Six Places to Pick Your Own Fruit in St. Louis Region

Along with the start of summer comes fruit picking time. Strawberries typically start the season, followed by blueberries, tart cherries and raspberries. By mid-summer you can pick peaches and September brings crisp apples. 

This year, many area farms started strawberry and berry picking early as the warm winter meant the fruit crop ripened about three weeks early. 

Here are several small places to check out this summer and fall for fresh fruit picking. Word of warning--you may need to get up early to pick, as many farms close the gates after a certain number of people come through in a day.

1. Lakeview Farms: This farm in has both strawberries and raspberries in the summer. In 2012, black rasberries available to pick for the first time, but as of May 30 were in short supply. The raspberry season is expected to run until June 11, 2012. Hours are 7:30-11 a.m. or when they run out of berries. Strawberry season will wrap up over the June 1 weekend.

2. Wind Ridge Farm: This pick-your-own farm is located in New Melle, MO and grows blueberries, peaches and blackberries. The blueberry picking season is expected to begin June 2 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or when the small supply is picked. Cost is $2.99 per pound. Check the Wind Ridge Farm Facebook page for updates.

3. Thierbach Orchards: Thierbach Orchards in Marthasville, MO has sour cherries, blueberries and peaches available for picking from 7 a.m. to noon daily as of May 29. The blueberries are $2.99 per pound and the cherries are $2.49 per pound. 

4. Thies Farm and Greenhouses Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

5. Centennial Farms: Located in Augusta, MO, Centennial Farms has pick your own blackberries available by appointment in the summer and peaches available for sale. In the fall, they have pick your own apples and pumpkins available.

6. Mills Apple Farm: Across the river in Illinois, Mills Apple Farm is about 25 minutes away from St. Louis. Head out on a fall weekend, ride the wagon and pick a bag full of apples.