Highbush blueberries are available to pick at several farms in southern Maine in late July and early August. (Livermore Falls Advertiser file photo)

Mainers are proud of their state’s blueberries. That pride runs even deeper when they’ve picked them themselves.

Several farms across the state welcome visitors to their berry patches in the summer months to fill their pint boxes with juicy fruit they grab right from the bush.

Here are five spots in towns west of Portland where you can partake in this classic Maine activity in peak season, late July through August.

Most farms warn that blueberry picking is dependent on weather and ripening of the fruit, and advise calling ahead to make sure you’re good to go.

ESTES BLUEBERRY FARM

158 Waterman Road, Buxton; estesberryfarm.com

Just 4 miles from Gorham, this Buxton farm is exclusively dedicated to growing highbush blueberries of two kinds: Blueray, a large, dark blue and sweet variety, and Jersey, a medium, even sweeter type. The farm has more than 2,000 blueberry bushes, and its website provides a series of tips “from the pros” for picking, including how to score a “clean pick” and how to leave no good berry behind. The farm provides 6-pound picking pails and charges $4.74 per pound.

Estes opened for blueberry picking earlier in July and then closed again to give its crop more time to ripen, but it will be back in business on Saturday, July 25, from 1-5 p.m. It will adjust its future picking dates and times on its website based on weather and availability of berries.

Once you pull onto Waterman Road, Estes Farm is on the left. You can turn in at Farm View Road and stop at the blue-and-white building for containers and directions to one of the three fields. Parking is available at each field.

Farm staff say groups of friends and family sometimes head out to Estes for blueberry-picking competitions.

JOAN & BRAD’S BERRY FARM

 447 Deerwander Road, Hollis; maineberryfarm.com

Joan & Brad’s is the farm of the Bradbury family, who have lived in Hollis since the early 19th century. It is open for picking highbush blueberries in the fields around its farmhouse from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

The farm’s website says it occasionally has to close for ripening or maintenance, which will be announced on its Facebook page.

Its blueberries sell at $6 per pound — and the farm only takes cash payments, so come prepared. Visitors can park on the grass and walk to the shed to get buckets and directions from staff.

ORCHARD RIDGE FARM

236 Sebago Lake Road, Gorham; orchardridge.farm

A popular Gorham farm with many u-pick fruits, a farm store and recreational activities, Orchard Ridge lists nine kinds of highbush blueberries on its website available for visitors to come scavenge. This season’s hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and blueberries are $5.99 per 1b.

Steven Bibula checks on blueberry bushes at Orchard Ridge Farm in July 2019. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)

The farm’s website offers a map showing its parking near the front of the farm and blueberry field, just south of the barn. While you’re there, you can also buy ice cream, baked goods, coffee, eggs from the farm and plenty of other food products.

RANDALL ORCHARDS

1 Randall Road, Standish

Randall Orchards is known for its apples and cider mill, but it has blueberries for picking, too. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors can pick Bluecrop, Blueray and Patriot (which are known for being especially large) varieties for $5 per pound.

You can park outside and stop inside the farm stand, right off Route 25, to retrieve buckets for picking in the field.

LITTLE RIVER FLOWER FARM

160 Turkey Lane, Buxton; littleriverflowerfarm.com

Little River Flower grows cut flowers, lavender, culinary herbs and, as you may have guessed, highbush blueberries.

Nancy Stedman sets up a sprinkler over sage plants at Little River Flower Farm in Buxton in June 2014. (Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer)

Visitors can cut or pick all of these themselves this summer, with blueberries going for $5.25 per pound. Stop in at the farmhouse from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., for buckets.