This month's notes: May 2012: Strawberries are here in much of the US.  They will be finished in the South in a couple of weeks, so don't miss them! Blueberries will only be a few weeks after them! See this page for hundreds of easy canning and freezing instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals. Then see each state's crop availability calendar for more specific dates of upcoming crops. Organic farms are identified in green!  See our guide to local fruit and vegetable festivals!. Please tell the farms you found them here - and ask them to update their information!!

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Where in the greater metropolitan Des Moines area of Iowa to find pick your own farms and orchards for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and canning & freezing instructions!

U-Pick Farms and Orchards, sorted by county

Remember: ALWAYS call (or follow the link to the farm's own website, if the name is a blue link) to confirm the information before you go! They may close, run out or change events, times, etc. without notifying me!

Adair County

Boone County

Clark County

Dallas County

  • Berry Fresh Farms - Strawberries, raspberries
    30339 K Avenue, Adel, IA, 50003. Phone: 515-554-6698. Call for hours. Check their website for updates. (UPDATED: July 08, 2010) (ADDED: June 21, 2008)
  • Patch's Pumpkins & Honey Farm - apples, pumpkins, winter squash, Turkeys, Honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    35588 L Lane, Adel, IA 50003. Phone: 515-834-9092. Email: cary@patchspumpkins.com. Directions: From I-80 (Des Moines)Travel west from Des Moines past the Adel turn off to exit 106. You can see the pumpkin patch from the interstate at about mile marker 107 on the north side. Look for the red and white tent in the field (that's the straw maze). At the top of the exit ramp turn right and follow the blue & white DOT signs or the large signs on the hay racks. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Saturday and Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. We are open the last weekend in September and all weekends in October. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard. Pumpkin Cannon. (UPDATED: October 02, 2008)
  • Will Family Orchard - ORGANIC, Apples and pumpkins and gourds
    33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel, IA 50003. Phone: 515-993-5151 . Email us at: info@willsfamilyorchard.com. They are certified organic. Very Clean farm. Hay Ride, farm tours, farm market, pumpkin patch, apple barn. Very interesting info about organic crops. Honey with bees that you can watch.
    A visitor writes on August 21, 2008:     "The owner Maury Wills is very nice and informative. He did a presentation on caring for his orchard in a organic manner. Seems like a lot of work. The bees were very cool too. The kids were amazed on the action behind the glass." (Suggested by a visitor, ADDED: August 21, 2008)

Greene County

  • Deal's Orchard - apples, cherries, pumpkins, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
    1102 244th Street, Jefferson, IA 50129. Phone: 515 386-8279. Email: info@dealsorchard.com . Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: 3 miles west of Jefferson on E 53 and 1/4 mile south on K Avenue. Click here for a map and directions. Fall Festival is the second full weekend in October. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. (ADDED: September 10, 2009)

Grundy County

Guthrie County

Hamilton County

Hardin County

Jasper County

Lucas County

Madison County

  • Burr Oak Farms - Apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, and prepicked produce
    1121 220th Street, Winterset, IA 50273. Phone: 515-462-1482. Email us at: wce1482@yahoo.com. Directions: Turn south from exit 100 on I 80. Go to stopsign (About 10 miles). Turn left to first gravel road (220th Street) Go to "Y". Take right fork on "Y" and we are at top of hill. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November. Open: Mid June to Mid November Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM Payment: Cash, Check.

Mahaska County

Marion County

Marshall County

Polk County

  • Pumpkinville @ Mitchellville & Corn Maze - asparagus, pumpkins, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo
    618 Center Ave S, Mitchellville, IA 50169. Phone: 515-967-0972. Email us at: Pumpkinville@mchsi.com. Directions: Take exit 149 off of I-80 south to Center Ave Take Center Ave south out of town to 618 Center Ave S And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Open: Daily 10:00 TO Dusk Corn maze open August-October 10:00am - 9:00pm We are open for business from May 1 through October 31. We sell vegetables daily from spring through fall. Payment: Cash, only.
  • Van Dyke Sweet Corn - asparagus, corn (sweet), Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed)
    12270 Ne 22nd, Ankeny, IA 50021. Phone: 515-257-0298. Email: robinsvandyke@live.com. Open: Call for hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. (UPDATED: September 29, 2011) (ADDED: July 29, 2010)

Powershiek County

Story County

  • The Berry Patch - Uses natural growing practices, Apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, currants (red and black), gooseberries, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, horse-drawn hay rides, tractor-pulled hay rides
    62785 280 Street, Nevada, IA 50201. Phone: 877-382-5138. Email us at: information@BerryPatchFarm.com. Directions: from Des Moines, north on I35 to exit 102,turn east on 210. Go east 5 miles to S14, go north 6 miles to 280 st. Go east 3/4 miles to Berry Patch Farm. From Ames: East on US 30 8 miles to S14. South 4 miles to 280 Street East 3/4 miles to Berry Patch Farm Directions and Mapquest on our web site. And for a map to our farm, Click here. Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. Open: please check website for current hours We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard. Heritage Red Raspberries and Fall Gold Raspberries,   Apples;  Honeycrisp, Earlygold,   Gala,  Mollies Delicious, Mac Intosh,  Priscilla , Liberty,  Red Cortland,  Jonathon, Lura Red
  • Black's Heritage Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, onions, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    26156 530th Avenue, Ames, IA 50010. Phone: 515-292-1936. Email: duane@duaneblack.com. Open: July - September by appointment Monday - Saturday. Directions: 2 miles south of highway 30 on 530th Avenue (University Blvd.) in Ames, Iowa. Click here for a map and directions. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: July 08, 2010)
  • Center Grove Orchard - apples, pumpkins, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    32835 610th Avenue, Cambridge, IA 50046. Phone: 888-227-7531. Fax: 515-383-4354. Email: info@centergroveorchard.com. Directions: Just north of Ankeny and south of Ames, 5 miles east of I-35 on Highway 210 (Exit 102, Cambridge). Then, north 1/8 mile on 610th Ave. And for a map to our farm, Click here. Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in September, October, November. Open: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm; Sunday Noon to 6 pm Open Labor Day Weekend through Thanksgiving Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. We offer bonfires and campfires for church groups, youth groups, company events, etc. We have weekend festivals throughout the season with extra activities. Details on our web site.
  • McWilliams Apple Orchard - apples
    9773 NE 158th Avenue, Maxwell, IA 50161. Phone: (515) 240-4920. Open: September - October; Sunday - Friday, Closed Saturdays. Please call for times; we are a small family orchard; Please call for you-pick times. Directions: From I-35, go East on Hwy 210. Go South on S-27 for about 2 miles. Turn left onto gravel road NE 158th Ave. We are the first place on the right. Varieties: Honeycrisp, Haralson, Chieftain, and Jonathan.

