This Classic Tennessee Orchard Lets You Pick Fresh Blackberries And Discover More Summer Treats
There is something about picking your own fruit that makes it taste better. Maybe it is the sun on your back. Maybe it is the satisfaction of filling a bucket yourself. Either way, Tennessee has a place that turns a simple summer outing into something you will want to repeat every year.
This orchard has been drawing families for generations, and the blackberries alone are worth the trip. They come off the vine sweet and fat, the kind you eat before you even make it back to the car.
But the blackberries are just the beginning. Summer here means a full spread of fresh produce and seasonal treats that make it easy to leave with more than you planned to buy.
This is what a Tennessee summer is supposed to feel like.
Pick-Your-Own Blackberries At Their Peak
Few summer experiences compare to pulling a fat, ripe blackberry straight off the vine. At this orchard, pick-your-own blackberries are typically available from May through June, with daily picking hours running from 9 AM to 4 PM, weather permitting.
Visitors check in before heading out to the bushes.
The cost is $20 for a 2.5-quart basket, which is a reasonable price for fresh-picked fruit that simply cannot be matched on any grocery store shelf. Blackberry bushes do have thorns, so wearing closed-toe shoes and long pants could save some scratches.
Sunscreen and a water bottle are also smart additions to any picking trip.
The berries tend to be deep, dark, and full of natural sweetness when picked at the right moment. Going earlier in the morning could mean cooler temperatures and better berry availability.
Families with younger kids may want to keep a close eye on little hands near the thorny branches, but the overall experience is genuinely enjoyable and memorable for all ages.
Peach Season Stretches Across A Whole Summer
Jones Orchard grows more than 25 varieties of peaches across 110 acres, and that kind of variety means peach season stretches from June all the way through August. That is a generous window for anyone who wants to pick their own or simply stop by the market for a ready-to-eat batch.
The sheer range of peach types means the flavor profiles shift throughout the season.
Early-season peaches tend to be firmer, while late-summer varieties often carry a deeper, more concentrated sweetness. Picking your own peaches is a hands-on experience that connects visitors directly to the growing process in a way that feels both grounding and fun.
The orchard rows are well-maintained, making it easy to walk through and find fruit that is just right.
For anyone visiting the Memphis area during summer, a stop at the orchard for fresh peaches is one of those experiences that tends to become a repeat tradition. The farm has been growing peaches for decades, and that level of experience shows in the quality of the fruit.
Prices and availability can shift throughout the season, so checking ahead is always a good idea.
Strawberries That Arrive With Spring
Spring at Jones Orchard brings strawberry season, typically running from April through May. These are not the pale, flavorless berries that often show up in plastic containers at the store.
Farm-fresh strawberries picked at peak ripeness have a natural sweetness and a juicy texture that is hard to describe until experienced firsthand.
The orchard provides baskets for picking, making the process straightforward even for first-timers. Strawberry plants grow low to the ground, which means comfortable footwear and a willingness to crouch down are both helpful.
Morning visits during strawberry season could mean better picking conditions before the Tennessee sun climbs high.
Strawberries from the orchard also tend to have a shorter shelf life than store-bought ones, simply because they are not treated with preservatives. That means enjoying them quickly, or turning them into jam, pie filling, or a simple fruit salad.
The Country Kitchen at the Highway 51 North location also sells house-made strawberry jams and jellies for anyone who wants the flavor without the picking. Spring weekends can draw a crowd, so arriving early on a Saturday or Sunday is a practical strategy worth keeping in mind.
The Farm Market Packed With Seasonal Produce
Beyond the pick-your-own fields, the farm market at Jones Orchard offers a wide selection of seasonal produce that changes as the calendar moves through summer and into fall.
Cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, and okra are among the items available, all grown with the same care that has defined this family operation since 1938. The market itself has a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that feels different from a typical grocery run.
The main market location at 7170 Highway 51 N, Millington, TN is open Monday through Sunday from 8 AM to 6 PM, making it accessible on most schedules.
Produce selection depends on what is currently in season, so visits at different points in summer could yield very different options. That seasonal variety is part of what makes return trips worthwhile.
Watermelons from the farm have earned a strong reputation for sweetness, and cantaloupes tend to carry a rich, fragrant aroma that signals peak ripeness. Picking up a few vegetables alongside fruit makes for a well-rounded haul from a single stop.
The market layout is easy to navigate, with produce displayed in a way that makes it simple to assess freshness and choose the best pieces available that day.
Country Kitchen Jams, Jellies, And Baked Goods
The Country Kitchen at the Highway 51 North location is a genuine highlight for anyone who appreciates farm-made pantry staples. Jams, jellies, relishes, and baked goods fill the shelves, all made with fruit and produce grown right on the property.
