PickYourOwn.org
Where you can find a pick-your-own farm near you!
Chicago and northern Illinois
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This month's notes: October 2008: Summer crops like tomatoes, figs and raspberries are going strong. Apples are here! Check out the corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides! Find an apple festival, tomato festival, corn festival, peach festival or other festivals near you! Organic farms are still not common, but any that are, have the word ORGANIC by their name! Check out my easy canning instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide - and if you have tomatoes coming out your ears, see the tomatoes canning page! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals
Please tell the farms you found them here - and ask them to update their information!!!

• To see the pick-your-own farms and orchards for northern Illinois and the Chicago area, click here or scroll down the page
• Crop availability / harvest schedule - click here
• To find pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other Halloween activities, click here.
• To find choose and cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, click here.

U-Pick Farms and Orchards, sorted by county

Boone County

• Edwards Apple Orchard - apples, pumpkins, tractor rides, hay maze, petting zoo, gift shop, pony rides
  7601 Centerville Road, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. Phone: 815-765-2234. A visitor writes on July 21, 2008: "They have you-pick apples, pumpkins, tractor rides, bakery, historic barn museum(?), hay maze, hay loft, kids play area, petting zoo, gift shop, concessions, entertainment, pony rides, etc. I cannot say enough about this farm. They had a devastating tornado strike in January of this year, but it looks as though the rebuilding will be completed in time for a late-August re-opening." (UPDATED: July 20, 2008)

• Fiorello's Pumpkin Patch - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  3178 Hwy 173, Caledonia, IL. Pumpkins, pony and wagon rides, haunted house, witches, scarecrows, Halloween costumes, cornstalk maze and autographed copies of Frank Fiorello's latest pumpkin book. Open: September - end of October, 9AM - 7PM daily. Phone: 815-765-2587. 
• Susie's Garden Patch - asparagus, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Other fruit or veg, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area
  10258 U.S. Hwy 20, Garden Prairie, IL 61038. Phone: 815-597-3011. Email us at: susie@susiesgardenpatch.com. Directions: 6 miles East of Belvidere or 7 miles West of Marengo on Hwy 20; And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in May, October. Open: ;Monday to Saturday 9am - 6:30pm; Sunday Noon to 5 pm; May 1 - June18:Aspargus; June: Strawberries; End of June & September: Raspberries; Mid August to Frost: Tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, okra, hot peppers; Mid September - October 31: Pumpkins, Fall Squash. Payment: Cash, Check. U-pick: Hot peppers, okra; Special Events: Garden Prairie Strawberry Festival - Sunday June 18 10 to 5; Church at 9:30; Bluegrass, Gospel music; pony rides, children games, crafts, Ice cream social and food. Picking of asparagus and STRAWBERRIES. Pumpkin Fill Up: All you Fall Decorations needs; U-pick pumpkins up to 50 lbs. $2; pony rides (Saturday and Sunday only). Strawberry Festival – Sunday, June 15, 2008. Pre-picked crops are also available: Cherries, melons, peaches, tomatoes, watermelon, asparagus, beans, beets, cucumbers, gherkins, eggplants, garlic, onions, peppers, sweet corn.

Bureau County

• Apple Valley Farm - raspberries. UPDATE: Spetember 4, 2005: They are now permanently closed.
  149 S. Towline Road, Seatonville, IL 61359  
• Bureau Creek Orchard - Apples, red raspberries, pumpkins
  14180 1800 East St, Princeton, Illinois 61356. Phone: (815)875-6137. Open: 9 am to 6:30 pm daily from August 25 to November. Restrooms on site. Just opened this year in August.
• Plow Creek Farm - U-Pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
  19183 Plow Creek Road, Tiskilwa, IL 61368 Phone: 815-646-4862. Email: farm@plowcreek.org. Directions: See our map. Open: June-October. The Strawberry Festival is on the second Saturday of June from 11am to 2pm in Tiskilwa West Park. Current hours and field reports on phone and website. We grow all crops without chemical herbicides, pesticides or fungicides. Fertilizers are chosen responsibly to enhance long-term soil health. The fertilizer we apply directly to plants is an all-natural fish-based mixture. Diverse vegetables including beans, peas, melons, peppers, lettuce and other greens at market and farm stand. Grass-fed beef by order. We also grow seedless watermelon and a wide variety of vegetables, including tomatoes and sweet corn . We are located in Tiskilwa, Illinois -- 8 miles south of Princeton. A visitor writes: "We went blueberry picking at Plow Creek Farm last year and we had a wonderful time. The blueberries were the best I've ever had! I have been looking forward to going back ever since, it's almost time!" (UPDATED: June 25, 2008)

Cook County

• The Children's Farm - pumpkins
  12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 60464. Phone: 708-361-3650. Fax: 708-361-2811. Email us at: centerpalospark@aol.com . Directions: 294 (tristate) South towards Indiana, Exit I-55 towards Chicago. Take I55 to the second exit Route 45 (Lagrange Road) south. Lagrange Road south to 131st Street (8 miles) turn left onto Southwest Highway (7). The farm will be on your right turn in just before the large wooden pedestrian bridge. I-80 to Harlem or Lagrange exit north. At Harlem and 131st Street you will go right to Southwest Highway (7) and then right on 7 to the farm on your right. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open October. Our hours are: Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. For the entire month of October our farm is open to pick your own pumpkin. You can visit our farm animals, take a hayrack to our pumpkin fields and have lunch in under our pavilion. A great day on the farm for you and your family. At the end of October we transform our farm into a spooky Haunted experience. Visit our website for more details
  

