2024 East-Central Michigan Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in East-Central Michigan in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

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 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Bay County

• Berry Creek Farms - No pesticides are used, strawberries, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked
  6745 South Euclid Avenue, Bay City, MI 48706. Phone: 989-684-1655. Email: carolewachowski@gmail.com. Open: Call or email for hours and availability. Directions: From I-75: take M-84 exit east into Bay City, turn south onto Euclid Avenue, take 3 miles to the dead end. Last driveway on the left side of the road. From US-10: turn south onto Euclid Avenue, take 6 miles south to the dead end. Last driveway on the left side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Strawberries: typically from May 25 to June 20, Raspberries: June 30 to July 15 and August 30 to October 15. We do not use pesticides on the cropsWe also have pre-picked canning tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplants, okra, onions, melons, zucchini, summer squash, pickles, and cucumbers. We can also be found at the Midland Farmers Market Wednesday's and Saturday's from 7 am to 12 pm in July, August and September. We do accept Project Fresh Coupons. (UPDATED: September 13, 2023, JBS) (UPDATED: July 13, 2012, by a visitor)
  Comments from a visitor on August 16, 2019: "The farm no longer offers raspberries. They had previously plowed their patch under with the intent to replant - they have decided not to replant any raspberries in the foreseeable future. "
  Comments from a visitor on July 13, 2012: "Called and owner said they had to "turn their crop under" and plan to replant in a few years. So currently they are CLOSED until further notice

Clinton County

• Felzke Farms - strawberries, farmers market
  5501 West Herbison Road, Dewitt, MI . Phone: 517-669-9459. Email: felzkefarms@aol.com. Open: usually June, U-Pick from 8am to 12pm; pickers must be out of the field by 12pm. Directions: located 1.5 miles WEST of Airport Road west of Dewitt. Be sure you are north of the Looking Glass River, you can only go west from there. Payment: Cash or Checks only. We are the largest producer of strawberries in mid-Michigan. Our farm market has been . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash or Checks only. Felzke Farms open since 1978 bringing you fresh Michigan produce. We do offer U-Pick Strawberries - please check for availability. Our market is open seven days a week for a variety of annual flowers, fruits and vegetables as they come into season.
• Huhn Strawberry Farm - strawberries, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals
  11262 South Tallman Road, Eagle, MI 48822. Phone: (517) 930-4333. Email: huhnstrawberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: daily from 7:30 am until dark, usually from late May through June. Directions: from Lansing: 96 West to Exit 86. Turn North \(right\)onto Wright Road. Go three miles to Howe Road, turn West \(left\). Go 1 mile to Tallman Road, turn North \(right\). Go 12 mile to field on your West \(left\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Credit cards, debit cards.
  Huhn Strawberry Farm Facebook page. from Lansing: 96 West to Exit 86. Turn North (right)onto Wright Road. Go three miles to Howe Road, turn West (left). Go 1 mile to Tallman Road, turn North (right). Go 1/2 mile to field on your West (left)Strawberries: early June through early JulyChildren welcome!. (UPDATED: May 22, 2020)
  Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2012: "I have been going to Huhns for the last 3 years and am always pleased with the variety and flavor of their strawberries. I will continue to do business with Huhns and I hope they branch into the Blueberry market someday! (hint, hint)"
  Comments from a visitor on July 12, 2010: "We visited on June 12 & 22, 2010. Very friendly place. Great price for pyo strawberries. Many varieties, too. Very yummy! Well-maintained farm with nice rows. After the season is over they mow the plants down and use commercial fertilizer. I believe the owner said that they use a weed deterring product before the plants come up and that no pesticides are used on the plants/fruits while growing. Goats and chickens on the farm for the kids to look at."
  Comments from a visitor on July 14, 2009: "This is a great place to pick strawberries! They have several varieties and their patches are very clean, straw between the rows. They even offer free sunscreen and bugspray! They are expanding for the 2010 season. The berries we picked this year were wonderful! They don't have a website, I always just call the phone number that has a recording of when/if they are picking. There is a number on the recording if you are pre-ordering berries to pick up there. "

