Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern East Anglia in 2024, by county
Below are the PYO orchards and farms for blackberries and other brambles that we know of in this area. Not all areas have blackberries and other brambles orchards or farms 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.
Bedfordshire
-
Grove
Farm PYO - over 30 different fruits and vegetables during the
season.
Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Phone: 01296 668175, email: enquiries@grovefarmpyo.co.uk. Open: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm; last entry 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm, last entry 12 pm. We are now within a 30mph zone which runs back into Ivinghoe. Payment: Cash and Debit/Credit Cards only. For prices go to What's in Season. There is a wide range of produce on offer to pick, with over 30 different fruits and vegetables during the season. Our Pick Your Own enables you to select your product fresh from the field and at a very low cost. We provide baskets and bags free of charge and wheelbarrows and forks to assist you in your picking. There is ample parking and we are open every day for you to come and pick. There are signs directing you to all the different areas and if you have any questions about the Pick Your Own, any member of the family or staff will be happy to answer them. There is ample parking and we are open every day for you to come and pick. Click here for a link to our Facebook page. (UPDATED: June 19, 2018, JBS) -
Pell's Farm Shop - Pick Your
Own Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries and red and black currants (when
in season) Christmas Trees
Renhold Road, Wilden, Bedfordshire MK44 2PT. Phone: 01234 771834. Email: chris.pell@hotmail.co.uk. Credit cards accepted. Open 7 days a week all year round.. - Geese and a few chickens for you to look at. Range includes traditional and Nordmann's. Also cakes, breads, home produced veg, flowers, plants, trees etc. (UPDATED: July 30, 2015, JBS) (UPDATED: May 19, 2011)
A visitor writes: "Very low prices. Fantastic farm shop and nursery. Definitely worth a visit." -
The Secret Farm - Minimizes chemical and
pesticide use, asparagus, carrots, Christmas trees, corn (sweet),
flowers, lavender, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries (red),
rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, U-pick and
already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, WiFi is
available, Cell service cell phones work here, restrooms, picnic area,
picnic area you may bring your own food, Inflatables or Bounce house, barrel
train, pedal kart track
Blunham Road, Moggerhanger , MK44 3RA. Email: hello@thesecret.farm. Open: Hours vary considerably; please see our website or Facebook page for current availability and hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, All credit cards, AndroidPay, ApplePay.
Click here for our Facebook page.
(UPDATED: June 29, 2023) (ADDED: June 13, 2022)
Essex
-
Craner Produce Soft Fruit Farm
- blackberries, strawberries, Tayberries, Loganberries, Black currants, Red
currants, Gooseberries, runner beans
Merryleas, Common Road, Broadley Common, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2DF. Phone: 01992 892862. Email: email: sales@cranerproduce.co.uk. Open: They sometimes open late in the season (June). In June, they have Strawberries, Raspberries and Broad beans, plus more in the shop. They grow PYO strawberries, Raspberries, black currants, red currants, blackberries, plums,damsons,apples and gooseberries, but only in season. Today all our strawberries are grown on the “table top system” but this year we have reduced the amount we will produce, as the time has come for us to take life somewhat more easily. Our gooseberries are superb and all are grown on a multi-cordon system so they can be picked from a comfortable standing position - we do not know of another farm where this is on offer, but no doubt someone will tell us! Each year we produce more than we can get picked , so please come and help us, you may be surprised not to get too scratched in the process. Please remember they may start the last weekend in May. We try to make the fruit-picking experience a happy and enjoyable one with easy access to all our different fruits and plenty of green space all around. Regular visitors will notice that there is more green space this summer. (UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: July 9, 2015, JBS) (UPDATED: June 25, 2009)
A visitor writes: "Extremely friendly owners, very tidy picking areas, suitable for children, tea room available in afternoon, best to phone to see what is selling, information updated daily." - Graces Fruit Farm - PYO: Apples,
plums, blackberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, Raspberries, Loganberries,
Tayberries, asparagus, broad beans, runner beans
Causeway End, Thaxted Road, Wimbish, Saffron, Walden. Tel.01371 830387. Open: Call for hours and availability. Directions: On B184 Saffron Walden/Thaxted rd 4 miles S of Saffron Walden on R. Clearly signposted. PYO large range soft fruits, apples plums plus summer vegetables. Farm shop with range of produce. Tea room, childrens play area, picnic area. Facilities: Ample parking, children's play area, nearby pub, picnic area, tea room, plants and shrubs, easy access for disabled, toilets, caravan club. PYO Asparagus in April/May (call to check when ready). (UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) -
Jarman's East Mersea Nursery - blackberries, broad beans,
currants (red and black), flowers, green beans, raspberries (red),
strawberries, other vegetables,