DeKalb County

• Honey Hill Orchard - apples, raspberries, pumpkins. 
  11747 Waterman Road, Waterman, IL 60556. Phone: 815-264-3337. 
• Jonamac Orchard, Inc. - Pumpkins, apples, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkin patch, kiddie barn
  19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, IL 60150. Phone: 815-825-2158. Directions: three quarters of a mile south of Malta on Shabbona Road (19412 Shabbona Rd.) Open: 7 days a week. Mid-August till Thanksgiving 9am - 5:30 daily. Also, prepicked sweet corn, pumpkins, squash, apples, cider, preserves, honey, popcorn, Indian corn, weekend hayride to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Get lost in our 10 acre Corn Maze with 3 miles of pathways and 2 bridges. The kids will love our Barnyard activity area with a huge bale pile, peddle tractors, sand pile, corn bin, play barn, bunny barn, mazes, tube slides and other fun activities. On weekends the Apple Train will be running and you can try your marksmanship skills at our Apple Launcher. We will also have festivals, live music, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Haunted Corn Maze this year by expanding the number of weekends to four. It will be open October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, starting at Dark and ending at 10 PM.
• Koehler's Farm Market - UPDATE July 15, 2007: A visitor tells me they have closed down!
  U-pick farm, tomatoes, fall vegetables, pumpkins. 
  32269 Glidden Road, Kingston, IL.  Halloween costumes, weekends activities in October. Open: various hours. Please call. Phone: 815-784-5841.   
• Sycamore Pumpkin Patch - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  15326 Quiqley Road, Sycamore, IL. Hayride, Haunted Forest, Maze of Corn, Giant Pumpkin Patch, Charlotte's Web, barnyard animals, store and refreshments. Admission charged. Open: Late September - October 31, daily 10AM - 6PM. Phone: 815-895-3276.  

DuPage County

Henry County

• Country Corner - corn (sweet), melons, other berries, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  5333 U. S. highway 150, Alpha, IL 61413. Phone: 3096292359. Fax: 3096292359. Email: rtf205@sbcglobal.net. Directions: Halfway between the Illinois Quad Cities and Galesburg, IL. on U.S. highway 150, two miles North of Alpha, IL. Just twenty minuetes from the Quad City Airport. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Open: Farm Market Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 7:00pm Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm May 1st; through October 31st Fall Fun Park open on weekend's starting September 13th through October 31st; 11:00am to 7:00pm. Strawberries available mid May to mid June U-Pick Vegetables by apointment July to October U-Pick Rasberries mid July to Mid Sept U-Pick Pumpkins Sept 1st to October 31st Corn Maze Open daily late July to October 31st Flashlight Maze by apointment Sept 1st to October 31st Haunted Maze Friday and Saturday 7pm to 11pm in Oct. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. U-Pick Hayrack Rides to the Vegetable Garden, Sweet Corn, Indian Corn, Gourd Patch and Pumpkin Patch New this Fall,Featuring our own Corn Cannon, Cow Train, Mini Corn Shock Maze and Mining For Gems along with Special events every weekend starting September 13th. (ADDED: June 22, 2008)
• Oswald Family Farm - blueberries, raspberries & asparagus. UPDATE July 9, 2006: Our operation is not u-pick. We have fresh asparagus and rhubarb in season. Pickled asparagus and asparagus guacamole year-round. Our berries go into jams and jellies. Shortly we will have cherry-rhubarb and strawberry-rhubarb sauce available throughout the year.
  8227 Timber Road, Kewanee, IL 61443 Phone: 309-853-5449. 
• Strawberry Flats - blueberries, raspberries & strawberries. 
  23787 E. 1260 Street, Geneseo, IL 61254 (Henry County)  Phone: 309-944-5065.  Call for directions.

Iroquois County

• Mulberry Lane Farm - ORGANIC, strawberries, red raspberries
  414 Mulberry Street, Loda, IL 60948. Phone: 217-386-2690. Email: hea@themotherscompanion.org. Open: Please call ahead before coming to farm. Typical harvest dates: strawberries in May-June, red raspberries in July. All are organic.

Jo Daviess County

• White's Berry Farm - Strawberries & raspberries (red, yellow and black), peaches, tomatoes, peppers, melons, sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, squash and much more. 
  1729 N. Blackjack Road, Galena, IL 61036 Phone: 815-777-3106. Call for directions and for more information.

Kankakee County

• Mary's Berries - strawberries, blackberries, raspberries.  
  9495 East 1500N. Road,  Momence, IL 60954.  Phone: (815) 472-6015.  Important note: They do not allow kids to pick blackberries or raspberries (because of the thorns), but they may pick strawberries..

Kane County

• Anderson Farm - tomatoes, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, straw or hay bale maze, and prepicked produce, tractor-pulled hay rides
  251 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, IL 60538. Phone: 630-896-8835. Fax: 630-554-0098. Email us at: maherappraisal@ameritech.net. Directions: Interstate 88 to Orchard Road south to U.S. 30(Ny-Pass). East across Fox River to Douglas Road North to Montgomery Road West 1/4 mile to farm on north side of road. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in August, September. Open: daily 9AM to 6PM July 1 thru October 31. U-Pick Tomatoes beginning early August thru September. Hay Rides, Straw Maze and Petting farm the last three weekends in October. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Sweet Corn, Cucumbers, Pickling Cux, Zuchinni, Yellow Squash, Peppers, Potatoes, Beans all picked daily. Michigan Peaches July to September. Michigan Apples and Cider September thru October.
• Greenfield Farms - raspberries,
  0S951 Green Rd , Elburn, IL 60119. Email: Berries@andersale.com. Directions: From Elburn...go south on 47 to Hughes , go east to Green Rd (1.5 miles) take Green south, we are 3/4 mile on left. From Batavia...Randall go west on Fabian to Hughes west to Green, go south on Green. From Batavia...Randall west on Main to Green (6 miles) go north to Farm (3/4 mile) And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in August, September, October. Open: 7 Days a week 8am to dusk. Raspberries-late August until the first frost (early November) Payment: Cash, Check. Bring your own picking basket or bucket and save! We have picking baskets and containers if you don't.
  A visitor writes on August 30, 2008: "They have a nice spacious field with rows that are marked for ripe berries. Owners are friendly and helpful. You need to bring something to take your berries home in. Excellent prices."
• Kuipers Family Farm - Apples, pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, horse-drawn hay rides, tractor-pulled hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo
  1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL 60151. Phone: 815-527-5200, ext 1. Fax: 815-827-4100.  Email us from the contact form on the website: . Directions: For more information visit our website, Kuipers Family Farm. Click here for a map to our farm.  Crops are usually available in September, October, November, December. Open: Tuesday-Friday 9 am to 6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm (Sept-Oct) Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm (Nov.-Dec.) Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard.