Genesee County

• I & J Wolverton Nursery - strawberries, red & black raspberries, asparagus
  6197 E Lake Road, Millington, MI 48746. Phone: 989-871-2325. Open: April 1-November 15, Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 6 p. Directions: Exit I-75 at Clio E on Vienna Road to Belsay Road, N 2 miles to Lake Road 14 mile E to 6197 Lake. Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2011: "We ended up stopping there this weekend for strawberries. They are still . Click here for a map and directions. U-pick strawberries about June 10-July 1. Red & black raspberries July 10-30. Fall red raspberries August 28-October 15. Berry plants, shrubs, trees, April 1-June 1. U-pick asparagus April & Maym. Sun. May only 11 am to 3 pmExit I-75 at Clio E on Vienna Road to Belsay Road, N 2 miles to Lake Road 1/4 mile E to 6197 Lake.
  Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2011: "We ended up stopping there this weekend for strawberries. They are still open and have excellent service, and the berries are really good! "
• Spicer Orchards - Apples, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, plums, pumpkins, corn maze, winery
  10411 Clyde, Fenton, MI 48430. Phone: 810-632-7692. Email: spicerorchard@comcast.net. Open: just the summer and fall months. Click here for a map and directions. . Usually open Free hayrides on the weekends. You can drive your car right up to the apple trees and pick right there. There is a shop that sells fruit, cider and pies and other desserts as well as little knick-knacks like candles, toys and figurines. There are goats, pigs and other farm animals on the premises. Restrooms are on-site. The facility also gives tours to school groups, and other groups like Boy Scouts, etc.

Gratiot County

• Poindexter Farms - strawberries,
  10241 East Harrison Road, Wheeler, MI 48662. Phone: 989-842-3520. Email: Lyndsey.p.johnson@hotmail.com. Open: Call for availability; typically from late May through June. Directions: Take M-46 to Barry Road \(between Breckenridge & Merrill, Martin\'s Corner Store on the corner\). Drive south on Barry 4 miles to Harrison Road. Travel 1 14 miles east on Harrison. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Take M-46 to Barry Road (between Breckenridge & Merrill, Martin's Corner Store on the corner). Drive south on Barry 4 miles to Harrison Road. Travel 1 1/4 miles east on Harrison Up-cycled home decor in the styles of Shabby Chic & French Cottage also available. A visitor writes on June 24, 2013: "Visited: Jun24,2013 Gratiot County (east/mid Michigan). Beautiful,clean berries. Easy picking: plentiful, straw between rows and no weeds:) Owners are gracious and their farm is beautiful. I'm planning to return for another 25 lbs. "

Midland County

• Wirbel Farms - strawberries, farm stand
  3967 N Eastman Rd, Midland, MI 48642. Phone: (989) 835-4821. Open: upick typically starts around June 20th, weather pending; Please check their facebookr page for updates as a lot can change depending on the weather. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. (ADDED: June 09, 2022)

Saginaw County

• Heinlein's Berries - strawberries
  451 N Dehmel Rd, Saginaw, MI 48601. Phone: (989) 284-3475. Open: typically in June, check Facebook before you come. Click here for a map and directions. They update hours there daily based on when there are ripe berries to be pickedis a family run business that has . We are open for people to come and pick, but please(ADDED: July 11, 2022, JBS)
• Strawberry Fields Farm - No pesticides are used, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  14621 Lakefield Rodd, Hemlock, MI 48626. Phone: 989-284-6441. Email: info@bestberry.biz. Open: See visitor comment below; Strawberries late May through July. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. We do not use pesticides on the crops (UPDATED: June 11, 2020, JBS) A visitor writes on June 11, 2020: "Talked to this guy today to ask about strawberries. He said his berries may have been affected by flood and to call back on June 15th. He told me he'll have canning tomatoes and green and yellow beans for canning later in the season. I think there may have been other veggies listed also, but i forgot what they were now."

