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Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in Central Illinois 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.

Christian County (Springfield area)

  • Big M Berry Patch - Strawberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries,
    928 E 1090 North Road, Taylorville, IL 62568. Phone: (217) 824-6625. Open: Call first: 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: Route 48W, right on County Road 900E, first turn right on CR 1090, first place on right. . Click here for a map and directions. click here for a map Big "M" Berry Patch also has hay mazes, and pumpkin picking in the Fall

Iroquois County

  • Mulberry Lane Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, beans, beets, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), grapes, onions, other berries, peppers, raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
    414 N Mulberry Street, Loda, IL 60948. Phone: 217-386-2690. Email: helen@mulberrylanefarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed Sunday; Open from April 1 to October 1;Strawberry U Pick starts in early May, BY RESERVATION ONLY. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
    Mulberry Lane Farm Facebook page. Please call ahead and reserve a spot! The demand is high this year, so don't miss out; Farm shop is open Saturdays year round from 8 am to 8 pmWe use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicFacebook page. 2018 Prices starting out were $3.99 per lb. Minimum 5 lbs per person (12 years old and older). Already picked strawberries are also available by reservation only. 2018 prepicked prices are $5.99 per lb for the first week or two. Prices will drop further into the season. You are at the right place for organic food (all our USDA Certified Organic products are non-GMO and glyphosate free; no Roundup!) and canning supplies. Buy in bulk and save BIG money! We are certified organic by the Global Organic Alliance (GOA).

Mason County

Montgomery County

  • Kern Family Orchard - apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
    7375 Mackay Avenue, Raymond, IL 62560. Phone: (217) 820-1266. Open: Call the farm for hours and crop availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Be sure to confirm crop availability and dates with the farm before you go there; they have no website, Facebook page, Instagram or anything online, and we no longer receive updates from the farm. (UPDATED: June 1, 2024, JBS) (ADDED: August 27, 2015)

Peoria County

  • Crooked Row Farm - No pesticides are used raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked
    4623 E Lakeland, Chillicothe, IL 61523. Phone: (309) 657-5544. Email: crookedrowfarm@yahoo.com. Open: Times for U pick will be decided on a day to Day bases do to any weather changes. Directions: 3 miles south of Chillicothe 3 drive to the right off 29 look for sighs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Crooked Row Farm Alternate Phone: (309) 214-2896 U pick Strawberries is usually from June 1 to the 3 week of June Fall Red Raspberries is usually form Mid to late August to Frost. We do not use pesticides on the cropsStrawberries, Raspberries and some vegetables we are a U pick or we pick of any thing that is ready Only Organic fertilizers and natural pesticides are used (ADDED: May 06, 2021)

Warren County

 

Raspberry

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. RaspberriesIn 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)
    11.94 g
    Sugars 4.42 g
    Dietary fiber 6.5 g
    0.65 g
    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

    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. raspberries, just pick from a pick your own farmDON'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

  • rasoberriesRaspberries 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)