  Approximate Ripening Dates: Please call for daily updates to the apple picking schedule.
  Variety	Ripens:	Variety	Ripens
  Paulared	mid-August	Red Delicious	October 4
  Prima	August 30	Golden Delicious	October 4
  Jonamac, Gala	September 6	Mutsu, Idared	October 18
  Cortland, McIntosh	September 13	Rome, Winesap	October 18
  Spartan, Ozark Gold	September 13	Blushing Golden	October 25
  Empire, Jonathan	September 20	Granny Smith	Nov or later

  Turn your fall pumpkin picking into a family event. Kuipers offers u-pick pumpkins right from the patch! We also have pre-picked pumpkins in many sizes. When the fall season is over don't forget to come back to Kuipers for your Christmas Season. We offer fresh u-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees and wreaths. We'll even have hot cider, home baked pies and our famous apple cider doughnuts to warm you up! For holiday decorating visit our Gift Shop for beautiful Christmas decorations and crafts.
  A visitor writes on September 08, 2008: "Very, very expensive for such a small amount of apples for apple picking. Long lines, help is either over worked or just put out by the masssive amount of people paying big bucks to the farm. Not very organized for the amount of visitors they get in a season. A smile would not hurt the help and again I stress - you will spend BIG BUCKS!"
  A visitor writes on October 05, 2008: "My In-Laws have been going there for a couple years and that is all they can talk about for weeks. This years I brought my Family there and we had a blast ! ! ! ! I can't wait until next year ! ! ! ! My 3 year old Daughter loved it and my 22 year old Brother loved it too ! ! ! ! My Mother can't wait until next year also ! ! ! ! "
  A visitor writes on October 06, 2008: "We went to the farm this weekend, and although it started to rain while we were there, we still had a great time (my husband, me and our 5-year-old). This is a very big farm with something for everyone, literally, and plenty of low-hanging apples for kids to pick. We chose this farm over others on your excellent website because of the variety of apples they offer--we wanted some for eating, some for pies, and some to make applesauce, and we need different types for that (pie apples need to be firm). There are dozens of varieties of apples, inclduing some we weren't familiar with (Gold Rush, Ida Red), though not all areas are open for picking each day--depends on ripeness, etc. The admission charge is kind of expensive, but at the same time the apple prices were comparable to what I pay in my local grocery store (it was $14.00 for 10 pounds, so $1.40 a pound--less than at my local Jewel and certainly less than Whole Foods, though these apples are not organic as far as I know). They also have a cool 5-acre corn maze, and a whole farm of attractions across the street, includng pumpkin patch and pony rides and petting zoo, which we skipped this time due to the rain getting heavier. They also have a bakery and an outdoor food tent which had something for each of us (braturst, cheeseburgers, hot dog and very, very good apple cider donuts, which I don't usually like, but these were lighter and more flavorful than most). We also bought their cider which we thought was very good quality. Every sngle person was friendly despite the bad weather and crowds, and they have a lot of helpers everywhere you go. Our final verdict is that we will definitely go back! If you do not like a big farm with lots going on, I would choose a smaller place that just has apples, and perhaps it will be cheaper. You will end up spending more money here because there is a lot to do and to buy, but we kind of knew going into it that we'd spend some money on this once-a-year outing, so we didn't mind. Out of 5 stars, we'd give it 5!"

• Theis Produce - strawberries , pumpkins, cut-your-own Christmas trees
  6 N 593 County Line Road,  Maple Park, IL 60151 (Kane County)  Phone: 815-895-9712.  When in season, (October 1 - December 26th) open daily 9 am to 6 pm. Bring own containers, also pre-picked available.

Kendall County

• Dollinger Family Farm - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  7420 E Hansel Road, Minooka, IL. U-pick pumpkins, squash, gourds, mums, and Indian corn, hay rides, educational activities, farm animals, haunted cemetery, some 200 - 300 lb pumpkins here, picnic facilities. Open: September 30 - October 30, daily 10 am to 6 PM. Phone: 815-467-6766.    
• Knutson's Country Harvest - Apples, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, other berries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, other vegetables, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, wagon rides
  13550 Townhouse Road, Newark, IL 60541. Phone: 815-557-4629. Email us at: info@knutsonsharvest.com. Directions: Newark is 30 miles straight west of Joliet Il on Route 71. We are 1 mile south of Newark on Townhouse Road. Call or visit our website for directions and maps. And for a map to our farm, Click here. Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. Open: June Saturday 9 am to 4pm, Starting July Saturday and Wednesday 9 am to 2pm, and Saturday, Wednesday, and Sunday 1pm-4pm Everbearing Hydroponic Strawberries Mid June Till End Of Oct. Everbearing Red Raspberries End of June Till End Of Oct. Black Raspberries All of July. Blueberries First of July Till Mid August. Apples Mid July Till End of Oct. Peaches Mid July Till Mid September. Blackberries August. Payment: Cash, Check. We grow our Strawberries Hydroponically. They are in stacks about 4 ft high (very easy to pick, Elderly and Handicap friendly), much cleaner and more natural. See our website for pictures and details. In our store we have Fresh Pies (Regular and Sugarless), Jams, Jellies (Regular, Seedless and Sugarless), pickles available. Paddle boat rides in the summer and Wagon Rides in the Fall.
  A visitor writes on August 30, 2008: "This place had a very limited amount of strawberry plants to pick from. In fact, we found 4 ripe berries from all of the plants--all the plants had been picked clean. Another visitor told us that it's almost impossible to find enough to fill a basket because the plants are striped so often. The two rows of raspberry bushes looked un-kept and weedy. Owners are nice and cordial, but there didn't seem to bee much of quality picking. They do sell "hydro-stacker" systems if you want to grow your own."

