Find Some Sweet Strawberry Picking in Southwest Michigan
Eaten solo, in a pie, or in a yogurt parfait, strawberries are a seasonal favorite and luckily, one that’s grown in our own 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 is in early June.
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
Where to go Strawberry Picking 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!
Looking to expand your fruit picking radius? Try these Grand Rapids farms.
| Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries 34448 44TH AVE, PAW PAW MI 49079 (269) 657-3500 What You’ll Find: U-pick and already picked blueberries plus already picked strawberries from Ketchum Family Strawberries (Paw Paw location only). |
| Corey Lake Orchards 12147 COREY LAKE RD, THREE RIVERS MI 49093 (269) 244-5690 What You’ll Find: Seasonal U-pick strawberries by reservation only (a short season in June), see their website for the latest information. |
| Cotant’s Farm Market 2500 S M-37 HWY, HASTINGS MI 49058 (269) 945-4180 What You’ll Find: U-pick strawberries, blueberries and apples. Also vegetables, jams/jellies and salsas/relishes and plants. |
| Earth First Farms Organic Growers 3835 PIER RD, BENTON HARBOR MI 49022 (269) 815-3370 What You’ll Find: Certified organic strawberries in June, certified transitional blueberries in July and certified organic apples from Labor Day until the end of October (weather permitting). Farming Practices: Certified organic fruit and produce |
| Hunt’s Hillside LLC 27867 66TH AVE, LAWTON MI 49065 (269) 624-6513 What You’ll Find: U-pick raspberries and strawberries. |
| Husted’s Farm Market 9191 WEST MAIN ST, KALAMAZOO MI 49009 (269) 372-1237 What You’ll Find: U-pick strawberries, cherries, peaches and apples. Check-in at the Farm Market for directions to their off-site u-pick location. 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 What You’ll Find: U-pick and already-picked strawberries. |
| Rajzer’s Farm Market and Greenhouses 76301 M-51 HWY, DECATUR MI 49045 (269) 423-4941 What You’ll Find: U-pick and pre picked strawberries. Also blueberries, asparagus, cantaloupe, annuals and perennials. |
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.
More SWMI Fruit Picking
More to Explore
