In late summer and early autumn, Milwaukee natives welcome one of the reasons why living in Wisconsin is so enjoyable: fruit picking. Plus, it's the last chance to get out and enjoy all Milwaukee has to offer before the snowflakes start to fall.
Living in Milwaukee, you are close to a variety of establishments that offer fruit and vegetable picking, and an assortment of other fun fall rituals such as cornfield mazes and hay rides.
Here's a list of some locations that feature fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer and fall harvest:
Apple Barn Orchard and Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek Road, Elkhorn
(262) 728-3266
www.applebarnorchardandwinery.com
The Jacobson family's 150 year old farm and 40 year old orchard are dedicated to ancestral tradition at the Apple Barn Orchard and Winery. Strawberry, apple and pumpkin crops are availble for picking during the relevant seasons but fresh cider, cider donuts and fruit wines are availble all year long.
Fruit to pick: strawberries, pumpkins, apples
Apple Holler Restaurant Showplace
5006 S. Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant
(262) 884-7100
The season to pick apples begins at the end of August. You may also pick pears during this time. Every August there's an Apple Harvest Fest, featuring helicopter rides, a corn maze, taffy apples, farm animals and games for kids, pumpkin picking, hay rides.
Fruit to pick: Apples and pears
Barthel Fruit Farm
12246 N. Farmdale Rd. 99W, Mequon
(414) 242-2737
A short drive north of the city will bring you to the countryside and the Barthel Fruit Farm where family fruit picking is the specialty. Strawberry and pea picking varies throughout the summer months, and it's recommended you call prior to making the trip. Containers to hold your selections are always available at the farm for free and kids are welcome to pick in the fields.
Fruit to pick: Strawberries, sugar snap peas
Basse's Country Delight
Muskego
S70 W16050 Janesville Rd., Muskego
(262) 422-0315
This farm is in the diminishing Muskego's countryside -- Janesville Road is growing and more houses are being built nearby. That doesn't change the fact that Basse's offers a great selection of tasty treats from apples to smoothies. During the fall, the store celebrates on weekends with school tours, hay rides and pumpkin picking.
Fruit to pick: Apples
Berry Walvoord Farm
21632 Plank Road (Highway A), Kansasville
(920) 668-6481
With a phoneline updated daily, its easy to call and find out whats ripe on this berry farm. Walvoord's is located just three miles north of Union Grove and produces fields of strawberries. The berry picking season begins annually around June 15th and runs throughout the summer.
Fruit to pick: strawberries and peas
Elegant Farmer
1545 Main St., Mukwonago
(262) 363-6770
No fall season is complete without a trip to the Elegant Farmer midway between East Troy and Mukwonago. Their caramel apples are a true treat, especially after taking the hayride to the orchard across the street to select the perfect apple. A true favorite here is the apple pie baked in a paper bag. Local grocery stores stock these delectable desserts just in case you cannot make it to the Elegant Farmer.
Fruit to pick: Apples, pumpkin and squash
Harvest Time Farm
36116 128th Street, Twin Lakes
(262) 877-4831
www.harvest-time-farm.com
With a touch of everything Wisconsin, Harvest Time Farm is the perfect place to experience local harvesting. This operation boasts red-tart cherries, apples, an apple barn with donut shop and a Country smoke house with gourmet ham, bacon and Wisconsin cheeses. Open year round, Harvest Time Farm is handicap accessible and offers tours for school age children.
Fruit to pick: cherries, apples, plus cheese and meats
Jelli's Market
N5648 N. Farmington Road, Helenville
(262) 593-5133
http://www.jellismarket.com/
Jelli's grows over a dozen crops and you'll be sure to find something in season no matter what time of year you visit. Annual crops include strawberries, peas, asaparagus, tomatoes, rhubarb, green beans, zucchini, raspberries and more. Be sure to check the website for the latest information on whats ripe as well as a few offsite locations for strawberry and pea sales.
Produce to pick: asparagus, tomatoes, rhubarb, strawberries, peas, green beans, raspberries, zucchini, sweet corn, chicken and eggs
Kallas Honey Farm
5500 W. Douglas Avenue, Milwaukee
(414)462-3530
http://www.kallashoney.com/
While you could pick up Kallas honey from your local grocery store, why not travel to the source for all the sweet, fresh honey you could want. Don't worry, you won't have to reach into the hive but visit the Kallas farm to see bee keepers and honey producers at work. The farm, open year round, offers pure honey as well as a variety of honey based products all domestically grown and produced.
Product to purchase: honey, garlic and horseradish
Kirschbaum's Strawberry Acres
N5802 Hwy 151, Beaver Dam
(920) 887-7530
www.powerweb.net/kirschbaums
With both you-pick and ready-pick products available, Kirschbaum's is the perfect stop for both those looking to spend some time on the farm and those who just want fresh, local produce on the go. This family owned farm offers group tours their 12 acre farm in addition to strawberry and pea crops for purchase.
Fruit to pick: strawberries and peas
Oriole Springs Orchard
35032 128 Street, Twin Lakes
(262) 877-2436
Open only September through October, this apple orchard offers a huge selection of apples at just the ripe time. Macintosh, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Empire and Red Delicious are among the varieties available. Pumpkins are also available in October just in time for your Halloween festivities.
Fruit to pick: apples and pumpkins
Thompson Strawberry Farm
14000 75th St., Bristol
(262) 857-2353
If handpicking strawberries is your fancy, then drive south of Milwaukee and exit at Kenosha Highway 50. Drive west until you see a giant strawberry sign, and soon you'll be in berry heaven. Warmer weather has shortened the season, and the peak strawberry picking time has passed, but there's still fresh fruit available. (Call ahead to be sure.)
Fruit to pick: Strawberries and raspberries
Valley View Farm
W3246 Springfield Road, Lake Geneva
(262) 248-1398
www.valleyviewberryfarm.com
Located only moments from downtown Lake Geneva, Valley View farm is a breathtaking vision of acres and acres of strawberries and raspberries. The farm provides visitors to pick their own or choose from pre-picked products. The strawberry season begins mid-June and ends early July; but the raspberry season picks up right when the strawberries stop and begins in early July.
Fruit to pick: strawberries and raspberries
Witte's Vegetable Farm
10006 Bridge Rd., Cedarburg
(262) 377-1423
This third generation owned business features vegetables and fruits that you pick yourself including cauliflower, tomatoes, green and yellow peppers, pinto beans, and lima beans.
Fruit to pick: Cauliflower, tomatoes, green and yellow peppers, pinto beans, and lima beans.
Price: Sold and priced by the bushel or pound
