Beyond the Strawberry Patch - Berry Picking in Lake County
There are more berries in Lake County than strawberries! As strawberry season is winding down it’s time to think about other berries! Raspberries will start being available come July (or now) and cherries have a very short u-pick season that happens to be this weekend! Gather up the family and head out to these locales in and around Lake County for some tasty family fun!
As with all u-pick farms please be sure to call ahead and/or check the website and Facebook pages for picking conditions. Crowd size and weather can impact the field conditions and the availability of berries. Farms can close or stop picking at any time.
Heider’s Berry Farm
1106 N. Queen Anne Road, Woodstock | (815) 338-0301 | Facebook
Crops: Raspberries (July - September), Black Raspberries (July), Cherries (July 1-15), Gold Raspberries (July and September)
U-Pick Hours: Everyday weather permitting 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
McCann Berry Farm
18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock | (815) 568-8810
Crops: Strawberries (June) & Blueberries (July through Early August)
U-pick Hours: Call AHEAD for afternoon picking conditions. Wednesday and Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. depending on availability.
Harvest Time Orchards
36116 128th St, Twin Lakes, WI | (262) 877-4831 | Facebook
Crops: Cherries
U-pick Hours: For 2015, we will begin picking on Friday, July 3 at 8 a.m. This year we expect picking will last 1 to 2 days depending on the weather and how many people come out to pick. Picking will possibly continue on Saturday and perhaps Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day if there are still cherries to pick. You must use Harvest Time buckets for picking and then bring your own containers to bring your cherries home.
Klee’s Out on a Limb Acres
4704 West 7 Mile Road, Caledonia, WI | (262) 835-7728 | Facebook
(if using GPS to locate farm, enter the FULL zip code - 53108-9740 for correct location)
Crops: Currants (June), Gooseberries (limited- July)
U-Pick Hours: Generally Open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call ahead to confirm availability and picking conditions.
Currants may be a new fruit for your children, and picking your own is a great way to learn about them. These berries come in red, white and black varieties. The red and white currants are great for eating out of hand while black currants are best for preserves. Have fun experimenting with new recipes!
Grace Farm Studios
2719 Franklinville Road, Woodstock | (815) 790-8895
Crops: Red, purple and black raspberries
U-pick Hours: Call ahead to confirm 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 1– 4:00 p.m. Sun., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Raspberry season predicted to start June 27, with red, purples and black Loralie can attest that it is a lovely place.
Thompson Strawberry Farm
14000 75th Street, Bristol, WI | (262) 857-2353 | Facebook
Don’t let the name fool you, I promise they have raspberries too!
Crops: Raspberries
U-Pick Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wed.-Sun., Closed Mon. & Tue.
Read Loralie’s review.
Stade’s Farm & Market
3709 W. Miller Road, McHenry | (815) 675-6396 | Facebook
This place is a favorite of Kristy’s and boasts other family activities as well as other picking seasons.
Crops: Raspberries
U-Pick Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May through October.
Note: There is a $3 minimum purchase per person required to enter the pick-your-own patch. Baskets are included in the price. You can only pick into Stade’s containers.
Did we miss you’re favorite farm? Share it with us in the comments!