Lake County

• Didier Farms - pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, green beans, hayrides, pumpkin patch in the field, 5 acre corn maze, Halloween shop.
  16678 West Aptakisic Road, Prairie View, Il 60069.  Phone: 847-634-3291. Fax: 847-634-3298. E-mail: info@didierfarms.com. Directions: near Lincolnshire, IL. Northeast corner of Aptakisic Road & Buffalo Grove Road. Click here for a map.
  Open: 9 am to 7 p.m. Daily till Halloween. U-Pick begins early August for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and green beans. Our farmstand is open everyday from 9-7 until October 31, 2005. Also, Birthday Party Reservations are being taken Monday thru Friday from 9-2 beginning August 1, 2005. Please check the birthday party web page for information. Schools and Groups Reservations for Didier Farms Pumpkinfest (September 24-October 31, 2005 will begin by fax on August 15 and by phone on September 1, 2005. More: open spring for plants, summer for vegetables, fall for pumpkins, etc. Greenhouse. Also see our Photo Gallery,  Birthday Parties, and Calendar of Events pages.
• Glunz Farms -  herbs. 
  888 Belvidere Road, , Suite 109, Grayslake, IL 60030 Phone: 847-548-9463. Location of the Pick Your Own farm for fresh raspberries & herbs and Winery is 19655 W. Washington, Grayslake, IL 60030, Phone: 847-548-6687. Closed until August. No longer offering raspberries to pick.
• Heinz Orchard - apples,
  1050 Crest Road (corner of Crest & Atkinson), Green Oaks, IL 60048. Phone: 847.287.5867. Email: heinz.orchard@yahoo.com. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: See our website for current hours. Payment: Cash, only. Our family-run orchard is the closest to Chicagoland and has been welcoming individuals and families for over 40 years. We don't charge for admission or parking, and there is no minimum-per-person charge. (ADDED: September 02, 2008)
  A visitor writes on September 21, 2008: "We have been apple picking many times, this was a great experience. It is a wonderful place to take kids. The orchard is small, but the apples were plentiful and the staff very kid friendly. We will definetly go back."
  A visitor writes on October 09, 2008: "Hello and thanks for your web-site. i really found it the most useful of all the ones i looked at for picking apples. We went to Heinz Orchard in Lake County Illinois. The owner, farmer, was extraordinarily nice and gave us lots of tips on picking. The apples are delicious! We had a wonderful time in the quiet place that is not so far to drive to as the other farms. i would go back next year."
• Krueger's vegetable's - beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, train rides, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides
  28572 West Route 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051. Phone: 815-385-4981. Email us at: Kruegersfarm@aol.com. Directions: From us rte 12 we are located a mile and a quarter west of Route 12 on Route 120 Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October. Open: Staring in July and ending October 31 we are open 7 days a week 9am till 6pm. our pumpkins patch hayrides start in October every weekend from noon till 5pm. Payment: Cash, Check.
• Quig's - Apples - UPDATE July 1, 2006: They've sold the farm for yet another housing development. A visitor writes on 2007-09-14: "I have been picking apples at Quigs apple orchard for 30 years, since I was a child. To my surprise the Quig family decided to sell to new owners July of 2006. However, the Quig family had the new owners promise to keep the orchard open and run it like a family owned business it was for 59 years. It was the new owners who succumbed to greed and sold and closed the orchard for a housing development in January of 2007. The Quig family took pride in their business and I had to clear their name. It is a shame how many memories will not be made because of greed and development. "
  Another visitor points out that the Quig's weren't greedy, but rather: "The town of Mundelein was taxing the land as if it was being occupied by a housing division. Therefore, Quig's was "taxed" out of existence by the very town that they provided sales revenue to. I agree that this is very sad. I can't tell you how many people have commented to me about their sadness regarding Quig's destruction. We are all left trying to find another orchard to replace Quig's only to find out that there is and was only one Quig's."
  300 S. Route 60/83, Mundelein, Illinois, 60060. one quarter mile N.W. of Midlothian Road. During picking season, the apple orchard will be open:  Tuesday to Sunday WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Call for daily apple availability at 847-566-4520.  CALL BEFORE YOU GO!!!!Apple Picking, Daytime Hayrides, Pony Rides, Daytime Haunted Barn, Petting Zoo, 'Tony the Tiger' Moonwalk, a Giant Caterpillar to crawl through, and more! The children's activities are available on the weekends in September and Oct.
  
