2024 Southern Illinois Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Southern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have strawberries 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.

Clinton County

• ATA Strawberries - strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  314 Cypress St, Carlyle, IL 62231. Phone: 618-977-3972. Email: HARDWOODFIREWOOD@YAHOO.COM. Open: UPDATE for 2021: they may have closed; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me. Directions: take Route 127 to Slant Road make left on camp joy take Campjoy Road to Cypress Street on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Monday through Friday from 8am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 7pm. In strawberry season; lots of strawberries; fun, clean and cheap. We will be selling soda, ice cream and juice. We think we have the best strawberries in Clinton County!.
• McConauchie Manor Farm - Uses natural growing practices, pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  9360 Brinkman Rd, Carlyle, IL 62231. Phone: (314) 699-4430. Email: farm@mcmanor.com. Open: Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm, Closed on Sunday; Call for additional hours. Directions: 50 miles east of Saint Louis. Accessible by Interstate 70 or 64. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  McConauchie Manor Farm Facebook page. . . Strawberry season is typically Mid May through Mid June, but May vary due to weather. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. We are quite diversified in what we offer - livestock, berries, and honey. While we strive to follow organic practices and raise our produce and livestock free of harmful chemicals and antibiotics, we are NOT officially an organic farm. When it comes to strawberries, we do not lie when we say they are the best in the area! We have big, juicy California variety berries that are picked at the peak of freshness and delivered daily to local business and markets. Or, better yet, come pick them for yourself in our U-Pick berry patch! Our berries are grown in our fields on raised beds each fall and are protected through the winter with special blankets which allow us to sell early. Among the varieties of strawberries that we offer are Albion, CamaRosa, San Andreas and Chandler. Each fall, McConauchie's, hosts a fall festival complete with a corn maze and many other attractions! Come for the corn maze but your ticket will also include hay rides, a petting zoo, access to the playground (and the popular TIRE MOUNTAIN), take a ride on a pony in our riding arena and go on a barrel train ride through the farm. For an additional fee, use our pumpkin chucker to hit targets out in the back field! (UPDATED: May 10, 2019)(ADDED: September 4, 2017, JBS)

Henderson County

• Twin Brook Farm - apples, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, beans, broccoli, cabbage & sweet corn.
  RR. R. 1, Box 209, Stronghurst, IL 61480. Phone: 309-924-1529. Open: UPDATE for 2019 - they may have closed; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me. Click here for a map and directions. .

Jackson County

• McLaughlin Strawberry Farm - strawberries,
  936 McLaughlin Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Phone: 618-684-4034. Email: CharlMclghln@aol.com. Open: May and June. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . Crops are usually available in May, June.

Jasper County

• Rising Sun Family Farm - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  19460 East 725th Avenue, Willow Hill, IL 62480. Phone: (618) 554-1015. Email: risingsunfamilyfarm@yahoo.com. Open: See our Facebook page for hours. Directions: 5 miles east of State Highway 130 on Sainte Marie Spur, then north 2 miles. 4 miles south of State Highway 33 on Sainte Marie Road. 3 miles south of Oblong, then west 5 miles. Watch for signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Rising Sun Family Farm . Strawberry season typically runs from early to mid May through early June;. (ADDED: April 24, 2017)

Johnson County

• Larry Trover Produce - - Krissara\'s Pride tomatoes (20 lb. U.S. #1), pears, strawberries, beans, peppers.
  992 Gilead Church Road, Vienna, IL 62995. Phone: 618-658-5100. Click here for a map and directions. .

Madison County

• Berry Patch - strawberries
  3351 Spangle, Stauton, IL 62088. Phone: 618-637-2686. Email: gliss55@yahoo.com. Open: after May 15- June 9. Directions: I-55 Frontage Road 1 mile North of Livingston. . Click here for a map and directions. . Suggest you call before coming. No children under 14 years of age.
• Demange Farm - strawberries
  10349 W. Astor Road, St. Jacob, IL 62281. Phone: 618-644-9218. Email: edemange@hometel.com. Open: Starts around May 20, then for several weeks, 7 am to 7 pm daily only. Click here for a map and directions. . . You pick or they pick. Ready end of May. Starts around May 20, then for several weeks, 7 am to 7 pm daily (only).
• Reinhardt's Berry Patch - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.
  7508 Kerin Rd, Alhambra, IL 62001. Phone: 618-633-2888. Open: Call for availability and picking appointments. Click here for a map and directions. . Pick Your Own/U-Pick: fresh berries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries; squash, pumpkins, gourds, ornamental Indian corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, fresh cut sunflowers and dried sunflower heads for bird seed, and dried hard shelled gourds for crafting.
• Strackeljahn Farms - U-pick: strawberries.
  Highway 40, St. Jacob, IL . Phone: 618-644-2982. Click here for a map and directions. .
• W. J. Donahue - strawberries, blackberries, asparagus
  3540 Fairmont, Collinsville, IL 62234. Phone: 618-345-0766. Email: donahuesunshinefarm@yahoo.com. Open: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . . Pick Your Own . Custom picking available for strawberries & blackberries.