Sanilac County

• Kritzman's Berry Farm - strawberries,
  2194 Brush Street, Deckerville, MI 48427. Phone: 810-376-3045. Open: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 5 pm June 10 through July 2, exact dates are dependent on weather conditions; Please call before coming. Directions: one half mile west of stoplight in Deckerville, just past the Deckerville Vet Clinic, on Brush Street which is the only street on which you can turn to the south. If you\'ve reached the railroad tracks, you\'ve gone too far. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. one half mile west of stoplight in Deckerville, just past the Deckerville Vet Clinic, on Brush Street which is the only street on which you can turn to the south. If you've reached the railroad tracks, you've gone too far
• Mauldin Berry Farms - in some years (not 2021) they have had U-pick strawberries, and may have other berries
  6445 Harrington Rd, Lexington, MI 48450. Phone: (810) 479-1936. Email: mberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: see their Facebook page. Directions: Located on 4 quaint acres in the town of Lexington, Michigan. Click here for a map and directions.
  Mauldin Berry Farms Facebook page. facebook pageis a family owned and operated homestead farm, . Strive to provide the area with quality home grown produce with plans for creative expansions in farm fresh products and farming services.

Shiawassee County

• Davis Family Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, flowers, herbs or spices, pumpkins, rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, walnuts, Turkeys, and prepicked produce
  Owosso Michigan, Owosso, MI 48867. Phone: (989) 723-1163. Open: Monday through Saturday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Directions: M- 52 To Juddville Road, heading west. Turn right going south on Chipman. One mile down. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Davis Family Farm Crops are usually available in May, June, August, September, October. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicWe offer naturally grown turkey, pork, lamb, chicken, and pheasant. NO hormones, no pesticides, No herbicides. Eggs are also available from our free range chickens.(UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• Poor Man's Ponderosa - strawberries,
  5047 S. Meridian Road, Laingsburg, MI 48848. Phone: 517-285-6922. Open: 8am to 4pm Daily during Strawberries. Directions: Approximately 20 miles NE of Lansing. Between Laingsburg and Ovid. Also, near Saint John\'s and Owosso. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Approximately 20 miles NE of Lansing. Between Laingsburg and Ovid. Also, near Saint John's and OwossoCrops are usually available in June Strawberries so sweet you will freak!: June 12th- approximately 2 weeks; Also, a great variety of Pre-Picked apples in the Fall

St. Clair County

• Zwierniks strawberries - strawberries, porta-potties are available
  4064 Emmett Road (m19), Emmett, MI 48022. Phone: 810 384 1712. Email: conrad@frontier.com. Open: middle of June to middle of July 8am to 6pm Monday through Sunday. Directions: 2 miles north of emmett on m 19 or 2.5 miles north of I 69 exit 184. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. A visitor writes on June 30, 2013: "We went there for the 1st time today and will definitely go back. People were nice and they have a large field. Thanks for this page to find the farms. It is very helpful!!"
  Comments from a visitor on June 16, 2010: "Love it! I go back every year to see the friendly owners faces. I've been going here for many years!"

Tuscola County

• All About It Farms - raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  5630 Swaffer Road, Millington, MI 48746. Phone: (989)871-3360. Email: AllAboutItFarms@yahoo.com. Open: 7 days a week, from 9am to 7pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  All About It Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (989)820-0235 Strawberries: June to first week of July Raspberries coming in August, sometimes start in July. Counter sales and pre-pick orders as available from 9am to 7pmWe also take orders, please call at least 2 days beforeThe most recent prices on their Facebook page are from 2015: $2 a quart/ $16 a flat for u pick or $3 a quart/ $24 a flat for already picked. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• Pennell Farms - Strawberries, Raspberries, lettuce and Tomatoes,
  6317 State st, Vassar, MI 48768. Phone: 989-823-9917. Email: info@mysite.com. Open: Call for for hours and availability. Directions: Call for directions. Payment: Cash, only. Spray-Free Raspberries. Were proud to offer our customers fresh lettuce and herb Garden patches. To allow them to pick what they want as much or as little as they need. Your own fresh produce, herbs & fruit. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Pennell Farms Facebook page.
• Raleigh farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, broccoli, carrots, peaches, peppers, strawberries,
  10485 South Bray Road, Clio, MI 48420. Phone: 810-691-1825. Email: jnrland@gmail.com. Open: Wensday Friday and Saturday 9:00 to 4:00. Directions: Corner of Bray and Willard road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Raleigh farm Strawberries June through first heavy frost. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicHydroponic strawberries you can pick standing up

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   
   
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers