A Midsummer Guide to Berry Picking in Virginia and Maryland

By Erin Zimmer

Comments () | Published July 12, 2007

Though the blueberry season was slightly hampered by April snows in parts of Virginia and Maryland, a few farms still have bushes with just enough fruit left for picking. Blackberries and raspberries follow their blue cousins, and should be turning colors this week, hitting their peak later this month. Here’s the dirt on what fruit is currently available for the picking at nearby farms.

 MARYLAND

Butler’s Orchard
22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown; 301-972-3299
Picking updates: There are still  some blueberries out, but only through this week. Thornless blackberries will be ready later this month.
Just for fun: In the orchard’s shop, you can pick up 10-pound boxes of blueberries, good for freezing before winter. Also sold are assorted jellies and jams, including sugar-free versions, and fresh pies.  
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Closed Mondays.
 
Larriland Farms
2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine; 301-854-6110 or e-mail at contactus@pickyourown.com
Picking updates: Blackberries are available for a couple more weeks, and three types of raspberries are on the horizon: Black and purple ones in another week, and red raspberries all summer long.
Just for fun: Desserts for sale include a fresh-baked “Very Berry” pie (the entire berry clan on one crust). The same fields also offer pick-your-own beets for another week.
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed Mondays.
 
Homestead Farms
5600 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville; 301-926-6999
Picking updates: Thornless Blackberries will be pickable by this weekend, and red raspberries will be ready in mid-August.
Just for fun: Kid-friendly attractions include hayrides and a petting zoo. On their web site, co-owners Ben and Maureen Allnutt offer post-picking recipes for desserts like a blackberry-Frangelico torte and blackberry coffee cake.
Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM (fields close at 5:30).

VIRGINIA

Hartland Orchard
3064 Hartland Ln., Markham; 540.364.2316
Picking updates: Some blueberry shrubs still out there, which will fizzle out by July 21.
Just for fun: Farmer Henry Green and his six kids run a honey stand on this farm, located by the breathtakingly scenic Blue Ridge mountains.
Hours: Open daily between 8 AM and 6 PM.
 
Patowmack Farm
42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville; 540.822.9017 or email Patowmackfarm@megapie.net
Picking updates: Organic blackberries should be fully ripened by the last weekend of July.
Just for fun: Featuring an upscale restaurant with gazebo, an open-air tent, and a menu that uses farm-grown produce, this isn’t the hayride and horseshoe toss-type of farm. Special events happen monthly. Next up, on Friday, July 20, is a father-daughter dinner. An on-site farmers market is open every Thursday through Sunday.
Hours: Open weekends from 9 AM to 5 PM. Weekday picking is by appointment.
 
Hollin Farms
4 Pearlstone Ln., Delaplane; E-mail owner Tom Davenport at tdaven@crosslink.net
Picking updates: Raspberry plants were fully picked over last week, and will need another week to replenish. Blackberries will be ready by this weekend (both are priced at $5 a pint).
Just for fun: Farm owner Tom Davenport has YouTube videos documenting his pumpkin patch and bull fights. After fruit-picking, he recommends spending the day in nearby Scott Meadows Park, but cautions guests that a mischievous bear lurks around the farm, notorious for picking on pickers. 
Hours: Closed this week, but reopening Saturday, July 19th. Picking is by appointment (hours vary)--e-mail Tom Davenport one day in advance.
 
Great Country Farms
18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont; 540.554.2073 or e-mail farmer@greatcountryfarms.com
Picking updates: More blackberries are expected in about a week.
Just for fun: On this 200 acre farm at the base of Blue Ridge mountains, there's a kid-friendly turtle pond, hay rides, and horseshoe tosses. $5 admission.
Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.