When it gets hotter than you-know-what outside, you know it's time to go blueberry picking, Georgia! It's time to get freshly picked, locally-grown berries. You may be asking: Is there a blueberry farm near me? Short answer - YES!
There's nothing better than freshly picked berries - just ask my son. This year, I'm not taking my oldest because after an hour of picking tiny balls of fruit in the hot sun, guess how many he had in his bucket?
None! Nada. Zilch. Zero. He'd eaten them all! Ha!
Although it's more work and a bit hotter to go blueberry picking in Atlanta (vs. say strawberries or apples) we still love to go. Georgia is just a great place to go blueberry picking, and there's sure to be a farm near you.
Wondering where is the best blueberry farm near me? We have uncovered 13+ U-pick blueberry farms to try.
The best time to go blueberry picking in Georgia is mid-June through early August, but weather has a lot to do with when the berries are ripe enough to pick. Some of the blueberry farms in south Georgia open earlier - think mid-April.
ALWAYS call before you head out, to ensure picking conditions are optimal, and the patch is open. Oftentimes, a blueberry farm will close for a few days to allow more crop to flourish, and hours may vary.
Here are some of our favorite U-pick blueberry farms in Georgia!
Address: 1658 Turner Church Rd, McDonough
Phone: 770-288-2582
Georgia grows more blueberries than any other state in the nation (we recently passed Michigan for the honor). At Southern Belle Farms, they offer U-pick blueberries when they are in season from late May until June. They have more than 700 bushes with six different varieties of sweet plump blueberries, so chances are good you'll find some yummy little bonnets to take home. (And if you don't want to pick, they typically have pre-picked berries and bites of heaven in the Country Market, along with other fresh produce.)
For true Georgia blueberries, you might want to try the Titan or Ochlocknee varieties. These were developed by the University of Georgia and can be found among the many bushes at Southern Belle. All we can say is DE.LIC.OUS. If you can get any home, try them plain over hot pancakes for a healthy alternative to maple syrup.
If you are a fan of Southern Belle Farm (like we are) be sure to save room to sample Southern Belle's famous homemade ice cream and other baked goods at the Country Market/Farm Stand.
If you can't make it by in-season, you can still pick up some blueberry treats in the fall like blueberry fried pies - ALWAYS a favorite. And no matter when you visit, you'll find blueberry jams, jellies and cider.
See our post on Southern Belle Farm for more seasonal fun on the farm. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for the latest news this pick-your-own farm offers.
Address: 786 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock
Phone: 770-926-0561
Grab a bucket and get to picking some of the best blueberries in Georgia at Berry Patch Farms in Woodstock.
Berry Patch Farms says they never use pesticides on their blueberries, so they're safe enough to eat right off the bushes!
Address: 1150 Cliff Dawson Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677
Phone: (706) 705-6132
Hadden Estate at DGD Farms in Watkinsville near Athens is an amazing wedding venue and beautiful blueberry farm! Editor confession: I take my kids here every summer and it is a huge hit!
Come out and pick your blueberries here in June and July. They offer different varieties to choose from, so you're sure to find ones perfect for you - whether you just want to eat them, or you want to use them for cooking.
U-pick berries are $3.50 a pound, and pre-picked berries are $8 a pound. Make sure to get some homemade ice cream before you leave! You won't regret it.
Address: 1363 Highway 151, LaFayette
Phone: 706-638-0908
This farm is dedicated to all things blueberries! The Blueberry Farm in LaFayette is the place to go for blueberry picking in Georgia.
Their berries are sold by the gallon, and the farm provides containers to use in the fields, but you should bring a container or box to carry your berries home.
Be sure to check out their Facebook page for updated information before you. Also, you can order and pay online, for a quick pick-up.
Address: 810 Stevens Grove Church Road, Lexington, GA
Phone: (706) 201-5553
Blueberries, blackberries and mulberries can be found at Buffalo Creek Berry Farm near Athens. Plus, look for U-pick tomatoes, garlic and honey. There are lots of different picking options.
The farm is also home to a fun glamping experience.we stayed overnight on the blueberry farm in a canvas tent.had dinner with the owners.and loved exploring the area.
See more about our Overnight at Buffalo Creek Berry Farm.
Address: 5975 Smith Mill Road, Gainesville, GA 30506
Phone: (706) 535-7350
Cool Springs Blueberry Farm is a country oasis nestled on five acres in Gainesville, located in northeast Georgia home to hundreds of blueberry bushes that provide the most perfect blueberries around. Their you-pick blueberry season typically runs from late June to mid-August.
Address: 1839 Prospect Road, Lawrenceville
Phone: 678-442-7853
DJ's U-pick Blueberry Farm is a locally run U-pick blueberry farm in Lawrenceville. All of their berries are sold by the gallon and they supply 1-gallon containers for you to use in the field, as well as a bag for you to take the berries home in.
