2024 Southern Minneapolis and southern suburbs, Minnesota Raspberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern Minneapolis and southern suburbs, Minnesota 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 any state, nor even every 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.

Dakota County

• Afton Apple Orchard - strawberries, apples, raspberries, pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, weddings, school tours
  14421 So. 90th St., Hastings, MN 55033. Phone: 651-436-8385. Open: Sunday - Wednesday from 7am to 3pm and and Thursday - Sunday 7am to 7pm, weather permitting or until picked out. Click here for a map and directions.
  Afton Apple Orchard Facebook page. . We have 190+ beautiful acres producing delicious Minnesota grown strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and 13 different varieties of apples that can be picked by our customers at the peak of perfection. Strawberry season starts approximately the second week in June, and runs through mid-July. We are open Always call for an update on picking. Fall Raspberries usually starts early August and goes until mid-October, or until we get a very hard freeze. Our apple orchard is mainly "Pick Your Own" but we do sell freshly picked apples by the peck, 1/2 bushel, and bushel, along with apple cider, honey, jam, maple syrup and other Minnesota grown products. If you like bargains, then come out during the week. It's less crowded and the orchard runs weekday specials. And for great family fun, visit us on the weekends for our hayrides. Throughout our apple season enjoy apple donuts, apple fritters, caramel apples, caramel apple sundaes, hotdogs, chips, soda pop, coffee, hot chocolate and - of course - delicious fresh apple cider all from our concession stand.This huge 15 acre corn maze is calling your name! The maze is divided into 3 phases. Have a wedding, or reception, company event, reunion, retirement party, birthday party, award ceremony, salesperson of the year, finding someone special or getting rid of someone not so special, New Years, or any other get-together in our beautiful building for any special occasion. We can hold up to 300 people inside or many more guests outside. Available are 8' banquet tables, folding chairs, and picnic tables, both inside and outside. We have several options available including tractor drawn hayrides, horse drawn wagon rides, playground, yard games, etc.
• Applewood Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, snacks and refreshment stand, school tours
  22702 Hamburg Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. Phone: 952-985-5425. Open: For the strawberry season we are open from 8am to 5pm if there are berries available; Always call before coming for strawberries; You need to call for hours for the raspberry season in late July through October; For apples we are usually open daily from September 1st until October 31st from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm until 6pm on Sundays; Raspberries July-October. Directions: From the north take Cedar Avenue to 225th Street take a right there, and then a left on Hamburg Avenue From the south take Cedar to 225th take a left there and then a left on Hamburg Avenue We are the first driveway on the left. This year interstate County Road 70 At 35W is under construction, so if you are using 35W take the County Road 50 exit and then continue to Cedar Avenue Take a right on Cedar, continue to 225th and take a right and then a left on Hamburg Avenue. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Fax:. We have PYO June strawberries that are usually available mid June to Mid July, red raspberries that are available from late July until the first frost and apples from late August until Thanksgving. We have hayrides on the weekends during the apple season, a maze for small children and a haystack for children to play on.
• Lorences Berry Farm - strawberries and raspberries
  28625 Foliage Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057. Phone: 507-645-9749. Open: May - mid October. Click here for a map and directions. . Hours vary. Cedar Ave (Dakota County 23 or Foliage Ave). 14 miles south of Apple Valley or 7 miles north of Northfield. Pre-picked berries and asparagus are available by order - 24 hours in advance. Call before driving to the farm. Families are welcome with children supervised. Containers are provided. The approximate seasons are Asparagus in May-June, Strawberries mid June-early July, Raspberries in August and September.
• The Bohn Farm - strawberries, raspberries, fresh eggs, poultry, porta-potties are available, farm animals
  17801 Clayton Avenue E, Rosemount, MN 55068. Phone: 651-967-3276. Email: bohnfarm@embarqmail.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 612-281-5324. . See their website or call for dates and hours, we're waiting for an update from the farm. (UPDATED: May 10, 2015, JBS)

Rice County

• Cherry Leaf Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, cherries, raspberries (Autumn, yellow), strawberries, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals
  9697 Decker Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057. Phone: 612-669-4778. Email: cherryfarmerjohn@gmail.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Cherry Leaf Farm Facebook page. . . Honeyberries: June 10 to June 30, Cherries: July 5 to July 25, Raspberries: July 5 to July 25. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. In addition to cherries and raspberries, we also have u-pick honeyberries. Honeyberries look similar to a blueberry but larger and taste like a combination blueberry/raspberry/grapefruit. Very tasty fresh and also great for processing. Honey berries aka Haskaps, are a type of honeysuckle. (ADDED: April 29, 2015)
• Silkey Gardens LLC - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, blueberries, raspberries (Autumn, yellow), strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties
  5561 115th Street East, Northfield, MN 55021. Phone: (507) 645-4158. Email: Paul@SilkeyGardens.com. Open: Strawberry Season Weather permitting PYO hours are: Monday through Saturday 6 am to 1 pm Sundays 8 am to 1 pm PYO hours will vary for Raspberry, Blueberry and Apple season please call, check website or Facebook page. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Silkey Gardens LLC Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (480) 544-5055. . Strawberries available in June/July Raspberries late June early July Blueberries mid to late July Apple available vary by variety; Zestar late August/early September Others including Honey Crisp available late Sept/October; As always please call for updates;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (UPDATED: June 26, 2019)

