Where to Find Fresh Raspberries in Southeast Michigan

My mouth is watering now, just thinking about fresh-picked raspberries. Whether you bake them into pies and cobblers, make jellies or jams or whip up your own raspberry ice cream, they just can't be beat. The best way to eat raspberries, however, is fresh off the bush. Here are a few of the best u-pick and fresh-picked raspberry farms in southeast Michigan.

Raspberry Farms in Ingham County:

Rowe's Farm Market and Pumpkin Patch is located at 4047 W. Columbia Road, Mason. They have the fall varieties, so they won't be ready until about the middle of August, continuing until the first frost. Berries are picked daily, and refrigerated. The farm store opens in late July (for other produce) and is open from 11 am until 6 pm. Call 517-676-9360 for updates.

Raspberry Farms in Lapeer County:

Brookwood Fruit Farm is at 7845 Bordman Road in Almont. Raspberries should be ripe in early August, and the stand will be open from 7 to 11:30 am. They also sell sweet corn, cucumbers, green beans, summer squash, and jams and jellies. Phone them at 810-798-8312.

Hickory Hill Farm is located at 4725 Barnes Road, Clifford. They also sell eggs, jams, jellies, maple syrup, and tomatoes. Check on availability at 248-953-0722.

Raspberry Farms in Macomb County:

Miller's Big Red Apple Orchard has raspberries available in early July. They are located at 4900 W. 32 Mile Road, Washington. The store is open from 9 am to 7 pm. You can contact them at 586-752-7888.

Raspberry Farms in Oakland County:

Erwin Orchards U-Pick and Cider Mill is located at 61475 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon. This is a raspberry u-pick farm, and the raspberries should be ready starting in late July. They have a 24-hour message available on their phone, at 248-437-4701.

The Middleton Berry Farm, at 4888 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, will have fall raspberries available in September and October. They'll put you on their e-mail list for updates about crop conditions, if you e-mail them at middletonberryfarm@yahoo.com, or you can call them at 248-628-1819.

Raspberry Farms in Washtenaw County:

Rowe's Produce Farm is at 10570 Martz Road, Ypsilanti. They are a u-pick farm for raspberries, and they offer two varieties: Autumn Bliss and Heritage. The Autumn Bliss berries should be ready in late July, and the Heritage berries ripen about the beginning of September. Rowe's will send you e-mail updates regarding availability and picking conditions if you sign up with them on their webpage or you can phone them at 734-482-8538. They also have a farm produce store with fresh-picked items available.

The Makielski Berry Farm, at 7130 Platt Road, Ypsilanti, has 20 acres of red, yellow, and amber raspberries, all irrigated and frost-protected (which extends the season through October). They also state that they have been growing them without insecticides for twenty years. Another specialty of the farm is "raspberry honey" - honey made by bees fed on raspberry pollen. Call 734-572-0060 for information about crop availability and conditions.

It's always a good idea to phone ahead, or to get on the e-mail list for notifications before heading out to the farm. Picking conditions and availability can vary from day to day. Enjoy your raspberries!

Sources:

http://www.michiganfarmfun.com/default.aspx, www.rowespumpkinpatch.com, www.brookwoodfruitfarm.com, www.cousindon.com, http://www.erwinorchards.com, http://www.middletonberryfarm.com, http://www.rowesproducefarm.com, www.makielskiberryfarm.com