• Wauconda Orchards - Closed
  Sadly - it's now a housing development.  
• Ziegler's Orchard - Apples (both U-pick and prepicked), snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, tractor-pulled hay rides
  Bacon Road 1/4 ml. S of l20 & 2ml W of Haninesville 32363 N. Bacon Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Phone: 847-546-1228. Fax: 857-546-l435. Email us at: helsep@sbcglobal.net. Directions: From Chicago & suburbs go north to Hwy l20(Bellvediere Rd.)West on l20 to Bacon Road which is 2 ml. past Hainesville just before Fairfield Road. All others go north or south to Hwy l20 then to Bacon Road which is 1/4 ml. south of Hwy l20 And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Saturday & Sunday 9am to 5pm. September 10 to Oct. 9, 2005 for Columbus Day and Oct. l5 & l6 call first Sept, 10&ll Macintosh l7&18 Jonathan&Courtland 25,25,Oct.1,2,8,9,all varieties including Red & Golden Del., Mutzu, Fuji, Blushing Gold, Granny Smith, Banana Apples, etc. Hayrides every week-end from l0am-4pm Payment: Cash, Check.
  Note from a visitor, October, 2006: "First I want to say thank you for such a great website. It was so informative and helpful. I used it to locate some apple orchards for my girl scout troop and some siblings. We were wanting to give them the experience of picking the apples, going on a hayride and then come home to bake apple crisp. HOWEVER THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ZIEGLER'S. I really think it should be noted that Zieglers is not family oriented and really does not want kids out on their orchards. We were treated extremely rudely by the owners and as soon as they saw our cars pull up increased the price per person. I was told on the phone and via email the cost was $1.00 per person and $6.00 for a 5lb. of apples. But they demanded we pay not only $1.00 per person but each person had to purchase 5lbs. of apples. This includes our preschooler of age 3-6. There were 25 of us...what on earth did we need 125lbs of apples for?? We tried to negotiate with them as we did not want to waste the apples but they would not listen and were very rude. They just wanted us to leave with all the kids. Instead we went to Royal Oak Farm in Harvard, Illinois and had a much better experience. With all the orchards closing it is a shame we had to be treated in such a manner and it was a good lesson for the girl scouts of how not to treat others."
  Another comment from a visitor on October 13, 2007: "I agree with the comment "not family friendly" but at first glance they seem to be. They actually made us buy a bag to pick apples for my 2 year old. We were not greeted when walking into the little bakery either. You would think that they want the business. "
  Another comment from a visitor on October 20, 2007: "Ziegler's may have changed their policy since I took my 2 yr old son there last year (2006). All they indicated was that each bag was $10 whether filled up completely or not. I actually had 1 1/2 bags and they offered to only charge me for one. I loved the experience and my son also loved the store and pumpkins to pick out as well."
  A visitor writes on August 17, 2008: "Zieglers: I also wanted to comment on Zielgers. My family and I were also long time customer of Quigs. After the closing, we attempted to continue the family tradition each year, and tried out Zieglers. WORST idea ever. They were RUDE (one lady actually argued with my family member in an incredbilly rude tone... apparently- the customer isn't right). We also experienced their insanly ridiculous policy of making each customer- not matter how old - purchase a 5lb bag of apples (sure enough- my 4 year old cousin had to buy a 5lb bag)!! And, if you did not buy a 5lb bag then you could not walk through the orchard. So, because several of my family members refused to purchase a 5lb bag (that many apples is just not needed) they stood outside the orchard waiting for the rest of use to be done picking apples. [My immediate family specifically has 5 people in it. We DO NOT need 25 lbs of apples at home!] Needless to say, it was a HORRIBLE experience for a family attempting to continue a long lived tradition. We will NEVER go to Zieglers again- they are not family oriented and rude. It seems they are there to only make a buck as oppposed to giving the customer a great experience."
  A visitor writes on August 18, 2008: "In response to the comments about Ziegler's Orchard in Grayslake: I also began going there after Quig's in Mundelein closed, and I always found the staff very friendly and helpful. I'm really surprised to hear that they were rude to other patrons, as that was not my experience in the least. I would recommend Ziegler's to anyone."
  A visitor writes on August 19, 2008: "We visited Ziegler's last fall (Sept. 2007). We must remember that with the price of land in the area, local taxes, and the cost of keeping a clean and tidy orchard, Ziegler's does need to make money somehow. People will pay $30 per child for Great America but have a problem "buying" 5 lbs. of apples per person. Yes, 5 lbs. per person might leave a family with 15-20 lbs. of apples but it is just to fund keeping the idea of a U-pick orchard alive. We just chalked it up to paying an admission fee for the experience. We planned ahead and made all kinds of apple desserts that night and passed some of the extra apples along to family and friends. If Ziegler's wanted to avoid the negative feedback, they could raise the admission or possibly charge an additional admission fee if 5 lbs. of apples are not picked. It is heart-breaking to waste all that food, but we must financially support local farms who are trying their very best to survive. I'm POSITIVE the Ziegler family isn't getting rich on your 5 lb. bag surcharge."
  A visitor writes on September 05, 2008: "We've had our family apple-picking outing at Ziegler's annually since my daughter was born 12 years ago, and.... we've always ~loved~ it there. We always stop first to get their delicious apple cider cinnamon donuts, then head out to the trees. We have so much fun trying to find the variety of our favorite trees. As to the 5 pound bag... that's always the way it's been there. We've always had fun giving our extra apples to the neighbors, co-workers, and friends when we return. One year we met Mrs. Ziegler in the store, and she could not have been more delightful. Their brand of apple butter is the best, and their apple barbeque sauce is the bomb. "
  A visitor writes on September 06, 2008: "Just an update - According to their phone message, there is no such thing as a 5lb min., but the cost is $1.35per/lb with a 1.00 admission. Children 3/under are not included in the per pound pricing. They open the 13th."
  A visitor writes on September 10, 2008: "We visited Zeiglers in late Sept 2007 after discovering Quigs had closed up. It was a terrible experience with rude people. We will be going else where this year. We miss Quigs. They knew how to celebrate the season and geared everything towards the children which is what its all about."
  A visitor writes on September 24, 2008: "I worked at the Ziegler orchard some 20 years ago as a high school student. The comments of others are very accurate. You never know what mood Mrs. Ziegler can be in - pleasent or scornful. And no, they are not kid friendly. They are a small farm and need every one of their apple trees at fullest production. The damage done by curious, well meaning kids climbing and tramping through the orchard is very upsetting to them. The more people in the orchard, the higher the stress level and more likely to get a negative experience. On the positive, they have Fantastic apple struedle and fritters! "
  A visitor writes on October 04, 2008: "There are no more apples left for picking. We went to the orchard today (10/4/08) and they charged us $1 each to pick apples off of the ground. Very disappointing! "
  
  If anyone else (including the farm) has a comment, positive or negative, please write me - I aim to present a fair, accurate information!
  

LaSalle County

• Guelde Strawberries - asparagus, pumpkins, strawberries
  4779 E 1525th Road, Earlville, IL 60518. Phone: (815) 246-9609 Click here for a map to our farm. We are open May, June, July, September, October. Our hours are: 7 Days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, weather permitting

Marshall County

• Schneider Orchard - fresh apples, pumpkins
  1036 County Road, 1150 North; Henry, IL 61537. Directions: 2 miles South of Henry on Rte 29, West 2 miles. Watch for signs.
• Tanner's Orchard - Pick your own apples, Apples, cider, grapes, pumpkins, cider, Christmas decorations, gourmet foods, candles, jams and apple butter, bakery, deli
  740 State Route 40, Speer, IL, 61749. Phone: 309-493-5442. Email us at: info@tannersorchard.com. Open: 7 days a week, July 15 for season, school tours, restrooms, picnic areas, kids petting zoo and play area, Payment: Cash and credit cards welcome.  Tanners also has hayrack rides and a corn maze in the Fall!

