The Pick-Your-Own season is bookended by strawberries in the spring and apples in the fall, but what do you do with all those months in between? Pick everything else, of course! Central Iowa farms and orchards are great spots to haul out the family on nice weather days and haul home buckets, baskets, and bushels of fresh summer fruits, and some sweet memories, too.
Please be to sure call ahead or check the farms’ websites to confirm that fields are open and berries are ripe. (Especially this year of ALL years!!!)
For more locally grown food options, check out our 2020 Farmers’ Market Guide. To find more things to do in Des Moines check out our Summer Fun Guide.
Here’s where you can pick your own berries (and other fruits) in Central Iowa:
The Berry Patch
Fruit: Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Currants, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Strawberries and more
Where: 62785 280th Street, Nevada, IA
Phone: (515) 382-5138
Tips: Once the picking season starts, The Berry Patch’s regular hours are typically 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day, Monday through Saturday. They may be sold out earlier than noon, so be sure to call ahead or visit their website and Facebook page. Pick Your Own Strawberry season starts in early June and usually lasts 3-4 weeks. Cherries, raspberries and gooseberries are typically ready the first week of July followed by blueberries and blackberries in August.
Bob’s Aronia Field
Fruit: Aronia Berries
Where: 101 NE 72nd Place Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: (515) 778-4262
Tips: During picking season Bob’s Aronia Field is open on Weeknights 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Sundays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or by appointment. Aronia Berries are ready to be picked in mid to late August. They have both U-pick and already picked berries available.
Edge of the Woods
Fruit: Red and Black Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries and Tart Cherries
Where: 15285 Fairfax Street, Indianola, IA
Phone: (515) 961-7252
Tips: Edge of the Woods will open on June 30, 2020 for berry picking watch their Facebook Page for updates. Seasonal farm hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am to 1:00 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays 1:00 to 4:00 pm. They are CLOSED on Mondays and Wednesdays. Their store is open from mid-May through the end of August. Red raspberries are typically ready to pick in late June. Blueberries are usually ready to pick mid-June through July.
Engdahl Farm
Fruit: Sweet Cherries, Black Tartan Cherries and Blueberries
Where: 17246 125th Street, Van Wert, IA 50262
Phone: (515) 231-8008
Tips: Engdahl Farm is open year-round by appointment only. Cherries and blueberries are typically available in mid-June through July.
Fogle’s 40 Organic Aronia
Fruit: Aronia Berries
Where: 14769 Buchanan Street; Carlisle, IA 50047
Phone: (515) 989-4482
Tips: Aronia berries are a powerfully potent antioxidant fruit grown in Central Iowa. During picking season Fogle’s is open Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm and Monday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. They post when they’re open for the season on their Facebook page.
Hinegardner Orchard
Fruit: Strawberries
Where: 1348 295th Street, Montour, Iowa 50173
Phone: (641) 492-6353
Tips: Hinegardner Orchard hours are daily from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. They may also have seasonal hours. Strawberries will be ready to be picked around the first week of June and will last about 3 weeks. They also have melons and plums that ripen in August – through September.
Iowa Orchard
Fruit: Strawberries
Where: 13140 NW 102nd Avenue, Granger, IA
Phone: (515) 276-0852
Tips: Iowa Orchard’s seasonal hours at the Granger site are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Strawberry Season is typically late May through late June. Watch their Facebook page for their official opening date. Pre-picked strawberries can also be purchased at their Urbandale location.
Upstream Gardens & Orchard
Fruit: Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Mulberries, Raspberries, Mulberries Strawberries and much more
Where: 5987 NE 88th Street, Altoona, IA 50009
Phone: (515) 957-1303
Tips: Upstream Gardens & Orchard will have regular hours once strawberry picking starts. Until then give them a call to make an appointment. (Their hours are typically Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 to 7:00 pm.) Watch their website to know when fruit is ready to be picked.
Timberlea Farm
Fruit: Aronia Berries
Where: 705 SW Ringgold Street, Boone, IA
Phone: (515) 432-9251
Tips: Timberlea Farm is open by appointment only for U-pick and already picked berries. Aronia Berries are ready to be picked in mid to late August.
What’s your favorite farm or orchard to pick your own summer berries in the Des Moines area? Let us know!
