Butler's Orchard Blueberry Picking

Butler's Orchard Blueberry Picking

Blueberry season at Butler's Orchard runs from late June into early August, and it's one of the easier pick-your-own outings with little kids. Blueberry bushes sit low to the ground, so toddlers can reach the fruit themselves without you holding them up the whole time. The berries come off the bush easily, which means less frustration and more actually-in-the-bucket picking. You pay by the weight of what you pick.

Butler's is a working family farm in Germantown that's been around for decades, so the place is set up for visitors. Check their picking conditions online or call before you go, since the fields open and close depending on what's ripe and how busy the weekend was. Mornings are cooler and less crowded. Bring a bucket if you have one, and plan to leave with more berries than you meant to.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Go in the morning: Fields are cooler before midday and the weekend crowds are thinner. Toddlers also have more patience earlier in the day.
• ✓Check picking conditions first: Fields open and close based on what's ripe. A quick look at their site or a phone call saves you a wasted trip.
• ✓Dress kids for stains: Blueberry juice gets everywhere. Put them in clothes you don't mind ending the day purple.
• ✓Bring your own bucket: You can use farm containers, but a bucket with a handle is easier for small hands to carry down the rows.
• ✓Set a 'one for the bucket' rule: Expect plenty of berries to go straight into mouths. Make it part of the fun rather than a battle.
• ✓Plan to over-pick: Blueberries come off fast, so families usually leave with more than planned. They freeze well if you end up with extra.