East Road East Mersea, Colchester, CO58TQ. Phone: 01206 386387. Email: info@jarmansnursery.co.uk. Open: UPDATE for 2018-2021- Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, (note, the other copycat websites and mommy bloggers, just copy from us; if they are reporting Jarmen's is open, they're outdated); their last reported hours were Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, November 1st to February 28th Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm March 1st to October 31st. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Coming on to Mersea Island take the left hand fork and continue until the sign for Jarman's Nursery and PYO on the left hand side, the entrance to the nursery and car park are the next on the left. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cheque, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, AmEx. We have table-top Strawberries, Raspberries, blackberries, Blackcurrants, Runner Beans, Broad Beans, Sweetcorn and Flowers are available either to pick yourself or freshly picked, also tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. Our Farm Shop is open throughout the year and is stocked with our freshly picked seasonal produce. We also grow a wide range of bedding plants, perennials and grasses on site and fill hanging baskets and containers. Formerly known as East Mersea Nursery and Pick Your Own. (UPDATED: January 07, 2011) -
Lathcoats Farm - blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, currants
(red and black), gooseberries, plums, raspberries (red), strawberries,
Beehive Lane Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8LX. Phone: 01245 353021. Email:
info@eapples.co.uk. Open: Monday
to Thursday & Saturday 9 to 5, Friday 9 to 6, Sunday 10 to 4 BUT please make
sure you are at the shop well before closing time.
Directions: A12 Galleywood exit. Take B1007 towards Galleywood
for one mile, at traffic lights straight over. After 200 meters, Turn right just
past Helix Garage, into Beehive La, B1009. Farm is less than 1 mile on L.
Click
here for their page with a link to a map and directions. The season usually starts about mid June and goes on until the
end of July. Payment: Cash, Cheque. Farm shop open throughout the year with
top quality food from local and regional producers. The Farm Shop is open all year round. Our
specialty is English apples - we grow 40 varieties in our orchards. The
apple season begins in August. Other pyo crops:
June - Strawberries, Gooseberries & Raspberries;
July - Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries, Currants, Blackberries & Gooseberries
August - Blackberries & Plums
September - Plums.
A Saturday in October is our annual Apple Day and Farmers' Market when you will be able to sample 30 varieties of apple grown at Lathcoates and enjoy many other attractions. They have 45 hectares of apples, 40 varieties grown, also 3 hectares strawberries and other soft fruit, plus cherries, plums, asparagus. You can rent a range of different apple varieties and get to keep all the apples at harvest time. . (UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: June 27, 2014, from their website) (UPDATED: September 04, 2009) -
McLauchlans of
Boxted Pick Your Own Berry Farm - raspberries, broad beans and sweet
corn
53, Straight Road, Boxted, Colchester, Essex CO4 5RB. Phone: 01206 272275. Open: 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.; NOTE: in 2020, 9 am to 10am daily is reserved for over 60 year olds (no reservation required); You need to BOOK A TICKET to pick strawberries as we’re limiting the number of people on the strawberry field; No reservation needed to pick Raspberries, gooseberries, or other crops. The Farm shop has freshly picked fruit is available in high season, for those who are short of time. Arrive early to ensure you don’t miss out! Alternatively, contact the farm shop to check availability and place an order. The farm shop stocks local produce including local potatoes, cream and ice cream. Freshly frozen fruit is also available throughout the year. Payment: We prefer payment by debit and credit cards. They have all type of berries, broad beans and sweet corn. Directions: The farm is half way down Boxted Straight Road, near Colchester in Essex. They are only ten minutes drive from Colchester North Station, Highwoods and the A12. Click here to send them an email. Click here to view a map of Boxted and Colchester. The fruit season will start in late May, or early June:
Strawberries Late May - July
Gooseberries Late May
Jam strawberries June - July
Broad beans June - July
Redcurrants July - August
Raspberries July - August
Dessert gooseberries July - August
Blackcurrants July - August
Sweetcorn late August. (UPDATED: July 12, 2020, JBS) -
Park Fruit Farm
- apples, blackberries, plums, damsons, pears, raspberries,
Pork Lane, Great Holland, Nr Frinton-on-sea, Essex. CO13 0ES. Phone: 01255 674621. Open: All Year; From August to Christmas we are open 7 days a week, 9.00am-5.00pm Mon to Sat, 10.00am-4.00pm Sunday; From New Year to July we are open 6 days a week, Mon to Sat, 9.00am-5.00pm; We are closed between Christmas Day and New Year's Day; Bank Holidays 10.00am-4.00pm (9.00am-5.00pm on August Bank Holiday). We grow 39 varieties of apples, 10 varieties of plums and damsons, 4 varieties of pears, 3 varieties of raspberries and 1 variety of blackberry. We are a small family run farm which is now into the third generation. We are very well known locally since we have a busy farm shop, where we sell the majority of all the fruit grown on the farm and many other farm products. We press our own apple juice which is available straight from the press, it is pure and untreated, unlike any other apple juice you will find in the shops. When you visit the farm, you may try the different apple juices that has recently been pressed. You are also welcome to see the pressing. The Plum Orchards are generally open from mid/late July through to October, for Pick Your Own and the cane fruit orchard is open from mid June through to November. It is always best to phone before coming to check on the availability of the crops and when picking always go to the far end of the rows first as usually the fruit is more plentiful and of better quality. (UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) (ADDED: June 27, 2014, JBS) -
Spencers Farm Shop, Cox's, Wickham Fruit Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries,
Gooseberries, Red & Blackcurrants, blackberries, Loganberries,
Cherries, Plums, 18 Varieties of Apples Asparagus, Runner Beans, Courgettes,
Pumpkins.