Scott County

• Cherith Farms - Uses natural growing practices, apples, pears, raspberries (red), Fresh eggs, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked, farm animals
  27450 Raven Road, Belle Plaine, MN 56011. Phone: (507) 665-5055. Email: mecredyd@earthlink.net. Open: UPDATE for 2021: There is no pick your own in 2021; maybe in 2022; Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Raspberry season typically is last week of June to first week of July; Apples are picked in September and October, and Pears in August;. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Aside from Pick Your Own, there are also Prepicked apples and pears and garden vegetables. Some include heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, Cushaw, Pattypan Squash. Times vary on these mostly available in Late July and through end of growing season. Homemade whole wheat bread available by order, also, Free range eggs available year round. We are planning to have homemade cider available starting 2020. We grow our produce naturally using sustainable agriculture practices. No pesticides or herbicides are used unless absolutely necessary and then only that which is acceptable for organic practices. (UPDATED: July 8, 2021)
• Emma Krumbee's Orchard and Farm - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), events at your location (call for info)
  311 Enterprise Drive East, Belle Plaine, MN 56011. Phone: 952-873-3654. Email: ekgeneralmanager@gmail.com. Open: Sunday to Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm, August 1 to October 31. Directions: South of Minneapolis 25 miles on highway 169, half way between Mankato and the Twin Cities. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Emma Krumbee's Orchard and Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 952-873-3006. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Scarecrow Festival: September 14 to October 27, 2013. Typical harvest dates are: Apples Mid August thru October; Pumpkins September thru October; Scarecrow Festival Mid September thru October;
• Thompson's Hillcrest Orchard - Apples, pumpkins, raspberries
  6271 250th St E, Elko, MN 55020. Phone: 952-461-2055. Email: barbara-a-t@hotmail.com. Directions: Located 15 minutes from Burnsville. Click here for a map and directions. . Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm for 'We-Pick' or 'U-Pick'; Sunday Noon - 6:00 pm for 'We-Pick' or 'U-Pick'; You are welcome to call for appointments to pick on other days. Apples, raspberries U-pick & pre-picked, 8 varieties (including newest U of M varieties Honeycrisp & Zestar)! Conveniently . Go south on 35W to the Cty Rd 70 exit. Go right on 70. Go left on Cty Rd 27. Go right on 250th Street East. Tours and other group events by appt.

Washington County

• Afton Raspberry Company - raspberries,
  1421 Neal Avenue South, Afton, MN 55001. Phone: 651-436-7631. Open: 7 days a week from 8am till dark. Directions: From St. Paul 94 east to manning avenue. Take a right. Go 200 feet and take a left onto the frontage road. Go to 1st stop sign and take a right. Go 1.4 miles. We are located on the left side of the road. address is 1421 neal ave. so. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . John J. Arco @msn. Crops are usually available in August, September. Mid august thru September Fall Raspberries Only Starting mid august thru September
• Fischer's Croix Farm Orchard - Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, corn maze, pumpkin patch
  County Road 21, Hastings, MN . Phone: 651-437-7126. Email: kjleadholm@aol.com. Open: daily, September to Nov 9:30am - 6pm. Directions: Located on the scenic Lower St. Click here for a map and directions.
  Fischer's Croix Farm Orchard Facebook page. . Call for harvest dates, weekend activities, directions or to schedule group tours. Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, corn maze and more. . Croix River, 1 mile north of US Hwy 10 on Wash County Road 21 just 25 minutes south of St. Paul. Over 20 varieties of apples pre-picked or pick-your-own available. PYO fall raspberries, cider, honey, maple syrup, PYO pumpkins and other fall vegetables available. September through October 31 corn maze, weekend hayrides, petting animals and picnic facilities. Enjoy our fall gardens and a stroll through the orchard.
• Natura Farms - Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, currants, grapes, melons, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, other vegetables, herbs and flowers.
  19060 Manning Trail North, Marine on the St. Croix, MN 55047. Phone: 651-433-5850. Email: pmo@chof.net. Open: June-Sept, Tues-Sat; 10-7 and by appointment. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick, pre-pick and wholesale. Clean, indoor rest rooms. Children welcome! We steward our soil and grow our produce with natural, sustainable, environmentally safe practices. Pick-Your-Own Strawberries, Raspberries, Currants, And More. See this page for a harvest schedule / crop calendar.
  Comments from a visitor on September 02, 2008: "I thought it was great. Everything is organic and fresh. The people that work there are kind and helpful. Not to mention, many of them are volunteers that work towards a local church. The entire organization is just fantastic."
• The Berry Patch - strawberries, raspberries & blueberries
  10456 192nd St N, Forest Lake, MN 55110. Phone: 651-433-3448. Open: daily, June to August, weather & crop permitting. Click here for a map and directions.
  The Berry Patch Facebook page. . Pick-your-own & pre-picked strawberries in June and pick-your-own & pre-picked raspberries & blueberries in July; typically in the third or fourth week of June for strawberry picking, followed in July by raspberry and blueberry harvest. Orders for tree-ripened Michigan peaches and sweet cherries also taken. Forest Lake, MN 55110. Five miles east of Forest Lake on Hwy 97. Turn south on County Road 15 (Manning Trail) for 1 three quarters of a miles, then turn right onto County Road 50. Supervised children welcome. Containers provided. . (UPDATED: June 13, 2020 JBS)
• Whistling Well Farm - pumpkins, fall raspberries and apples.
  8973 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033. Phone: 651-998-0301. Email: charlie@whistlingwellfarm.com. Open: daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm; Pick your own apples start Saturday in early September. Click here for a map and directions. . 2 miles south of Afton Alps/Afton State Park on County Rd 21 (St. Croix Trail) and County Rd 76 (90th St). A variety of apples are now available in our market for sale. We grow over 20 of our regions finest varieties of apples.

 

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