Blueberry picking has become an annual tradition in our house – every spring we make at least one trip (sometimes more) to a local blueberry farm and load up our buckets with delicious blueberries to take home and eat. Blueberry picking season in Central Florida runs from mid-March through May.
U-Pick Blueberry Farms are abundant Polk County, and unlike U-Pick Strawberries that are mostly in other counties, you can find quite a few blueberry farms near you. Our list includes local farms in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Auburndale, Dundee, Polk City, Lake Wales, and Eagle Lake.
Blueberry picking is a great family-friendly outdoor activity for toddlers, kids, and teens. The berries grow on bushes anywhere from 3′-5′ tall, so they are easy for little ones to reach, and ripe berries come off the branch easily. You can pick fresh fruit yourself, and many farms also offer pre picked berries and other fruit and vegetables for purchase. A few even have an orange or peach orchard on site!
Don’t miss our Blueberry Picking Tips at the bottom of this post. We can also help find Strawberry Picking Near You (January – March) and Peach Picking Near You (April – May). We also have a list of U-Pick Sunflower Farms for April-June/September-October, and Pumpkin Patches in October. If you’re looking for fresh produce, there are also numerous Farmers Markets happening weekly around Polk County, you can find them all in our Farmers Market Guide.
While we do our best to keep up with who is open, dates and times change on a day to day basis and farms open depending on weather. We STRONGLY suggest you check websites/Facebook or call ahead the day of your visit to confirm availability, prices, and hours. Even if our list says a farm is open, check before you go! We also may have missed an opening announcement, so if you have a favorite farm, check to see if they are open.
Jump to: Map – Blueberry Picking Near You
Blueberry Picking Near You
Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm
Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm in Winter Haven offers locally grown, fresh from the bush blueberries. Open for the u-pick season beginning the first Wednesday in April for 5-6 weeks each year.
2023 Opening Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 this year – check Facebook for hours.
Location: 1024 Macon Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884
Facebook
Lonesome Oak Blueberry Farm
This family-owned and operated blueberry farm in Winter Haven opens in late March / early April for U-Pick Blueberries.
2023 Opening Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023 – check Facebook for hours.
Location: 2851 Thornhill Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33880
Facebook
S & S Micro Farm
Family owned blueberry farm located in East Bartow, near Alturas in Polk County, 25 min drive south of Winter Haven. Seasonal days and hours between mid-March thru the end of May, depending on weather and market conditions, check website or Facebook page for open days, hours and price per pound. You can also order pre-picked blueberries by phone or email.
2023 Opening Date: April 8, 2023 – check Facebook for hours.
Location: 8451 Sinkhole Road, Bartow, Florida 33830
Facebook
Oponay Farms
Oponay Farms is open seasonally for U-Pick blueberries and peaches, plus veggies. Check Facebook for current U-pick operations, hours, and prices. Two locations off Hwy 98 and 540A (Across from Catfish Country), check recent posts for picking location.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Locations: 5129 Hancock Lake Road, Lakeland, Florida 33812
Facebook
James Farm Blueberries
James Farm offers high quality pre-picked and U-Pick blueberries. They also occasionally sell blueberry plants. Blueberry picking season typically begins in mid-April.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 1894 EF Griffin Road, Bartow, Florida 33830
Facebook
Whispering Hearts Family Farm
Family owned and operated Blueberry Farm located in Polk City, Florida.
2023 Opening Date: April 15, 2023 – Check FB for updates
Location: 15530 Brahma Rd, Polk City, FL 33868
Facebook
Late Bloom Blueberry Farm
Family owned blueberry farm located in Haines City offering pre-picked buckets and U-Pick, typically opens in mid-April.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 115 Scenic Highway, Haines City, Florida 33844
Facebook
Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms
Located in eastern Hillsborough county just East of Tampa, Florida, Keel & Curley Winery has been producing some of Florida’s #1 wines since 2003. Also offers a variety of special events and U-Pick seasons.
2023 Opening Date: 2023 Tampa Bay Blueberry Festivals April 8, 15, 22, 29 with 100+ food and craft vendors, live music, a kids area, u-pick blueberries, and wines, beers, and ciders.
Location: 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, Florida 33565
Keel Farms Facebook
True Blue Winery & Blueberry Picking
Winery and Wine Bar in Polk County serving delicious homemade Blueberry and other Fruit wines, beer and Bistro menu.
2023 Opening Date: March 30, 2023 – Check FB for updates
Location: 604 Pink Apartment Road, Davenport, Florida 33837
Facebook
Blues Berry Farm
Blues Berry Farm is open for blueberry picking in Plant City in late April / early May each year.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 1201 Holloway Road, Plant City, Florida 33567
Facebook
The Berry Patch
The Berry Patch is a locally owned and operated blueberry farm, located near Bartow in Alturas, Florida.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 4400 Walker Lake Road Bartow, FL 33830
Facebook
Castro’s Farm
Castro’s Farm in Winter Haven opens for U-Pick in early April. Be sure to bring a container to take your blueberries home! Before visiting, call the farm directly to confirm availability, as well as days and hours of operation.
