Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start planning your outdoor activities.
One of the best things about the warmer weather is that it’s the perfect time to go berry picking!
In southeastern Wisconsin, strawberry picking season begins by mid to late June, and sugar snap peas are usually ready for picking around the same time.
Cherries come next in early July, followed by raspberries and blackberries.
Plums and apples come in September!
Just a short ride from Milwaukee, you and the kiddos can have a great time in the strawberry patches at local farms, picking your own berries, making some memories and taking photos of red-stained smiles.
It’s a great way to spend time together, and way better than buying berries in the grocery store! Plus, children of all ages will love this family outing. Plus, children of all ages will love this family outing.
Always be sure to call ahead for hours and daily updates. Picking times and dates depend on weather and availability, and it’s always changing.
Strawberry Picking Tips:
- The best time of day to pick is early in the morning when the berries are still cool or in the late afternoon when the sun is setting. If the sun is too hot, the strawberries get softer and may not keep as well.
- Looks are deceiving! The outside of a plant may suggest there are no berries. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden strawberries ready for harvest.
- Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries do not continue to ripen after they are picked.
- Use both hands, one to hold the leaves, and the other to pick the berries.
- Keep the stems and hulls on the fruit.
- The small berries are often the most flavorful.
- Keep them in the shade.
- Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them. They’ll spoil more quickly. Strawberries last for a few days in the refrigerator.
1. Basse’s Taste of Country
3190 Waukesha Q, Colgate, WI 53017
(262) 628-2626
bassesfarms.com
Nothing marks the real beginning of summer like big, red, sweet, juicy strawberries at Basse’s Taste of Country.
It’s a great place for kids, who will thrill at the hayride out to the patch with 155,000 strawberry plants that burst with fresh fruit every season.
There is a minimum U-Pick requirement of 5 pounds, but the berries are usually plentiful enough to pick that amount quickly. Basse’s provides a weight scale out in the field so you know exactly how many are in your flat before you leave to check out (cashless payments only).
Stop inside the store to reward your little pickers with homemade strawberry donuts, sundaes and slushies.
2. Fideler Farm
2863 Ridge Rd, Kewaskum, WI 53040
http://thefidelerfarm.com
Founded in 1979, the Fideler Farm is a family-owned operation on 70 beautiful acres of land in Southeast Wisconsin. They produce several varieties of strawberries, Summer & Fall raspberries, asparagus, and a variety of vegetables. They also carry homemade jams, jellies, and pickled goods.
Follow them on Facebook for up-to-date information on available produce, berry picking times, and more.
3. Apple Barn Orchard and Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 728-3266
applebarnorchardandwinery.com
Here you can mix strawberry picking and wine tasting. What could be better?
But don’t be confused – Apple Barn Orchard and Winery is located on Sugar Creek Road, with one of the cross streets being Sugar Creek Street.
Strawberry picking usually begins mid-June and runs for 2-3 weeks.
4. Brehmer’s U-Pick Pumpkins & Strawberries (Pesticide-free!)
5805 Clover Rd., Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 673-6527
Facebook Page
This family-owned farm is a 1.5-acre strawberry patch that is pesticide free, so there’s no need to worry about the little ones taste testing as you pick.
Bonus: the rows are wide enough for strollers and wheelchairs.
The normal strawberry harvest starts mid-June and can last about 2-3 weeks.
5. Jelli’s Market
N5648 S. Farmington Rd., Helenville, WI 53137
(262) 593-5133
jellismarket.com
Head due west on I-94, then veer south on country roads just before Johnson Creek, and you may find yourself at Jelli’s Market. This hidden gem in Helenville has a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Besides strawberries, they also grow raspberries, blueberries, peaches, beans, peas, sweet corn and asparagus, many of which you can pick your own.
The farm store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Besides strawberry sundaes, donuts, jam and homemade pies, they also sell meat, eggs, honey, maple syrup, soap, sewn items and more.
6. Mayberry Farms
W2364 County Road Y, Mayville, WI 53050
(920) 387-3696
mayberryfarmswi.com
Up for a drive? Head to Mayberry Farms in Mayville, where a first-generation strawberry farming family strives to provide high quality berries, value prices, and a unique atmosphere with a very fun experience.
They even sell raw honey made from their very own honey bees who help pollinate the strawberries.
Fill a 1-gallon bucket with berries for $15. It provides a convenient way to tote your berries home and wash them. Buy three or more buckets to save $1 per pail, or bring your bucket back to get a $1 credit toward a new bucket (offers may be combined). Ask about their Picker’s Punch Pass, too!
