Best U-Pick Blueberry Farms in the US
Discover the best regions and states for u-pick blueberry farms in the United States, with tips on timing, varieties, and what to expect.
Blueberries are among the easiest and most satisfying u-pick crops. The bushes are forgiving, the berries pop off readily when ripe, and there is something meditative about standing in a row of head-high blueberry plants, filling a bucket one handful at a time. Across the United States, thousands of farms open their blueberry patches to the public each summer. Here is where to find the best of them.
Why Blueberries Are a U-Pick Favorite
Blueberries offer several advantages over other u-pick crops:
- High yield per hour. An experienced picker can fill a gallon bucket in 20 to 30 minutes during peak season.
- Longer season than strawberries. Farms plant early, mid, and late-season varieties to extend picking from June through August.
- Durable fruit. Blueberries travel and store better than soft berries like raspberries or strawberries.
- Multiple varieties on one farm. Flavor and size vary significantly by variety — some are sweet and mild, others bright and tangy.
Blueberry Regions of the United States
The South: May Through July
The Southeast has some of the most productive blueberry growing regions in the country, and the season starts earlier than anywhere else in the contiguous US.
Georgia is the top blueberry-producing state in the South. Farms around Alma (the self-proclaimed "Blueberry Capital of the World") often open as early as late May. Tifblue, Premier, and Brightwell are common rabbiteye varieties at Georgia u-pick farms — these are large bushes that can reach 6 to 8 feet tall.
North Carolina farms, especially in the Sandhills region and the eastern piedmont, typically open from early to mid-June. The state grows a mix of highbush and rabbiteye types.
Mississippi and Alabama have excellent u-pick operations, often opening in May in the southern counties and running through July in the northern highlands.
Mid-Atlantic: June and July
New Jersey is one of the most celebrated blueberry states in the country. Burlington County and Atlantic County farms grow highbush blueberries — the large, cultivated varieties — on sandy, acidic soil that is ideal for the crop. U-pick season runs from late June through late July, and farms here are well-established and easy to visit.
Maryland and Delaware offer June and July u-pick options, often at smaller family farms that are less crowded than New Jersey operations.
Virginia has a growing number of blueberry u-pick farms, with peak season from mid-June through mid-July.
Midwest: July
Michigan is the largest blueberry-producing state in the nation, and it has an enormous number of u-pick opportunities. Farms in Van Buren County, Allegan County, and Ottawa County open from late June through August. Varieties include Duke, Bluecrop, and Elliot, each ripening at different times.
Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin have seasonal u-pick farms, typically peaking in July. Wisconsin's Door County is known for a charming combination of cherries and blueberries in the same farm visit.
Pacific Northwest: July and August
Oregon and Washington grow exceptional highbush blueberries in their mild, moist climates. Oregon's Willamette Valley and Washington's Whatcom County (near Bellingham) are standout regions.
Whatcom County in Washington is one of the highest-density blueberry-producing regions in the world. Several family farms open for u-pick from mid-July through September, with some farms offering multiple varieties that ripen sequentially.
Northeast: July and August
New England and upstate New York have numerous small-scale u-pick blueberry farms. They tend to be charming, low-key operations — often connected to broader berry or apple operations. Peak season is typically July through mid-August.
Maine's wild blueberries (lowbush) are harvested commercially in August, and a handful of farms invite the public to rake their fields — a uniquely Maine experience.
Blueberry Varieties to Know
| Variety | Type | Characteristics | Peak Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | Highbush | Mild, firm, large | Early July |
| Bluecrop | Highbush | Classic flavor, medium-large | Mid-July |
| Chandler | Highbush | Very large, sweet | Mid-July |
| Elliot | Highbush | Firm, slightly tart | Late July–August |
| Tifblue | Rabbiteye | Tangy, large bush | June–July |
| Brightwell | Rabbiteye | Sweet, productive | June–July |
Tips for Picking Blueberries
Use a wide container. Deep buckets lead to crushing at the bottom as weight builds up. Wide, shallow containers or divided trays keep berries in better shape.
Pick by rolling, not pulling. Cup your hand around a cluster and roll your fingers. Ripe blueberries fall off the cluster; unripe ones hold on. Do not force underripe fruit.
Look for full blue color with a dusty bloom. The silvery-blue bloom on the skin is a sign of fresh, ripe fruit. Shiny blueberries have often been handled too much or are slightly past peak.
Avoid the red and green ones. Unlike strawberries, which you can sometimes see turning red, blue is the only color that works for blueberries. Red blueberries are unripe and will not sweeten after picking.
How Many to Pick
A standard gallon bucket holds roughly 5 to 6 pounds of blueberries. Here is what you can make with common quantities:
- 2 pounds: Fresh eating for a week for one to two people
- 5 pounds: Several batches of pancakes, muffins, and fresh fruit
- 10 pounds: Jam, sauce, and freezer stock
- 20+ pounds: Full canning day with plenty left for fresh use
Blueberries freeze exceptionally well. Spread them on a sheet pan to freeze individually, then transfer to bags. They last 10 to 12 months in the freezer with minimal quality loss.
What Farms Typically Charge
U-pick blueberry prices range from $1.50 to $3.50 per pound, depending on region and variety. Organic farms and farms growing premium large-berry varieties tend to be on the higher end. Some farms offer container discounts for large quantities.
Compare this to grocery store prices, where organic blueberries often run $5 to $7 per pint (roughly 0.75 pounds). U-pick offers significant savings plus a far fresher product.