Wickham St Pauls, Halstead, CO9 2PX. Phone: 01787 269476. Fax: 01787 269476. Email: office@spencersfarmshop.com. Open: See their website for hours. Directions:Directions and map. Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Red & Blackcurrants, blackberries, Loganberries, Tayberries, Cherries, Plums, 18 Varieties of Apples Asparagus, Runner Beans, Courgettes, Pumpkins.Since first growing "Pick Your Own" fruit in 1973, our range of PYO fruit and vegetables has grown considerably. We are particularly proud of our "Table Top Strawberries" grown at waist height for ease of picking! If you would like to pick your own, simply call in at the shop (opening times here), but feel free to phone us on (UK) 01787 269 476, or email us if you have any queries. . Click here for a link to our Facebook page.
(UPDATED: June 21, 2018, JBS)Availability Jan / Feb/Mar April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Asparagus Strawberries Gooseberries Raspberries Redcurrants Blackcurrants Blackberries Loganberries Tayberries Cherries Apples Plums Runner Beans Sweetcorn Courgettes Pumpkins -
Wash Farm -
asparagus, blackberries, boysenberries, currants (red and
black), gooseberries, raspberries (red), strawberries, Tayberries,
Queen Street Sible Hedingham, Halstead, CO9 3RH. Phone: (01787) 461208. Email: shirley@washfarm.co.uk. Open: Weekdays 9am until 6pm. Saturdays 9am until 5pm. Sundays 10am until 4pm; June until August. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. Apart from ourselves there are plenty of local attractions such as: Hedingham Castle and the Colne Valley Railways (always a hit with the younger children). The picturesque and historic villages of Castle Hedingham, Finchingfield, Bardfield, Thaxted and Saffron Walden are just a stone’s throw away from the farm. If you stop off at Wash farm first you’ll still have enough money in your pocket for the rest of the day! PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CONTAINERS TO PICK INTO. HELP SAVE PLANET EARTH AND YOURSELF SOME MONEY!! Click here for a link to our Facebook page. (UPDATED: June 21, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: July 04, 2012) - West Hyde - raspberries (red), strawberries,
West Hyde St Lawrence Road, Tillingham, CM0 7SB. Phone: 01621 779507. Email: mick.garwood@btinternet.com. Open: Every day during the season 9am to 5pm. Directions: We are located near to Street Lawrence Bay follow signs from Steeple Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. (ADDED: June 23, 2012)
Hertfordshire
-
Bullscroft Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries,
Tayberries, gooseberries, worcesterberries, redcurrants, backcurrants
Chenies Road, Chorleywood. Phone: 07719 252000. Open: June-Sept, Mon-Sunday 09.30 to 18.00. Directions: From M25, Junction 18, take A404 dir Amersham. Straight ahead at traffic lights, farm entrance one mile from M25 opposite St Clement Dane’s School. Family run farm, offering PYO since 1988. Located in Chilterns AONB. PYO and as ready picked. Strawberries - May and June, Tayberries - From July. Gooseberries - June. Worcesterberries - July. Redcurrants - July. Blackcurrants - July. and more! (UPDATED: June 21, 2018, JBS) (UPDATED: June 29, 2009) -
Cammas Hall Fruit Farm - Strawberries , Raspberries,
Gooseberries, blackberries, Blackcurrants, Sweetcorn, Blueberries,
Broadbeans, French Beans
Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak, NA, CM22 7JT. Phone: 01279 718 777. Email: helen@jmlukies.co.uk. Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Only portaloos in the car park and no other facilities. Strawberries: June to October. Raspberries: July to October. Gooseberries: June to July. Blackberries: July. Blackcurrants: July. Sweetcorn: End of August. Blueberries: July to August. Broadbeans: June. French Beans: July. They also have fruit/veg that is already picked and ready to go. Pick your own Strawberries, Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, sweetcorn & onions. Our own sunflowers and cherries are available ready picked. They have a Tea Barn for Breakfasts, paninis, salads, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, cream teas, ice creams, delicious homemade cakes and a great selection of hot and cold drinks. There is also a Farm Shop with a wide range of local produce including fresh fruit and vegetables, meats and cheeses, meringues, our jam and honey, eggs, chutneys, pickles and much more. For further updates and to find out about our summer opening schedule please keep checking back here or follow us Click here for our Facebook page or Twitter. (UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: July 31, 2015) -
Graveley Fruit Farms
- PYO strawberries, Raspberries, currants, and broad beans.
