Two of the best parts of summer are fresh juicy berries and fields of colorful blooms. Luckily, there are quite a few pick-your-own berry and flower farms that offer delectable delights and create lasting memories. Here are five U-pick farms in Iowa to get you started.
Berry Patch Farm
Nevada
For almost 50 years, this family-owned farm has been cultivating delicious organic fruits, vegetables and berries that they sell through CSA, at farmers markets, to local restaurants — and to happy locals who return every season to pick their own tasty treats. In July, stop by fresh blueberries, cherries, black and red currants, and black raspberries. August brings apples, blackberries and red raspberries. For more information, visit berrypatchfarm.com.
Tripple Berry Farm
Linden
If you like your raspberries with a side of crispy bacon, then this is the place to go. Tripple Berry Farm and Outlaw Bacon opened in Summer 2022, and its fresh produce and cured meats quickly became a local favorite. During the summer months, guests can stop by and pick their own raspberries — the farm grows three types in a large greenhouse. Then, stop by the on-site country store, which opened this spring, and pick up some bacon, smoked chicken wings, free-range eggs, homemade jams and syrups, fresh bread and pastries, candies, spices and a variety of locally made culinary products. For more information, visit trippleberryfarm.com.
Lovely Bunches
Iowa City
This small family-owned and -operated U-pick farm in Iowa City, located along a popular bike route, opened in 2020. It offers pick-your-own flowers and greenery every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and every Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. throughout the summer, and because it follows regenerative farming practices, you’re guaranteed that all plants are healthy and pesticide-free. Fill a bucket with bouquets of peonies, zinnias, pink Saponaria, starflowers, forget-me-nots, daisies, amaranth and a rainbow of other colorful blooms. And don’t forget to stop by the farm stand for fresh seasonal produce and pasture-raised eggs. Reservations are required. For more information, visit lovelybunches.com.
Walnut Trail Farms
Stuart
This small-scale family-owned flower farm located about 11 miles north of Stuart and minutes from Raccoon Ridge Music Hall provides everything you need to pick your own blooms. For $30, you’ll receive a bucket that you can fill with as many colorful blossoms as you want. Each bucket holds between 40 and 60 stems. The only decision you’ll have to make is what flowers to pick. Expect zinnias, cosmos, bachelor’s buttons, marigolds, yarrow, rudbeckia, honeywort and more — you can even pick the native prairie flowers that also grow on the property. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WalnutTrailFarms.
Wild Bird Farm
Madrid
This family-operated farm has been cultivating summer annuals since 2021. From July through September, the U-pick farm is Iowa welcomes guests to stop by and pick their own DIY arrangements. Choose from sunflowers, snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos and more. Spend the afternoon wandering rows bursting with radiant blossoms, and stop for selfies underneath the trellises covered in flowering vines. Pre-picked bouquets, edible blooms and dried florals also are available for purchase, as are seasonal goods such as stovetop potpourri and loose-leaf teas made with herbs grown on the farm. For more information, visit wildbirdfarmia.com.