Find a local pick your own farm here!

Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in east-central Iowa? Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in east-central Iowa, sorted by county. Those that offer organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name  (see "What does Organic mean?"). The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this page" function) If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website. If you find anything outdated or inaccurate, see the customer and farmer menus (as appropriate) at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Note: Beware the copycat websites like the one that stole our name and uses .farm extension: they copied my work and do NOT even update the info! I make updates EVERY day. They use tech tricks to get higher rankings, but have many more inaccuracies and out-dated info. Obviously, I cannot check every farm every day, but I do check as many as I can every day, and respond to all requests.  They don't. Don't support the scammers!

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! And if you know of any farms I missed and want to add a farm, please let me know!   I'm making updates for this year as fast as I can - if you find anything out-of-date, wrong or not working - please let me know! This website is supported by purchases you make through the links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This allows me to continue to maintain the website and make improvements!

What's in season in March 2024, and other timely information:

Notes for March 2024: Spring is here! Strawberry season is here.  It started in February in Florida, Texas, southern California and a few other areas of the Deep South; then March along the Gulf coast, April in the Deep South and west coast, May through much of the country, and June in northern areas. Blueberries are next, about a month later. Of course, cool weather crops, like Rhubarb, asparagus and greens should be available almost everywhere. Check your area's copy calendar (see this page) and call your local farms for seasonal updates.

You may also be interested in finding a local:

We also have home canning, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can access recipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me! It is easy to make your own ice cream, even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page. Also note, there are many copycat website listing U-pick farms now.  They have all copied their information from here and usually do not ever update.  Since 2002, I've been updating the information every day but Christmas; so if you see anything wrong or outdated, please write me!

east-central Iowa U-Pick Farms and Orchards in 2024, by county

Click on the resources drop-down above, if you need a county map

Benton County

  • Bloomsbury Farm - pumpkins, winter squash, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
    3260 69th Street, Atkins, IA 52206. Phone: 319-446-7667. Fax: 319-446-7667. Email: karen@bloomsburyfarm.com. Directions: click here for a map and directions. click here for current open hours, days and dates. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Haunted barn, Western play area, Grandmas Playhouse, Pig races, pedal cart track, corn box, tractor tire maze.
    Comments from a visitor on September 22, 2008: "A wonderful place to visit. They made great improvements after the tornado hit their farm a few years ago and it is very kid friendly with lots of activities for them. We go every year!"
  • K & K Ranch - Uses natural growing practices, apples, broccoli, carrots, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, kale, melons, peppers, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
    5488 33rd Ave, Center Point, IA 52213. Phone: (319) 929-3736. Alternate Phone: (319) 929-3297. Email: Kalebholsinger@yahoo.com. Open: Call ahead. Directions: Get off interstate and head east, take your first right turn at the big rooster. First house on the left. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo. (ADDED: January 17, 2021)

Black Hawk County

  • Heartland Farms - pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, Bouncy pillow, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    5111 Osage Road, Waterloo, IA 50703. Phone: 319-232-3779. Fax: 319-291-7287. Email: berrypumpkinfarm@earthlink.net. Open: Strawberry Season is June open 7 days a week hours are 8 am to 7 pm through strawberry season; Mother Nature will dictate the exact days of June. . Directions: From exit 68 on Interstate 20 north 1 mile to Dubuque Road then 1 mile west to Elk Run Road then 1 mile North to Osage Road follow the signs.  Click here for a map and directions. Strawberries normally June 7 to July 4; Pumpkin Halloween Season is last week of September and all of October, hours Tuesday through Friday 4 pm to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 7 pm. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Click here for our Facebook page. Since 1983 our family growing and offering our best for your family.

Cedar County

  • Lincolnway Flower Farm - Uses natural growing practices, corn (sweet), flowers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, farm animals, school tours
    2207 Old Lincoln Hwy, Lowden, IA 52255. Phone: 563 941-5417. Open: Call ahead for hours. Directions: On Hwy 30 between De Witt and Cedar Rapids. West side of Lowden on Old Hwy 30. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October, November. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check. Iron garden sculpture available for order.

