Grape U-Pick Orchards in Central Illinois in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a state have grapes orchards 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 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.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Iroquois County

• Mulberry Lane Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, beans, beets, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), grapes, onions, other berries, peppers, raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  414 N Mulberry Street, Loda, IL 60948. Phone: 217-386-2690. Email: helen@mulberrylanefarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed Sunday; Open from April 1 to October 1;Strawberry U Pick starts in early May, BY RESERVATION ONLY. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Mulberry Lane Farm Facebook page. Please call ahead and reserve a spot! The demand is high this year, so don't miss out; Farm shop is open Saturdays year round from 8 am to 8 pmWe use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicFacebook page. 2018 Prices starting out were $3.99 per lb. Minimum 5 lbs per person (12 years old and older). Already picked strawberries are also available by reservation only. 2018 prepicked prices are $5.99 per lb for the first week or two. Prices will drop further into the season. You are at the right place for organic food (all our USDA Certified Organic products are non-GMO and glyphosate free; no Roundup!) and canning supplies. Buy in bulk and save BIG money! We are certified organic by the Global Organic Alliance (GOA).

Jersey County

• Joe Ringhausen Orchard & Apple House (II) - - apples, apricots, blackberries, grapes, melons, peaches, pears, plums, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers & gherkins, eggplants, onions, peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, turnips,
  Rte 67 South, Jerseyville, IL 62052. Phone: 618-498-6951. Open: July5 - Christmas, 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Joe Ringhausen Orchard & Apple House (II) - Alternate Phone: 618-376-6772. Illinois Products gift baskets available Also cider, honey sorghum, jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, popcorn & pecans

 

Types of Grapes

There are  several; types of grapes:

• Table Grapes for eating fresh and making juice and jelly, can be seedless or with seeds. See this page for a master list and guide to table grape varieties
• Wine Grapes... for making wine. See this page for a master list and guide to wine grape varieties
• Muscadines and Scuppernongs, Large, very sweet southern grapes with large seeds

Grape picking tips

• Pick ripe: Grapes do not ripen after they are picked
• Appearance: Look for heavy, firm grapes
• To harvest grapes, carefully cut the grape clusters from the vine using pruning shears. Be careful not to bruise or damage the fruit or the surrounding vines.

Grape recipes, canning, jelly making juice, etc

• Grape jelly from fresh grapes
• Grape jelly from grape juice (canned, bottled or frozen)
• How to make your own grape juice, scuppernong, juice, muscadine juice. - W, P

 

 

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