Pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farms are becoming destinations for families looking to inject a lot of fun and a little learning into their next grocery run. Skip the supermarket chain and go directly to the source for everything from blackberries to blueberries to strawberries.
We might be living the urban American lifestyle, but there are still plenty of farmers sprinkled throughout the area who are willing to open their doors and give their time to families looking for a lesson in agriculture. We rounded up a few of the best spots for families looking to get out of the produce aisle and go berry picking.
Be sure to call ahead before visiting any farm or orchard. Hours, prices and produce vary by location and season. Visit pickyourown.org for an extensive list of pick-your-own farms and orchards around the country. Have any local favorite farms you think we should include here? Email us at editorial@dfwchild.com.
Pecan Creek Strawberry Farm
What you can pick: strawberries (no pecans, that just the same of the creek!)
About: Local couple Chris and Kylie Demases run the farm on property that’s been in Kylie’s family for over 100 years. And Pecan Creek typically opens in March through May—season depending, of course—and will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Keep an eye on their Facebook page or Instagram @pecancreekstrawberryfarm for their opening announcement, and then don’t wait to come pluck fresh strawberries from the vines and fill your red buckets. You can also shop on-site for strawberry ice cream and jam, even strawberry hanging baskets to take home and cultivate yourself.
Address: 12141 Foutch Road, Pilot Point
Contact: 940/305-4325; pecancreekstrawberryfarm@gmail.com
Learn more: pecancreekstrawberryfarm.com
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Blueberry Hill Farm
What you can pick: organic blueberries and blackberries
About: Families can fill picking buckets (provided) with organically grown blueberries and blackberries at this farm, no appointment needed. The 2024 season is typically June and July, so as as Memorial Day weekend draws closer, check their website and Facebook page for updates on their opening. The farm is open daily 7am–5pm (including Father’s Day and the Fourth of July). Price per pound is determined after the season officially begins. Sign up for their email newsletters for regular updates.
After working up a sweat harvesting, you can cool off with a blueberry lemonade, blueberry frozen yogurt from their country store and bakery. Take your blueberries home and whip up some delicious sweet treats with their recipes, like the blueberry pound cake and blueberry cobbler.
Address: 10268 FM 314, Edom, about 85 miles southeast of Dallas, closer to Tyler
Contact: Call 903/852-6175; or email owner Chuck Arena at chuck@blueberryhillfarms.com
Learn more: blueberryhillfarms.com
The Greer Farm
What you can pick: blueberries, blackberries, figs and plums
About: Make it a day trip to Greer Farm in Daingerfield, just shy of a three-hour drive east of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or make it an overnight trip and reserve one of their four log cabins. Here you can spend a few hours picking blueberries and thornless blackberries, priced per pound, when they begin to ripen in late May and early June. The Greer Farm offers meats, jams and sauces, honey and eggs for order. Ask about bottle-feeding any new lambs they may have, gathering chicken eggs or roasting s’mores at night.
Address: 1444 CR 1125, Daingerfield
Contact: 512/680-0811 or 903/452-9738 before your visit or for cabin reservations; sidagreer@gmail.com
Learn more: greerfarm.com; sign up for their newsletter for updates or follow on Facebook.
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Pure Land Farm
What you can pick: Everything from carrots and cucumbers to blackberries to sunflowers
About: Father-daughter duo Jack and Megan are the primary farmers of Pure Land Farm where—10 minutes from Historic Downtown McKinney—you and the kiddos will find food favorites like carrots, lettuce, kale, radishes, onions and green garlic.
The picking season is open typically mid-May through the end of July, but open pick times are announced on Facebook, Instagram or the website. During the month of June, you’ll find sweet favorites such as thornless blackberries, green beans, zucchini, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes and more. (Our mouths are watering already!)
Admission: The entrance fee is $5 per person, crops are charged per pound, and buckets will be provided. Season passes for 2024 go on sale March 8, so if you’re thinking of one, don’t delay snagging one when they come available: starting at $25.
Note that the farm is not open to walk-ins. Guests must go online and book their visit in advance. Read all the must-know FAQ here.
Address: 7505 County Road 201, McKinney
Contact: 469/795-8585; megan@purelandorganic.com
Learn more: purelandorganic.com
Blase Family Farm
What you can pick: blueberries and pumpkins
About: Mini buckets are provided for the little ones, but you’re able to bring your own if you’d like. The farm follows organic practices and is equipped with shaded picnic tables for a perfect day of outdoor picking and snacking. And while you’re getting your cookbooks out for all the delicious blueberry recipes, take a page from Jill Blase (pronounced “blaze”), owner of Blase Family Farm. She makes blueberry popsicles from scratch that are available for purchase.
The farm has a beautiful path to the blueberries—don’t forget to bring your polaroid for all the photos you’ll want to frame. Depending on spring weather, the season usually runs for six weeks, starting at the end of May through the beginning of July, and September through October for pumpkins.
Address: 1232 East Fork Drive, Rockwall
Contact: 972/772-3645; jill@blasefamilyfarm.com
Learn more: blasefamilyfarm.com, follow on Facebook or Instagram for updates
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Oneal Berry Farm
What you can pick: blackberries, raspberries and tomatoes
About: This family-run farm east of Rockwall opens to the public when the berry picking is ripe for the season, typically late May through early July. Once you arrive, you can use their provided baskets to pick the fresh berries from the vine (they’re just at the right height for kids to pick, too). When you need a break, cool off with a snow cone in the shade and say hi to the farm chickens. Families are welcome to bring their fishing poles to fish their catch-and-release pond.
While you’re there, be sure to take a look at their other products for sale: blackberry jam and jelly, blackberry jalapeño jam, frozen berries, frozen pork, and wooden cutting boards and charcuterie boards made by HB Texas Made. Local honey from the very bees that pollinate the plants will be available a few more weeks into the season. Free admission, charged per pound.
Address: 7726 CR 2580, Royse City
Contact: 214/929-1808; onealberryfarm@gmail.com
Learn more: Follow on Facebook page for updates with exact open dates as the season progresses.
WOW U-Pick Farms
What you can pick: an assortment of fruits and veggies, such as blackberries, tomatoes, potatoes and more
About: Just northwest of Denton, WOW U-Pick Farms is full of fresh produce (no sprays or pesticides on these foods) for tasty, organic foods. The produce is grown through hydroponics, which puts the plants in a water-based and nutrient-rich solution.
Come summer (late May to June), there are tomatoes, red bell peppers, garlic, potatoes, okra, yellow and green squash and more to fill up your pantry. Plans for blackberries and other produce will come in a couple of years (yes, patience is the key to farming). Check back for their hours, which increase as picking season ramps up.
Address: 7271 Donald Road, Krum
Contact: 940/312-9889; eva@4Ugoodfood.com
Learn more: Follow on social media at facebook.com/wowupickfarm for opening dates.
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Top photo courtesy of Pecan Creek Strawberry Farm
