries for the springtime, eliminating the springtime blues at their property.

While I prefer blueberries, my husband prefers blackberries, so it just gives us a reason to visit multiple farms before the heat closes the season.

And we have found some vegetable u pick opportunities also. While fresh is touted as better in mass communications, here is an instance where it really is. The FLAVOR of produce that you pick is so much better… not to mention the nutrition benefits.

U Pick Farms offer Many Types of Produce

About ten years ago, one u pick blackberry farm was located on Ayers Road in the Spring Lake/Masaryktown area. For several years, they were the only blackberry farm I knew of offering u pick, but eventually many of the u pick blueberry farms began adding blackberry plants to lengthen their season.

Where to Get U Pick Blackberries

Here are three farms that I know offer u-pick blackberries:

• Bette’s Blues is a lovely farm in Citrus Springs. Bette and Willis run a pesticide-free operation, stating, “you can eat our berries right out of the field.” They also have u pick blueberries and peach trees. They emphasize the magic of nature and are open six days a week from April to mid-June. Being in the north end of Citrus County, their varieties start later in the season.
• JG Ranch is a farm and ranch with a covered area for shopping from several hand-selected vendors of fresh foods, crafts and more. They feature strawberries in winter and blackberries in spring/summer and have u pick vegetables and cattle raised on their fifty or so acre property right behind the hospital on Wiscon Road in Brooksville. You can plan a picnic, there are tables and a tire swing for the kiddos. It is a relaxing getaway from life’s pressures.
• Upicktopia is also a fifty acre or so property in Masaryktown with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, vegetables, and flowers available for u pick. There is a winery onsite where you can taste wines crafted from the fruits grown on property and a restaurant that features farm fresh ingredients in a limited, but delicious menu and some amazing baked goods.

There are many farms in the Nature Coast area, but I like these three.

Know What is Available When You Go U Picking

Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, peas, beans, yams, greens, and much more are grown on Nature Coast area farms each year. The type of fresh produce available depends on the growing season and the weather.

Additionally, different varieties of berries are developed to produce fruit early, mid, or late in the season. That is why all berries don’t come in the same week of the year and that makes it nice for repeat visits to the farm and taste tests to see which variety you prefer. (Hint: most of us non-farmers don’t know the difference between a rabbiteye and a southern highbush, but a blueberry farmer will have an opinion and reason for said opinion. It can be fun to ask)

U Pick Farm “Rules”

First, all of the farm rules apply to berry picking. These are our basics. If you have more, comment below:

• Wear closed toe shoes.
• Bring water and stay hydrated. Many farms sell water but check before you go.
• Only pick ripe berries – they don’t ripen well after picking – blues don’t ripen at all after picking and do not get sweeter once removed from the bush.
• Long sleeves, long pants, hats protect you from the sun while you are out in farm fields.
• Bug spray and mental preparedness to meet wildlife and insects while you are picking are good ideas.
• You can taste the berries while you pick but please remember that the farmer needs to make enough to do this again next year!
• If you want your fruit pre-picked, call ahead so it can be ready for you.
• Early morning is the best time to pick, as the heat picks up until mid to late afternoon.
• Call the farm before you visit if there is rain or weather conditions that may cause a closure.
• Keep an eye on children in the fields. Be ready to stop at any time if they are not cooperating with your vision of the fun you would have or if anyone in your group is starting to feel overheated.

Hints for Picking Blueberries

Blueberry season averages late March to mid to late May.

Oh, how I love farm-fresh blueberries. A bucket of blueberries makes my heart sing and contains about 5-6 pounds of berries when full. No matter how many I put in my mouth while picking, I always bring home more berries than I can eat before they get soft. Therefore, I love to share with my neighbors.

Blueberries are full of vitamin c and antioxidants. They are a very healthy food to consume and farm-fresh is the best way to get them. The bushes are often 4 to 5 feet high, with berries throughout the bush.

Ripe blueberries are fully formed, dark to medium blue, and pull easily from the bush. If the bush doesn’t want to give up its berry, you don’t want to pick that blueberry.

Hints for Picking Blackberries

Most farms grow thornless blackberries – in fact, I have not seen thorny bushes for u pick on any farms in the area.

Ripe blackberries are a rich black color, with a plump, full, and slightly tender feel. If the berry is red or purple, it’s not ripe yet. A ripe blackberry will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The skin of a fully ripe berry is also not shiny.

Pass up berries that are dull, shriveled, moldy, have red bits int hem (under ripe) or squish when they are being picked (over ripe).

To clean your blackberries, soak them in cool water for 5 minutes to overnight. Some people recommend a bit of kosher salt in the soak to make sure any creepy crawlies that may have inhabited your berries remove themselves and fall to the bottom of the soaking bowl.

Hints for Picking Fresh Vegetables

Each vegetable is attached to its plant differently. Some are just plucked off, like tomatoes and green beans. Some need to be cut off, like lettuce or cabbage. Some require leaf harvesting. Some must be pulled from the earth, like onions.

When you arrive at a u pick farm, the check-in location usually has an attendant. They know what is ripe and available as well as the best location in the field to get what you want… and the right way to harvest said veggies. It is worth the time it takes to wait until that attendant can give you the personal attention you need.

Sometimes there are prepicked and “fill in” vegetables and fruits in the farm stands. The attendant is happy to tell you what is grown on their farm and what they brought in from the wholesale farmers market for their stand.

Let’s get out and pick before the summer gets too hot and all the u pick farms close until fall.