Get the Dirt on U Pick Farms Near Kalamazoo
It’s the sweet taste of strawberries plucked right from the vine that signals the start of summer. A family favorite is filling baskets and tummies at U pick farms.
We are lucky to live in an area with an abundance of local farms that supply us with a diverse offering of fresh produce including staples such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries and peaches in the spring and summer.
And when the leaves start to turn, fall brings us apples and pumpkins to accompany our cider and donuts.
If you don’t have the time (or desire) to U pick yourself, let the fresh produce come to you by stopping at a local farmers market.
Read on for fruit picking tips and u pick farm locations in our handy map. Happy picking!
In this Guide
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 U Pick Fruit in SWMI: Raspberries, Cherries + More
Looking for a “lesser known” fruit farm? While blueberry and strawberry farms in SWMI may be familiar, many families are less acquainted with local peach, raspberry and cherry farms. Read on for these hidden, u pick gems:
Raspberry Farms
| What You’ll Find | |
|---|---|
| Brookside Farms Fritz’s Blueberries 1475 116th Ave Otsego, MI 49078 | U-pick raspberries Also: U-pick and already picked blueberries U-pick apples Already picked strawberries from Ketchum Family Strawberries |
| Hunt’s Hillside LLC 27867 66th Ave Lawton, MI 49065 (269) 624-6513 | U-pick raspberries Also: U-pick strawberries |
| Riverbend Farms 44-72nd St South Haven, MI 49090 (269) 637-3505 | U-pick and already picked raspberries Also: U-pick and already picked blackberries Plus chestnuts and honey |
Raspberry Picking Intel
AVAILABILITY
Raspberries are typically available starting in mid-July in Southwest Michigan.
PICKING/STORAGE
Raspberries come in many colors; pick the deepest shade for your variety. When picking, wear gloves. Raspberry bushes don’t have thorns, but they are prickly.
Store lightly covered in the fridge, unwashed.
CAN I FREEZE THEM?
Raspberries freeze well. Rinse and freeze in a sealed bag.
FAVORITE RECIPE: Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake
Cherries, Peaches & More Fruit Farms
| What You’ll Find | |
|---|---|
| Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze 6054 124th Ave Fennville, MI 49408 (269) 561-8651 | U-pick sweet cherries U-pick peaches Also: U-pick apples |
| Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick 3452 Friday Rd Coloma, MI 49038 (269) 208-3591 | U-pick cherries U-pick peaches Also: U-pick apples Plus nectarines, plums, apricots, pears and crisp apples already picked at their market. |
| Husted’s Farm Market 9191 W Main St Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 372-1237 | U-pick cherries Also: U-pick and already picked strawberries U-pick apples Plus vegetables, jams/jellies, salsas/relishes and baked goods, including donuts and pies made from scratch. |
| Overhiser Orchards 6405 109th Ave South Haven, MI 49090 (269) 236-6312 | U-pick sweet & sour cherries U-pick peaches Also: U-pick apples U-pick apricots U-pick pears U-pick plums |
| Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. 60139 C.R. 652 Mattawan, MI 49071 (269) 668-3724 | Already picked sweet cherries U-pick tart cherries Also: U-pick blueberries U-pick apples U-pick grapes Already picked strawberries Already picked pumpkins |
Cherries, Peaches & Other Fruit Picking Intel
AVAILABILITY
PEACHES: Pick your perfect peaches starting in early August in Southwest Michigan.
CHERRIES: July is cherry season locally. Look for sweet cherries in early July, followed by sour mid-month.
OTHER FRUIT: Apricots (mid-July), Pears & Plums (late August), Apples (early September)
Flowers, Sunflowers & Lavender Farms
| What You’ll Find | |
|---|---|
| BJR Ranch 23469 Marcellus Hwy Dowagiac, MI 49047 (269) 535-0387 | U-pick flowers Open daily July – October Bring a container to transport flowers home. U-pick tools provided |
| Floweret Farm 1821 N 2nd St Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 366-9212 | U-pick flowers U-pick season starts in July |
| Flowerfield Farmstead 50330 Mill St Three Rivers, MI 49093 (269) 271-6329 | U-pick flowers U-pick sunflowers U-pick season starts in late June/early July |
| Gull Meadow Farms 8544 Gull Rd Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-4214 | U-pick sunflowers Annual Sunflower Festival: Aug 23-25, Aug 30-Sept 1, 2024 |
| Shades of Lavender Farms 47222 24th St Mattawan, MI 49071 (269) 668-1299 | U-pick lavender U-pick season starts in late June |
| Summerhouse Lavender Farms 2975 65th St Fennville, MI 49408 (616) 414-4090 | U-pick lavender Annual Bloom Festival in early July |
Flower Picking Intel
SWMI offers multiple flower picking options in the summer for mixed bouquets, sunflowers and lavender. Be sure to bring a bucket and cutting shears.
AVAILABILITY
LAVENDER: U pick season for this fragrant, flowering plant is available starting late June.
SUMMER MIXED BOUQUETS: Dahlias and other seasonal favorites start u pick in mid-July.
SUNFLOWERS: Look for sunflower picking in mid-July through August at local farms.
U Pick Farms Map
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More SWMI Fruit Picking
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