8. Thompson Strawberry Farm
14000 75th St., Bristol, WI 53104
(262) 857-2353
thompsonstrawberryfarm.com
Pick-your-own strawberries and raspberries! When you arrive at Thompson Farm, follow the signs to the entrance. An employee will direct you from the stand to the field, where you can park. The field will always have employees available to guide you through the process and answer questions.
They supply 4-quart baskets for picking and transporting the berries home. The price is $16 per basket, but if you buy 5 baskets, you’ll get a sixth free. And you’ll get 50 cents back when you reuse a basket.
Note: There’s an entrance fee of $10 per car ($5 per car on weekdays). No fee will be charged if you’re stopping by to purchase pre-picked berries.
9. Steffen’s Cherry Orchard
N633 McIntyre Rd., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
(920) 563-9608
steffenscherryorchard.com
If you love cherries and are up for a bit of a drive, head to this family-owned and operated orchard during cherry-picking season. The season typically starts in early July, and it doesn’t last long. Stroll through picturesque, flowering cherry trees, and take advantage of their mechanical pitter.
10. Barthel Fruit Farm
12246 N. Farmdale Rd, Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 242-2737
barthelfruitfarm.com
Due to declining soil quality, 2022 was Barthel’s final year growing strawberries and peas.
However, they do grow Italian blue and purple plums which are usually ready in mid-September and available for pick-your-own. Italian plums look much different than the commonly available plums found in our supermarkets.
Italian plums are about the size of a half dollar, and they have an oblong shape. Removing the pit is fairly easy with these plums because they are a freestone pit, meaning that the pit pops out. These plums are known for their sweet flavor that becomes deeper with baking.
10+ Things To Do With Your Strawberries
- Enjoy them fresh: The simplest and most delicious way to enjoy freshly picked strawberries is to eat them as they are. Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and let your kids enjoy the sweet and juicy berries.
- Make strawberry popsicles: Blend the strawberries with a little sugar and lemon juice, then pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze them for a few hours until solid, and you’ll have refreshing homemade strawberry popsicles.
- Prepare strawberry shortcake: Slice the strawberries and serve them with freshly baked biscuits or sponge cake. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful strawberry shortcake dessert.
- Create strawberry-infused water: Slice the strawberries and add them to a pitcher of water. Let it sit for a while to infuse the water with a hint of strawberry flavor. It’s a refreshing and healthy drink option for the whole family.
- Make strawberry jam: Turn your freshly picked strawberries into homemade strawberry jam. Involve your kids in the process by letting them mash the strawberries, stir the mixture, and help with canning. It’s a great way to enjoy the berries throughout the year.
- Bake strawberry muffins or bread: Use the strawberries in baking projects with your kids. Make strawberry muffins or bread together by incorporating the sliced strawberries into the batter. It’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
- Create strawberry fruit salad: Combine the strawberries with other fruits like sliced bananas, blueberries, and oranges to create a colorful and nutritious fruit salad. Let your kids assist in arranging the fruit and drizzling some honey or yogurt as a topping.
- Host a strawberry-themed tea party: Turn your strawberry bounty into a special event by hosting a strawberry-themed tea party. Serve strawberry lemonade, strawberry sandwiches, and strawberry pastries. Get creative with decorations and involve your kids in the planning process.
- Strawberry Smoothies: Blend the strawberries with yogurt, milk, or a dairy-free alternative, and a sweetener of your choice (such as honey or maple syrup). Add ice cubes and blend until smooth. It’s a refreshing and healthy treat.
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: Melt some chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until the chocolate sets. A delicious and elegant treat!
- Strawberry Yogurt Parfait: Layer sliced strawberries, Greek yogurt, and granola in clear glasses or bowls. Repeat the layers and top it off with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. It makes for a delightful and nutritious breakfast or dessert.
- Strawberry Lemonade: Blend the strawberries with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a sweetener like honey or sugar. Strain the mixture to remove any seeds or pulp. Dilute with water, taste and adjust the sweetness, and serve over ice for a refreshing drink.
- Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups: Puree the strawberries, heat it for ten minutes, and spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at a low temperature (around 200°F/93°C) for several hours until the puree is dried and no longer sticky. Cut into strips and roll them up for homemade fruit roll-ups.
- Strawberry Salad: Combine sliced strawberries with mixed greens, crumbled feta cheese, candied pecans or walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It’s a delightful and refreshing salad option.
We’re wishing you a sunshine, joyful family memories, and a bushel full of beautiful strawberries.
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mkewithkids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
