Not all blackberries are created equal—and if you’ve ever popped one in your mouth expecting sweet and got face-puckering tart instead, you know exactly what we mean. Some are seedy little landmines with more crunch than flavor, while others taste like they were picked two weeks ago and shipped across five states (because, well, they were). But a locally grown, sun-ripened blackberry? That’s a whole different experience. It’s juicy, rich, and sweet with just enough tang to keep things interesting—the kind of berry that doesn’t need sugar or a second chance.
Around here at Linam Farm, we’re picky about our plants so you can be picky about your blackberries.
At Linam Farm, we take pride in offering a selection of premium blackberry varieties for our 2025 U-Pick season.
One of the reasons we’re able to grow such incredible blackberries here at Linam Farm is thanks to the University of Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program. They’ve been developing thornless blackberry varieties for decades, right here in our home state. Their goal? Berries that taste amazing, grow well in Arkansas soil, and hold up beautifully from field to table. Varieties like Natchez, Ouachita, Caddo, and Ponca are all a result of their hard work, and we’re proud to grow them. It’s pretty cool to think that some of the best blackberries in the country are being developed just down the road.
Our first year as berry producers we started with these carefully chosen cultivars—Natchez, Ouachita, Caddo, and Ponca—are all thornless and renowned for their exceptional flavor, size, and quality. Here’s a closer look at each variety:
Natchez: Early Season Delight
Natchez blackberries are among the first to ripen, typically in early June. They produce large, elongated berries with a glossy black finish and a sweet, juicy flavor. The semi-erect, thornless canes make harvesting straightforward, and the berries’ firmness ensures they store well for extended enjoyment.
Ouachita: Mid-Season Favorite
Following Natchez, Ouachita blackberries ripen in mid-June and continue producing for about five weeks. This variety is known for its firm, sweet berries and erect, thornless canes. Ouachita’s excellent flavor and shelf life make it a favorite among both fresh market consumers and home gardeners.
Caddo: Consistent and Flavorful
Caddo blackberries offer large, oblong fruit with a consistently sweet taste. Ripening in early to mid-June, Caddo plants are erect, thornless, and exhibit excellent plant health. The berries maintain their size throughout the harvest season and have a notable shelf life, making them ideal for fresh consumption and storage.
Ponca: Pinnacle of Sweetness
Ponca is celebrated as the sweetest blackberry variety developed by the University of Arkansas. Ripening shortly after Natchez, Ponca berries are medium-sized with a low-acid, consistently sweet flavor. The thornless, erect canes are easy to manage, and the berries’ firmness ensures they hold up well post-harvest.
At Linam Farm, We Grow Blackberries with Purpose
When we say we’ve put a lot of thought into what we grow—and how we grow it—we mean it. At Linam Farm, we selected Natchez, Ouachita, Caddo, and Ponca blackberries not just for their flavor, sweetness, and texture, but also for how well they thrive here in Arkansas using systems like the Rotating Cross-Arm trellis. This setup helps us produce better fruit while minimizing pest pressure, especially from spotted-wing drosophila, a pest that’s become a growing challenge for berry farmers across the country. It’s one more reason our berries aren’t just delicious—they’re also cared for with intention and backed by the latest agricultural research.
By selecting these four exceptional varieties, Linam Farm ensures a delightful and extended blackberry picking experience for our visitors. We invite you to join us this season to savor the fruits of our labor and enjoy the best blackberries Arkansas has to offer.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
