Travel

MICHIGAN’S FRUIT AND VEG U-PICK GUIDE

MICHIGaN’S frUIT aND VEG U-pICK GUIdE

guest blog by rebecca from VEGGIES abroad

Berries – Liz West – Flickr

Apples, cherries, and raspberries, oh my! Michigan is ripe with an abundance of beautiful fruits and delicious veggies throughout the summer and fall. In fact, picking mounds of plump, juicy berries is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy!  If you have ever wondered where to go and when, then this Michigan u-pick guide has you covered! You can find the perfect places to find raspberries in Southeast Michigan, pumpkins on the west side of the state and everything in between. Just make sure to check ahead before you go, the weather can sometimes throw off the growing season. 

No matter where you are in the Mitten state, this u-pick guide will help you find an abundance of juicy fruits and the freshest veggies! The first area of the state that we will explore is Southeast Michigan.

southeast mIchIgan

Blake’s Orchard 

17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada, MI 48005 (there is also a Blake’s location in Almont)

 (586) 784-5343

What to pick: tart cherries, herbs, raspberries, broccoli, pea pods, sunflowers, lavender, and apples

When to pick: the picking season begins in June with strawberries and pea pods and each month more veggies and fruits become available. The picking season concludes in October, but you can come back in November and December to pick your own Christmas tree!

 

Blueville Acres Blueberry Farm

38093 Judd Rd, Belleville, MI 48111

(734) 252-6751

What to pick: organic blueberries

When to pick: beginning in July-mid August

 

Brookwood Fruit Farm

7845 Bordman Rd, Almont, MI 48003

(810) 798-8312

What to pick: tart cherries

When to pick: beginning in early-July

The farm market also sells many varieties of apples, peaches, and their own cider made from their special blend of apples. 

 

Dexter Blueberry Farm

11024 Beach Rd, Dexter, MI 48130

(734) 426-2900

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July – August

Make sure you bring your own bucket for the blueberries or buy one for $1.

Erwin Orchards

61475 Silver Lake Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178

(248) 437-0150

What to pick: apples, red and yellow raspberries, pumpkins, asparagus, and sweet cherries

When to pick: asparagus begins in April/May, sweet cherries and raspberries begin in July, apples begin in late August, and pumpkins begin in late September.

The farm also offers a variety of family activities like a corn maze (opens Labor Day weekend), live music, and a 3D adventure activity.

Bushel of Apples – Kyla Jester – Flickr

Middleton Berry Farm

4790 Oakwood Rd, Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 831-1004

What to pick: strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and flowers

When to pick: strawberries begin in June, everything else begins in August

The 40-acre farm is entirely u-pick, just in case you thought about skipping the u-pick and swinging by for a quart of pre-picked berries. 

 

Rowe’s Produce Farm

10570 Martz Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

(734) 482-8538

What to pick: strawberries, sugar snap peas and English shelling peas

When to pick: beginning in June –July

 

Slow Farm

4700 Whitmore Lake Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

(917) 837-0975

What to pick: organic garlic, lettuce, kale, collards, mustard greens, chard, carrots, beets, cilantro, basil, parsley and gorgeous flowers!

When to pick: strawberries begin in June and all other veggies begin in July

 

Verellen Orchards & Cider Mill

63260 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095

(586) 752-2989

What to pick: strawberries and cherries

When to pick: beginning in June-July

Their farm market also sells a variety of apples, peaches, plums, loads of veggies, and canned goods. 

 

Wasem Fruit Farm

6580 Judd Rd, Milan, MI 48160

(734) 482-2342

What to pick: apples, pumpkins, black currants, and raspberries

When to pick: black currants and raspberries begin in July, apples begin in September, and pumpkins in October. Depending on the time of year, the farm market also sells cider, cornstalks, gourds, jams, and jellies.

 

Westview Orchards & Winery

65075 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48095

(586) 752-3123

What to pick: strawberries, cherries, raspberries, sunflowers, apples, and pumpkins.

When to pick: strawberries begin in June, cherries, raspberries, and sunflowers begin in July, apples begin in late-August, and pumpkins begin in late September. 