Blueberry season usually beings here in June. Please check their Facebook page for updated info. They provide your buckets and bags to take the blueberries home. Note: Cash or check only.
Address: 716 Harrison Mill Road, Winder
Phone: 770-867-3420
Fleeman's U-Pick Blueberries in Winder has blueberries and blackberries for both U-pick and pick-up. Their blueberry-picking season usually begins in mid-June.
Their U-pick blueberries are $15 a gallon - they provide the bucket with a liner for you to use. The removable liner will allow you to transport your berries home. The blackberries are all pre-picked for you.
Please call ahead or check their website before heading out! Some days they may need to close early if they get picked out or if they need to close to allow for ripening.
Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge
Phone: 706-632-3411
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is not just for apple picking; we love their summer berries too!
Their season for blueberries usually begins in June. In addition to picking berries, you and the family can enjjoy plenty of fun farm activities, including a tractor ride. You can also find more fruit, fresh baked goods, cider, and specialty items from the market when you visit. Their market is open 7 days a week!
Come with an appetite and stop by the Cafe during your visit. The Cafe Is Open 9 AM to 2 PM On Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Read More: 50+ BEST ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN BLUE RIDGE GA
Address: 1371 Union Church Rd., Watkinsville
Phone: 706-765-3076
With eight varieties of irrigated blueberries at $2.50 per pound, Miller's Blueberry Farm near Athens is a great place for your family to pick their fill. Miller's Blueberry Farm is a certified bee-friendly farm, with no pesticide used on the berries.
The farm is open from mid-June to mid-August, and opens at 7:30 a.m. Their closing times vary depending on weather and crop conditions - but they keep a calendar updated on their website. They're closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Buckets with liners provided for picking - the liner can be removed so you can transport your berries home. Checks, cash, and Venmo accepted.
Address: 762 Pine Dr., Woodbine, GA
Phone: 912-577-7123
This organic blueberry farm is located just 40 minutes north of Jacksonville, Florida (and 30 minutes from Brunswick), making it a great place to stop during a road trip.
The blueberry picking season at Morning Belle Farms begins in mid-April and runs through July.
The farm is open Thursday-Saturday 9-5 for all of your organic produce needs. Their blueberries are $4.75 per pound. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Address: 702 Bloomingdale Rd., Bloomingdale
Phone: 912-748-3035
Ottawa Farms is a third generation, family-owned farm near Savannah. U-pick strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are available in the spring and summer months, with blueberry season usually starting up in June. They also sell other fruits and vegetables and their own honey.
They update their Facebook page regularly during blueberry season, so it's best to check there before you head out for crop updates.
Address: 5517 Clarksbridge Road, Clermont
Phone: (678) 316-3598
Roberts Family Blueberry Farm offers organically grown blueberries near Gainesville. In addition to U-pick berries, the farm also offers a selection of syrups, soaps and more made from their blueberries.
They offer a lot of fresh, organically-grown vegetables too - and update their Facebook page regularly with updates.
Address: 15639 Birmingham Hwy, Milton
Phone: 770-777-5875
Scottsdale Farms in Milton is located on 65 acres in north Fulton County. Here, you'll find a landscaping center, cafe, and store that's open Monday through Saturday.
In the summer, they have blueberries! They announce their events and U-pick dates on their Facebook page, so that's the best place to check for updates.
I always thought you kept U-pick berries - or even store-bought ones - fresh by not washing them until you were ready to eat them. I did a little research for this article, and found out there is a secret ingredient to keep them fresh longer - vinegar. Sounds weird but it makes sense, and every article I read said the berries don't taste like vinegar afterwards. Here's what I found.
The blueberries are so tasty, I can't help but eat them almost immediately. I would say I'd make blueberry pancakes or muffins or some fabulous blueberry tart, but we can't keep them around that long!
If you don't eat all the blueberries you've picked, there are some delicious recipes out there - including these wonderful ideas on what to do with all those blueberries.
Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pies: What's more Southern than a whoopie pie? These treats would be perfect for a July 4th party or fun dessert that kids and adults would enjoy after a casual backyard BBQ.
Blueberry French Toast Sandwich: This is a stuffed French toast, that actually stays crisp. Super easy.
According to the UGA Center for Agriculture, the best time to plant blueberry bushes in Georgia is in the fall through the very early spring. According to the center, u0022This gives time for the roots to develop before the heat of the summer.u0022
The city of Alma, in southeast Georgia, is known as the blueberry capital of Georgia. They hold a blueberry festival each June.
It usually takes a blueberry plant 2-3 years before it starts producing fruit. Blueberry plants grow slowly, reaching maturity in 8-10 years. The older the plant, the more fruit it produces.
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