5 of the Best Berry Picking Farms Northern Illinois Has to Offer

Illinoisans love visiting farms in the Fall to scoop up all the apples, donuts, pumpkins, and treats that each one has to offer, but did you know most of the farms open their gates in the summer months too?

The Fresh Tastes of Summer

My thumb is far from green, but last summer my family took a stab at gardening for the very first time, and it turned out pretty well. We started very small only planting green beans, carrots, and peppers, but this summer we're giving tomatoes, strawberries, and pumpkins a try too.

Yes, I know the gardening we are attempting is very basic, but my daughters love watching the plants grow and we have quickly learned that nothing tastes better than fruits and veggies from your very own garden.

Now that I've admitted I'm a gardening newbie, I must also admit something else;  I have never gone berry picking at a local farm before and that is something I plan to change this summer.

Best Berry-Picking Farms in Northern Illinois

If you love treating yourself to fresh strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries and more, the website Outdoor Family Adventures has a great list of the best berry-picking farms throughout Illinois. Right now, let's zero in on the ones closest to the Stateline area:

1. Curran's Orchard in Rockford, Illinois

2. Valley Orchard in Cherry Valley, Illinois

3. Sun Berry Orchard in Woodstock, Illinois

4. Stade's Farm & Market in McHenry, Illinois

5. Cody's Farm and Orchard in Marengo, Illinois

Before you jump in the car to go pick some berries, please remember there is a small window of time to pick each berry type, and the crop usually goes quick. To see what berries are available at your favorite local farm on any particular day, keep a close eye on their social media pages and websites.