Blueberries are in season and bountiful in south Louisiana! The Baton Rouge area is blessed to have many orchards around that will allow families to pick their own Louisiana blueberries, which makes for a fun and fruitful outing with the kids.
Tips From a Seasoned Louisiana Mom on Picking Blueberries
Call the farm ahead of time and/or check their website and social media handles. Most farms have set operating hours but will close if the berries are too picked over. I recommend that you wear socks and closed toe shoes. Don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen, but be sure to apply both of those items in the parking lot to prevent chemicals from getting on the berries. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Some farms provide buckets and bags and others do not. Check their website to see what is available to you or just throw some bags in the car to be on the safe side. It’s always best to go early in the day before it gets too hot. Generally, pets are not allowed on Louisiana blueberry farms.
When picking, look for berries that are plump, dry, and dusty blue in color. The red ones are not yet ripe, but don’t fret if the kids accidentally pick a few. As you pick, you can rub off the stem with your thumb. Don’t forget to look high and low on the bush, as berries that are at eye level get picked first. If you’re unsure what a good berry is supposed to look like, don’t be afraid to taste a few off the bush and find out!
Louisiana Blueberry Farms
The Blueberry Farm
Location: 24393 Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs, LA
Cost: $2/lb
Hours: Open on select days from 7:00am – noon. Check their Facebook page regularly for days they are open to pickers.
Berry Sweet Orchards
Berry Sweet Orchards is Louisiana’s first certified organic “you pick” blueberry farm. The farm has over 1500 blueberry bushes of several different varieties.
Location: 5110 Brown Road, Ethel, LA
Cost: $3/lb
Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm and 4:00pm-7:00pm. Any changes to this schedule is posted on their Facebook page on Wednesday evenings, so be sure to check before heading out!
Blueberry Ridge Orchard
Location: Jackson, LA
Cost: $1.50/lb cash only
Hours: Monday-Saturday, Sunrise-Sunset
Loblolly U Pick Blueberry Farms
Location: 1000 Andrew Bankston Road, Amite, LA
Cost: Priced by the gallon.
Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 7:00am – 6:00pm
3d Blueberry Farm
Location: 41031 Highway 1056 Franklinton, LA
Cost: $10/gallon.
Hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 7:00am-5:00pm
Ridgemore Ranch and Berry Farm
This farm has other produce and honey for sale! There are also horses, chickens, and a goat to pet.
Location: 22154 John T Prats Rd, Covington, LA
Cost: $3/lb for blueberries, $1.25/lb for other produce
Hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8:00am-6:00pm
Shuqualak Farms
Location: 232 Shuqualak Farms Rd, Frierson, LA
Cost: $14/gallon
Hours: 7 days a week, 7:00am-7:00pm
Blue Harvest Farms
Location: Hwy. 21, Covington, LA
Cost: $2.50/lb
Hours: The schedule is set each Wednesday evening during the season, so be sure to check the website!
Hillcrest Blueberry Farm
The farm store provides sweet treats and gourmet jams and jellies!
Location: 634 Ferguson Rd, Gloster, La
Cost: $2.50/lb
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7:00am-5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Freezing Your Louisiana Blueberries
On the way home, keep the bag or box open to prevent condensation from forming on the berries. You don’t want to wash before freezing, because they will freeze into one solid block. Rather, put the berries into quart sized freezer bags and freeze unwashed. You can freeze in specific increments, such as one or two cups, so you don’t have to measure later when using the berries in recipes. When you are ready to use them, pull them out of the freezer and gently rinse in a strainer. Use the frozen berries in recipes the same way you would fresh berries.
Two Easy Blueberry Recipes
Nothing is sweeter than fresh local fruit. Take advantage and use up these blueberries in a pie or pancakes or over yogurt or just eat them by themselves! If you’re looking for something easy and new, try my Blueberry Salsa or Red, White, and Blueberry Dessert!
Blueberry Salsa
2 cups of blueberries
One jalapeno pepper
One bell pepper
One red onion
Juice of one lime
Cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste
Put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until well chopped and well mixed. Move to a serving bowl and chill. Serve with chips!
Red, White, and Blueberry Dessert
2 cups of whipping cream
1/2 cup of honey
2 tsp of vanilla extract
2 cups of blueberries
1 red apple cut into bit sized bites
*optional – other berries such as strawberries, raspberries or blackberries
Beat the whipping cream on medium speed until it’s firm. Add honey and vanilla and beat on low until well mixed. (You can skip this step and buy Cool Whip instead!) Gently fold in apple pieces and berries. Chill. Serve as a dessert!