McHenry County

• All Seasons Orchard & Nursery - 11 different varieties of apples. 
  14510 Route 176. Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-338-5637.  Email: ASFNL@prodigy.net. Directions: From Chicago take I-90. Exit on 47 North to Route 176 West. The orchard is located 2.5 miles west of the intersection of Route 176 West and 47. Open: September - October 9 am to 5 p.m.  Farmer's Market: honey, jams, pre-picked apples and Asian pears, apple doughnuts. Other: Pumpkins in October, green and shade trees available from spring-fall.
  A visitor writes on September 22, 2008: "I visited with my boyfriend on Sunday, 9-21. We got there at about 11 am, it was swamped. No biggie, you expect that. You had a choice of 2 bag sizes/prices. Unfortunately, one was for ony Honeycrisp and asian pears ($40) and one for everything else ($30). No other choices. I bought pre-picked Honeycrisps (why I went there)and we wandered around. Had fun in the petting zoo, though it was small and the animals were behind a fence. I prefer one with more interaction. There were several goats and a llama, and I do have to say the animals were very friendly. Wandered around a bit, got hot, decided to go in and purchase something to drink. Which we stood in line for 45 mintues to pay for. There was a LOT of grumbling about the prices, the lack of choices in bag size, and the wait in the lines. By the time we paid for it, our drinks were warm, we told the woman we were putting them back in the cooler and taking cold ones. Then we left. I for one am not going back there, and a coworker who has children who went the same day felt the same. I think there are other places much more fun than this one."
• Brook Farm - UPDATE July 3, 2007: We regretfully have closed our U-Pick operation this year and are just selling at a farmers' market in Woodstock, IL.
  9306 Lawrence Road, Harvard, IL 60033.
• Country Cabin Orchard - permanently closed (UPDATED: July 20, 2008)
  U-pick apple orchard (8 varieties),4820 Alden Road, Woodstock, IL.  P
• Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  42 W 813 Reinking Road, Hampshire, IL.  Phone: 847-464-5952. U-pick pumpkins, petting zoo, wagon rides, decorations. Open: October 1 - November 1, Daily 9AM - 6PM.    
• Harms Farm Garden Cntr - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  4727 W Crystal Lake Road, McHenry, IL. Phone: 815-385-5385.  Pumpkins, fresh fruit, apples, petting zoo, spook house, pumpkin x-press ride, crafts, weekend events, Christmas trees and crafts. Open: seasonal times. 8AM - 8PM. Call in advance.
• Homestead Orchard - Apples, blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb
  11802 Charles Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-338-7443. Email us at: donburda@comcast.net. Directions: From I-90 (Illinois Tollway) go north on Route #47 approximately 12 miles to Woodstock. Continue on #47 through business district going north a few more miles to Charles Road stop sign. Turn right and go 1 mile to Orchard!  From McHenry going west on #120. Go to the "Greenwood" stop sign, but do not turn left on #120, continue going west on what is now Charles Road. Homestead Orchard is a mile and a half on the right. And for a map to our farm, Click here. Open: 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday during apple harvest season. We also offer our own honey & beeswax candles. 
  A visitor writes on September 08, 2008: "Wanted to let you know about our experience at Homestead Orchard. We were glad to find out that this place was open early - Sept 6/7. We went with our family of four and two neighbor girls. When we arrived we went into the little barn and were greeted by the owners, Barb & Don. They went over everything we needed to know like which trees were ready to pick, which weren't, gave us the pricing ($1.25 per/lb for apples and no minimum or surcharge) told us about the you pick rasberries and pears and then gave us all bags equal to a peck. The youngest got a smaller, 1/2 peck paper bag. Another guy showed us to the trees and suggested we walk further down the aisles to get the less picked over varieties. We spent about 45 minutes getting some wonderful macintosh and jonathons. Then we got a few pears. After collecting all that (about 30 lbs total) we headed for the berry patch. There are still plenty of berries left if you want to head out there. It looks like they will still be ripening for a couple weeks yet. While picking berries I met a lady who also found the farm from pickyourown.org, so this site definitely works! When we checked out Don was very nice, warm and friendly. We didnt get charged for the small paper bag which still probably had about 5 lbs in it, so that was nice. All in all it was really nice experience. There are no frills at homestead - its just a you pick operation so dont expect hayrides, entertainment etc. We didnt need it this day - the kids had a blast without it. Thanks Blake for your great site!"
  A visitor writes on October 10, 2008: "I took my 5 and 7 year old here today and it was a wonderful experience. The orchard is just the right size and the owner is very friendly and helpful. There were plenty of apples in the children's reach. There is no minimum purchase but we almost filled one bag. We will be going back next year. We got some delicious Jonagolds and Blushing Goldens and they are being devoured as I write this! "
• Knoll's Apple Orchard and Vegetable Farm - Apples, home grown produce
  15211 Saint Patrick Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-337-2334. Also called Knoll's Vegetable Farm and Apple
  Orchard. Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. They have a Farmers Market, on farm sales,  and Pick-your-own.
  A visitor writes on October 03, 2008: "Loved the farm. Small, quiet just apples and their own produce. Nice owners who greet you when you pull up. If you want to pick apple without all the hooppla this the place!" (Suggested by a visitor, ADDED: October 03, 2008)
• Lang's Orchard - Apples
  17411 Secor Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (815) 568-7547. Email us langs@langsorchard.com.  Directions: From rts. 47 and 176 take 176 west about 4 miles to Franklinville rd and turn rt. Go 1.7 miles on Franklinville rd to Secor Rd and turn left. Proceed to Farm. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open September, October. Our hours are: Daily 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Thursday. Our store features fruit spreads, local honey and arts and crafts.
• McCann Berry Farm - strawberries
  18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 , IL 60098. Phone: 815-568-8810. Fax: 815/568-1062. Email us at: mtmccann@mc.net. Directions: Take Route 47 N or S to Route 14. Turn NW. to 2nd stop light. Turn Left onto Kishwaukee Valley Road 4 miles west of Route 14 ( just past the S curve); 3 miles east of Route 23. Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in June. Open: June 10 - Call for picking conditions. Weekdays 8 am to 7 pm., Weekends 8am - 5pm depending on availability. Call AHEAD for afternoon picking conditions. Payment: Cash, Check.
• More Than Delicious Orchard - Apples, pears, and prepicked produce, restrooms
  9905 W. Thompson Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-338-2309. Email us at: vmdownes@gmail.com. Directions: The farm is located 2 miles east of Woodstock at the corner of Route 120 and W. Thompson Road. And for a map to our farm, Click here. Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Saturdays & Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm, Opening Saturday, September 13th.  Payment: Cash, Check. We have over 80 varieties of apples and pears. Because of the hot, wet summer, some varieties are ripening faster than usual.  Check our website for weekly updates on ripening.  As always, every week we will have some unusual apple and pear varieties not listed on the schedule.  Please call or stop by to try an apple you have never had.
• Prairie Sky Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  4914 N Union Road, Union, IL 60180. Phone: 815-923-4834. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Crops are usually available in September, October.  Click here for picking updates. Open: open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: August 27, 2008)
• Royal Oak Farm Orchard - apples, blackberries, pumpkins, raspberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  15908 Hebron Road, Harvard, IL 60033. Phone: 815-648-4141. Fax: 815-648-4821. Email: service@royaloakfarmorchard.com. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November. Open: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm U - Pick closes at 5:00 pm Closed on Sunday!. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Raspberries: August 1 to October 15 or first heavy frost Blackberries: September 15 to October 31 or first heavy frost Apples: August 15 to November 15 Pumpkins: September 15 to November 15 or first heavy frost. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. No admission fee Monday to Friday $3.00 Admission fee per car Saturdays, Labor Day and Columbus Day Rides in the Entertainment Area include Royal Oak Express, Royal Oak Carousel and Orchard Tours. Each require a $2.50 token. Free Playground and Petting Zoo. Group Tours and School Tours available by appointment Monday to Friday. (UPDATED: October 07, 2008)
• Stade's Farm and Market - Strawberries- it's their first year with pick your own strawberries, pumpkins
  3709 Miller Rd, McHenry, IL, 60051. Email us at: veggies@stadesfarmandmarket.com. Our pumpkin picking festival, known as Shades of Autumn, is our main attraction in the fall. The family-oriented festival includes fun, food, hayrides, a petting zoo, corn maze, live music, our popular Pumpkin Cannon, and a variety of other attractions. (ADDED: June 10, 2008)
• Walkup Heritage Farm & Gardens - follows organic practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs/spices, melons, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, walnuts, Other fruit or veg, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), prepicked produce, picnic area, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  5215 Walkup Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Phone: 815/459-7090. Directions: And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in April through October. Open: Open 7 days 10 to 6 starting Earth Day (third Saturday in April) and ending November 1st; Closed Sundays until 1 pm. All heirloom varieties; "Jewel" Strawberries mid June to July 4th; Other produce as available seasonally; Fresh greens from hoophouse to early December; Poinsettias for 2009; Also native plants and heirloom annuals and perennials, including roses and peonies; Fresh eggs from heritage chickens for 2009. We follow organic practices, but are not seeking certification. Payment: Cash, Check. (ADDED: September 26, 2008)
• Woodstock Country Orchard - raspberries.  
  17015 Garden Valley Road,  Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (815) 923-4359. See these pages for more information: [Hours] [Map] [Schedule] [Varieties] [Prices]

