6 Pick Your Own Fruit and Vegetable Farms in Northern Illinois

There is nothing better than fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the soil. 

I started my first garden last year and I loved every bit of it. Well, except for the bugs. I hate bugs.

One thing is for certain, picking your own fruit or vegetables and enjoying it at your next meal is one of life's greatest pleasures. Lettuce has never tasted so crisp, strawberries so succulent or corn so sweet until it is picked fresh from the earth.

Here in Winnebago County, we are so fortunate to have not one or two, but at least four different locations that we can pick fresh fruits and vegetables from this summer, according to Pick Your Own Illinois. 

Curran's Orchard: 6385 Kilburn Ave., Rockford

• Curran's Orchard has some of the tastiest Tart Cherries, Apples and Raspberries growing in Rockford.
• Cherry picking begins late June through early July
• Raspberry picking goes from August through October.
• Apple picking in the fall, and don't forget to get your pumpkins too!

Edwards Apple Orchard West: 8218 Cemetery Road, Winnebago

• Pick your own apples and pumpkins at Edwards Apple Orchard West!
• Picking season begins in August. Visit their website for continuing updates.

Harrison Market Gardens: 9024 Harrison Road, Winnebago

• Pick your own, registered naturally grown, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Sweet Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Herbs/Spices, Melons, Onions, Peppers, Black Raspberries, Rhubarb, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes and more.
• Picking runs from the second week in May through October.
• It is a subscription pick your own and they also offer CSA shares.

Valley Orchard: 911 East State Street, Cherry Valley

• Pick your own Raspberries, (both summer and fall), Strawberries, Blueberries, Currants, Blackberries and more.
• Picking begins in mid-May through late November.

BerryView Orchard: 7504 W. Midtown Road, Mt. Morris

• Pick your own Aronia Berries seasonally. Best to call for dates and hours.

Susie's Garden Patch: 10258 US highway 20, Garden Prairie

• Pick your own tomatoes, apples, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, peaches, broccoli and many, many more.
• Picking season in June and goes through late October.

There are so many more incredible farms and pick your own locations in Northern Illinois that offer the best produce money can buy.

Interested in seeing more? Visit PickYourOwn.org.