2023 Opening Date: April 8, 2023 – Check FB or call for updates
Location: 4226 Rifle Range Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Facebook
Southern Hill Farm
Blueberries, peaches, strawberries, sunflowers and zinnias are available for spring U-Pick at Southern Hill Farm. Although it is a little bit of a drive from Lakeland (the furthest on our list), we include it because you can typically pick more than one crop AND they have spring and fall festivals.
2023 Opening Date: Blueberry picking begins March 18, 2023 – check Facebook or the website for hours and other seasonal events.
Location: 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont, Florida 34714 (map it out first – it is 1+ hours from Lakeland)
Website | Facebook
Ridge Island Groves
Ridge Island Grove is home to fresh citrus, fresh produce, marmalades, honey, jelly, and fresh squeezed orange juice. They offer u-pick oranges, u-pick blueberries, u-pick peaches, plus food trucks and other events at their market. Open daily from 9am -5pm, closed Sunday. (Check Facebook for current produce)
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 6000 Polk City Road, Haines City, Florida 33844
Facebook
Parish Family Farm
This family owned blueberry farm offers U-Pick Blueberries at the end of their commercial season.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 100 Mitchell Road, Eagle Lake, Florida 33839
Facebook
Thomas Farms
Thomas Farms has 4 acres of blueberries in Winter Haven. Open for U-Pick each year, typically in April.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 2035 Gerber Dairy Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880
Facebook
Luna Berry Farms
Luna Berry Farms offers u-pick and we pick blueberries, plus in the past they’ve been known to have homemade blueberry ice cream, milkshakes, and blueberry cobbler.
2023 Opening Date: FB Comments indicate they will not be open in 2023, check FB for updates.
Location: 3132 K-Ville Avenue, Auburndale, Florida 33823
Facebook
Shady Oak Blueberry Farm
This is a favorite spot for Lakeland blueberries!
2023 Opening Date: Unknown, FB page has been taken down, check back for updates
Location: 3320 Shady Oak Drive East, Lakeland, Florida 33810
Facebook
Blueberry Farms – Not Open in 2022 – Check Back for Updates
Central Florida Blueberries
This blueberry farm in Auburndale, FL offers pre-picked and pick your own blueberries.
Location: 3650 U.S. 92, Auburndale, Florida 33823
Facebook
Thayer Farms
Offering peach picking and blue berry picking in the spring.
2023 Opening Date: TBD – Check FB for updates
Location: 5600 Lake Trask Road, Dundee, Florida 33838
Facebook
Kirkland Farms Blueberries
Kirkland Farms Blueberry Farm is located in the heart of the Medulla community just south of the Lakeland Linder Airport at the corner of Waring Rd and Old Medulla Road. Although it is our favorite place for Lakeland berries, we confirmed that Kirkland Farms will not be open for pick your own blueberries in 2022.
Location: 2632 Old Medulla Road, Lakeland, Florida 33811
Facebook
Blueberry Picking Tips
- Check the Farm’s website or Facebook page the day before or day of your visit to confirm hours.
- Be respectful! Don’t cut through the rows or damage the blueberry bushes. The farm you are on provides an income for another family, treat it as you would want someone to treat your workplace.
- Dress comfortably with closed toe shoes. You WILL be walking in dirt and you will get dirty!
- Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen – fields are in the sun. Light colored clothing is best.
- Pick early in the morning when it is still cool.
- Bring your own container. Some fields do not keep containers on site.
- Take CASH!! Many fields only accept cash.
- Keep in mind these are working farms, so there will be ants, bees, etc. If you or your children have allergies, take precautions.
- Select only firm ripe BLUE berries and be careful not to remove the tops of the berries when picking them off the bush. Red/purple/green berries are not ripe and will likely be SOUR.
- Berries need to be kept cool once picked, plan your day accordingly or bring ice if you aren’t taking them home immediately.
- Ask questions – Florida’s blueberry farmers love to tell you about how they grow blueberries in Florida and the differences in tasty blueberry variety like arcadia, emerald, southern highbush, and others.
- Say thank you! Growing blueberries on Florida’s blueberry farms is hard work, be sure to thank a Blueberry grower for opening up their fields.
Tips for Storing Blueberries
- Once picked, don’t place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn’t form in the container.
- Don’t wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
- Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
- Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.
Map – Find Blueberry Picking Near Me
Blueberry Farms Near Me
When is blueberry season in Florida?
Blueberry season in Florida runs from mid-March through late May.
How long is blueberry season in Florida?
Blueberry season in Florida is 3 months long but varies by farm.
When can you pick blueberries in Central Florida?
You can pick blueberries in Central Florida from mid-March through late May.
Where in Florida are blueberries mostly grown?
Blueberries are grown in Central Florida including Polk County, FL.
More U-Pick Farms + Farmers Markets
- Blueberry Picking Near You
- Strawberry Picking Near You
- Peach Picking Near You
- Farmers Markets Near You: Lakeland + Polk County
- Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market
Spring Activities Guide
Check out our full Spring Activities Guide for more things to do in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida from January – May. BBQ Festivals, Valentine’s Day, 5k races, seasonal events, annual favorites, SUN ‘n FUN, Easter Egg Hunts, Mother’s Day, and more.