Clinton County

  • Jost's Country Pickin' - strawberries, U-pick and already picked
    4 1/4 Miles North of Elvira (z36) On Blacktop, Bryant, IA 52727. Phone: 563-522-2305. Open: Daily from 7 am to 2 pm; Call for evening picking times. Directions: We are 4 1/4 miles North of Elvira on the Z36 Blacktop. There will be signs. Click here for a map and directions. Pick Your Own in June; Our strawberries are so good!!. Payment: Cash, Check. (UPDATED: May 24, 2015, JBS)

Iowa County

  • Genoa Bluffs Farms - strawberries, pumpkins, winter squash, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, inflatables or bounce houses, trike track, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
    2168 H.h. Avenue, Marengo, IA 52301. Phone: 319-668-8447. Email: info@genoabluffspumpkinfarm.com. Open: Pick Your Own Strawberries Starting June Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Interstate I-80 to Exit 211 South off exit, take first gravel road heading East, 216th Street, Genoa Bluffs Farms is second property on the left side of the road. Strawberries First week in June till berries are done producing; Pick Your Own or Pre picked Pumpkins and Corn Maze open September 23 through October 30th. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Fresh Strawberry pie by the slice or by special order. Place an order, pick your berries and leave with a fresh strawberry pie! Grab a nice refreshing slushy after a warm day in the patch! Fresh preserves and honey from our farm! Pumpkin season- variety of pumpkins of all color and sizes. Pie pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Full concessions, with fresh baked pies! Pumpkin Fest October 15th and Flashlight Maze. (ADDED: May 20, 2016)

Jackson County

  • Annie's Acres Strawberries - strawberries, porta-potties are available
    30327 Mill Creek Road, Bellevue, IA 52031. Phone: (563) 872-5652. Alternate Phone: (563) 872-5050. Email: kendellfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 am to 7 pm; Sunday, from 8 am to 5 pm, seasonally in June. Directions: Located on county road D57 between Bellevue and LaMotte (4 miles from LaMotte and 7 miles from Bellevue). Easily accessible from Highway 61. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Click here for our Facebook page. Annie's Acres is a kid friendly establishment with clean rows for picking. Containers to pick in are provided. We have a booth at several local markets throughout the week; East Mill Bakery on Monday located in Dubuque from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Maquoketa on Tuesday from 4 pm to 7 pm, Lyons Farmers Market located in Clinton on Wednesday from 4 pm to 7 pm, and at the Dubuque Farmers Market on Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm. Please feel free to contact us with other further questions or inquiries.  (ADDED: April 19, 2023, JBS) (ADDED: May 22, 2015)
  • Gravert's Apple Basket Orchard - apples, cherries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
    54757 Highway 52, Sabula, IA 52070. Phone: 563-687-2298. Email: gravertorchard@gmail.com. Open: call or see their website. Directions: Seven miles north of Sabula on Highway 52. Forty miles south of Dubuque on Highway 52. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. PYO tart cherries available in late June. Call for specific dates and times.

Johnson County

  • Blueyah Organic Blueberry Farm - blueberries,
    1780 360th Street Sw, Oxford, IA 52322. Phone: (319) 400-9903. Alternate Phone: (319) 325-0530. Email: hello@blueyahblueberryfarm.com. Open: by appointment between June 18, 2017 and July 23, 2017. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: July 07, 2017)
  • Honey Creek Acres - UPDATE for 2020, Their website or Facebook pages are gone, and Yelp reports they have closeds
    799 Swisher View Drive SW, Swisher, IA 52338.
  • Lovely Bunches - Uses natural growing practices, flowers,
    2915 Newport Road Northeast, Iowa City , IA 52240. Phone: (319) 331-4755. Alternate Phone: (319) 331-4397. Email: lovelybunchesflowers@gmail.com. Open: Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2 pm; and by appointment; Please see our website for updates on hours of operation. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Flowers available for cutting May 1st through October 31st; Pumpkins available October 1st though October 31st;. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo. Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: July 10, 2021)
  • Orchard on Sand Road - No pesticides are used, apples, blueberries, strawberries, Fresh eggs, gift shop, porta-potties
    5888 Sand Road Se, Lone Tree, IA 52755. Phone: (319) 721-1532. Email: centuryfarm1@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2020, The farm was sold - we're waiting to hear from the new owners - if you know anything about it,  please write me! The Orchard was sold last year, and the new owners are not opening it for picking, at least for 2020. Directions: From Iowa City, drive south on S. Gilbert Street /Sand Road. The farm is approximately 8 miles south of Iowa City. Once you cross a four-way stop and a bridge, look for signs on the left. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. New in 2018, day-long summer camps integrating tech+nature for those in 4th grade and up. (UPDATED: March 22, 2018) (added back after being closed last year)
  • St. Bridget's Flower Farm - Uses natural growing practices, flowers, already-picked produce, weddings and wedding parties
    1870 Street Bridget's Road, Solon, IA 52333. Phone: 319-624-3584. Email: cathy@stbridgetsfarm.com. Open: Please call or email for availability, or check website for details. Directions: Go east from Solon on East 5th Street seven miles to Street Bridget's Road. Take a right turn, we are the third driveway on the left. From Iowa City, take a right on Morse Road, continue five miles to Street Bridget's Road. Turn left, and continue almost 2 miles. We are on the right. Florist quality, fresh flowers available from June through October; Over seventy varieties of annuals and perennials, something for everyone!. Payment: Cash, Check. Due to ongoing construction, please call or email before coming to the farm. Buckets of flowers can be delivered for a reasonable rate. We will have available dates this summer for group outings, such as book clubs or meetings, bridal showers or church groups. Presentations are available on a variety of topics. Check out the website for upcoming information on Flower Camp, new this summer. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification.
  • The Berry Basket Farm - No pesticides are used, strawberries,
    2683 highway 1 Sw, Iowa City, IA 52240. Phone: (319) 325-7542. Email: contact@berrybasketfarm.com. Open: Typical season is during June; In season, Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 7 pm; Sunday, from 1pm to 7 pm; Please check our website for updates or changes to this schedule before your visit. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: 5 minutes west of Iowa City on Highway 1 SW. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. You can bring your own reusable containers to pick into or get some from us. (ADDED: January 07, 2019)
  • Wilson's Orchard - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
    4823 Dingleberry Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240. Phone: 319-354-5651. Alternate Phone: 319-541-7682. Email: info@wilsonsapples.com. Open: daily August through October; August and September hours are 10 am to 7 pm; October hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: 2 miles north of I-80 (Exit 246) on Highway 1, then 1 mile east on Dingleberry Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page.

