Guest post by Sarah Wilson of the Wandering Rumpus blog!
“Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.” – Wendell Berry
Spring is here in Nashville which means berry and fruit picking has officially begun! My girls, husband and I love to pick fresh fruit and berries at local farms (we’re also a little spoiled because my mom grows blueberries and zucchini and a garden full of fresh food to pick — and we grow a few things in our Nashville backyard too) but there are tons of U-Pick farms in and around Nashville that would be perfect for a weekend or summertime excursion with your kids. Then, you can bring your freshly picked fruit home and make jams, desserts, sauces, and salads — if, of course, they survive all of the eating you and your kids will inevitably sneak before you even get home. Here’s a list of our favorite local farms for picking this year!
Friendly Reminder: These are working farms – which is why they are so amazing. You will likely encounter farm animals and other farm experiences! Some even have a farm stand on their property. Be respectful of the land and work that happens here. Several do not have websites, so always call in advance to verify their picking hours and availability. I recommend you bring cash too.
When to pick what in Tennessee:
Strawberries: mid-April until the start of June.
Blueberries and blackberries: From the end of June and beginning of July through August.
Peaches: may be available as early as mid June; goes through the middle to the end of August.
Apples: August and September
Our Farm Recommendations:
Green Door Gourmet – Strawberries7011 River Road Pike, Nashville, TN 37209Phone: (615) 942-7169Email: info@greendoorgourmet.com
Circle S Farms – Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries1627 East Old Laguardo Rd, Lebanon, TN 37087Phone: (615) 405-6860.
Golden Bell Farm – Blueberries4084 Clovercroft Road, Franklin, TN 37067Phone: (615) 794-3758
Stoney Creek Farm – Blackberries, blueberries4700 Coe Lane Franklin, Tennessee 37064, Franklin, TN 37064Phone: (615) 591-0015;Email: leigh_funderburk@bellsouth.net
Blueberry Patch – Blueberries5942 West Gum Road, Murfreesboro, TN, 37127Phone:615-893-7940
No. 9 Farms – Blueberries1403 Little Marrowbone Rd, Ashland City, TNCall ahead for reservations to pick: (615) 545-0925
Pratt’s Orchard – Peaches, Apples4944 Trousdale Ferry Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087Phone: 615-444-7742
Happy Picking Nashville!
Sarah is a Nashville-based freelance writer, editor and communications consultant. Sarah writes about kid-friendly Nashville and expanding her family’s worldview through travel, food, books, products and engaging in our local and international communities at The Wandering Rumpus. Sarah, her husband Brad, and their three girls have traveled extensively – both locally and internationally – and are making big plans to do much more wandering with their little brood in the coming years while sharing tips, encouragement, and laughter around travel with kids.
Follow Sarah @TheWanderingRumpus on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest, @WanderingRumpus on Twitter and at TheWanderingRumpus.com.