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Berry picking season in southeastern Wisconsin is a family tradition—and one of the best ways to enjoy summer outdoors. Just a short drive from Milwaukee, you’ll find local farms where kids can pick strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and more, straight from the patch.
Strawberries typically ripen by mid to late June, followed closely by sugar snap peas. Cherries are ready in early July, and raspberries and blackberries peak later in the month. Come September, plum and apple picking take center stage.
Whether you’re filling a basket with sun-warmed strawberries or snapping a few photos of berry-stained smiles, it’s a fun and easy way to make memories—and bring home something delicious.
Important Tip: Always check the farm’s website or call ahead. Picking schedules can change daily due to weather and crop conditions.
1. Basse’s Taste of Country – Colgate, WI
📍 3190 Waukesha Q, Colgate, WI 53017
Strawberry season kicks off with a bang at Basse’s Taste of Country, a favorite among Milwaukee-area families. Kids love the tractor-pulled hayride out to the berry fields—home to over 150,000 strawberry plants. There’s a 5-pound minimum for U-Pick, but the rows are bursting with berries, so it doesn’t take long.
Tip: There’s a scale in the field to check your total before heading to the cashless checkout. Don’t miss the homemade strawberry donuts, slushies, and sundaes in the farm store!
2. Fideler Farm – Kewaskum, WI
📍 2863 Ridge Rd, Kewaskum, WI 53040
Fideler Farm is a peaceful, family-run spot on 70 acres with a focus on strawberries, raspberries (summer and fall), asparagus, and garden vegetables. They also offer homemade jams and pickled goods. It’s a quieter, more traditional experience for families who want to avoid the crowds and connect with nature.
3. Apple Barn Orchard & Winery – Elkhorn, WI
📍 W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, WI 53121
Here’s one for both the kids and the grown-ups! Strawberry picking happens alongside wine tasting at this family-friendly orchard and winery. Don’t let the address confuse you—yes, it’s located on Sugar Creek Road, not Sugar Creek Street. Pack a picnic and enjoy a full afternoon on the farm.
4. Brehmer’s U-Pick Strawberries & Pumpkins – Hartford, WI
📍 5805 Clover Rd., Hartford, WI 53027
This 1.5-acre, pesticide-free strawberry patch is perfect for families with young kids. Little ones can safely sample as they pick, and the extra-wide rows are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. It’s a smaller, more relaxed experience ideal for a first-time visit to a berry farm.
5. Jelli’s Market – Helenville, WI
📍 N5648 S. Farmington Rd., Helenville, WI 53137
A bit off the beaten path, Jelli’s Market offers a wide range of pick-your-own produce including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and more. Their farm store is packed with fresh pies, homemade jam, and strawberry sundaes—plus meat, eggs, soap, and even sewn goods. It’s a full-on country experience your kids won’t forget.
6. Mayberry Farms – Mayville, WI
📍 W2364 County Road Y, Mayville, WI 53050
For a scenic drive and a heartfelt family farm experience, head to Mayberry Farms. The owners are first-generation strawberry farmers who focus on quality, affordability, and fun. Families can also check out their raw honey—made right on the farm by bees that help pollinate the berry plants.
7. Thompson Strawberry Farm – Bristol, WI
📍 14000 75th St., Bristol, WI 53104
Strawberries in early summer, followed by raspberries in July—Thompson Farm makes it easy to find your way around with staff stationed in the fields to guide your picking adventure. The layout is straightforward and family-friendly, and the fields are well-marked so kids can explore safely.
8. Steffen’s Cherry Orchard – Fort Atkinson, WI
📍 N633 McIntyre Rd., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Cherry lovers, take note: This family-run orchard opens for pick-your-own tart cherries in early July, but the season is short! The picturesque rows of cherry trees are worth the trip, and a handy mechanical cherry pitter makes the experience even more convenient for families.
9. Barthel Fruit Farm – Mequon, WI
📍 12246 N. Farmdale Rd, Mequon, WI 53097
While they no longer offer strawberry or pea picking, Barthel Fruit Farm still draws families in September with their Italian blue and purple plums. These oblong, freestone plums are perfect for baking and easy for kids to help pick. It’s a fun way to try something different later in the season.
Strawberry Picking Tips:
- The best time of day to pick is early in the morning when the berries are still cool or in the late afternoon when the sun is setting. If the sun is too hot, the strawberries get softer and may not keep as well.
- Looks are deceiving! The outside of a plant may suggest there are no berries. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden strawberries ready for harvest.
- Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries do not continue to ripen after they are picked.
- Use both hands, one to hold the leaves, and the other to pick the berries.
- Keep the stems and hulls on the fruit.
- The small berries are often the most flavorful.
- Keep them in the shade.
- Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them. They’ll spoil more quickly. Strawberries last for a few days in the refrigerator.
10+ Things To Do With Your Strawberries
- Enjoy them fresh: The simplest and most delicious way to enjoy freshly picked strawberries is to eat them as they are. Wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and let your kids enjoy the sweet and juicy berries.
- Make strawberry popsicles: Blend the strawberries with a little sugar and lemon juice, then pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze them for a few hours until solid, and you’ll have refreshing homemade strawberry popsicles.
- Prepare strawberry shortcake: Slice the strawberries and serve them with freshly baked biscuits or sponge cake. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful strawberry shortcake dessert.
- Create strawberry-infused water: Slice the strawberries and add them to a pitcher of water. Let it sit for a while to infuse the water with a hint of strawberry flavor. It’s a refreshing and healthy drink option for the whole family.
- Make strawberry jam: Turn your freshly picked strawberries into homemade strawberry jam. Involve your kids in the process by letting them mash the strawberries, stir the mixture, and help with canning. It’s a great way to enjoy the berries throughout the year.
- Bake strawberry muffins or bread: Use the strawberries in baking projects with your kids. Make strawberry muffins or bread together by incorporating the sliced strawberries into the batter. It’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
- Create strawberry fruit salad: Combine the strawberries with other fruits like sliced bananas, blueberries, and oranges to create a colorful and nutritious fruit salad. Let your kids assist in arranging the fruit and drizzling some honey or yogurt as a topping.
- Host a strawberry-themed tea party: Turn your strawberry bounty into a special event by hosting a strawberry-themed tea party. Serve strawberry lemonade, strawberry sandwiches, and strawberry pastries. Get creative with decorations and involve your kids in the planning process.
- Strawberry Smoothies: Blend the strawberries with yogurt, milk, or a dairy-free alternative, and a sweetener of your choice (such as honey or maple syrup). Add ice cubes and blend until smooth. It’s a refreshing and healthy treat.
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: Melt some chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until the chocolate sets. A delicious and elegant treat!
- Strawberry Yogurt Parfait: Layer sliced strawberries, Greek yogurt, and granola in clear glasses or bowls. Repeat the layers and top it off with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. It makes for a delightful and nutritious breakfast or dessert.
- Strawberry Lemonade: Blend the strawberries with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a sweetener like honey or sugar. Strain the mixture to remove any seeds or pulp. Dilute with water, taste and adjust the sweetness, and serve over ice for a refreshing drink.
- Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups: Puree the strawberries, heat it for ten minutes, and spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at a low temperature (around 200°F/93°C) for several hours until the puree is dried and no longer sticky. Cut into strips and roll them up for homemade fruit roll-ups.
- Strawberry Salad: Combine sliced strawberries with mixed greens, crumbled feta cheese, candied pecans or walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It’s a delightful and refreshing salad option.
We’re wishing you a sunshine, joyful family memories, and a bushel full of beautiful strawberries.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