Linn County

  • Simon Farm - corn (sweet), pumpkins,
    4647 Urbana Road, Center Point, IA 52213. Phone: 319-329-9144. Email: azskso@hotmail.com. Open: Seven day a week/ from 7am to 8pm. Directions: 1 mile north of Center Point on Urbana Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We will have some pumpkins on a hay rack in the front yard, if you would like to pick some for yourself please nock on the door. Feel free to pick as many ears of sweetcorn as you would like.
  • The Big Apple Orchard - apples, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
    1117 Highway 30 W, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. Phone: 319-361-7692. Alternate Phone: 319-361-7691. Email: mwmarti@gmail.com. Open: Friday from 3 to 6pm; Saturday from 10am to 6pm; Sunday from 11am to 6pm, September 1 to October 31. Directions: Located 2 miles west of Mount Vernon IA and 3/4 mile east of Palisades State Park on north side of Highway 30. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Apples, pumpkins, honey from local hives, fresh apple cider pressed locally, bakery and ice cream, gift shop, picnic area, birthday parties, wedding and graduation parties, and school tours.

Muscatine County

  • Anderson Farm - Lamb, gift shop, farm animals (not really a PYO, but a place for fresh lamb and to see farm animals)
    1575 Underwood Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761. Phone: 563-264-2209 Click here for a map and directions. Crops are usually available all year. Open: 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, except for Sunday morning. We are closed Sunday morning. Payment: Cash, Check. We raise quality GRASS-FED LAMB and offer sheepskins and sheepskin rugs. We have freshwater pearls in our gift shop. We accept Paypal also.

Scott County

  • Miss Effie's Country Flowers and Garden Stuff - flowers, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand
    27387 130th Avenue, Donahue, IA 52746. Phone: 563-282-4338. Email: cmlafrenz@netins.net. Open: Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9am to 3 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday.  Directions: 1 mile east and 1/4 mile north of Don's Pub in beautiful downtown Donahue! And for a map to our farm, click here.Payment: Cash, Check. One gallon jug of flowers for only $15! Fresh eggs and homemade jams available. Member-- Buy Fresh, Buy Local. Click here for our Facebook page. The Summer Kitchen is open year round, filled with locally made goodies and needlework. the first U-Pick flower farm in Iowa. Walk through our acre of flowers and cut the perfect blossoms for your bouquet. Our flowers are grown naturally without the use of harmful pesticides. The selection changes by the season.. there is always something new.
  • Pride of the Wapsi - strawberries, pumpkins, activities, School Tours and Corn maze
    14600 305th St, Long Grove, IA 52756. Phone: (563) 285-8180‎. Email: prideofthewapsi@gmtel.net. Open: See their website for hours. Whether it's picking strawberries in June, baking pie with rhubarb or cherries, eating fresh sweet corn off the cob, shopping our stand on the roadside or local farmer's market, jamming ripe red raspberries, or selecting that perfect pumpkin straight from the patch in October, our farm is definitely going to be a blast for the entire family from age one to 100. Yes, even residents from local nursing homes enjoy fun filled wagon rides around the farm while observing the change of the seasons. (UPDATED: February 16, 2016)

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)