In August, be sure to stop by for their sunflower festival to enjoy a morning or evening yoga session! Their farm market also sells a variety of jams, pickles, salsa, and more. 

 

Whittaker’s Berry Farm

6724 Todd Rd, Ida, MI 48140

(734) 269-6612

What to pick: two varieties of strawberries; Allstar and Honeoye

When to pick: beginning in June

 

Photo by Valeria Burdyka from Pexels

central mIchIgan

Azure Acres

1233 W Lake Rd, Clio, MI 48420

(810) 686-7923

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

 

Balzer Blueberries of Onondaga

2784 Aurelius Rd, Onondaga, MI 49264

(517) 628-2370

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in July 

 

Harvey’s Farm U Pick

2651 15 Mile Rd, Tekonsha, MI 49092

(517) 767-3408

What to pick: strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries

When to pick: strawberries begin in June, blueberries and raspberries begin in July

The farm also grows asparagus, pumpkins, and chestnuts that you can purchase from their farm market.

 

Hanulcik Apple Orchard

47 Dildine Rd, Ionia, MI 48846

(616) 527-3630

What to pick: strawberries, apples, and peaches

When to pick: strawberries begin in June, peaches begin in late July, and apples begin in September.

The farm also sells locally grown squash, pumpkins, cider, gourds, and more. Also, don’t miss their sunflower patch at 1425 State Rd.

 

Hazen’s Blueberry Farm

1144 Peavy Rd, Howell, MI 48843

(517) 548-1841

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in July

 

Montrose Orchards

12473 Seymour Rd, Montrose, MI 48457

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in July

The farm also offers hayrides on the weekends, fresh pressed cider, and it’s a perfect place to pick out your pumpkin in the fall.  

 

Rhynard’s Blueberry Farm

4701 Chippewa, Shepherd, MI 48883

(989) 828-6954

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

 

Sodt’s Berry Farm

7403 Blackman Rd, Jackson, MI 49201

(517) 782-8933

What to pick: blueberries 

When to pick: beginning in July

Make sure you bring your own container for picking!

 

west mIchIgan

Adam’s Organic Blueberry Farms

69676 Co Rd 376, Hartford, MI 49057

(269) 214-0873

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in July

You can also purchase maple syrup which is produced from the trees on the farm. 

 

Crane’s U-Pick

6017 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408

(269) 561-5126

What to pick: cherries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins
When to pick: cherries begin in late June, peaches begin in August, apples begin Labor Day weekend, and pumpkins begin in late September. The farm also offers family fun activities like hay and train rides and a corn maze.

Pumpkins and Sunflowers – Catherine – Flickr

Goodfellow Orchards

2565 12 Mile Rd NW, Sparta, MI 49345

(616) 887-0825

What to pick: sweet and tart cherries

When to pick: beginning in July

 

Krupp Farms

8025 Krupp Ave NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321

(616) 887-8271

What to pick: strawberries and raspberries

When to pick: strawberries begin in June and raspberries begin in mid-July

The farm also sells a variety of fresh-cut flowers.

 

Lehman’s Orchards

2280 Portage Rd, Niles, MI 49120

(269) 683-9078

What to pick: strawberries, currants, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, and apples

When to pick: the season starts with strawberries in June, cherries in July, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants, and peaches in Mid-July, nectarines and pears in August, and apples in September. 

 

Overhiser Orchards

6405 109th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090

(269) 236-6312

What to pick: cherries, peaches, plums, pears, and apples
When to pick: cherries begin in July, peaches, pears and plums in August, and apples in September

 

Riverbend Raspberries

44 72nd St, South Haven, MI 49090

(269) 214-8867

What to pick: raspberries and blackberries

When to pick: beginning in July 

The farm also sells pears in late August and chestnuts beginning in October.

 

Scherer’s U-Pick Strawberries

5118 Hollywood Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085

(269) 259-8941

What to pick: four varieties of strawberries—Allstars, Jewels, Wendy’s, and Flavor Fest.

