Marburger Orchard

We drove for 90 minutes to get here last Wednesday to pick some peaches. They are not lying when they posted on their website that they recommend to arrive at 8. We got there few minutes after 8 and there are already people before us. They first gave you little brief intro on how to pick ripe peaches. The variety we get to pick was red globe. We spent about an hour or so trying to get ripe peaches. I read later on their site that they stop peach picking at 9:45 that morning, thank goodness we showed up early. It was definitely a great experience, we came home with a big box of sweet peaches that you cannot buy in grocery store. Left them outside and they started to soften and smell great, we even canned some of them to save it for the winter. Will definitely go back next year to get some more!

Great place to pick your own peaches and blackberries! We had a great experience here. We received excellent information on what to look for and how to pick both fruits. Go earlier in the morning, less crowded and not as hot. We would definitely come back here again!

Great friendly staff. We picked our own peaches, and blackberries. They taste amazing. Perfectly ripe.

Nice place and very organized! Before buying your own box, everyone is required to gather in groups to listen to instructions. I would recommend coming early. I did learned a lot about peach! My family had such fun time.

The owner is not very friendly towards customers. He yelled a warning to us before we understand his rules.

14-​May-​2016, my family had a real good time in knowing how strawberry, blackberry, peaches and onions are cultivated. Its really a good place to know the informations.
We picked starwberry and BlackBerry but the taste was not that great. So we kept in refrigerator for some time to get sweet taste but we really misssed to pick peaches but we purchased $ 10 box which was pre picked by the workers in the farm. We all in our family like only the peach and it is really sweet fruit.

Extremely friendly staff! We had a good time going out (in the cold rain) picking strawberry. Loved the setup and organization that this place had. They even give you a little 2 minute class on what to look for and what to avoid. Great job!
I don’t have anything negative to type… I guess it’s 5 stars from me.
We will be back when the peaches are ready and we can not wait!

My husband and I wanted to «pick our own berries» somewhere and after a lot of looking around, we finally chose this place!
We happened to be in town in April — at the end of strawberry season and right before peach season.
We liked that this place had updates on their website, so that you could know what time they open that day. I highly suggest reading the updates! I would suggest arriving a little earlier than when it actually opens so you can wait outside the gate until they open so you can be sure to get good berries if they are short on ripe berries that day.
It was super close to our hotel and easy to find because they have signs leading the way.
The farmers were super sweet and very knowledgable on the berries and help to make sure you know how to pick the right ones.
This was such a good experience and something we will DEFINITELY do when we come back each year!
Thanks Marburger for a wonderful berry picking experience! We’ll be back!

Love this place! First come, first serve! I recommend go to early. Website are updates almost everyday!

Visited this morning for some strawberry picking. The crop was as good as they described online — rows and rows of ripe strawberries! There were only a few other people there, and I was able to pick up a box for picking immediately. After half an hour of perusing I had several pounds.
Also, the farm was was easy to find and is absolutely beautiful. The peach trees are blooming right now.

Best peaches EVER!!! Stayed firm and delicious for the two days it took us to eat them! Love, love, love!

Gary Marburger grows amazing peaches and fine veggies and berries. Generations of families come for the experience. They get overwhelmed with people sometimes, so smile and do whatever it takes to get the coveted peach picking box.

What a fun place to begin our ‘girls day’!
Gorgeous drive through the hill country, and the peaches (we chose Carey Mac) were perfectly ripe and amazingly juicy and sweet. (Though we were disappointed with our blackberries and will skip those next year.)
Things to know
— no credit cards, cash and checks only
— you must check Marburger’s website the day before you go (and before you head over there), it is updated regularly with info about what’s ripe, availability, road construction notices, and if they are closed because they are running low

