You can’t get anything fresher than fruits or vegetables just picked from a tree or vine. The “U-pick” harvest season is almost upon us, with strawberries kicking off the Midwest season in June. Other regional U-pick crops include blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, apples and pumpkins.
With the erratic spring weather this year, growers are unsure of what the picking season will bring, but they know there will be something for U-pickers. That’s why it’s a good idea to call farms ahead of time.
“It’s a real pleasant, relaxing experience,” said Marian Asselborn, co-owner of Granny’s Berries in Rochelle, Ill. “It’s a great family outing.” She sells blueberries and red raspberries at her farm 90 miles west of downtown Chicago. The pick-your-own blueberries are 95 cents a pound and the red raspberries are $1.25 a pint.
The reasonable prices and the fresh products are what keep the pickers coming back every year, said Randy Gaitsch, owner of Randy’s Vegetables in Elgin.
“You’re getting fresh tomatoes or peppers, plus you get to be outside. That’s the biggest advantage,” Gaitsch said.
Tom Perkins, owner of Munster Orchard near Lake Geneva, Wis., offers 70 varieties of apples on the 4,000 trees of his 11-acre farm. Forty-pound bushels start at $16 and vary by apple variety. His dwarf apple treesonly 4 feet high-make it easy for young children to pick fruit. The apple picking season gets under way after Labor Day, when the weather cools off, and continues through the first week of November.
Gaitsch has a few tips for new pickers.
“Once you get out there, you make your own judgment on what you want that looks good,” Gaitsch said. “If you’re looking for the perfect fruit, you’ll be out there a long time, but it’s all good.
“The picking is the easy part,” Gaitsch said. “When you go home, you have to figure out what to do with it.”
Here’s a guide to farms in the region
ILLINOIS
Apple Blossom Farm
9809 North Rt. 91
Peoria, Ill.
309-243-5757
Apples, pumpkins
Arteman’s U-Pick
2093 2400th Ave.
Waynesville, Ill.
217-949-6131
Asparagus, strawberries, raspberries
Big “M” Berry Patch
928 E. 1090 North Rd.
Taylorville, Ill.
217-824-6625
Strawberries
Black Bart’s Pumpkin Patch
Illinois Highway 121, west of Warrensburg, Ill.
217-672-8287
Pumpkins, squash, gourds
Country Cabin Orchard
4820 Alden Rd.
Woodstock, Ill.
815-338-3348
Apples, pumpkins
Curtis Orchard
3902 S. Duncan Rd.
Champaign, Ill.
217-359-5565
Apples, peaches, pumpkins
Didier Farms
16678 W. Aptakisic Rd.
Prairie View, Ill.
847-634-3291
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
Edwards Apple Orchard West
8218 Cemetery Rd.
Winnebago, Ill.
815-963-2261
Apples, raspberries, pumpkins
Fiorello’s Pumpkin Patch
3178 Illinois Highway 173
Caledonia, Ill.
815-765-2587
Pumpkins
Glunz Raspberry Farms
19655 W. Washington St.
Grayslake, Ill.
847-548-6687
Raspberries, herbs
Granny’s Berries
3405 S. White Rock Rd.
Rochelle
815-562-4462
Blueberries, raspberries
Health Kick Foods
8601 Chicago Rd.
Waterman
815-264-3489
Asparagus, broccoli, beets, green beans, sweet corn, squash
Henisch Sweet Corn
23086 Annie Glidden Rd.
DeKalb
815-758-7151
Corn
Jonamac Orchards
19412 Shabbona Rd.
Malta, Ill.
815-825-2158
Apples, pumpkins
Koch Orchard
4700 Broadway Rd.
Pekin, Ill.
309-387-6429
Apples, pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds
Kolze’s Corner Gardens
12717 Illinois Highway 176
Woodstock, Ill.
815-338-1475
Pumpkins, corn, squash
Larson’s Berry Farm
4404 Somonauk Rd.
Sandwich, Ill.
815-786-2249
Raspberries, pumpkins
Lawrence Farmer
6146 E. 18th Rd.
Coffeen, Ill.
217-534-6330
Strawberries
Lynch Orchard
3 N. 800 Thatcher Rd.
Maple Park, Ill.
815-827-3513
Apples
Mari-Mann Herb Farm
1 Mari-Mann Lane
Decatur, Ill.
800-779-4372 or
217-429-1558
Herbs
McCann’s Berry Farm
18110 Kishwaukee Valley Rd.
Woodstock, Ill.
815-568-8810
Strawberries, blueberries
Paddy’s Apple Orchard
St. Patrick Road
Woodstock, Ill.
815-337-4343
Apples
Pine-Apple Orchard
01N145 Watson Rd.
Maple Park, Ill.
815-827-3317
Apples
Plow Creek Farm
19183 Plow Creek, Unit 10
Tiskilwa, Ill.