Ogle County

• The Berry Patch - strawberries
  17650 W.Barclay Road, Milledgeville, IL, 61051. Phone: 815-225-5560/815-631-4204.  2007 prices: You pick: $1/lb; we pick: $2.75/quart. A visitor writes: "The owner's names are Mark and Laurie. Very nice people."
• Granny's Berries - blueberries. raspberries
  S. White Rock Road, Rochelle, IL 61068 Phone: 815-562-4462 or toll free 866-562-4462.  call for picking conditions; blueberries after July 1; fresh raspberries after August 15.  3405 
• Rainwater's Pumpkin Patch - Pick your own pumpkins. 
  14676 Twombly Road, Rochelle, IL. Pumpkins of all sizes and shapes, including fancy white pumpkins, miniature pumpkins and gourds, squash of all varieties, Indian corn, corn shocks and hay bales. Group tours available by appointment. Late September - October 31, 9AM - dusk, 7 days a week. Phone: 815-562-8587.   

Putnam County

• Boggio's Little Mountain Orchard - Pick Your Own apples and pumpkins, petting zoo, fresh apple cider, Indian corn, variety of squash, Corn Maze, popcorn, and gourds.
  12087 Illinois Hwy 71, Granville, IL, 61326. Phone: 815-339-2245. and Phone: 815/339-2460. Directions: From the intersection of SR (State Route) 26 and I 80 in Princeton, go east on I 80 for 4.3 miles to Exit 61/I 180. Go south on I 180 for 13.4 miles. At the Connecting Road exit, take the ramp for SR 71 and go east 4.9 miles to the market on the right. Open: Daily, July through mid November. Handicap Accessible; Restrooms; Hiking; Picnic area, Fresh picked vegetables and bake items.

Rock Island County

• Happy Hollow U-Pick - asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant (aubergine), flowers, melons, onions, other berries, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables
  17325 - 20th Avenue North, East Moline, IL 61244. Phone: 309/496-1515. Directions: 1 mile north of the Quad City Downs or 1 mile west of the Interstate 80 and 88 interchange. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open May, October. Our hours are: Vegetable season, from Monday thru Saturday from 9 to 5. We are closed Sundays thru the last weekend in September. Pumpkin Season, 7 days a week from 10-5. Our claim to fame is the number of varieties of Hot Peppers that we grow. We grow about 30 varieties ranging from 0 on the Scovill rating up to 550,000. Our 48 varieties of vegetables are grown for taste and not high production yields. We also raise goats and sheep for meat and or pet sales. Month of October, We have a Haunted Hovel in conjunction with our local Barstow Volunteer Fire Dept. Voted in the Quad Cities to be the best for the last couple of years. Weekend Evenings in October.
• Shady Knoll Farm - raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, asparagus, beets, sweet corn and walnuts. 
  3115 Dennhardt Road, East Moline, IL 61244 Phone: 309-496-9636. 

Stark County

See Tanner's in Marshall County

Whiteside County

• Hazel Creek Vineyard - grapes,
  23060 Hazel Road, Sterling, IL 61081. Phone: 815-499-5229. Fax: 815-625-3377. Email: vvmiller@essex1.com. Directions: Interstate 88 to Sterling/Rock Falls. Take Exit 36 to US-30 West. From the stop sign go straight on US-30 West for 2.6 miles. Turn right on Habben Road and travel 1.7 miles. Turn right on Hazel Road and travel 1/2 mile. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in August, September. Open: Saturday's and Sunday's, 9 am to 4 pm or by appointment. Payment: Cash, only. U-Pick and pre-picked grapes available. (ADDED: August 19, 2008)
• Wainwright Orchards - raspberries.  
  Roadside Market. 922-265th St North,  Hillsdale, IL 61257. Phone: (309) 658-2475.  (Retail outlet in Hillsdale, but the telephone number is for the farm.)

