News for the active lifestyle in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Lake County's guide to local upick blueberry farms

4/1/2025

It’s short, but sweet. Lake County’s blueberry season is rapidly becoming a favorite time of the year. Although typically only lasting six weeks that span from April to May, the harvest is often bountiful.

The state's history of growing blueberries began in the late 1800s and was one of Florida's tastiest secrets. It wasn't until the 1970s that the current hybrid cultivar blueberry was introduced, and by the mid 1980s mass plantings took root in north-central and northwestern Florida as hundreds of small blueberry farms sprouted up. Today, Florida produces just a fraction of what Michigan's prolific blueberry plants yield, but since the season hits at a different time of year, it presents a viable opportunity for farmers. Local u-pick blueberry prices start around $6 per pound, but vary by farm. Most farms also have pre-picked blueberries available for purchase for slightly more than their u-pick prices.

One local farm, Far Reach Ranch, was established in the 1940s for cattle and citrus. Now the farm harvests approximately 43 acres of blueberries. Another local farm, King Grove, started in 1874 and is now a USDA certified organic farm with 20 acres of blueberry fields and 20 acres of orange groves.

Many of the local farms also offer family-friendly events on weekends ranging from spring festivals and live music, to hayrides, special events, and a market.

Here's a list of local u-pick blueberry farms to visit on weekends:

Amber Brooke Farm
36111 N CR 44A, Eustis
(352) 973-1963

Blueberry Hill Farm
5000 Berry Groves Rd, Clermont
(352) 574-6215

Far Reach Ranch
1255 South Dora Blvd., Tavares
(352) 343-7389

Green Acres Blueberry Farm
17500 Eldridge Avenue, Spring Hill
(352) 683-3480

Pickers should wear closed-toe shoes and pack drinking water. Due to variable conditions in weather, fields, and berries, u-pick hours can change, so it's recommended that pickers call the farm prior to visiting.

For more events and news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Free monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

Discover Lake County's scenic wildflower roads

4/1/2025

ABOVE: Phlox and lantana along rural Clayton Street in a previous year. (Mount Dora Buzz file photo)

Every spring, as if to celebrate the season, local fields are awash in purple, yellow and orange blooms. The season is brief because many of the roadside fields get mowed and the temperatures quickly heat up, but the flowers are beautiful to take in while they last.

Whether hiking through wooded trails, paddling along scenic waterways, or simply taking a leisurely stroll through a local park, there's no shortage of opportunities to experience the beauty of our local wildflowers in bloom.

The most common local wildflowers are the purple phlox and the yellow coreopsis, Florida’s official wildflower which looks similar to a small daisy dotting rural landscapes. You can also spot wild petunias, and wild lantana shrubs sprinkled among many fields and roadways.

One of the most iconic wildflowers to grace Central Florida in spring is the Florida azalea. With its delicate, pinkish-white blossoms, this native shrub creates a stunning contrast against the backdrop of wooded hammocks and stream banks.

Venturing into the local wetlands, kayakers may encounter the vibrant blooms of the pickerelweed. Characterized by its spikes of purple flowers rising above glossy green foliage, this aquatic plant provides important habitat for pollinators and serves as a food source for various wildlife species.

One of the best ways to enjoy the blooms is by taking a leisurely drive down some of the area's scenic country roads. Here’s a list of some of the stretches that often have some of the best blooming wildflowers, so check them out before the fields are mowed:

State Road 46 between Road Lake Road and Mount Plymouth

Dora Drive, just south of the end of Clayton Street and Beauclaire Road (Tangerine)

State Road 44A between Estes Road and Lake May Preserve (Eustis)
Thrill Hill Road north of State Road 44
Sadler Road between U.S. 441 and Round Lake Road

If you now another local scenic spot for wildflowers, email us here.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

Outdoor Life

Lake County's guide to local upick blueberry farms

Discover Lake County's scenic wildflower roads

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