Graveley Hall Farm, Graveley, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 7LY. Phone: 01438 727709. Email : Graveleyfruitfarm@hotmail.com. Directions: Located on the B197 north of Stevenage. All our fruit is available as Pick Your Own or you can buy it ready picked in our cafe. The cafe serves teas, coffees and light snacks and ice cream. We have a large children’s adventure play area including a zip wire and a haystack, and the play area is overlooked from the cafe. So Mum and Dad can relax with a cup of tea while the kids let off steam. Tractor and trailer rides are available most weekends and include a trip over the 'off road' bumps at the back of the farm. Loads of fun in an adventure filled ride. There are also some pet pigs to look at and feed, pig food is available to feed them. (UPDATED: May 14, 2019, JBS) -
Hawkswick Fruit Farm - currants (red and black), gooseberries, Raspberries, strawberries
Harpenden Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6JG. Phone: 01727 831224. Email: info@hawkswickfruit.co.uk. Open: Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 - 18:00; Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00; Monday: Closed all day. Directions: From
north Exit M1 junc 9. Left at roundabout onto A5183. At next roundabout take 1st exit left up hill on Redbourn lane (B487). At next roundabout take 3rd exit onto A1081. Follow along for approx 2 miles. Fruit farm signposted on right.
From south exit M1 at junc 6. go underneath motorway onto north orbital road. Go over the M 25 and at next island take 1st exit left onto the B4630 Watford road. Continue along passing 1 mini roundabout and at next roundabout turn left onto
King Harry lane.
At end of that road turn right at mini island onto Hemel Hempstead road A4147. Straight over island into
Batchwood drive. At main set of traffic lights at Ancient Briton pup turn left onto A1081. Go past
Texaco garage on right then second turning on left.
M25 take exit 21A then follow M1 south directions. 20% Pensioner discount on
Tuesday afternoons. MINIMUM CHARGE, ADULT: £2.00 PER PERSON, CHILD (5+):
£0.50 PER CHILD. Free Parking. Strawberries: End of June, July and Early August; Raspberries: July and August; Gooseberries: July; Red and black currants
in July and August.(UPDATED: 02 April 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: 20, July 2008)
-
Pearce's Farm Shop - PYO: Strawberries, Raspberries,
pumpkins
Hamels Park Farm, Buntingford. Phone: 01920 821246. Email: info@pearcesfarmshop.com. Open: starting in May or June. We have been growing strawberries since 1978 and with the raspberries also have an excellent pick your own that makes a fun family activity. Asparagus, is another of our specialities and when in season during May and June it is much sought after by our customers for the excellent flavour. We also grow a great range of pumpkins and squash available from October, in time for Halloween and also ornamental gourds that make interesting autumnal decoration. Looking to offer something different we have planted the Hippophae rhamnoides berry, or sea buckthorn, which is one of the superfoods that is full of vitamins and not that common in the UK, as well blueberries, another very healthy fruit.The farm shop has strawberries, Raspberries, runner beans, pumpkins, gourds, squash. Veg, fruit, bread, cakes, frozen foods, chutneys, jams, dairy, smoked salmon, dried goods, animal foods, plants, flowers. Strawberry & Raspberry PYO open - ring for up-to-date availability. We have a large area of soft fruit at Pearce’s, available for visitors either to pick themselves, a popular activity with families, or to buy in the shop. Our café also uses them to make delicious puddings, tarts and crumbles. (UPDATED: May 14, 2019, JBS) (UPDATED: July 11, 2015, JBS)
Farmshops, Farmer's Markets and Roadside Stands, Etc. (NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)
Click here for farmshops in this area.
