In McHenry County, strawberries typically peak in early to mid-June and typically last only a few weeks due to popularity. We are lucky to have a wide variety of farms that offer pick-your-own strawberries, so we want to give you a few tips and tricks to make the most out of your visit. 

  1. Walk carefully in the strawberry fields so that you do not damage plants or fruit along the edge of the row.  
  2. Only pick berries that are fully red. 
  3. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion. 
  4. Handle berries carefully as they bruise easily. 
  5. Try to pick early in the day, or on cool, cloudy days as heat makes the berries become soft. 

Now let’s get out and pick! Make sure to use #naturallymchenrycounty when sharing your strawberry picking adventures to be featured on our social media channels! 

Stade's Farm & Market

Stade's Farm & Market

  • 3709 Miller Rd.
  • (815) 675-6396

Blueberries Blueberries are ready mid-July. They are always available on a first-come, first served basis and there are days that no blueberries are available…

Tom's Farm Market

Tom's Farm Market

  • 10214 Algonquin Rd
  • (847) 669-3421

Tom’s Farm Market has acres and acres of fresh strawberries available for the picking! Not only can you pick your own strawberries, but you can also visit…

Cody's Farm Market & Orchard

Cody's Farm Market & Orchard

  • 19502 River Road
  • (815) 568-7976

Each year during the month of June Cody's Farm & Orchard welcomes families from the greater Chicagoland area to come visit our farm and pick strawberries. Call, Check our Facebook, or Email for Picking Dates, as dates vary each year due to the weather.

Heider's Berry Farm

Heider's Berry Farm

  • 1106 N. Queen Anne Rd.
  • (815) 338-0301

Heider's Berry Farm has farmed for five generations, starting as a typical Midwestern farm with dairy, hogs, sheep, chickens, corn, oats and hay. From 1972 to 1986, they operated the largest berry farm in Illinois. After 25 years of landscaping, they're back as Heider's Berry…