2024 Northwestern Illinois Raspberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in Northwestern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for raspberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have raspberries 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.

Bureau County

• Bureau Creek Orchard - Apples, red raspberries, pumpkins
  14180 1800 East St, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: (815)875-6137. Open: 9 am to 6:30 pm daily from August 25 to November. Click here for a map and directions. . Restrooms on site. Just opened this year in August.

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: 309-629-2359. Email: rtf205@sbcglobal.net. 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. 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. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Fax: 3096292359. . Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 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.
• Strawberry Flats - blueberries, raspberries, sweet corn.
  23787 E. 1260 Street, Geneseo, IL 61254. Phone: 309-944-5065. Click here for a map and directions. Strawberry Flats Call for directions.

Mercer County

• Country Corner - strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, corn maze, Petting zoo
  5333 US Highway 150, Alpha, IL 61413. Phone: (309) 629-2359. Email: info@countrycornerfarm.com. Open: April through October, Every Day: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Click here for directions. Restrooms, Picnic area, crops CC accepted, Petting zoo, u-pick strawberries, raspberries. Fall festival: Haunted corn maze, Kid friendly corn maze, bounce houses, hay rack rides,concessions and much much more!
  Comments from a visitor on September 15, 2011: "Love going every year! my family has such a GREAT time..I was looking for something similar in Peoria and noticed that your site did not have this place listed, and since we love it I thought you should add it..(I believe organic but not certain),"

Ogle County

• Stillman Valley Nursery - raspberries (Autumn, red), U-pick and already picked
  9979 N. Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, IL 61084. Phone: (815) 645-8113. Email: tbrass1@comcast.net. Open: Late August through frost; Monday through Saturday 9 am to 3 pm or Call for appointment; Please call for picking conditions. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Natural grown garlic available for sale. (ADDED: September 01, 2017)

Putnam County

• Morrissey Family Farms - strawberries, raspberries.
  County Line Rd, Putnam, IL 61560. Phone: (309) 236-8837. Click here for a map and directions. .

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. Email: Owners@HappyHollowUPick.com. Open: May: Asparagus Monday-Saturday from 12:00-5:00; June-July-Sept. 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 and directions.
  Happy Hollow U-Pick Facebook page. . May: (Asparagus ) Monday-Saturday from 12:00-5:00; June-July-Sept.: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., from 8:30-5:00, Wednesday 8:30-7:00 and Saturday 8:30-6; Closed Sundays and Holidays; then in October: Mon, Tues., Thurs - Fri 8:30-5, Wed., 8:30-7:00 & Saturday 8:30-6, Sunday 12:00-5; HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT A DAYS NOTICE; If you arrive at the farm 15 minutes before closing, you will not be allowed to go to the field to pick. Facebook page. Click here for a map to our farm. We are open May, October. 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.

Whiteside County

• Wainwright Orchards - raspberries, Roadside Market
  922-265th St North, Hillsdale, IL 61257. Phone: (309) 658-2475. Click here for a map and directions. . Their retail outlet in Hillsdale, but the telephone number is for the farm.

Winnebago County

• Bethkes' Farm Apples - raspberries.
  6587 Cherry Valley Road, Cherry Valley, IL . Phone: 815-522-2215. Open: June - October, 10 am to 6 PM daily. Click here for a map and directions. . Apples: Royal Gala, Big Jon, Ozark Gold and cider.
• 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: p.d.curran@att.net. Open: for Cherry picking in summer and for Apples in Fall. Click here for a map and directions.
  Curran's Orchard Facebook page. . . 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. Facebook page. 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 - apples, raspberries, pumpkins
  8218 Cemetry Road, Winnebago, IL 61088. Phone: (815) 963-2261. Open: see their website for current crops and hours. Click here for a map and directions.
  Edwards Apple Orchards Facebook page. . For a fun family outing enjoy the experience of picking your own apples, pumpkins and raspberries. Visit the play area featuring our wooden bus and train, the corn cribs, the wagon slide and our animals in the "Petting Farm."
• Harrison Market Gardens - certified organic, asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, onions, peppers, raspberries (black), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  9024 Harrison Road, Winnebago, IL 61088. Phone: 815-980-0589. Email: billjillbeyer@yahoo.com. Directions: We are located aboaut 10 miles northwest of Rockford, Illinois. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 618-967-4729. . We are a subscription pick your own and also offer CSA shares; You can choose either a weekly ($475) or bi - weekly ($325) pick that runs from May through October; Once you have had your initial pick/training, your family can come out whenever convenient;; ; any day of the week any time of the day. We are registered naturally grown for all crops.
• Valley Orchard - apples, beans, blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, winter squash, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, picnic area, school tours
  911 East State Street, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. Phone: 815-332-9696. Email: thevalleyorchard@outlook.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . These are some of the apples that we offer; if you do not see your favorite apple listed, please call, we have over 28 varieties. (This is only an estimate of when the apples will be ready, please call for U-Pick availability.) facebook page. Early Season (August ~ September) has Early Gold, Paula Red, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Jonamac, Snow Sweet, Haralson, Sept. Wonder Fugi, Wolf River. Mid Season (September ~ October) offers Ozark Gold, Senshu, Cortland, Jonathan, Jonagold, Empire, MaCoun, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Golden Russet, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Blush, Autumn Gala, Ida Red. Late Season (October ~ November) is Shizuka, Blushing Gold, Rome, Fuji, Winesap, Suncrisp, Candy Crisp, Braeburn, New Town Pippin, Cameo, See comments about this farm here!

 

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. In the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - 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 raspberries, 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 raspberries 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 raspberries

1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.

   Raspberries Nutritional Data
   (fresh)

   Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
   Energy	220 kJ (53 kcal)
   Carbohydrates	11.94 g
   Sugars	4.42 g
   Dietary fiber	6.5 g
   Fat	0.65 g
   Protein	1.2 g
   Vitamins
   Thiamine	(3%) 0.032 mg
   Riboflavin2	(3%) 0.038 mg
   Niacin3	(4%) 0.598 mg
   Pantothenic acid5	(7%) 0.329 mg
   Vitamin B6	(4%) 0.055 mg
   Folate9	(5%) 21 μg
   Choline	(3%) 12.3 mg
   Vitamin C	(32%) 26.2 mg
   Vitamin E	(6%) 0.87 mg
   Vitamin K	(7%) 7.8 μg
   Minerals
   Calcium	(3%) 25 mg
   Iron	(5%) 0.69 mg
   Magnesium	(6%) 22 mg
   Manganese	(32%) 0.67 mg
   Phosphorus	(4%) 29 mg
   Potassium	(3%) 151 mg
   Zinc	(4%) 0.42 mg
   Other constituents
   Water	85.8 g
   Units μg = micrograms � mg = milligrams IU = International units
   Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source:

   
   
2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
8. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight 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.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
5. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash  off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) raspberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
   raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
• The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
• 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
• Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
• Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
• Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
• In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
• Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
  Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
• The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
• Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
• According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
• U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries 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 go to a raspberry festival? See this page for a list!

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