2024 Chicago and Northeastern Illinois Watermelon U-Pick farms - PickYourOwn.org

Watermelon U-Pick farms in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois in 2024, by county

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

DeKalb County

• Go-Ro Fresh U-Pick Vegetables - beets, broccoli, carrots, herbs or spices, kale, onions, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, farm market, porta-potties
  34565 Route 23, Genoa, IL 60135. Phone: (224) 764-8821. Email: linda@GoRoFresh.com. Open: Opening day for U - Pick Vegetables will be August 21st; 2020; We will be open till Mid October or the first hard frost. Directions: We are located 4 miles south of interstate 90 on Route 23. Located at the corner of Birch Road and Route 23. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . U-Pick vegetables open the middle August till the middle of October;. (UPDATED: August 10, 2020)

 

Watermelon Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Watermelons are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. Just slice, bite, and spit!

Picking tips:

Select plump, full watermelons with a yellowish cast to the spot that rests on the ground and a dried stem. A hollow thud sound when gently rapped also helps!

Watermelon Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that watermelons vary in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• A normal batch of 10 eight-ounce jars watermelon jelly requires 6 cups of watermelon flesh, minus seeds and rinds.  But the rinds can be used to make pickled watermelon rinds, so there is no waste.  Especially if your children have fun spitting the seeds at each other, too!

• Once picked, put the watermelons in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight.
• Want to grow your own watermelons?  Here's an article from Ohio State University about how to: Growing Watermelons in the Home Garden, HYG-1626-95

 

 

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