What memories do you make with your family when you pick through bins of pumpkins or containers of fruits and vegetables at your local grocery store? It’s a forgettable experience and the quality and flavor aren’t always the best.

Here’s a way to make bushels of memories every year. Search for the sweetest strawberries and blueberries, juiciest apples, brightest pumpkins, crispest peppers, crunchiest carrots, the prettiest flowers and wreaths and more on our Upper Peninsula farms. Bringing home just-harvested fruits, vegetables and flowers is something you will all remember!

 

When to Come

When looking for adventures in the U.P., going to our farms is a great change of pace. Our farmers are eager to share their bounty and fun-on-the-farm experiences with you. 

Because of our far-northern location, our growing season is shorter compared to Michigan's Lower Peninsula and other Midwest states further south. Much of the land here is wilderness, covered by seven million acres of forest. Despite the wilderness, our farmers cultivate hardy fruits and vegetables across the U.P. you can pick or purchase ready-harvested from late May through October. And, of course, you can cut your Christmas tree or choose a pre-cut one through December.

Harvest Time in the Upper Peninsula

This chart gives estimated times when our most common fruits and vegetables are available. Because growing seasons vary across the U.P., please check with individual farms and markets to make sure they will have plenty for you. 

 

Apples

August to October

Beans

July to September

Beets

September

Blueberries

August

Cabbage

September to October

Carrots

August to October

Christmas Trees

November to December

Corn (Sweet)

August

Cranberries

October

Fresh & Dried Flowers

June to November

Kale

June to October

Lettuce

July to September

Maple Syrup

March to April

Onions

July to September

Peppers

August to September

Potatoes

August to September

Pumpkins

September to October

Rhubarb

May to June

Squash (summer)

June to September

Squash (fall)

September to October

Strawberries

June

Where to Find U.P. Farm Fun 

Here are the farms and markets where you will find the tastiest, freshest, homegrown fruits and vegetables plus Christmas trees in the U.P. Several offer fall hayrides and corn mazes that turn your day in the country into the best time ever! 

APPLE ORCHARDS & CIDER MILLS MAPLE SYRUP 

PUMPKIN PATCHES & CORN MAZES FARM MARKETS

 

Blueberries

Blueberries are easy to pick (no scratchy thorns) and something any age can do. It’s tough to beat the sweet, sun-kissed flavor of a plump blueberry right from the bush. 

Gierke Blueberry Farm, Chassell

Pellegrini Farms, Vulcan

 

Cranberries

It’s a short window, but this is a rare opportunity to tour a working cranberry farm and bring home cranberries fresh from the bog and cranberry sauces, salsas and more from the gift shop. The farm is open on weekends from the end of September to mid-October.

Centennial Cranberry Farm, 30957 W Wildcat Road, Paradise

 

Fresh & Dried Flowers And Wreaths

Lift your spirits instantly when you pick fresh sunflowers and bouquets or bring home pretty dried bouquets that will last for months, even years.  

Hall Farms, Rock: 20 acres planted in 440,000 sunflowers

Rock River Farm, Chatham: fresh and dried flowers, seasonal and holiday wreaths

 

Strawberries & Raspberries

Fresh-picked U.P. strawberries and raspberries are so juicy and flavorful, you can’t stop popping them in your mouth! Get plenty to make jams, pies, shortcake and ice cream toppings, breads, cookies and more.

Crane Berry Farm, Paradise

Norman Forsman Farm, 51361 Lake Annie Road, US 41 Quincy

Gierke Blueberry Farm, Chassell

Makinen Farm, Chassell

Niemela Family Growers, Chassell

Henry Ohtonen, Klingville Road, Chassell

Pellegrini Farms, Vulcan

 

Cabbage & Sugar Beets

Pellegrini Farm, Escanaba

 

Christmas Trees

Pine, spruce and fir trees have grown in the Upper Peninsula for centuries and their invigorating scent makes any room Christmasy. Cut your own or bring home one from the lot. You will love how much longer it will last than trucked-in trees to your town miles away.

Hiawatha National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. This isn’t a farm, but what an unforgettable adventure! Hike into the forest to find your perfect tree. For a small fee, you will get a “tree tag” permit, tree-cutting guidelines, directions to cutting areas and suggestions for flame-proofing your tree. 

Anderson’s Twin Lakes Tree Farm, Newberry

Juneau’s Christmas Trees, Foster City

Meister’s Farm, Marquette

Teal’s Tree Farms, Bark River

Treichel’s Trees, Carney

The U.P. Bursts with Farm-fresh Flavors. Come and Get ‘em!

There are countless ways to enjoy the Upper Peninsula's bounty from spring through fall — so make sure to visit often. During the autumn harvest, you can double your fun by experiencing our spectacular best-in-the-U.S.A. fall colors

Whether you're here for a short trip or an extended visit, there are many nearby places to stay. Our restaurants serve up delicious dishes made with locally grown ingredients, paired with U.P. craft beers, cocktails, hard ciders, and freshly roasted coffees. You will feel like there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

Take time to create happy memories — your day on the farm awaits! 
 

Share with Us

We would love to see what farms and markets you explored and what wonders you found on your adventures in the U.P. Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or marketing materials. You can also upload your photos to our content collector below.