— it seems that the busiest days are Thursday-​Sunday and that Mondays may not be such good days because of all the picking that has occurred over the weekend. Tuesday or Wednesday mornings may be the best
— get there early because they will close as soon as they feel people are bringing up fruit that is too green (because that’s all they can find), that can be as early as 10 or 11 in the morning
— there is a $ 15 minimum for peaches and $ 5 for blackberries
— you are able to taste each of the available varieties of peaches during the required orientation
— you will need to wash the fruit before eating it and your hands after picking it
Things to consider (especially if you’re a city girl)
— bring a cooler, then if you stop for lunch the fruit isn’t fermenting in your vehicle
— there are beautiful fruits and veggies available for sale that were picked in the morning before they opened if you prefer to skip the orchard experience
— take plenty of water to drink!
— wear/​bring sunscreen
— wear comfy, closed-​toe shoes, you will do a fair amount of walking and there are little garden snakes and quite uninhibited lizards
— wear your hair back and a hat, for shade from the sun, and also to keep flying critters out of your hair
… truth be told, I probably spent more time waving the bamboo batons they provide (for protection against blackberry thorns, not so effective against ufi’s), jumping around doing the «it’s on me, get it off, get it off» dance (again not effective) than gathering fruit. Fortunately my display was also not effective at making rain!
All-​in-​all it was a terrific morning and I look forward to returning next summer!

I have a history with ripe strawberries.
In 7^th grade, I was in a production of «Oliver!» I had the largest role that I’d ever had — the understudy of the character «Bet». Alas, the girl playing that role made it to every performance, so all of my time on stage was in my chorus role.
During the Second Act, I was a strawberry seller. I sang the lyrics, «Ripe strawberries, ripe» throughout the «Who Will Buy» song.
For the last performance, I decided to go to authenticity.
Instead of the platic prop strawberries, I brought fresh strawberries for my basket. It’s not as if the audience would know the difference, but I would.
After the show, I put the strawberries in a bag, along with my costume and other props, and focused my attention on cast parties and program-​signings.
A week later, I was cleaning my room, and found my bag. I realized by the smushy red goo in the bottom that I had forgotten to clean out the strawberries. They leaked through the bag, and onto the carpet, leaving a permanent red stain.
The rest of the story involves scissors, a vacuum, a chair, and some deception on my part. My parents never discovered the hole in the carpet, and I long since confessed it to my priest.
Needless to say, ripe strawberries, although delicious, certainly bring back memories.
I’m creating new strawberry memories, though, thanks to Marburger Orchard in Fredericksburg.
About an hour from San Antonio, Marburger Orchard is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city and suburbs. At various times of year, you can pick peaches, blackberries, tomatoes, summer vegetables, and strawberries.
We came out first thing in the morning in order to get there when they open at 9. We wanted to beat the heat and the crowds. If you go after lunchtime, you might not find anything worth picking. We learned, too, that if you call to make an appointment, the owner might open up for you as early as 7.
The owner gave us a demonstration on strawberry picking — what to look for, and the proper way to pick them. He gave us STRICT instructions not to walk on the black tarps covering the berries, and we learned from someone else that this kind of violation will send him into Soup-​Nazi status, like the character on «Seinfeld».
We each took a strawberry container, and headed out to the fields. For two glorious hours, our eyes were keenly focused on any sign of bright red. Further inspection would tell us if a berry was large enough and ripe enough to make the cut. It became an addiction — we kept saying that we were done, but we’d see ONE MORE worth picking, and then ONE MORE, and then just ONE MORE. Well, a half hour of «one mores», and we had another half-​basket!
We couldn’t get out with with just the berries, though. When we went to check out, our wallets lost out to homemade honey, strawberry preserves, peach amaretto preserves, and more.
What a wonderful day it was. We have pounds and pounds of strawberries to eat and share, and my kids got to learn that strawberries don’t come from the grocery store.
Best of all, I have a new memory when I think of «ripe strawberries».
Note: Always check the Marburger website before going. They are very honest about the status of the fruit and vegetables. For example, after a recent hail storm, they basically said that it wasn’t worth coming out.

My bestie since kindergarten and I took our kiddos to pick their own strawberries and blackberries. The drive on the way to the orchard is nice and scenic. There are plenty of signs to help you get to the orchard from the main road. When you arrive you get to meet with the farmer who gives you a run down of how to properly pick the strawberries. This part seemed to take for-​ev-​er as the kids were anxious to start picking and the farmer wants everyone’s attention as he speaks. After that your off to pick until your hearts content. It can become kind of addicting to keep picking at the bright red strawberries and plump blackberries.
After picking they weigh out your pails and you pay and you’re off. They also had onions that they had picked that morning for sale for a $ 1.00 a pound. There are also some helpers out in the orchard to help you if needed.
Bad news is that they had a freeze in March and as a result they will have very little peaches and if there are they will pick them and sell them, so no pick your own peaches this year.
Overall, we had fun and according to the farmer the strawberries should keep producing for another month, so we will be planning to go back.

