2024 East-Central Michigan Raspberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in East-Central Michigan in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for raspberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have raspberries 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.

Genesee County

• I & J Wolverton Nursery - strawberries, red & black raspberries, asparagus
  6197 E Lake Road, Millington, MI 48746. Phone: 989-871-2325. Open: April 1-November 15, Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 6 p. Directions: Exit I-75 at Clio E on Vienna Road to Belsay Road, N 2 miles to Lake Road 14 mile E to 6197 Lake. Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2011: "We ended up stopping there this weekend for strawberries. They are still . Click here for a map and directions. U-pick strawberries about June 10-July 1. Red & black raspberries July 10-30. Fall red raspberries August 28-October 15. Berry plants, shrubs, trees, April 1-June 1. U-pick asparagus April & Maym. Sun. May only 11 am to 3 pmExit I-75 at Clio E on Vienna Road to Belsay Road, N 2 miles to Lake Road 1/4 mile E to 6197 Lake.
  Comments from a visitor on July 06, 2011: "We ended up stopping there this weekend for strawberries. They are still open and have excellent service, and the berries are really good! "
• Spicer Orchards - Apples, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, plums, pumpkins, corn maze, winery
  10411 Clyde, Fenton, MI 48430. Phone: 810-632-7692. Email: spicerorchard@comcast.net. Open: just the summer and fall months. Click here for a map and directions. . Usually open Free hayrides on the weekends. You can drive your car right up to the apple trees and pick right there. There is a shop that sells fruit, cider and pies and other desserts as well as little knick-knacks like candles, toys and figurines. There are goats, pigs and other farm animals on the premises. Restrooms are on-site. The facility also gives tours to school groups, and other groups like Boy Scouts, etc.
• Symanzik's Berry Farm - red raspberries
  Baldwin Road, Goodrich, MI . Phone: 810-636-2775. Open: permanently closed. Directions: 8103 E. Baldwin Road, Goodrich. From the north, take I-75 S. to Holly Road, Exit 108, S 1 mile to Baldwin, turn left, go 5-12 miles to NE corner of Irish and Baldwin Rds. From the south, take I-75, Exit 106, merging N 1 mile, turn right on Baldwin, 2-12 miles. \(UPDATED: July 08, 2013, by a visitor\)UPDATE: September 17, 2008 - A visitor tells me "They have a classified ad in The Flint Journal. My wife took our kids raspberry picking this morning. The ad copy reads: RASPBERRIES, U-PICK, . Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick Fall (late August to all Sept.); UPDATE: July 08, 2013: A visitor tells me they are now 8103 E. Baldwin Road, Goodrich. From the north, take I-75 S. to Holly Road, Exit 108, S 1 mile to Baldwin, turn left, go 5-1/2 miles to NE corner of Irish and Baldwin Rds. From the south, take I-75, Exit 106, merging N 1 mile, turn right on Baldwin, 2-1/2 miles. (UPDATED: July 08, 2013, by a visitor)UPDATE: September 17, 2008 - A visitor tells me "They have a classified ad in The Flint Journal. My wife took our kids raspberry picking this morning. The ad copy reads: RASPBERRIES, U-PICK, Open at 9am. Symanzik Berry Farms. 8146 Goodrich. I called the phone number in the ad; its a recorded message with info for pickers."

Lapeer County

• Brookwood Fruit Farm - apples, cherries, pears, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms, school tours
  7845 Bordman Road, Almont, MI 48003. Phone: 810-798-8312. Email: will_bristol@hotmail.com. Open: In season everyday 9am to 5pm; Check online for exact dates. Directions: 12 mile east of M-53 on Bordman Road, 6 miles of Romeo \(2 miles south of Almont\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates1/2 mile east of M-53 on Bordman Road, 6 miles of Romeo (2 miles south of Almont)Apples: Late July to March, Tart Cherries: July, Peaches: August to September, Cider: September to March, Raspberries: Summer and Fall, Pumpkins: September to October, Honey: Year-Roundis a 5th generation family fruit farm that grows over 40 varieties of apples, as well as peaches, tart cherries, and raspberries. We also make fresh unpasteurized apple cider weekly with our own special blend of hand-picked apples. We are a family farm that takes pride in offering our guests quality fruit and a memorable experience. Come and join us and see what has made unique for over 100 years.
• Fuhrs Valley View Farm - Fall raspberries
  Van Dyke, Imlay City, MI . Phone: (810) 724-4637. Open: May have closed down - see the visitor comments - late August to Thanksgiving, seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. East-West: I-69 to Imlay City exit. Farm is 6 miles N of I-69. North-South: Van Dyke (M-53) to Imlay City. Farm is on the E side of Van Dyke, 5 miles N of Imlay City.Beautiful Fall raspberries, u-pick or ready picked. Also, apples, fresh cider pressed on site & homemade jam. Call for availability and picking conditions on new plantings of peaches and dark sweet cherries. A visitor writes on August 19, 2014: "I called the number this am and it has been disconnected."
  Comments from a visitor on September 12, 2009: "WOW! I went to the farm with my 6-year-old son today (9/12/09)and we picked two huge containers full and it only came to $17! We had so much fun watching the bees at work, pollinating the raspberry flowers and it turned into a real learning experience for my son. The raspberries are wonderful and very sweet! I think, if the weather is good next Saturday, we will go back as a family to stock up. CHEAP!"
  Comments from a visitor on September 03, 2009: "Hi - Love your site! I have a friend who picked berries at exactly this location last week; she said they were phenomenal berries so I'm heading there on Monday. She couldn't confirm the name of the farm so if it's changed, I'll let you know. current u-pick price: $1.59 per pound, beautiful, big berries that make incredible jam!"

