Although my freezer still has blueberries in it from last season, I can’t wait to head to a local blueberry farm and pick some fresh berries. To me, blueberry season means the start of summer. While blueberry season seems a little early this year, summer is so close. Like strawberry picking, blueberry picking is a great activity to do together as a family. Going to the berry farms is free, the berries you pick are reasonably priced (much less expensive than the blueberries in store), and everyone works together as a family.

Well, sort of. My daughter can usually be found hiding inside a blueberry bush eating her berries as opposed to helping add to the family bucket!

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Most blueberry farms provide buckets for you to use while you pick, but most also allow you to bring your own basket or bucket to use.
• If you plan on picking more than a few pounds of blueberries, you may want an empty cooler to put the berries in. Not only will it keep them cool in the hot sun, but it will also keep the berries off of the ground where ants can find them. It also doubles as a good resting place for tired children.
• Bring a hat and lather up with sunscreen to help protect yourself from the sun. There isn’t much shade on a blueberry farm.
• Don’t forget the bug spray. Every time we go blueberry picking, I forget the bug spray and my poor daughter, who is prone to bug bites, comes home covered in bites.
• If you plan on picking more than just a few pounds, you might want to bring something for your kids to do. My kids normally want a rest so we bring bubbles with us to entertain them when they need a break.
• You might want to bring cash. Some blueberry farms take checks but many are cash only. Most are nowhere near an ATM!
• Bring a cooler full of ice, water, and drinks of your choice. Pack some snacks, too.

Are you looking for a blueberry farm in the area? Here is a list in alphabetical order. If you know of one we need to add to the list, leave us a comment or send me a message at jennifer at pensacolawithkids dot com.

The hours and prices come from the farms’ websites and Facebook pages. Remember that these hours and prices are always subject to change. Call to confirm before you go as many of the farms have not updated their sites with the 2012 information.

Not all farms are open yet. Once they open, blueberry season usually last about 4 weeks, give or take a few weeks depending on weather and more.

A&N Blueberry Farm (A & N just posted a notice on their FB page that they are closing the blueberry patch due to unforeseen circumstances. Check their website for updates.)

• Address: 4040 Suncrest Lane, Molino, FL 32577
• Contact Number: 850.341.9767
• Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday from 7am to sundown (according to their FB page, they are now open for the season)
• Cost: U-pick $1.00 a pound; We-pick orders $3.00 a pound

The Arc Santa Rosa 

• Address: 6225 Dixie Road, Milton, FL 32570
• Contact Number: 850.623.9320
• Hours of Operation: The Garden Center Shop is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 2pm
• Cost: U-pick $1 a pound; We-pick $5 a pound

Beulah Berries

• Address: 6658 Suwanee Road, Pensacola, FL 32526
• Contact Number: 850.453.2383
• Hours of Operation: Check website for field schedule
• Cost: $5 a half gallon; $10 a gallon

Cambridge Farms

• Address: 3230 Deloach Lane, Milton, FL 32570
• Contact Number: 850.855.6420
• Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 7am to 4pm or by appointment

Hillcrest Farm

• 30497 Hixson Road, Elberta, AL 36530
• Contact Number: 850.962.2500

Lundy Blueberry Farm

• Address: State Road 89 north of Milton
• Contact Number: 850.623.6052

Petsels Blueberries

• Address: 7711 Helms Road, Pensacola, FL 32570
• Contact Number: 850.944.5224
• Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to dark
• Cost: U-pick $1.50 a pound; We-pick $4.00 a pound

Touchablue Berry Farm

• Address: 7100 Molino Road, Molino, FL 32577
• Contact Number: 850.587.5072