Find Some Sweet Strawberry Picking in Southwest Michigan
Strawberries are a seasonal favorite, eaten solo, in a pie, or in a yogurt parfait. Luckily, they’re grown in our SWMI backyard.
Strawberries are one of the first fruits available at u-pick farms near Kalamazoo, arriving in early June.
We’ve got the dirt on where to find some scrumptious strawberries locally, in addition to tips for picking, storage and a favorite recipe to share:
In this Guide
Strawberry Picking Intel
AVAILABILITY
Strawberry picking season in Southwest Michigan starts in late May to early June. Picking season is generally very short for Michigan strawberries.
PICKING/STORAGE
Strawberries do not continue to ripen after being picked; select only the firm, red ones. Strawberries also bruise somewhat easily; try not to stack them more than 5 inches deep.
CAN I FREEZE THEM?
Yes. Wash, remove the hulls and store in an airtight, sealed bag.
FAVORITE RECIPE: Strawberry Cake
Strawberry Picking Farms in SWMI
Find all of the strawberry patches in Southwest Michigan. These farms are only open for the season for a very short strawberry-picking window in MI, so grab them soon!
Are you looking to expand your fruit-picking radius? Try these Grand Rapids farms.
| What You’ll Find | |
|---|---|
| Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries 34448 44th Ave Paw Paw, MI 49079 | Already picked from Ketchum Family Strawberries. Follow them on Facebook for availability Also: U-pick and already picked blueberries |
| Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries 1475 116th Ave Otsego, MI 49078 | Already picked from Ketchum Family Strawberries. Follow them on Facebook for availability Also: U-pick and already picked blueberries U-pick raspberries U-pick apples |
| Corey Lake Orchards 12147 Corey Lake Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093 (269) 244-5690 | U-pick strawberries by reservation only. See their website for availability |
| Cotant’s Farm Market 2500 S M-37 Hwy Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 945-4180 | U-pick strawberries Also: U-pick blueberries, U-pick apples Plus vegetables, jams/jellies and salsas/relishes and plants |
| Earth First Farms Organic Growers 3835 Pier Rd Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (269) 815-3370 | U-pick certified organic strawberries Also: U-pick certified transitional blueberries U-pick certified organic apples |
| What You’ll Find | |
|---|---|
| Hunt’s Hillside LLC 27867 66th Ave Lawton, MI 49065 (269) 624-6513 | U-pick strawberries Also: U-pick raspberries |
| Husted’s Farm Market 9191 W Main St Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 372-1237 | U-pick and already picked strawberries U-pick strawberry patches are located three miles south of the market. Check in at the market on West Main and get directions. Also: U-pick cherries U-pick apples Also sells vegetables, jams/jellies, salsas/relishes and baked goods, including donuts and pies made from scratch. |
| Mandigo Farms, Inc. 61077 41st St Paw Paw, MI 49079 (269) 674-1033 | U-pick and already picked strawberries |
| Rajzer’s Farm Market and Greenhouses 76301 M-51 Hwy Decatur, MI 49045 (269) 423-4941 | Already picked strawberries Also: Fresh fruits/vegetables, plus annuals and perennials |
| Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. 60139 C.R. 652 Mattawan, MI 49071 (269) 668-3724 | Already picked strawberries Also: U-pick blueberries U-pick apples U-pick grapes U-pick tart cherries, already picked sweet cherries Already picked pumpkins |
Fruit Picking Tips
Whether you’re a novice or a veteran of fruit gathering, we’ve put together some tips to maximize your fruit-picking experience.
Fruit Picking Do’s:
Do call ahead: Farms will get “overpicked” for the day. Plan to go early and confirm availability via phone or Facebook before leaving.
Do bring cash: Call ahead to confirm, but many farms do not accept credit cards or checks.
Do have a container strategy: Find out if you need to bring your own containers for picking (some farms provide them). You may also need something to transport your fruit home.
Fruit Picking Don’ts:
Don’t forget sun protection: Fruit fields provide very little cover or shade. Bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Don’t eat without asking: Some farms may allow sampling while picking, while others may not. Be sure to confirm their policies before any family members use the fruit fields as a buffet.
Don’t pack your fruit too deep: Strawberries and raspberries in particular bruise easily. If you stack too many layers while picking, you risk damaging the lower tiers.
Strawberry Farms Map
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More SWMI Fruit Picking
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