815-646-4862
Strawberries, red and black raspberries, blueberries
Quig’s Orchards
300 S. Illinois Highway 83
(at Illinois Highway 60)
Mundelein, Ill.
847-566-4520
Apples
Randy’s Vegetables
15 N. 440 Randall Rd.
Elgin, Ill.
847-428-5244
Peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, plum tomatoes, green beans
Schneider’s Orchard
1036 County Rd. 1150N
Henry, Ill.
309-364-3037
Apples, pumpkins
Susie’s Garden Patch
10258 U.S. Highway 20
Garden Prairie, Ill.
815-597-3011
Asparagus, strawberries, fall raspberries, tomatoes, pumpkins
Sycamore Pumpkin Patch
15346 Quigley Rd.
Sycamore, Ill.
815-895-3276
Pumpkins
Tanner’s Orchard
740 Illinois Highway 40
Speer, Ill.
309-493-5442
Apples, pumpkins
The Pontious Farm
1958 N. 1300 East Rd.
White Heath, Ill.
217-762-7714
Red raspberries, blueberries, herbs, peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb, herbs, pumpkins
Theis Farm Market
06N593 County Line Rd.
Maple Park, Ill.
815-895-9712
Strawberries, raspberries
Wauconda Orchards
1201 Gossell Rd.
Wauconda, Ill.
847-526-8553
Raspberries, apples
INDIANA
Carter’s Strawberries and Mums
8428 N. County Rd. 300 East
Frankfort
765-258-3047
Strawberries
DeGrandchamp’s Pumpkin Patch
7722 Aboite Center Rd.
Fort Wayne
219-436-4359
Apples, gourds, Indian corn, pumpkins, squash
Roger Berry
6943 E. 1400 South
Galveston
219-699-7000
Asparagus
Siders Blueberry Farm
6254 W. 200 North
Rochester
219-223-6632
Blueberries
Springer’s Nursery Orchard
824 S. County Line Rd.
Ossian
219-622-4987
Apples, cabbage, onions, pears, pumpkins, winter squash
MICHIGAN
Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm
9351 E. Eureka Rd., east of
Michigan Highway 140 on
Eureka Road
Eau Claire, Mich.
616-461-6287; toll-free: 877-863-3276
Cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, plums, apples
DeGrandchamp’s
Blueberry Farm
15575 77th St.
South Haven, Mich.
616-637-3915
20 varieties of blueberries
Dendel Orchard
2860 127th Ave.
Allegan, Mich.
616-673-4317
Sweet cherries
Hillcrest Orchards, Inc.
7289 N. 46th St.
Augusta, Mich.
616-731-4312
Apples, pumpkins
Leduc Blueberries
37146 30th St.
Paw Paw, Mich.
616-657-3871
Blueberries
Verhage Fruit Farms
8619 W. M.L. Ave.
Oshtemo, Mich.
616-375-0153
Apples, pumpkins
Westview Farm
60636 County Rd. 652
Mattawan, Mich.
616-668-3603
Sweet cherries, tart cherries, peaches, pears, plums, apples, grapes, pumpkins
WISCONSIN
Apple Holler
5006 S. Sylvania Ave.
Sturtevant, Wis.
262-886-8500
Apples, pears, pumpkins
Apple Valley Orchard & Landscaping
1670 Mar-el Rd.
DePere, Wis.
920-336-0667
Apples
Arrowhead Orchards
8450 S. Schroeder Rd.
Beloit, Wis.
608-676-4789
Apples, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries
Awe’s Apple Orchard
8081 S. Highway 100
Franklin, Wis.
414-425-1426
Apples
Barthel Fruit Farm
12246 N. Farmdale Road 99W
Mequon, Wis.
262-242-2737
Strawberries
Bauer’s Apple Shed
W7757 Wisconsin Ave.
Hortonville, Wis.
920-757-6187
Apples
Caron Orchards
W3649 County Road J
Princeton, Wis.
920-295-6730
Cherries
The Elegant Farmer
N9653 County Road ES
Mukwonago, Wis.
262-363-6771
Strawberries, apples, pumpkins
Fabrita Orchard and Garden Gallery
5936 Hogan Rd.
Waunakee, Wis.
608-849-5846
Apples
Fieldhouse Fruit Farm
313 Polk St.
Dodgeville, Wis.
608-935-3560
Apples, Concord grapes
Glacier Orchard
7401 Glacier Drive
West Bend, Wis.
262-629-9867
Apples
Hillcrest Orchard
Route 2
Gays Mills, Wis.
608-624-5762
Asparagus, apples
Hillside Apples
E2237 Highway 54
Casco, Wis.
920-837-7440
Apples
Kickapoo Orchard
Route 2
Gays Mills, Wis.
608-735-4637
Cherries, raspberries, apples
Maple Valley Orchard
11541 Claywood Rd.
Gillett, Wis.
920-842-2904
Apples
Munster Orchard
36315 Geneva Rd.
Burlington, Wis.
414-537-2664
Apples, pumpkins
New Holstein Apple/Cherry Orchard
N1960 Orchard Rd.
