You’ll Have Loads Of Fun At These 7 Pick-Your-Own Fruit Farms In Illinois

Fruit picking is the next best thing to buying fresh grown produce straight from the farm. Why let someone else do the work, when you can choose the best fruit yourself? Here are seven fruit farms in Illinois that let you do just that. It's fruit picking season in Illinois so you best get to collecting berries! Rather than searching through plastic cartons at the store for the perfect bunch, pick one yourself at one of these pick-your-own Illinois fruit farms. Just be prepared for when you visit the farms by checking the weather advisories, wearing sunscreen, and wearing comfortable clothing.

1. The staff at Heider's Berry Farm look forward to your visit this strawberry picking season.

This incredible place has been around since 1972 and pick-your-own is a summer tradition for young and old.

Pick-your-own and prepicked strawberries are available mid-June to mid-July; red raspberries, early July to late August; black and purple raspberries, July to early August; and tart cherries, early July.

This popular farm charges no admission and allows patrons to park for free.

2. Berries are ready at Backwoods Berry FarmThis small, picturesque family farm is in Kelly, North Carolina, also the home to chickens and goats.

The staff specializes in pesticide-free blackberries, strawberries and blueberries.

This great farm has been around since 1990 and is worth the drive for locals around the Springfield and Alton areas, for blueberry season in Illinois.

Strawberries and blueberries are available in May and June, while blackberries and peaches are available for pick-your-own in July and August.

3. McCann Berry Farm opens the first week of July into August, Wednesdays and Saturdays only.

Containers are provided for pick-your-own blueberries.

In 1982, Bob and Mary McCann planted their first strawberry crop on three acres of land bordering the north branch of the Kishwaukee River.

This farm in Woodstock, is celebrating almost 40 years of pick-your-own berries, blueberries and sunflowers.

4. Stade’s Farm & Market opens at the end of May. and will remain open until Halloween. You are invited for fruit-picking season.

Vern Stade started his career as a dairy farmer in 1977. Since then, many crops and attractions have been added to the farm including the Farmtractions Theme Park.

This is also a pick-your-own farm, and the market has branched out into the agritourism industry.

Here you will find a large variety of in-season vegetables, fruits, bakes pies, spices, soup mixes, eggs, gluten-free items, gifts, and canning supplies.

5.The pick-your-own blueberry picking season at Prairie Hill Blueberry Farm begins in mid-June.

The 3-acre area offers over 1,000 blueberry bushes for picking, with five varieties.

In early spring the bushes flower, providing the farm's honeybees with sufficient nectar while they pollinate the seeds, making delicious fruit.

Open through the end of July, this fresh fruit farm in Illinois sells strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Be sure to visit during fruit-picking season.

6. Scharf Farm is a family owned farm, operating since 1946. Visit the farm during fruit-picking season.

It provides such fresh, home-grown goodness as asparagus, strawberries, peaches, blackberries, cherries, blueberries, potatoes, tomatoes, and sweet and hot peppers.

In the spring, the greenhouses are in full bloom with flowers, hanging baskets, and the fall brings mums and festive decorations.

Visit the farm and pick-your-own during Illinois' fruit-picking season!

7. Cody’s Farm & Orchard opens pick-your-own strawberry season in June.

In addition, the farm is known for its yummy, sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, cabbage, green beans and many other homegrown produce. And yes, don't forget the pumpkins in the fall!

Boxes and containers are provided for pick-your-own strawberries.

While there is a bit of a walk to the strawberry patch, enjoy the view as it is very scenic.

If you've ever enjoyed these fruit farms, we'd love to hear from you. Share your fruit picking experiences with us in the comments below. For more simple country charm, check out 11 farms in Illinois you must visit. And discover more places in Illinois to pick your own food. As you can see, Illinois offers an abundance of fresh produce, vegetables, and wide-open spaces.