Will County

• Bengston Pumpkin Farm - U-pick pumpkin farm. 
  13341 West 151 St, Lockport, IL.  Phone: 708-301-3276.   Also haunted barn, hayrides, pig races, pony rides, fun barn, farm animals, custom shop and concession stand. Open: October 10AM - 8PM. Admission charged.
• Butterprint Farm - pumpkins, winter squash, gourds and popcorn
  24936 S. 80th. Avenue, Monee, IL 60449. Phone: 708 534 - 8801. Email us at: butterprintfarm@cs.com. Directions: Take I 57 to the Monee Manhattan Exit. Head West for 2.3 miles to 80th. Avenue. Turn right heading north for 7/10 of a mile and a giant pumpkin will greet you! Click here for a map to our farm. We are open October. Our hours are: Saturdays and Sundays 10am till 6 pm in October Pumpkin picking at the Butterprint Farm is designed to give a glimpse of days gone by on the farm. It's a place where the family can get away to a place in the country not to far from Chicago. Our name Butterprint comes from the seed capsule of the Velvet leaf plant once used by the early settlers to make fancy patterns in their butter. Enjoy a three quarters of a mile round trip hayride. Go across the creek to the pumpkin patch to pick 1 of over 15 varieties of pumpkins, also gourds and squash. Our ScareCrow Corn Maze will confuse you. Indian corn, hardy mums, and honey from our farm is also available as well as concessions. There is also old time rope making, Corn Cracking and processing demonstrations. Make a wooden bird feeder the old fashioned way. Visit the Butterprint Prairie and Museum. There is also face painting, Hay and barrel car rides, puppet shows and a petting zoo. Main events include a fiddlers Competition and various live entertainment.
• Dunn's Farmstand - asparagus, strawberries, green beans, okra, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant.
  21302 W. Angle Road, Wilmington, IL 61481 Phone: 815-476-7667. Directions: 2 miles east of Wilmington off Route 102. Follow signs. Open: 9 am – 5 pm, daily. Appointments welcome.
• Garden Patch Farms & Orchard - Apples, blackberries, cherries, cucumbers, currants (red and black), eggplant, grapes, gooseberries, pears, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes
  14154 W. 159th Street, Homer Glen, IL 60491. Phone: 708-301-7720. Email us at: sales@gardenpatchfarms.com. Directions: garden patch is located on 159th St. (Route 7) 1 mile east of Cedar Road and 1 mile west of Parker Road in Homer Glen, Illinois. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open May, June, July, August, September, October. Our hours are: Monday thru Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm specific harvesting dates are provided at our web-site events calendar. garden patch is an ideal facility for hosting group outings with tours to our fruit orchards & flower greenhouses, fall activities include pumpkins, jump castle and straw maze, hayrack rides. Many other fruits and vegetables, unusual included, available at fruit stand.
  A visitor writes on September 21, 2008: "I went there this weekend and honestly it had a great variety of products, yet the people who worked there were so rude it made it difficult to enjoy. It really bothered me and ruined my weekend. The rudest of them all was an older women at the register. I truly hope she isn't the owner because that is terrible for business. She rolled her eyes and yelled at me. She seemed to not be enjoying what she is doing. If it wasn't for the staff I would have liked to return. It isn't a cheap place so I would rather take my business else where were I can be treated like a human being."
  A visitor writes on October 06, 2008: "I have no idea why the previous posting was so negative but our afternoon at the farm was wonderful. Granted the cost per person is $5.00 and you pay 1.99/lb for most fruit and 1.25/lb for apples picked but you are paying for the farm experience. If you want to waive the 'pick-your-own' fee then their stall pricing is pretty competitive. The staff were very helpful if a little burned out but it is the end of the season after all. Most of the fruit was picked through but there is still a good selection of apples left on the trees. We're definitely going back!"
  
  Does anyone else have a comment (positive or negative?) Write me!
   
• Jim Gorman Vegetables - tomatoes, peppers and hot peppers
  30643 S. Route 53, Wilmington, IL 60481 (Will County) Phone: 815-476-7514. Will have melons, sweet corn, apples and peaches later in season at stand only
• Tammen Treeberry Farm - blueberries. 
  37131 Essex Road, Wilmington, IL 60481 (Will County) Phone: 815-458-6264 or 800-892-5989. E-mail: treeturkey@aol.com.
• Windmill Acres Berry Farm - raspberries. 
  20825 W. Schweitzer Road,  Elwood, IL 60421 (Will County)  Phone: 815-727-1411.  E-mail: larryberry54@hotmail.com  Only in August.
  UPDATE: August 27, 2008: A visitor tells me they are now permanently closed.  Can anyone confirm?

Winnebago County

• Bethkes' Farm Apples - raspberries. 
  6587 Cherry Valley Road, Cherry Valley, IL. Apples: Royal Gala, Big Jon, Ozark Gold and cider. Open: June - October, 10 am to 6 PM daily. Phone: 815-522-2215.   
• Curran's Orchard - Tart Cherries (on dwarf trees) Apples (on dwarf trees), raspberries, straw maze, hayrides and pumpkins.
  6385 Kilburn Ave. (Route 70), , Rockford, IL, 61101. Phone: 815-963-7848 . Email us at: p.d.curran@att.net. Open: for Cherry picking in summer and for Apples in Fall. Raspberries: pick your own in August - October. Tart Cherries, pick your own in late June - early July. Pumpkins, enjoy picking that perfect pumpkin from our pumpkin patch, or chose from our pre-picked pumpkins. Complimentary hay wagon rides through the orchard on weekends. Evening wagon rides for groups (by reservation only). Mini straw bales maze! School Tours! A petting corral with farm animals for the kids to enjoy. A glass observation bee hive in the sales barn with live bees (don't worry, the bees are enclosed in the glass hive). Great tasting jams, apple butter, salad dressings, and real maple syrup. Restrooms & picnic area available. September thru November: 9:00am - 6:00pm, six days a week (closed Mondays). November thru December: 9:00am - 5:00pm, six days a week (closed Mondays).
• Edwards Apple Orchards - raspberries.  
  8218 Cemetry Road,  Winnebago, IL 61088. Phone: (815) 963-2261. (UPDATED: July 21, 2008)
• Valley Orchard Farms - raspberries.  
  811 East State Street,  Cherry Valley, IL 61016. Phone: (815) 332-9696. Roadside Market. 
  

 

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