New Holstein, Wis.
920-898-5825
Apples, cherries
Oneida Apple Orchard
3976 W. Mason St.
Oneida, Wis.
920-869-2468
Apples
Robertson Orchard
2575 Shiloh Rd.
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
920-743-1351
Tart cherries
Schabo’s Hillside Orchard
W3964 Wege Rd.
Appleton, Wis.
920-734-0780
Apples, pumpkins
Shefelbine’s Orchard
N6485 Shefelbine Rd.
Holmen, Wis.
608-526-3495
Strawberries
Star Valley Orchards
3517 Blarney Rd.
Warrens, Wis.
608-378-4128
Blueberries
Strojny Orchard
W2648 Hoftiezer Rd.
Oostburg, Wis.
920-668-8943
Sweet and tart cherries, peaches, apples, pears
WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION
– In Illinois, visit the
University of Illinois Extension Urban Programs’ Web site: www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ Then click on “Hort Corner.” Or call the extension office at 773-233-0476 for a list of Midwestern U-pick farms.
Or visit the state agriculture department Web site: www.agr.state.il.us/MARKETS/FoodGuide/search.html Illinois residents also can call the department at 800-273-4763, and ask for marketing and promotions.
– In Indiana, call 317-232-8770 for a map showing routes to U-pick farms,or visit www.ai.org/oca/
– In Michigan, for U-pick farms in western Michigan, call 800-442-2084. For a U-pick list for the entire state, visit www.mda.state.mi.us, or, after June 1, call 800-292-3939.
– In Wisconsin, call 800-372-2737 for a complete listing of Wisconsin U-pick farms or visit datcp.state.wi.us/static/mktg/publications/index.htm
THE SEASONS
Pick your own seasons vary by fruit and vegetable. Call ahead for availability
June ……………. Strawberries
July ……………. Blueberries
August ………….. Raspberries
August/September …. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
September/October … Apples
October …………. Pumpkins
PICKING TIPS
– Call ahead to confirm picking times and crop availability.
– Leave the good shoes at home. Try old sneakers.
– Leave the pets at home too.
– Though pickers have been spotted wearing anything from bathing suits to business suits, consider dressing in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
– Wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
– Bring your own bags or containers for picking, just in case they’re not provided.
– Squeezing doesn’t do much except damage the fruit.
– Watch out for the thorns on the stems of some plants, such as eggplant bushes. Bring thick gardening gloves.
– Bring knee pads or small stool for berry picking.
ASPARAGUS AND GOAT CHEESE BREAD PUDDING
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
This brunch or light supper dish was developed in the Tribune test kitchen.
4 eggs
2 cups milk
Salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup each: Parmesan cheese, minced chives, minced parsley
3 cups large cubes of dry or day-old bread
1 pound asparagus, tough ends removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper to taste in large bowl. Mix in Parmesan cheese, chives and parsley. Mix in bread and asparagus.
2. Pour mixture into greased 13- by 9-inch pan. Top with goat cheese. Bake until bread pudding is puffed and golden brown and eggs have set, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories ………… 255 Fat …………. 14 g Saturated fat … 8 g
% calories from fat .. 49 Cholesterol … 170 mg Sodium ……. 360 mg
Carbohydrates …… 16 g Protein ……… 17 g Fiber ……….. 2 g
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
Preparation time: 50 minutes
Cooking time: 15-17 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
The strawberries here are flavored with a touch of orange juice. This recipe was developed in the Tribune test kitchen.
2 pints strawberries, hulled, sliced
1/4 cup sugar
Juice of 1 orange
Biscuits:
2 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon each: salt, orange zest
4 tablespoons shortening
2/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup buttermilk
Topping:
1 cup whipping cream, chilled
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mint leaves
1. Crush 1 cup of the strawberries in medium bowl; add remaining sliced strawberries. Toss strawberries with sugar and orange juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Heat oven to 425 degrees. For biscuits, mix flour, baking powder, salt and zest in large bowl. Cut in shortening with hands or pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add cream and buttermilk; combine with flour just until slightly sticky dough forms. Transfer dough to lightly floured work surface; sprinkle top with flour. Knead dough about 10-15 turns. Roll dough into 11-by-13-inch rectangle, about
3/4- inch thick. Cut dough into 12 squares using knife or pastry cutter or into 12 circles using biscuit cutter or glass. Place on greased baking sheet; bake 15-17 minutes until tops are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack; split in half horizontally.
3. For topping, place whipping cream, sugar and vanilla in large bowl of electric mixer. Beat until soft peaks form. Spoon strawberries generously on bottom half of biscuit; cover with top. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories ………… 285 Fat ……….. 17 g Saturated fat .. 9 g
% calories from fat .. 53 Cholesterol .. 45 mg Sodium …… 295 mg
Carbohydrates ……. 9 g Protein …… 4.7 g Fiber …….. 1.9 g
