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

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northeast 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.

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Alcona County

• Huron View Tree and Berry Farm - strawberries, raspberries, and U-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, grave blankets.
  4700 E Sucker Creek Road, Black River, MI 48721. Phone: 989-724-5510. Email: huronviewtreefarm@gmail.com. Open: Nov. Directions: Located 7 miles N of Harrisville. Click here for a map and directions. - December . U-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, grave blankets. June-Aug. U-pick strawberries and raspberries. Open for berries, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 1 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m. U-cut trees, daily, 9 am to dark. 1/2 mile W off US-23 on Sucker Creek Rd. (UPDATED: May 10, 2015, JBS)

Alpena County

• AJ's Berry Farm - Strawberries, Red Raspberries, Black Raspberries, Purple Raspberries, sakatoons,
  1150 Salina Road, Lachine, MI 49753. Phone: 989-379-3061. Email: ajsberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday - Saturday from 7am - noon. Directions: Salina Road is off M32, about 12 - 34 mile west of the intersection of M32 and M65. . Click here for a map and directions.
  AJ's Berry Farm Facebook page. Salina Road is off M32, about 1/2 - 3/4 mile west of the intersection of M32 and M65(UPDATED: May 10, 2015, JBS) (ADDED: August 01, 2009, suggested by a visitor)
  Comments from a visitor on August 01, 2009: "Farm is conveniently close to M32 and growing in popularity. Staff/owners are very friendly and helpful! Good treats in the market. Another gem of a Northern Michigan setting. Gentle rolling hills and farms as far as the eyes can see. They use the flag system to avoid pickers' confusion. Plants are heaping with delightful berries! Many long rows of plants. "
• Arnold Black Farm - Strawberries
  15211 Spratt Road, Lachine, MI 49753. Phone: 989-379-4491. Open: 6 am to ? call. Click here for a map and directions. 6 am to ? (call). (ADDED: July 27, 2009, suggested by a visitor)
  Comments from a visitor on July 27, 2009: "Farm has easy access, and is nicely close to M-65. Can't say enough about how helpful and friendly the workers are; they make it a super experience. Setting is gorgeous with views of woods and neighboring farms. The berries are simply addictive!!! Three abundant varieties (Honey Eye, Cavendish and All Star) of berry-loaded plants. They use the flag system, so there's no confusion about who's picked what and when. A+. They are open in season; normally 3rd week of June to as late as 3rd week of July, 6 a.m. start time, unsure of day's end time. Monday through Saturday for sure, but don't know about Sunday."
• Herron Farm - Strawberries
  16390 Allen Road, Lachine, MI 49753. Phone: 989-379-4089. Click here for a map and directions. Monday to Saturday in June/July; (not sure about Sunday) 6 am to noonFarm is visible from M65, seven miles south of M32. (ADDED: August 01, 2009, suggested by a visitor)
  Comments from a visitor on August 01, 2009: "Very popular farm in this region, with many loyal pickers. Berries are splendid and abundant! I think they use the flag system to avoid picker confusion. Priceless Northern Michigan country setting; dew-soaked plants beckoning at the crack of dawn!"
• The Farm - Strawberries and raspberries in season, u-pick. Pumpkin patch, hay rides.
  Nicholson Hill Road, Alpena, MI . Phone: 517-727-8004. Open: approx. Click here for a map and directions. . Also has displays made with pumpkins. Farmer's market. Open 3rd week in June, then July, daily as crop allows, 7 am to 12 pm and 4-6 p.m. Call for Oct. hoursFrom Alpena, 16 miles out Werth Road. Follow the pumpkin signs. From M-65, Beaver Lake Road, 5 miles follow the pumpkin signs. From US-23 S, W 9 miles on Nicholson Hill Road, follow the pumpkin signs for 7 miles.

Montmorency County

• Brandt's Farm - strawberries
  F21, Hillman, MI 49746. Phone: 989-742-4183. Open: 7 days a week, from 7 am till ? Directions: 8 miles north of Hillman, 9 miles south ofHawks, Co. Directions: 8 miles north of Hillman, 9 miles south ofHawks, Co. Rd. 451 \(F21\), watch for sign. Comments from a visitor on June 26, 2009: "I've gone there almost every year for the last 20 years. Very nice people. Delicious berries." \(ADDED: June 26, 2009, suggested by a visitor\) None found in this county yet. . Click here for a map and directions. Rd. 451 (F21), watch for sign.
  Comments from a visitor on June 26, 2009: "I've gone there almost every year for the last 20 years. Very nice people. Delicious berries." (ADDED: June 26, 2009, suggested by a visitor) None found in this county yet. Write me if you know of any!

Ogemaw County

• OFarrell Farms - strawberries
  1204 Simmons Road, West Branch, MI 48661. Phone: (989) 709-6206. Email: absonthefarm@gmail.com. Open: Hours of operation vary based on season and availability; please visit our Facebook page or call. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, SFMNP Vouchers, SNAP Vouchers, WIC Vouchers. (ADDED: June 01, 2022)

Otsego County

• Estelle's Strawberry Patch Estelle Farm - Strawberries
  Alba Road, Gaylord, MI 49735. Phone: 989-732-7424. Email: estellefarms@gtlakes.com. Open: You must see their Facebook page; they are only sporatically open for U-Pick and it appears they open late in the season for U-Pick, in 2023, it looks like mid-July. Click here for a map and directions. They have already picked usually starting in mid to late June - again SEE THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE BEFORE YOU GONine miles west of Gaylord on Alba Road. U-pick or picked to order. (UPDATED: June 29, 2023, JBS) (ADDED: June 27, 2008) A visitor writes on June 30, 2023:"My family drove a good distance just to pick our own strawberries, as we went to Estelle Farms strawberry patch today. It is usually a family get together kind of thing as we all enjoy it. Well, we got there and were told there will NO LONGER be any u-pick-your-own as they have enough workers to pick them, so they ONLY SELL PICKED strawberries. The sign also said 10# for $38.00 BUT when I asked the young man to weight them he said "we sell by the flat not by the pound." So they are misrepresenting themselves. To say the least, the whole family was disappointed."
  Comments from a visitor on July 30, 2012: "I have been a customer of Estelle Farm for years,buying pounds of at a time. It must of been a bad year for them, and thankfully I only bought one flat, but the were next to horrible. They were small, with dark spots and did not taste good. I threw away at least two quarts worth that were simply "bad". I will pay more attention to looks and do a "taste test" next year. Considering the weather this year, I'm sure they are not the only farm to experience this problem."

 

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