Picking your own fruit is one of my favorite things to do on this side of the state. It is cheap, it gets everyone outside, and you go home with a flat of berries that tastes nothing like the grocery store kind.
Here is the general order of the season. Keep in mind that weather moves it a week or two in either direction every year, so treat these months as a guide, not a promise. Here is how I would plan around it, plus the farms I send guests to.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: Welcome to Blueberry Country: Where to Pick in July
The U-Pick Calendar, Plus My Favorite Farms
1) June: Strawberries
Strawberries kick off the season. They are the first fruit of the summer, and if you see a sign for them on the side of the road, stop.
Strawberry rows are low to the ground, so this is a great first picking trip for little kids. Go in the morning before it gets hot.
Bring a hat and water. Strawberry picking means a lot of bending in the sun, and it is easy to stay out longer than you planned.
2) July: Cherries, Raspberries and the First Blueberries
July is when things really get going. Cherries come first, then raspberries, and then the first blueberries start showing up toward the end of the month.
If I were planning one summer trip around fruit, I would aim for July. You get the widest mix in a short window.
Cherries go fast once they are ripe, so if they are on your list, keep an eye on farm updates as July gets close.
3) August: Blueberries and Peaches
August is peak blueberry season, and peaches join in. This is the month to bring a big container and fill it.
Here's a secret: berries freeze beautifully. Spread them on a sheet pan, freeze, then bag them up for the drive home.
4) September and October: Apples, Pears and Pumpkins
Fall belongs to apples, pears and pumpkins. The orchards get busy on weekends, and the pumpkin patches fill up with families.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty. Fall rows can get muddy after rain.
5) Crisp Country Acres
Crisp Country Acres in Holland runs a farm store that is open all year, with u-pick berries in season. Because the store stays open, it is an easy stop even when picking is done for the day.
I like it as a quick option when you are staying near Holland and do not want to drive far.
It is also a handy place to know about for picking up farm produce on the way to the house.
READ: Apple Season Is Here: My Favorite Orchards
6) Crossroads Blueberry Farm and Market
Crossroads Blueberry Farm and Market in West Olive has u-pick berries and a seasonal ice cream counter. That second part matters if you are bringing kids.
Pick first, then reward everyone with a cone.
7) Overhiser Orchards
Overhiser Orchards in South Haven offers u-pick fruit and fall fun. It is a good pick for a late season trip when you want apples and a little extra to do.
Overhiser is a nice anchor for a fall day on the south end of the shore. Pick your fruit, then head into South Haven for lunch.
8) Crane's Orchards
Crane's Orchards in Fennville has u-pick fruit, a fall corn maze and the famous Pie Pantry. If I could only send guests to one farm in the fall, this would be it.
Save room for pie. Seriously.
Before you head out, call ahead or check the farm's social media for picking conditions. Rain, heat and a busy weekend can close rows early, and it is much better to know before you load up the car. A quick check the morning of can save you a wasted drive.
Fruit season is one of the best reasons to book a summer or fall stay on the lakeshore. Come pick with us.