When to pick: beginning in June

 

Visser Farms

10791 Blair St, Zeeland, MI 49464

(616) 875-8559

What to pick: strawberries

When to pick: beginning in June

The farm also sells a variety of vegetables, flowers, and offers a flexible market-style CSA (Community Supported Agriculture programs help farms offset expensive startup costs at the beginning of the season, which helps lower the cost of produce. In return, customers receive points to purchase produce throughout the season).

Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

northern mIchIgan

AJ’s Berry Farm

1150 Salina Rd, Lachine, MI 49753

(989) 379-3061

What to pick: raspberries, Saskatoons, and sweet cherries

When to pick: cherries and Saskatoons begin in early July and raspberries in mid-July

The farm store also sells jams, maple syrup, and pre-picked fruit. 

 

Bulldog Berries

7187 E Harrys Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684

(231) 360-9964

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

 

Guntzviller’s Berry and Vegetable Farm

11122 US-31, Williamsburg, MI 49690

(231) 264-9575

What to pick: red, black, and golden raspberries 

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

The farm also sells blueberries, cherries, plums, apricots, pears, as well as an abundant variety of fresh vegetables. If you can’t make it out to the farm you can also find their produce at farmer’s markets in Harbor Springs, Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, and Traverse City.

 

Santucci Farm

11789 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686

(517) 974-7233

What to pick: sweet and tart cherries
When to pick: beginning in early July

The farm also sells a variety of jams and jellies.

 

Third Coast Fruit Co.

555 Wilson Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686

(617) 999-7703

What to pick: dark sweet, light sweet, and baking cherries
When to pick: beginning in July

The orchard is located on Old Mission Peninsula and features stunning bay views! It’s a picture-perfect place for cherry picking.

Cherries – Laryssa Gervan – Flickr

 

Up North Blueberry Farm

3964 Hallenius Rd, Gaylord, MI 49735

(231) 546-3032

What to pick: eight varieties of blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

The farm also sells jams, pie filling, dehydrated blueberries, and chocolate covered blueberries. You can also find their berries at The Boyne City and Downtown Gaylord farmers markets.

 

Wave’s U-Pick Blueberries

7780 Elm Rd, Kaleva, MI 49645

(231) 889-3619

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in mid-July

upper penInsula

Crane Berry Farm

44416 Paradise Rd, Chassell, MI 49916

(906) 523-6191

What to pick: strawberries

When to pick: beginning in late-June

 

Gierke Blueberry Farm

37915 Klingville Rd, Chassell, MI 49916

(906) 523-6112

What to pick: blueberries

When to pick: beginning in August

The farm strives to be a self-serve operation and asks its guests to abide by the honor system. Be sure to bring your own picking container and credit cards are not accepted.

 

Gladstone Berry Farm

7772 County 426 M.5 Rd M.5, Gladstone, MI 49837

(906) 241-7100

What to pick: strawberries
When to pick: beginning in June

The farm also sells a variety of other berries, vegetables, jams, and maple syrup. You can also find their produce at the Skandia farmer’s market.

 

Pellegrini’s Strawberry Farm

2702 16.5 Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829

(906) 786-9084

What to pick: strawberries
When to pick: beginning in June

 

Photo by Jill Burrow from Pexels

Hopefully this Michigan u-pick guide helps you find loads of fresh, Michigan-grown veggies and fruit. Picking can also work up an appetite so make sure you don’t forget to check out our many vegan food guides throughout the state! We have you covered from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula and everywhere in between. Also, don’t forget to call before you head out to any of these farms—weather can throw the growing season off, so you want to be sure the produce is ready to be picked and the farm is ready for you! 

about the author

Rebecca Gade Sawicki is the creator of the vegan travel blog Veggies Abroad, which was born from her love of travel, and the question she gets asked after every trip, “What in the world did you eat?” Her blog features vegan travel guides, practical travel tips, resources, and vegan lifestyle content. Follow her adventures on Instagram or Facebook @veggiesabroad 

Rebecca from Veggies Abroad

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