Visited during spring break to pick strawberries. They had closed the previous day so there was plenty of fruit to pick.
Definitely check the website and call to hear their outgoing message about whether they’ll be open.
Note that this is not organic fruit, so be aware that it should be washed and that you should wash your hands after handling it.

My experience at Marburger Orchard was very pleasant. The orchard is absolutely beautiful, it exudes the beauty of the country side of Texas. We left san antonio around 7AM to make sure we get to the orchard before the first wave of fruit pickers leave. We came around the beginning of June so it’s the perfect season for peach picking! The instructors were very thorough about instructions. And of course the fruit picking experience was definitely exciting! THe whole entire process probably takes no longer than an hour. My boyfriend and I filled the basket in 30 minutes and we were outta there by 830. If you do decide to go to the orchard to pick vegetables or fruits, make sure you wake up really early because they do close at whenever they think it’s ready. During the peach season the orchard closed around 10−11AM everyday!

This is the second year that we’ve traveled out to Marburger’s Orchard for strawberries. Each time, we’ve had a good time and got some fantastic berries.
For those that don’t know, it’s very important that you check with them (via phone or website) to make sure they will be/​might be open. If they run low on the fruit in season, they will close early. On the other hand, if they have fewer people show up than expected, we’ve also seen them run discounts.
As for picking, you will have to purchase one of their boxes to put your fruit in — currently, it is 75 cents per box. You are encouraged to use them again when you return in the future. Also important to know — you will need cash!
FYI, the reason that I’m not giving it a 5 of 5 is because the people running it can be a bit brusque at times, certainly more than expected for a (seemingly) family oriented activity.

While visiting Fredericksburg, we always try to make it a point to visit an orchard. Marburger Orchard has been my favorite… we’ve picked peaches and blackberries there for many years.
With any place such as this, you should always call prior to coming out, trust me on this one.
My advice would also be to wear comfortable shoes, preferably tennis shoes with socks; you will be possibly walking quite a bit and the sun can be brutal on naked feet, even with sunscreen. Also, if you’re wearing tennis shoes, maybe socks wouldn’t be such a bad idea either. Wear sunscreen anytime you’re in the sun directly or indirectly… just saying.
Kids should be reminded of the rules, no dropping fruit you decide you don’t want to keep because of bird bits… :) I observed a family dropping oodles of fruit and they weren’t aware we saw them… so, I told my husband and kids to «come on and get moving away from them so we won’t get blamed for that they’re doing». LOL
Try to remember to bring a sun hat or a visor to shade your face. Wear something breathable.
There are outdoor bathrooms, a drinking facets and a regular facet for you to use… you’ll appreicate it.
I’ve always had great experiences in the Orchard. I suggest you call the day before to inquire about the next day, perhaps and I’d show up as soon as it opens so you won’t have to deal with the extreme heat and the «picked over’ bushes.
I love visiting the orchard early in the day. I prefer it being off peak days… it’s nice to be able to pick peaches and then blackberries with your family without people fussing around you because they think you’re going to get the last berry. That’s silly, but, true… some pickers actually don’t know berries continue ripening and growing. :) lol
Also, one awesome aspect about Marburger Orchard is everything is explained before you pick, you select what you want to pick and they direct you. You pay after everything is complete. Expect to spend at least $ 30.00 (but don’t be surprised if you’re spending more) …you’ll find many things you’ll want to take home… just saying.
After you pick, simply leave your box at the end of the row and the guys on golf carts come by to carry your load to the front for check-​out.
Also, there are a variety of other produce you can purchase already picked… tomatoes, squash, etc.
And…last but not least, all sorts of specialty jams, salsas and honey!
Enjoy & Be nice! :))

I drove out to Marburger this morning on a whim after my afternoon plans fell through and what a fun afternoon it turned out to be!
Marburger Orchard has 13 different varieties of Peaches from late May to early August. Unfortunately they are currently in between peach season but I did find 4 ripe Gold Prince Peaches. The Golden Pot today was Blackberries! The Blackberries were abundant — got 2LB for 6.00. They also grow strawberries but were out by the time I got there.
They are open for picking 8AM-​5PM but go early for the best picking cause they close when all the ripe fruit is picked.