The range of flavors goes well beyond basic strawberry or peach, with options like sweet and spicy onion marmalade and peach habanero hot sauce standing out as unexpected favorites.
Baked goods from the kitchen include donuts that have drawn consistent praise from visitors, along with pies that make excellent use of whatever fruit is in season. These are not mass-produced items, and that distinction comes through clearly in both flavor and texture.
Picking up a jar of house-made jam alongside fresh fruit is a satisfying way to extend the orchard experience into the home kitchen.
The Country Kitchen operates within the same hours as the main market, open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Selection may vary depending on what is freshly made and what is currently in season.
Local honey is also available, and it pairs naturally with many of the baked items. Arriving earlier in the day could mean a fuller selection before popular items sell out.
Other U-Pick Fruits Worth Exploring
Blackberries and peaches get a lot of attention, but Jones Orchard also offers pick-your-own options for nectarines, plums, blueberries, apples, and pears throughout the growing season.
Each fruit has its own window of availability, which means the orchard essentially reinvents itself multiple times between spring and fall. Planning a visit around a specific fruit requires a quick check on current availability before making the drive.
Blueberries tend to be a quieter attraction compared to peaches, but they are worth seeking out when in season. Their small size means picking takes a bit more patience, though the payoff is a container of berries that taste noticeably better than anything frozen or shipped long distances.
Nectarines and plums offer a smooth-skinned alternative for anyone who finds peach fuzz less appealing.
Apples and pears arrive later in the season, bridging the gap between summer and fall at the orchard. Families with children often find the variety of picking options keeps visits feeling fresh and interesting across multiple trips.
Checking the Jones Orchard website at jonesorchard.com or calling ahead at +1 901-873-3150 is the most reliable way to confirm what is currently available before visiting.
Fall Activities That Keep The Fun Going
Summer is just one chapter in the Jones Orchard calendar. Once the warmth begins to fade, the farm shifts into fall mode with a 10-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and haunted attractions that draw a completely different crowd.
The transition from fruit-picking season to fall festival season keeps the property active and engaging well into October and beyond.
The corn maze alone is a significant attraction, covering enough ground to feel genuinely challenging without becoming frustrating.
Pumpkin patches allow families to select their own gourds for carving or decorating, continuing the hands-on tradition that defines the orchard experience across every season. The haunted attractions add an entirely different energy to evening visits in October.
Fall programming details and exact dates can vary from year to year, so checking the official website at jonesorchard.com closer to the season is the best approach for accurate information. The orchard is reachable by phone at +1 901-873-3150 for any specific questions.
Visiting in fall after a summer of fruit picking gives a fuller picture of just how much this family farm offers across the changing seasons.
A Multi-Generational Farm With Deep Tennessee Roots
Operating since 1938, Jones Orchard carries more than eight decades of farming history in Millington, Tennessee.
That kind of longevity is rare, and it speaks to the consistency and dedication that has kept the farm running through changing seasons, shifting markets, and evolving visitor expectations.
Multi-generational farms like this one form a meaningful part of the agricultural identity of the Mid-South region.
The knowledge built up over generations shows in practical ways, from the variety of peaches grown to the timing of each crop and the care taken with the land.
Visitors often note the friendly and knowledgeable atmosphere at the market, which reflects the kind of deep familiarity that comes from spending a lifetime working the same land. That connection between the people and the place is something that simply cannot be replicated.
Jones Orchard also maintains booths at various farmers markets across Memphis, bringing their produce to a wider audience beyond the Millington location. Supporting a farm like this one means contributing directly to local agriculture in a tangible way.
The main location is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, making it easy to build a visit into almost any schedule.
Everything You Need To Know Before You Head Out To The Orchard
Getting the most out of a trip to Jones Orchard starts with a little preparation. Pick-your-own activities run weather permitting, and conditions in Tennessee during summer can shift quickly.
Calling ahead at +1 901-873-3150 or checking the website at jonesorchard.com before heading out could save a wasted trip on a day when fields are temporarily closed.
Wearing closed-toe shoes is strongly recommended for blackberry picking, since the bushes have thorns that can catch on sandals or bare feet.
Sunscreen and water are practical necessities during summer visits, as the open fields offer limited shade and temperatures can climb quickly by midday.
Arriving closer to the 9 AM opening time for pick-your-own activities tends to mean cooler air and better fruit availability.
The farm market opens daily at 8 AM, so stopping by the market first before heading to the fields is a natural way to start a visit. Kids generally do well at the orchard, though adults should keep an eye on younger children near thorny plants.