Picking the huge, juicy blackberries in our brambles has become a summer highlight for families and friends near and far.
The 2026 harvest has ended but work continues in the brambles to prepare for 2027. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
Pails: $27 (includes transportation fare for one picker to the brambles). Pails are 2.2 quarts.
Additional Picker Tickets: $5 each (for pickers age 4+)
Additional Picker Tickets can be purchased at check-in
Registrations are posted on Eventbrite.
Please register for the number of pails you wish to reserve. Groups may share pails.
Picking times are generally between 8 and noon and are indicated on the sign-ups.
Please note that You-Picks fill up quickly.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for last-minute openings!
The Berry Ferry will transport you to the blackberry brambles — just a quick 5 minute ride!
Kids 3 and under ride the ferry for free! All other riders, please purchase a ticket for the Berry Ferry at check-in ($5 each for pickers age 4+).
All ticket and pail sales are final. Due to the high volume of traffic, we are unable to offer a refund in the event that you cannot make your reservation. You are welcome to give your ticket to someone else. Just email us at hello@eldersliefarm.com to let us know the name of the person you will be transferring it to.
As with most things on a farm, timing can shift a bit with the season. Picking dates may occasionally be adjusted or canceled due to weather, ripening, or other circumstances beyond our control, and refunds will be issued accordingly.
A limited quantity of pre-picked blackberries will be available for sale in half-pints in the Market at Elderslie Farm.
Please note: the Market is self-serve.
Once you pick or purchase blackberries, refrigerate or cool them as soon as possible to preserve their shelf life. Consider bringing a cooler to store your berries in if you are staying for breakfast or lunch at Bramble Cafe. Once you get your berries home and in the fridge, you should have 3-5 days of good shelf life. Do not wash berries before storing but do give them a rinse before eating.
To freeze berries, you may leave them in the pail and put them in the freezer or divide them into Ziploc bags in desired amounts to use for later. Or, to maintain their shape, place individual berries on a cookie sheet in the freezer, then move them to a Ziploc bag.
We use natural practices in our brambles. We use compost, digested fish and minerals as the basis of our fertility program. We use neem oil, beneficial bacteria, seaweed extract, and elemental products to help sustain plant health and encourage insect balance. Our sprays used on the plant canopy are 100% natural products. We strive to use cultural practices like pruning to manage insects and diseases.
The story of the blackberries at Elderslie is rooted in curiosity, soul-searching and the 2008 market crash. (When you see George, ask about the composting toilets.)
In 2009, George began traveling to fruit farms in Kansas. Everyone had apple trees, and some people had peach trees. Most had a smattering of other small fruits that they were interested in but did not do too much with. But multiple times, George heard the comment, “oh, when those blackberries go, you cannot stop people from getting into them.”
To receive updates from Elderslie Farm and/or
Elderslie Creamery please provide your information below.