Tama County

  • Hinegardner Orchard - pick-your-own apples, strawberries, Pumpkin Patch, pumpkins, squash, cider, honey, caramel apples, pies.
    1348 295th Street, Montour, Iowa 50173. Phone: 641-492-6353. Open: Call for hours and availability. Directions: Click here for a map. Apple Orchard, Strawberry Farm.

Warren County

Farmer's Markets, Farm Stands and Roadside Stands, Etc.
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

Greene County

  • Deal's Orchard - Indoor market, apples, beans, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, onions, pears, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, walnuts, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
    1102 244th Street, Jefferson, IA 50129. Phone: 515 386-8279. Email: info@dealsorchard.com . Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: 3 miles west of Jefferson on E 53 and 1/4 mile south on K Avenue. Click here for a map and directions. Fall Festival is the second full weekend in October. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. (ADDED: September 10, 2009)

Polk County

  • Iowa Orchard - Farmers market (multiple stalls or vendors), Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, Baked goods, Preserves, jams, jellies, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions / refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, school tours
    9875 Meredith Dr., Urbandale, IA 50322. Phone: 515-276-0852. Alternate Phone: 515-707-3809. Email: feedback@iowaorchard.com. Open: Hours depend on the time of year because we do five or more markets per week during our busy seasons; Please check the website for details. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. Click here for our Facebook page. We have a family fun zone included with our hay rack rides. The zone has hay slides, corn box, bean box, tire obstacle course, badminton, and horseshoe toss. We also have a bakery and kitchen that produces pies, made from scratch caramel apples, fudge, cookies, turnovers, and other wonderful treats. We also sell a large amount of Grimes Sweetcorn for those hot summer days. (ADDED: October 05, 2011)

Story County

  • Black's Heritage Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, apples, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    26156 530th Avenue, Ames, IA 50010. Phone: 515-292-1936. Email: duane@duaneblack.com. Open: July - September call ahead for availability. Directions: 2 miles south of highway 30 on 530th Avenue (University Blvd.)Ames, Iowa. Click here for a map and directions. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: July 08, 2010)
  • Little Stone House farm - Farmers market (multiple stalls or vendors), Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, some produce is sustainably grown, some produce is grown using IPM (integrated pest management), Uncovered outdoor market, Fresh local eggs, Baked goods, Preserves, jams, jellies, Crafts, artistic products, etc, Turkeys, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
    69576 200th Street, Colo, IA 50056. Phone: 1515-290-1347. Alternate Phone: 1515-290-3464. Email: broohay@hotmail.com. Open: Colo Farmers Market - May through September, 5 to 7pm Thursdays, at Reed/Niland (Lincoln Highway and US 65). Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: October 02, 2011)

Local Honey Sources:

Madison County

Story County

Meats, Milk and Eggs:

Story County

  • La Mar Farms - Fresh eggs, Brown eggs, Within an easy drive to an Interstate road,
    26857 510th Avenue, Ames, IA 50014. Phone: 515-291-4775. Alternate Phone: 515-460-6527. Email: clydesdale1961@gmail.com. Open: Eggs are for sale now; The grand opening of the bicycle store is March 10, 2012. Directions: La Mar Farms is located 3 miles south of Highway 30 on County Road R-38. From Ames, take South Dakota Street directly south. We are the first red corn crib on the west side of the road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Call ahead appointments are welcome. Call 515-291-4775 and ask for David. We also feature used bicycles for sale. (ADDED: February 10, 2012)
  • Little Stone House farm - Chicken (free range), Turkey, Beef, Pork, Goat meat, No hormones used, No antibiotics used, 100% Grass fed (includes finishing), 100% mixture of corn, grain, soybeans and/or other natural supplemental feeds, Eggs (free range, vegetarian fed), sausage, Bacon (pork), Smoked meats, Within an easy drive to an Interstate road, Farm/ranch tours for visitors, children welcome, No pets please, Turkeys, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
    69576 200th Street, Colo, IA 50056. Phone: 1515-290-1347. Alternate Phone: 1515-290-3464. Email: broohay@hotmail.com. Open: By appointment only, please call. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. Wine Jellies. (ADDED: October 02, 2011)

 

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Picking Tips

[General picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How much do I need to pick? (Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting the right varieties to pick] [All about apple varieties - which to pick and why!]  [Picking tips for Vegetables] [ Strawberry picking tips] [ Blueberries picking tips]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes

[ All About Home Canning, Freezing and Making Jams, Pickles, Sauces, etc. ] [FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems] [Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!] [Free canning publications to download and print]