Eckert’s Pick-Your-Own season: Black raspberries return this weekend, with blackberries to follow
Eckert’s black raspberries (Submitted photo)
The Belleville farm’s popular black raspberry crop returns for its third season, with blackberries to follow later this month
Eckert’s Farm, the family farm and country store in Belleville, Ill. (951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville, IL 62220), announces the return of a pick-your-own experience this weekend featuring a very limited crop: Black Raspberries.
Black raspberries are available at the Belleville farm from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Black raspberries, also known as black caps or thimbleberries, are difficult to find at grocery stores and are typically only seen growing in the wild in the Northeastern part of the country. This fruit can be easily confused with blackberries, but it is differentiated by its fruity and less tart taste.
Field access passes are required for all pick-your-own experiences, starting at $3 when purchased at the gate on weekdays and $6 on the weekends, and can be purchased in advance here.
“With black raspberries already being a rare commodity in the Midwest and the weather being very unpredictable this season, we are thrilled to continue to grow these unique and delicious berries for the third year in a row,” says Chris Eckert, president of Eckert’s Inc. “Each year, we have grown more and more black raspberries because our customers love them so much and this year is no different. It’s a great summer treat to take advantage of before the blackberry season begins mid-June.”
Eckert’s blackberries (Submitted photo)
Following this limited pick-your-own experience, Eckert’s will open for pick-your-own blackberry season in mid-June. Field access passes start at $3 when purchased at the gate on weekdays and $6 on the weekends. Guests can save by purchasing field access passes in advance on Eckert’s website.
For more information on Eckert’s or to reserve tickets for a pick-your-own experience, visit their website and follow along on social media (Facebook and Instagram) where the team will be sharing daily updates from the farm.