Meats, Milk and Eggs:
Essex
-
Wash Farm - Pork, Lamb, 100% grass and/or grain fed, Eggs
(free range), sausage, Bacon (pork), Farm market with fruits and
vegetables, Within an easy drive to an Interstate road, children
welcome, Fresh eggs
Queen Street Sible Hedingham, Halstead, CO9 3RH. Phone: (01787) 461208. Email: shirley@washfarm.co.uk. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. (ADDED: July 04, 2012)
Local Honey Sources:
Essex
-
Cammas Hall Fruit Farm - Honey (retail), Honey from hives on
the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms,
birthday parties
Needham Green Hatfield Broad Oak, Nr Bishop's Stortford, CM22 7JT. Phone: 01279 718570. Email: helen@jmlukies.co.uk. Open: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5:30 pm Open June to September. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. The farm has an informative Nature Trail where you can opt for a short stroll or a longer trek. We also have a Tea Barn, well stocked Farm Shop and children's play area. (UPDATED: July 31, 2015)
Resources For Farmers
Bedfordshire
-
A Tree is For Life Limited - wholesale Christmas trees,
National delivery, sale,
Luton, Lu5 6EF. Phone: 0845 045 0129. Fax: 015250631695. Email: info@atreeisforlife.co.uk. Open: We are open for sales Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 1700 Last order date to be receied no later than 18th December for guranteed delivery. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We are open for sales Monday to Friday 9.00 to 1700 Last order date to be received no later than 18th December for guranteed delivery. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. (ADDED: November 02, 2012)
Brambleberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
If
you are getting ready to pick some brambles, either at a farm or along the roadside, you might want some useful information first! Brambles are both wild and domestic blackberries
as well as similar sprawling berries, which typically includes the various hybrids like Loganberries, Tayberries,
Boysenberries, and raspberries. Brambles typically peak during July, but it can range from early June through October, especially since new everbearing varieties like the American PrimeArk blackberries have been commercialized.
Varieties of Brambleberries, Blackberries, Raspberries and Hybrids
There almost countless variants of brambles. See this page for detailed descriptions of many bramble varieties found at British farms and orchards.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
- 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!
-
Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
-
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Blackberries, 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 Blackberries 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 plastic storage containers. - 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 Bramble berries
- There are two types of brambles to know about: thorny and thornless! Obviously, the thornless are easier to pick, but some people claim the thorny varieties are sweeter. With the thorny plants, you want to reach into the plant in the gaps, so you don't need to touch anything but the berry you're after, avoiding the thorns.
- A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. If the berry is red or purple, it's not ripe yet.
- Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Unlike strawberries, blackberries are usually pretty tough, I dump mine into the bucket. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
- Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.
General Picking Tips
Whether you pick brambles or blackberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Pick only the berries that are fully black, or a purple. Of course, there are a few varieties that are yellow orange or red when ripe, too. Typically, the should feel firm and plump and readily separate from the plant with a gentle tug. .
- 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!
- 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. Blackberries 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
-
DON'T
wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling. - Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
- 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) Blackberries 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 blackberries (while they are in the fridge)!
- Even under ideal conditions blackberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
Blackberry Recipes, Freezing and Jam directions
- How to make Blackberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Blackberry jam directions - very easy!
- How to make Blackberry jelly
- How to freeze berries
- Blackberry syrup, make and can it!
- Seedless blackberry pie!
- Blackberry Festivals: Where, When and More to Find an Blackberry Festival Near You this year:
Blackberry Facts and Tips
-
Black Raspberries, also
known as "black caps" are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins! - The USDA says 1 cup (228 ml) of blackberries has about 62 calories.
- 1 cup of blackberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
- Select plump, firm, fully blackberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
- Ohio State University's Article Regarding Their Prevention of Cancer
- Oregon Berry Black Raspberry Brochure
- Blackberry tea was said to be a cure for dysentery during the Civil War. During outbreaks of dysentery, temporary truces were declared to allow both Union and Confederate soldiers to "go blackberrying" to forgage for blackberries to ward off the disease.
- Blackberries were enjoyed by the ancient Greeks, who believed them to be a cure for diseases of the mouth and throat, as well as a preventative against many ailments, including gout.
- The blackberry leaf was also used as an early hair dye, having been recommended by Culpeper, the English herbalist, to be boiled in a lye solution in order to "maketh the hair black".
- Guide to blackberry varieties
- Researchers have known for quite some time that berries contain antioxidants which help to fight cancer causing free radicals. A study at the University of Ohio has found that blackberries are the most potent cancer fighting berries of them all, by nearly 40 percent!
- U-pick Blackberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/2 pounds of fresh berries.
- Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Blackberries 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 blackberry festival? See this page for a list!