The Berry Patch
I grew up picking blueberries at The Berry Patch with my family, and now it is a tradition to take my daughters to pick fresh blueberries every summer. We look forward to blueberry picking every year around Father's Day or the 4th of July, but this year's mild winter brought the treat of early ripening for Missouri blueberries! The Berry Patch set a record opening on May 22 (earliest opening in 30 years) with anticipation of berries available through August. The Berry Patch is a family owned and operated local farm where blueberries and blackberries are grown and guests come to pick their own delicious fruit.
The Berry Patch 22509 State Line Road Cleveland, MO 64734. 816.618.3771
Click for Driving Directions to The Berry Patch.
2012 Prices: $2.85/lb for U-Pick Blueberries, $3.90/lb for We-Pick Blueberries. Cash, Check, and Credit Card accepted.
Berry Picking Tips:
- Call ahead for the Picking Report (816.617.3771) to verify picking times as it varies with weather and number of visitors the day before you plan to visit. Calling ahead is a MUST!
- They provide buckets for berries, twine to tie the bucket to your waste, and plastic bags to store berries and take them home.
- Wear closed-toe comfortable shoes (you will be walking in fields).
- Wear sun screen.
- Dress for the mess. Berry picking may get messy (it depends on the disposition of your children). Dress as you would when working in a garden (that is essentially what berry picking is)... my children love to wear tie dye shirts for fruit picking (is it a stain or an addition to the design?). They do provide restrooms and sinks to wash up, but we pack wipes as well.
- Bring a cooler for berries to bring them home safely.
- Bring bottled water and pack a picnic!
- And, don’t forget your camera… children with blueberry smiles make a great photo-op!
- If you stoop and look under the bushes, you'll find clusters of berries under the leaves - this is the easiest picking!
Bringing Berries Home:
- "Blueberries keep longer than any other berry when refrigerated. If kept dry, they will maintain their goodness under refrigeration for two weeks. However, they are highly perishable at room temperature, and will mold if wet. Berries should not be washed until ready for use. Blueberries freeze beautifully. By putting blueberries directly into the freezer in gallon or smaller bags, without washing them, exact amounts can be dipped out for your various recipes. They freeze like little blue marbles, each separate and individual. Again, do not wash until ready to use. Washed blueberries will freeze into a giant ice cube and be more mushy when thawed." Source The Berry Patch first time visitor's guide.
- One of the simplest and sweetest ways to enjoy blueberries is to simply eat them straight, or as a cereal topping. Frozen bluerries straight from the freezer are another great summer treat!
- Bake Blueberry Muffins. Make a Blueberry Cheesecake. Enjoy Blueberry Pancakes for breakfast. Or, drink delicious Blueberry Lemonade. Find great Blueberry Recipes from The Berry Patch.
More Fun at the Berry Patch:
- Ride the Blueberry Train ($1.50/ride or 5 rides for $6.50)
- Play in Noah's Playground
- Take a Photo with Nerluc the Dinosaur
- Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch
- Climb the Haybale Mountain Maze
- Purchase delicious baked treats and blueberry lemonade in their shop.
Our FAVORITE Blue Berry Recipe:
Overnight Blueberry French Toast
- 1 8-oz loaf French baguette, cut into 1-inch slices
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Arrange bread in single layer in greased 9X13-inch baking dish. In large bowl with hand mixer, beat eggs, milk, the 1/2 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pour mixture evenly over the bread; turn slices as needed to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Just before baking, sprinkle berries over bread. In a small saucepan, heat butter with the 1/4 cup brown sugar over medium heat until bubbly. Drizzle over berries. Bake in a 375 degree over until set, about 25-30 minutes. If desired, dust top with powdered sugar.
Makes 8-servings.