There's nothing like picking your own vegetables and fruit from a garden or orchard. Between the smell of the earth and the freshness of picking something ripe right off of a plant, tree, or vine, you know you're getting the freshest and healthiest produce. If you don't have your own backyard garden, getting fresh crops from a local farm is a very close second especially at one where you can pick your own.
Now, not all farms in Illinois have pick-your-own produce available, but there is one in McHenry that does. Stade's Farm and Market has become a popular location for customers to pick both fruit and vegetables while enjoying a day of fun and learning about agriculture.
Stade's Farm started out as a dairy farm back in 1977, when it was owned by Vern Stade. Over the years, he began to grow and sell vegetables. In 2006, the farm expanded into a destination for agritourism with the addition of a market, petting zoo, and entertainment area with attractions.
Farms offering GMO-free fruits and vegetables for visitors to "pick their own" have become a very popular option for customers. After all, there's something quite special about harvesting your own food while making memories with your family.
Bring the kids to create memories while picking their favorite fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and apples.
The field of strawberries is nearly 20 acres and the season normally starts around mid-June. The farm offers both summer and fall raspberries that can be picked from early July to early or mid-October. As for apples, a wide variety of the fruit is grown from mid-August/early September until late October.
Fresh vegetable crops include green beans, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, and several varieties of peppers including bell, poblano, habanero, serrano, and more.
The fall brings pumpkins of varying sizes from one pound to 200 pounds and a variety of colors and types which include gourds and pie pumpkins.
During the fall, Stade's Farm hosts their annual Shades of Autumn Fall Festival. In addition to picking pumpkins and apples, the whole family can have fun on hayrides, participate in games and activities, visit the petting zoo, and so much more!
Mid-July through late September brings the happy, cheery sunflowers, which are also available for you to pick out in a two-acre field. Zinnias are also available as well, and flower clippers are provided if you need them.
Before you head to Stade's Farm to pick your own produce, call ahead or visit its Facebook page for updates on field conditions.
Occasionally, the fields and orchards are closed due to inclement weather. If that's the case and you would still like some farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, you can purchase some that have already been picked inside at the market. But we can all agree that picking your own is more fun!
Have you been to Stade's Farm and Market to pick your own produce? If so, what did you pick? We would love to hear about your experience!
For more information and updates, visit the Stade's Farm website and Facebook page. If you're looking for another pick-your-own farm, read about Eckert's Belleville Farm.
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