You-pick farms near Wichita

Every year readers ask me where they can find “you-pick” places in the Wichita area. They’re talking about the orchards and farms where families can go pick fresh produce right off the tree or vine. This is so much fun to do, and it’s a great way to enjoy fresh air and sunshine together as a family. The challenge is that this is seasonal, and not all produce shares the same season, of course!

For years I only knew of a few places nearby that offered this. With the help of a few friends, readers, and the internet, I’ve found some local farms that welcome their customers to pick fruit from their fields. Some of them require an appointment, so be sure you visit their websites or give them a call before you plan your day.

Do you have a favorite “you-pick” place near Wichita that isn’t on my list? Please let us know about it in the comments!

What are the you-pick seasons in Kansas? 

One thing we’ve learned after listing fun agricultural activities like you-pick produce and sunflower fields for several years is that seasons don’t always follow our expectations.

Too much or too little rain, sun, cold snaps, and other weather often affects when the you-pick crops are ready. But there are some general time frames you can expect to grab your buckets and mud-shoes and get out to the you-pick farms! Here is what we know, but of course you would get the best advice asking the grower at each of the you-pick locations we’ve listed below. 

Spring and early summer – you-pick berries! Strawberries come first, usually in May, followed by blueberries, then blackberries.

Summer – Lavender fields are blossoming and smelling gorgeous by early summer. Your backyard tomatoes are probably starting to produce too, and farmers markets should have an abundant supply. Corn stands usually start “cropping up” (pun totally intended) in Wichita around the end of June. 

Late Summer – Peaches start ripening as we approach the new school year – as long as a late spring freeze didn’t wipe out the tender blossoms. Sunflowers may begin budding as early as July, and some sunflower fields are ready for us to “agri-tour” by August. Apples may be ready for picking in August as well.

Fall – Apples, late sunflowers, and pumpkins can all be enjoyed in the fall!

Related:

• Wichita Farmers Markets (If you can’t make it out into the fields, they’ll bring the produce to you.)
• Kansas Sunflower Fields (Sunflowers! From late summer into fall we often see sunflower fields in bloom. And at least a few local area farms have you-pick sunflowers available.)
• Wichita-area Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

Spring and summer berry picking near Wichita

Spring and early summer are when the time is ripe for you-pick berries around Wichita: strawberries first, then blueberries, blackberries. Strawberry-picking season seems to go by in a flash, so pause when you’re making your summer plans and get this spring activity on the schedule quickly. 

Here are you-pick farms near us that offer berry-picking.

Sargeant’s Berry Farm

9836 S. Hydraulic
Haysville, KS
316-788-1370

You-pick strawberries, usually May to June and you-pick blackberries, usually later in June and July. Other fruits and vegetables for sale at their store. They usually post updates on Facebook.

Meadowlark Farm

11249 SW 160th St.
Rose Hill, KS 67133
(316) 518-8907

Beginning in 2020, entry is $2 per person for ages 13+. You-pick strawberries should begin in mid-May. Peaches, apples, and pumpkins later in the year. Find out what’s ready to pick before you go by calling them or watching their Facebook page.

Tenth Street Orchard

510 West Washington Ave.
Sterling, Kansas
620-381-6702

Pick-your-own strawberries, blackberries and sweet corn in Sterling, KS. Strawberries mid-May into June. Blackberries in July. Sweet corn in late July. They also usually have the Tenth Street Orchard Vintage Market in May. Sterling is just about 30 minutes northwest of Hutchinson. You can visit their website or Facebook page for updated information. 

Sweet Berries & Brambles

309 NE 120 Rd.
Harper, KS
620-955-7373

You-pick strawberries [strawberries are done for the 2020 season], blackberries, and blueberries. Strawberries usually mid-May to June and blackberries usually mid-June to July. Follow the progress of their  fields on Facebook.

Farm View U-Pick Strawberry Patch

207 8th Ave.
Inman, KS
620-655-7776

Late May/early June for you-pick strawberries. Call or text before you go out to make sure they still have berries. $4 per pound. Cash, check, or Venmo only. Follow the season on the farm’s Facebook page here.

