It’s berry season! Like most fruit, berries taste best when picked fresh. Blair Neel, managing editor for our sister publication, Little Rock Family, rounded up a few spots where we can do just that around the state.
BoBrook Farms in Roland: This working farm and event venue is located just down the road from Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and offers blueberries and blackberries in the spring. The pick-your-own berry patch is scheduled to open at the end of May. Visit website or call for updates on opening day and hours.
13810 Combee Lane, Roland. Opens at the end of May. Blueberries and blackberries $2.50 per pint. For info: (501) 519-5666, BoBrookFarms.com.
The Cabot Patch in Cabot: This strawberry patch is already open for the season and offers both already picked berries and the you-pick experience. Strawberries will be available for approximately three more weeks, or until the weather consistently hits temps in the 90s. Call for weather closings and updates on berry availability. In the summer, blueberries, blackberries and peaches will be available for purchase at the roadside stand.
500 Mt. Carmel Road, Cabot. 7 a.m.-noon daily. Strawberries $2.25 per pound. For info: (501) 605-1313, TheCabotPatch.com.
Cox Berry Farm in Clarksville: This family-owned farm in Clarksville has been in business for more than 40 years, and offers multiple pick-your-own experiences throughout the year, from apples to pumpkins. According to its Facebook page, this strawberry patch is currently open for pick-your-own strawberries. The early berries are ripening slowly and will be much more plentiful in the next few weeks. Blueberries and Blackberries will arrive in June. Opening hours and days vary based on weather and berry growth. Get updates on the Cox Berry Farm Facebook page.
1081 Hwy 818, Clarksville. Now open. Strawberries $7 per gallon, $1.75 per quart. For info: (479) 754-3707, CoxBerryFarm.com.
Renee’s Berry Garden in London: This U-pick farm located in the hills of the Arkansas River Valley offers organic blueberries, grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The farm will open to the public the first weekend in June (June 7). Though a freeze in April took out many of the blackberry plants, visitors might be able to pick a few blackberries as well. Call before you visit for a daily updated message about open hours and available berries.
1265 Will Baker Road, London. Opens first weekend in June; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Wed., Fri. & Sat. Blueberries $12 per gallon. For info: (479) 293-3229; click here for website or here for Facebook page.
Wye Mountain Flowers & Berries: On the scenic drive to Wye Mountain, you’ll find this family farm that provides pick-your-own blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Blueberries are currently ripening up for the Memorial Day weekend opening, with Friday, May 23 scheduled as the tentative opening dates. Just a few weeks later there will be plenty of Arkansas Blackberries. For up-to-date fruit harvest information, check out the Facebook page here. Field trip groups are also welcome Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings ($7 per child; minimum of 10 children).
20309 Hwy. 113, Roland. Opens May 23; hours are 7 a.m.-noon Mon.-Sat. Blueberries and blackberries $20 per gallon, raspberries $8 per quart. For info: (501) 330-1906, WyeMountain.net.