Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service worked on a strawberry sustainability project to help Texas growers. Since the project began in 2013, the Service estimates that its efforts may have helped 15-20 new growers develop sustainable strawberry fields, yielding many more acres of the juicy berries we Texans love to eat.

As for blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, Texas is growing plenty of those as well.

National Pick Strawberries Day is observed every year on May 20. That’s also just about the end of strawberry season around Texas. However, if you hurry, there are still some berries to be picked and put up for later.

Here are just a few of the many places to find berries in Texas. 

• Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls – Here you’ll find strawberry fields, blackberry bushes, ice cream, and fun things for the kids to do. Closed Wednesday. Check hours of operation here. It’s a beautiful drive from Austin to Marble Falls, and if you’re hungry from the pickin’, you can have a big breakfast at the world famous Bluebonnet Cafe.
• Blueberry Hill Farms in Edom – Pick your own blueberries and blackberries here. Baked goods are also for sale. Stay in the farm’s Blueberry Farmhouse (listed on Airbnb) for a longer visit. Enter your email address here to be notified with opening day details. 
• Wild Berry Farm in Sadler – A June getaway to North Texas to pick blackberries? Ah, yes, I see this in my future. Pick berries, take canning lessons, take professional photos or eat in the farm cafe. There’s plenty to enjoy at Wild Berry Farm. 

Berries growing on the beautiful plants at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls. 

• Jollisant Farm in Plantersville – Enjoy berry picking, vegetable gathering and more at Jollisant Farm, just a couple of hours east of Austin. Call ahead for details before you plan your trip.

• Strawberry Festival in Poteet – See the parade, hear the music, enjoy the strawberries every April in Poteet. Check here for more details. 

• Berryland Farms in Winnie – A little over 3 hours from Austin to the east will take you to Winnie, Texas, the home of Berryland Farms where blueberries and blackberries are ready to be picked starting mid-May. Check the website for more details on the berry picking and veggie gathering.

• Punkin Center Berry Farm west of Waco – pick two varieties of blackberries for $4.00 a pound at Punkin Center Berry Farm. More details here. 

Some of the berries we picked at Sweet Berry Farm.

• Blessington Farms in Simonton – A short drive southeast toward Houston will take you to Blessington Farms, where blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are available for the picking. Plenty of fun activities are offered for the kids in your party as well. More info on hours and pricing here.

If You Would Rather Enjoy Strawberries Without Picking Them

If you’d rather go out for a strawberry dessert than pick your own berries, try the seasonal offerings around town, like Pistachio Strawberry Timbale at 1886 Cafe & Bakery. This beautiful spot inside  Austin’s historic Driskill Hotel also serves a Texas-shaped waffle with berries on top. It’s delish!

Photo courtesy The Driskill Hotel

It’s berry season in Texas!

No matter how you like ’em, Texas berries are plentiful and ready for the picking, preparing or just popping into your mouth.

Let me know where you love to pick berries – and what are your favorite ways to eat them. Do you make homemade strawberry jam for your toast? Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe that’s full of healthy berries? I’d love to hear. Leave a comment with any ideas you’d like to share.

Encouraging everyday intentional adventure and lots of Texas berry pickin’,

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