Chautauqua Hills Farm

At Road 23 and Saddle Road, north of Sedan, about 1.5 or 2 hours southeast of Wichita
info@chautauquahillsfarm.com
620-249-3369

You-pick blueberries and blackberries by appointment only in June, July and sometimes August. They also bring their berries in to Wichita to the farmers markets. Register in advance for berry-picking. www.facebook.com/chfarm

Blackberry Heaven U-Pick

1870 SW Santa Fe Lake Rd.
Towanda, Kansas 67144
(316) 250-1778
You-pick blueberries and blackberries, usually beginning mid-June. Follow the Facebook page to see what’s ripe.

Elderslie Farm

3501 E 101st N
Valley Center, KS 67147
316-680-2637

You-pick blackberries by appointment or pre-picked berries, usually mid- to late-June. I have to tell you – blackberry picking spots sell out fast. We were fortunate to get a spot last summer and we had such a nice time spending the morning picking blackberries, watching the young goats play, then enjoying tea and scones outside in the Bramble Cafe. Prices are listed on their website.  You can follow on Facebook or Instagram, but if you want to pick, sign up for their newsletter so you’ll be notified of openings. 

You-Pick Herbs and Produce

Bramble’s Edge Farm

Rose Hill, KS 67133
(301) 885-8614

You-pick herbs on market days, are on the first Saturday of the month during the growing season. (They add first Tuesdays beginning in June.)  The onsite market offers farm fresh produce, farm grown flowers, handmade soaps and cleaning products. Workshops are occasionally offered on soap- and candle-making as well as other educational subjects. 

Lavender Farms

Prairie Lavender Farm

69 Alpine Ridge Ln.
Bennington, KS 67422
(785) 488-3371

Call for more information. I’m unclear whether they’ll be doing you-pick around mid-June this year. They usually host the Prairie Lavender festival, but that had to be canceled for 2021.

Gertie’s Lavender Farm

8101 South Rayl Road (28.78 mi)
Burrton, Kansas 67020
(316) 208-7750

Be sure to call or check their Facebook page before you go out this year. They’ve planted a new crop. The annual Lavender Festival is back ON for this year though, with many vendors selling handmade and homemade items. 

Peach and Apple Orchards, Pumpkins, and more

Mid-summer is when you can start picking your own peaches in Kansas. What a delectable treat! We also do have some apple orchards with you-pick apples and plenty of pumpkin farms around our area.

Meadowlark Farm

11249 SW 160th St.
Rose Hill, KS 67133
(316) 518-8907

$2 entry fee per person for ages 13+. Meadowlark Farm is perfect in the fall for you-pick peaches, apples, pumpkins and a variety of vegetables. The season for peaches is usually June to October (phone or see website for details), or you can purchase at the farm store on site, or at local farmer’s markets. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This a great, informal picnic spot. They have free picnic tables picnic shelters unless you want to reserve it ahead of time, which costs $25 an hour. 

Meadowlark Farm also sells farm-made Hard Apple Cider. You’ll find them five miles east of Rose Hill, Kansas 67133, at Southwest 160^th Street and Santa Fe Lake Road. They give updates about peaches and other you-pick crops on Facebook

Gaeddert Farms

Famous for their sweet corn stands around Wichita, Gaeddert Farms also now has a sunflower festival in August/September when they’re blooming. The farm is not too far away, located in Buhler. They used to have a corn maze and you-pick pumpkin patch, but are now focusing on sunflowers.

Although it’s not you-pick, people look forward to picking up their summer sweet corn from Gaeddert Farms corn stands every year. You can find stand locations all around South Central Kansas on the website here.

Steffen Orchard

1345 W. 90th Ave N.
Conway Springs, KS
620-456-2706

Apple and peach orchard. Recommended by several readers. Orchard is only open when fruit is ready, so phone first. You-pick peaches usually mid-July into August. You-pick and already-picked apples, usually from later August to mid October. Bring cash or check. Internet service not reliable for card reader.  Call for an appointment.

Beal Orchard & Country Store

131 NE 100 Rd
Harper, KS
620-896-7044

Produce in the store, as well as you-pick peaches and apples, usually July and August. Keep up with their you-pick and/or produce offerings on Facebook here.

Becks’ Farm

7620 S Anderson Rd
Newton, KS 67114
316-282-2325

They haven’t had you-pick peaches  for a few seasons now, but this year in late July they got an awesome crop and have opened by appointment only. For updates, join the farm’s Facebook group.

Walters Pumpkin Patch

Well-known for its family-friendly and kid activities in the fall, Walter’s is also a real pick-your-own pumpkin patch. You pay for the pumpkins you choose by size and variety. More info at their website here.

Also see: Fall Farm Fun: Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes near Wichita