2024 Central Illinois Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in Central Illinois in 2024, by county

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

Champaign County

• Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
  3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL 61822. Phone: 217-359-5565. Email: info@curtisorchard.com. Open: July 20 - December 20. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . . THRU October - Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm / AFTER October - Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Store apples: late July to mid December / U-PICK Apples: late July to late October (depending on the year) Click our link for which apples are ready when. / Store peaches: late July thru October / U-Pick and already picked pumpkins: mid-September to mid-November. Spend a little time in the country! Visit Curtis Orchard for a fun, inexpensive & educational farm experience for the whole family. We have apples, pumpkins, kids' activities, a bakery, and a country store. Rain or shine, we're open The Flying Monkey Cafe is open for lunch every day from August 17 - November 27. This 80-acre entertainment farm features the Flying Monkey Cafe, which serves cookout-style lunch. We also bake pies & donuts every day we're open. No admission fee. Sorry - no pets.

De Witt County

• Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm - apples, pumpkins, summer squash,
  7 Miles East Of Clinton, Clinton, IL 61727. Phone: 217-736-2470. Email: rbmartin@dishmail.net. Open: Daily 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: From Clinton take Route # 10 East approximately 7 miles. You will turn right on 17000 (there is a pumpkin sign) go 1 mile then turn right again on airport road (another pumpkin sign) first house on your left (big sign in front yard). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. 92">Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm . Crops are usually available in September, October. We have a variety of pumpkins, gourds, squash, broom corn and Indian corn; Straw maze, corn maze; Open September12th to October31; Hours 10 to 6pm daily; Pumpkin Fun Day - Sunday, October 4th from 1 pm to 5pm; Free pony rides, hayrack rides, face painting and many games; Groups Welcome!!

Jersey County

• Eckert's Grafton Farm - apples, pumpkins, peaches.
  20995 Eckert Orchard Road, Grafton, IL 62037. Phone: (618) 786-3445. Open: 9 am to 5 pm, daily. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . click here for farm directions. Grafton has an expanded entertainment area for both "little" and "big" kids! Watch the goats climb to amazing heights, search for eggs in the real hen house, play a round of miniature golf, bottle feed a calf, swing on an old-fashion tire swing, jump in one of our three inflatable jumping attractions or just relax and enjoy a funnel cake. There is no admission to the entertainment site. Tickets for rides may be purchased.

Macoupin County

• Broom Orchard - apples, pumpkins, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  112803 Broom Road, Carlinville, IL 62626. Phone: 217-854-3514. Email: info@broomorchard.com. Open: See our website for current hours or call. Directions: Broom Orchard is located 2 1/2 miles southwest of Carlinville. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Broom Orchard Facebook page. m Road, Carlinville, IL 62626. . Red Haven peaches start the 3rd week in July (usually) . REMINDER: WE DO NOT HAVE STRAWBERRIES ANYMORE; ONLY PYO apples and pumpkins. Visit our website for current approximate ripening dates of our locally grown seasonal fruit or "like" us on Facebook; has an annual Apple Festival in September and a Pumpkin Festival in October with various entertainment and activities. Facebook page. Our Farm Market is open July thru December. This is where we sell our fresh peaches, apples, blackberries, nectarines, plums, pears and pumpkins when in season. The market is also stocked with Amish-made apple butter, Illinois honey, popcorn, preserves, butters and all fruit spreads. Don't forget our award winning sweet cider, too! Peaches are freestone. Early Gold Apples and Bi-Color Sweet Corn are also available. White Lady Peaches, Nectarines, and Blackberries

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is

• visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
• free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
• Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

• Sugar - Excellent for baking
• Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
• White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
• Mini - Great for decoration
• Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

• How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
• Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
• Traditional Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Butter!
• Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
• Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)

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