Midland County

• Coon's Berry Farm - No pesticides are used, currants (red and black), gooseberries, raspberries (red), U-pick and already picked
  2724 North Lewis Road, Coleman, MI 48618. Phone: 989-615-4765. Email: coonsberryfarm@hotmail.com. Open: Please visit our website or Facebook page for u - pick dates and times. Directions: From M-20: Take Coleman Road north \(about 5 12 mi\) to McNally, take east on McNally, go 1 mile to Lewis Rd, take north on Lewis, go 12 mi, second farm house on the right side. From US-10: Take Coleman exit south, turn left on Saginaw Rd, three blocks down take a right on Third St, it turns into Coleman Road Go 5 mi south to McNally Rd, turn left \(east\) on McNally, 1 mi to Lewis Rd, left on Lewis Rd, go 12 mi, second farm house on the right side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard.
  Coon's Berry Farm Facebook page. From M-20: Take Coleman Road north (about 5 1/2 mi) to McNally, take east on McNally, go 1 mile to Lewis Rd, take north on Lewis, go 1/2 mi, second farm house on the right side. From US-10: Take Coleman exit south, turn left on Saginaw Rd, three blocks down take a right on Third St, it turns into Coleman Road Go 5 mi south to McNally Rd, turn left (east) on McNally, 1 mi to Lewis Rd, left on Lewis Rd, go 1/2 mi, second farm house on the right sideBlack and red currants, gooseberries: early July through early August; Red raspberries: late August through hard frost. We do not use pesticides on the cropsNotes: Rediscover black currants - the "new" superfruit (that your grandma knew about, and you don't!) in your own neighborhood! Our first u-pick season started in July 2015. (UPDATED: June 16, 2016, JBS) (ADDED: January 28, 2015)

St. Clair County

• Riley Ridge Farms - Fall raspberries, pumpkins, corn maze
  Riley Center, Memphis, MI . Phone: 810-392-2417. Open: NOTE: I suspect this one has closed; I can find nothing abpout them anywhere, except on websites that copied their information from me! last reported hours were July-November 1, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Saturday, 9 am to 5 p. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick Fall raspberries, farm fresh vegetables, pumpkins, corn maze and a "real" farm experiencem. Sun. 1-5 p.m. More time optional, please callExit 180 off I-69, W of Port Huron, E of Capac. Exit S, approx. 5 miles or North Ave. to Bordman (right) to Riley Center (left) 4 miles.  
• The Property Farms and McCallum's Orchard and Cider Mill - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, apricots, blackberries, sweet cherries, pie or sour cherries, elderberries, wine grapes, pears, peaches, red raspberries red, other berries, sunflowers, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, Cell service cell phones work here, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  5697 Harris Road, Jeddo, MI 48032. Phone: (810) 327-6394. Email: mindyradatz@thepropertyfarms.com. Open: Call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, All credit cards. The Property Farms and McCallum's Orchard and Cider Mill We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals Click here for our Instagram page. (UPDATED: June 19, 2023)

Tuscola County

• All About It Farms - raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  5630 Swaffer Road, Millington, MI 48746. Phone: (989)871-3360. Email: AllAboutItFarms@yahoo.com. Open: 7 days a week, from 9am to 7pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  All About It Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (989)820-0235 Strawberries: June to first week of July Raspberries coming in August, sometimes start in July. Counter sales and pre-pick orders as available from 9am to 7pmWe also take orders, please call at least 2 days beforeThe most recent prices on their Facebook page are from 2015: $2 a quart/ $16 a flat for u pick or $3 a quart/ $24 a flat for already picked. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• Pennell Farms - Strawberries, Raspberries, lettuce and Tomatoes,
  6317 State st, Vassar, MI 48768. Phone: 989-823-9917. Email: info@mysite.com. Open: Call for for hours and availability. Directions: Call for directions. Payment: Cash, only. Spray-Free Raspberries. Were proud to offer our customers fresh lettuce and herb Garden patches. To allow them to pick what they want as much or as little as they need. Your own fresh produce, herbs & fruit. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Pennell Farms Facebook page.

 

Raspberry

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. In the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!  
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for raspberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping raspberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on how to pick raspberries

1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.

   Raspberries Nutritional Data
   (fresh)

   Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
   Energy	220 kJ (53 kcal)
   Carbohydrates	11.94 g
   Sugars	4.42 g
   Dietary fiber	6.5 g
   Fat	0.65 g
   Protein	1.2 g
   Vitamins
   Thiamine	(3%) 0.032 mg
   Riboflavin2	(3%) 0.038 mg
   Niacin3	(4%) 0.598 mg
   Pantothenic acid5	(7%) 0.329 mg
   Vitamin B6	(4%) 0.055 mg
   Folate9	(5%) 21 μg
   Choline	(3%) 12.3 mg
   Vitamin C	(32%) 26.2 mg
   Vitamin E	(6%) 0.87 mg
   Vitamin K	(7%) 7.8 μg
   Minerals
   Calcium	(3%) 25 mg
   Iron	(5%) 0.69 mg
   Magnesium	(6%) 22 mg
   Manganese	(32%) 0.67 mg
   Phosphorus	(4%) 29 mg
   Potassium	(3%) 151 mg
   Zinc	(4%) 0.42 mg
   Other constituents
   Water	85.8 g
   Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
   Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source:

   
   
2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
8. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
5. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash  off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) raspberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
   raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
• The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
• 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
• Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
• Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
• Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
• In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
• Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
  Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
• The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
• Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
• According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
• U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to go to a raspberry festival? See this page for a list!

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