I’m a big fan of the Slow Food movement, especially here in Central Florida. That also means I frequently visit the u-pick farms and berry patches in Central Florida. Last year I missed blackberry season due to a busy travel schedule. I made a point to go this season.
U-Pick Thornless Blackberries
There aren’t many blackberry patches in Central Florida, but this year I went to U-Pick Thornless Blackberries in Geneva, Florida. The friendly folks at U-Pick Thornless Blackberries told me that they’ve been in business for about four years. Many other farms in Geneva, they told me, worked hard to support the local farm-to-table movement.
It was an enjoyable morning, and I left with 5 pounds of blackberries and about 3 pounds of blueberries. I promptly made blackberry jam as soon as I got home. I also have about another pound infusing in grain alcohol for blackberry liqueur. Tomorrow morning I’ll make blueberry muffins. Perhaps a pie in the afternoon.
How it works at U-Pick Thornless Blackberries
U-Pick Thornless Blackberries provides the buckets and bags for picking. Don’t let the appearance of the blackberry bushes fool you. The blackberry bushes are a bit scrawny, I think because of the early extreme heat, but they are loaded with both red (not ripe) and black (ripe) blackberries. Start picking at the end near the road, and work your way back up to the concession and the large shade trees. It took me no time at all to fill a bucket with ripe blackberries.
The blueberry bushes are behind the concession and the beautiful shade trees. It’s an impressively large patch, and the blueberry bushes are loaded. I walked towards the back and started picking there. There are so many ripe berries that I might have to go back next Saturday. The heat finally beat me down, and I couldn’t pick any more.
U-Pick Prices
Prices for blackberries and blueberries are the same at U-Pick Thornless Blackberries. As of 21 June 2014, blackberries and blueberries are $4.00 a pound. They will weigh the berries for you.
U-Pick Hours
U-Pick Thornless Blackberries are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. It’s hot, so get there early. They open for the season around the end of May and stop about the end of June, depending on the heat. I recommend calling first.
U-Pick Location
U-Pick Thornless Blackberries are located in Geneva, Florida, and yes, it’s a nice country drive. I got lost a couple of times even with my GPS and cell. Program this address in your GPS:
U-Pick Thornless Blackberries 500 Snowhill Road Geneva, Florida 32732 Tel: 407-883-9676
Your should also visit U-Pick Thornless Blackberries on Facebook and keep up with the latest news.
OMG that’s where I used to pick blueberries! I used to live just down the road in Geneva on Main Street. Not that it’s a real main street because we had five acres there. 🙂 I loved their blueberries and would love to have some right now. There weren’t any blackberries back in the olden days though. I think I’d like some of those too.
I think the slow food movement is motivating locals to establish small gardens and farms. The blackberries in Central Florida is a relatively new thing. I’m glad 🙂
I found this post last year and pinned it. Waited patiently and went last week and had a great time. Thanks!
I haven’t been this year. I was hoping to go this week. I hope it’s still open.
Yes, I think their blackberry season starts at the end of May so it’s just now in full swing. And they had plenty of blueberries too. They are changing their name to U-Pick Berry Farm, but all your information was still correct. They also had local jellies, pickles, and farm eggs for sale.