Marion County

• Sager Farms - blackberries, strawberries.
  55251 Kell Road, Kell, IL 62853. Phone: 618-822-6637. Open: See their Facebook page for availability and hours. Click here for a map and directions. 8 Roadside Market: fresh apples, blackberries, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes & sweet corn. Cherries should be ready late June. Peaches should be ready early July.
• Schwartz Farms in Centralia - apples, blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  1942 Copple Road, Centralia, IL 62801. Phone: 618-532-8058. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Open: strawberries in May, peaches and blackberries in June,apples and pumpkins from September thru November. Directions: In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and \you\" pick fruits and berries. """. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Centralia Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items. Apples, strawberries, blackberries. Award winning apple cider. Bakery with apple cider donuts, pastries, strawberry shortcake and homemade cobblers.
• Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon - blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  Route 37, Dix, IL . Phone: 618-266-7756. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Directions: Located 8 miles north of Mt. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon Facebook page. . Phone: 618-532-8058. Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is . Vernon on route 37. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items.

Monroe County

• Stuckmeyer's Plants & Produce - U-pick: strawberries, pumpkins .
  9204 Bluff Road, Waterloo, IL . Phone: 618-935-2501. Click here for a map and directions.
  Stuckmeyer's Plants & Produce Facebook page. . They also have a market: tomatoes, corn, beans, melons, pumpkins.

St. Clair County

• Eckert's Country Store and Farms - apples, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  951 South Green Mount Road, Belleville, IL 62220. Phone: (618) 233-0513. Email: eckert-info@eckerts.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: See our website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Eckert's Country Store and Farms Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. See our website for current crop information. Starting as a simple roadside stand in 1910, the sixth and seventh generations of the Eckert family now operates three retail, entertainment and farming establishments in southern Illinois. Eckert's Belleville location is open year round and is home to the Country Store, Restaurant, Garden Center, Custard Shop and Pick-Your-Own farm. Visit our website to learn more about our wide array of products, ripening dates, activities and so much more!. Just twenty-five minutes from downtown St. Louis, our Belleville "homeplace" farm is the site of our original 1910 roadside stand. Our Belleville farm complex has grown to offer something for every member of your family: a Country Store, a beautiful Garden Center, a Country Restaurant, an old-fashioned Custard Shop, fruit orchards!!, kids activities.
• Eckert's Millstadt Farm - apples, hayrides, jumping pillows, pumpkin cannon, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, Christmas trees
  2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, IL 62260. Phone: (800)745-0513. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . click here for farm directions. Only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, your whole family will love Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm! Visit the incredible creations in Uncle Aubrey's Workshop, squeal with delight at Billy Bob's pig races, ride the Deere Express through the orchard, then plunge into the 70-foot underground slide at Eckert's Mining Company! Wagon rides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch are a favorite for all. Visit Uncle Aubrey's Workshop, or join us for a Haunted Hayride this September & October - if you dare! There's so many activities for the kids see and do.. you will wear the kids out.. and Mom and Dad, too! Our jumping pillow is a giant colorful, inflatable pillow that is so much fun and will keep your kids entertained. Fun for adults, too! We can't forget about the amazing pumpkin cannon, the Jack-O-Lobber. The Jack-O-Lobber fires a pumpkin a half-mile! Shows are every hour on the hour Friday through Sunday. If you are craving mouth-watering country food like roasted sweet corn or chicken shish kababs be sure to stop by Bob's N'Cobs Food Stand. Of course, hotdogs, bratwurst, KettleKorn, homemade ice cream and funnel cakes are always on the menu too! Eckert's is known far and wide for its great country entertainment. Watch a real live melodrama play out on the Grand Stage. (ADDED: August 26, 2011, by Blake)

Union County

• Blue Berry Hill Farm - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelons.
  675 Wrights Crossing Road, Cobden, IL 62920. Phone: 618-893-2397. Open: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Directions: Strawberry farm is just off Hwy 51, north of Cobden. . Click here for a map and directions. Blue Berry Hill Farm Phone:, 7 days a week. Fresh peppers, squash and turnips. Typical harvest dates: strawberries (May 10- June 10), blackberries and blueberries (June 20-July 31), red & black raspberries (June 7-July 14). Will take drive in orders but does not ship. Call for more info.
• Hallsberry Farms - Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries
  20 United Missionary Ln, Buncombe, IL 62912. Phone: (618) 559-6127. Click here for a map and directions. 46573/?rf=204237323 We are a family owned farm in Buncombe, IL. We provide our community with fresh local strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Twenty years strong! A family owned farm that started with a small patch of blueberries in 1994. As we've grown, we now offer to our community fresh local blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries! (ADDED: September 3, 2017, JBS)

Wayne County

• Freeland's Strawberries and Vegetable - strawberries,
  Rr 1 Box 206, Sims, IL 62886. Phone: 618-895-2680. Email: kinggardener@yahoo.com. Open: Directions: We are located in Sims, IL on Route 15 between Wayne City and Fairfield. Directions: We are located in Sims, IL on Route 15 between Wayne City and Fairfield. Turn south at Sims crossroads then 34 mile on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Turn south at Sims crossroads then 3/4 mile on left.

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. 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 strawberries, 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 strawberries 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 Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine 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. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries 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 grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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