Fresh, ripe, juicy berries may be the ultimate summer food. They can be simmered and served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, baked into a sweet pie, or simply enjoyed fresh.
Luckily for Michiganders, our state’s unique climate and soil composition allows these sweet treats to flourish throughout the state during the summer, and farm-fresh berries aren’t far.
For the absolute freshest summer fruits, visit one of these nine spots and pick blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and more straight off the bush.
Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill
One of the first u-pick farms in Michigan, this family-owned business offers a wide variety of u-pick at one of their three locations in Armada, Almont, or South Lyon. Strawberries will be available in June. Cherries, apples, and raspberries will be available in July. Peaches will be ready to be picked in August. The farm also offers a tasting room for craft beer and wine and a Funland, which offers animal petting, baseball shooting and John Deere tractor riding. Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com.
Blueville Acres Blueberry Farm
The blueberry bushes at this quaint Belleville farm, which date back to 1968, have been sustained through the decades thanks to careful, organic farming practices. The farm’s “no-spray” approach to pest control utilizes scrupulous trimming and pruning techniques — rather than chemical sprays and powders — to keep its plants healthy.U-picking will be available beginning in mid-July and the farm will announce the formal beginning of the season on its Facebook page . Visitors can also grab fresh eggs courtesy of the farm’s free-range, corn- and soy-free hens.Blueville Acres Blueberry Farm, 8093 Judd Road, Belleville; bluevilleacres.com.
Brookwood Fruit Farm
This fifth-generation Almont fruit farm specializes in growing high-quality apples, cherries, peaches, and other fruits. When the crops are ripe, usually starting in mid-July, the farm’s tart cherry orchards will be ready for visitors to pick to their hearts’ content. To sweeten the deal, the orchard offers free pitting for all cherries picked on-site.Brookwood Fruit Farm,7845 Bordman Road, Almont; 810-798-8312; brookwoodfruitfarm.com.
Hazen’s Blueberry Farm
For three generations, the Hazen family has operated this 25-acre blueberry farm in Howell. It offers a unique array of blueberry varieties, from Bluecrop — the most widely-planted blueberry variety in the U.S. — to Blueray, a sweet, dessert-ready blueberry that favors Michigan’s cold winters and hot summers. The formal beginning of blueberry-picking season, which is expected in mid-July, will be announced on the farm’s website and Facebook page. In the meantime, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with artisan fruit pies, ice cream, cookies, and muffins at Sweet Maria, the farm’s on-site bake shop. Visitors can also snag raw honey made from the local hives of Livingston County. Hazen’s Blueberry Farm, 1144 Peavy Road, Howell; 517-548-1841; hazensfarm.com.
Middleton Berry Farm
Environmental conservancy is the way to go at this local Ortonville farm. Located on 40 acres, this u-pick only farm offers a variety of fruit to be picked throughout the summer. The farm is an IPM focused on sustainability and is entirely u-pick only with nothing pre-harvested for customers. Strawberries are available from mid- to late- June for picking. Raspberries will be ready to pick during mid- to late-August until late-September. This farm is entirely cash or check only and doesn’t accept credit card payments due to unreliable signals. Middleton Berry Farm, 4790 Oakwood Road, Ortonville; (248) 831-1004; middletonberryfarm.com.
Slow Farm
This certified organic u-pick farm, located just three miles north of downtown Ann Arbor, will offer strawberry picking a little later in the season this year due to late frosts. They are expected to start ripening up in mid-June. If you do miss out on the berries, don’t fret — the farm will soon announce u-pick events for its other summer produce, including garlic, lettuce, kale, and mustard greens. The crops, most of which are heirloom varieties, are insecticide-, herbicide-, and pesticide-free. Slow Farm, 4700 Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor; 917-837-0975; slowfarmandfriends.com.
Spicer’s Orchard
Six generations have owned and farmed this u-picking farm near metro Detroit. A wide variety of u-pick is available from June until mid-August. Strawberries will be ready to pick in mid-June to early July. Red tart cherries, sweet cherries, and red raspberries will be available to pick starting in July until August. Blueberries will be ready from July until September. To continue the fun, there is a winery for the adults to cool off at or a playground for the kids to pet goats, play in a treehouse, and hangout on a tractor. Spicer Orchards Farm Market & Winery, 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton; 810-632-7692; spicerorchards.com.
Verellen Orchards & Cider Mill
This historic orchard and cider mill in Washington is a certified Michigan Centennial Farm, meaning it’s been operated by the same family for over 100 years. Visit in June and early July for fresh strawberry picking, or in late July and August for cherry picking. Nectarines, peaches, plums, and other summer fruits are also available pre-picked. Check out the on-site bakery for a huge selection of fruit pies, doughnuts, muffins, and cookies, or pick up a jar of house-made jam, salsa, or honey from the farm store. Those looking to cool off after a day of fruit-picking can enjoy fresh fruit slushes, iced tea, and Cook’s Farm Dairy ice cream. Verellen Orchards & Cider Mill, 63260 Van Dyke, Washington; 586-752-2989; verellenorchards.com.
Wasem Fruit Farm
Wasem Fruit Farm will remain closed until cherry season, which they expect to begin sometime in early July. In addition to cherries, the family-owned and -oriented farm grows red and black currants, gooseberries, plums, pears, and fall raspberries, which they sell in season at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Watch out for u-pick apples and pumpkins in the fall, too. Wasem Fruit Farm, 6580 Judd Road, Milan; 734-482-2342; wasemfruitfarm.com.
This post has been updated for 2023.
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