Guide to Strawberry Picking Near Milwaukee’s North Shore (2025)

Time to head to the strawberry fields!

A few family farms just outside Milwaukee open their U-pick patches each June. For example, Appleland Farm Market in Fredonia has a new 4-acre U-pick strawberry field, and Basse’s Taste of Country in Colgate similarly kicks off strawberry season in mid-June (running roughly 3 weeks until around July 4)

(Note: our local Mequon farm, Barthel Fruit Farm, used to grow strawberries but ended that program after 2022) Below we profile the best farms within an hour of the North Shore, with details on hours, features, and nearby treats.

If you’re looking for a local seasonal option closer to home, you can also check out out local Milwaukee North Shore farmers market guide for 2025.

Local Farms and Picking Seasons

Appleland Farm Market (Fredonia)

Location: 4177 Hwy 57, Fredonia (Ozaukee County). About 30–40 min north of Whitefish Bay.
Season & Hours: Appleland’s 4‑acre strawberry field opens early June (June 8, 2024, was opening day and typically runs through mid-July. During strawberry season the farm is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM (or until the field is picked applelandorchard.com. (Fall apple season starts mid‑August.)
Amenities/Features: A full farm market and gift shop onsite, with fresh produce, pressed cider, and local honey. Appleland has beehives on-site, so you can taste honey made right from their orchard. There’s also a picnic area and restrooms, and families can explore a pumpkin patch in fall. Kids love seeing the farm animals and the iconic red silo.

Basse’s Taste of Country (Colgate)

Location: 3190 County Road Q, Colgate (Waukesha County). ~45 min northwest of Milwaukee.
Season & Hours: U-pick strawberries usually begin in mid-June (around Father’s Day) and run about 3 weeks through early July. The fields are open 8 AM–5 PM daily (weather permitting), with extended hours on Wednesdays (open till 7 PM) The farm store is open 9 AM–5 PM (Wed to 7 PM). (Basse’s is cashless – only cards/mobile accepted.)
Amenities/Features: Basse’s is a classic family farm with hay rides out to 155,000 strawberry plants. Their country store sells homemade strawberry donuts, fresh pies, breads, and soft-serve ice cream & slushies made from farm berries. (Try a strawberry donut made fresh daily!) There’s also a petting barn and playground, making it a fun all-day outing.

The Fideler Farm (Kewaskum)

Location: 2863 Ridge Road, Kewaskum (Washington County). ~45–50 min north of Milwaukee.
Season & Hours: Mid-June is peak strawberry time here. The Fideler Farm, a 70-acre family operation, plants several varieties of strawberries and usually opens for about 2–3 weeks in mid-June. They don’t post fixed hours, so it’s best to call ahead (262-338-0494) or check their Facebook for “u-pick” openings each season. (The Travel Wisconsin site simply advises “call for hours”.)
Amenities/Features: This farm sells fresh veggies plus homemade jams, jellies and pickles made from their berries and produce. The vibe is low-key and homey. Strawberries here are pesticide-free and rows are easy to walk. No fancy store or rides – just great berries and down-to-earth hospitality.

Brehmer’s U-Pick (Hartford)

Location: 5805 Clover Road, Hartford (Washington County). ~40 min northwest of Milwaukee.

Season & Hours: A smaller operation, Brehmer’s opens for U-pick strawberries in mid-June and lasts about 2–3 weeks during peak season. Hours vary, so call 262-673-6527 for current picking days/times (or watch their Facebook). There is no official farm store or admission – just pull up when the “u-pick” sign is out.

Amenities/Features: It’s a 1.5-acre pesticide-free patch family-friendly (lots of ripe berries for sampling) and the rows are flat and wide – perfect for strollers or wheelchairs. The owners recommend checking conditions on the hot months since the entire patch can be picked out quickly. (The yard-only policy means you harvest and pay by weight.)

Tips for a Great PYO Experience

Strawberries are best picked mid-June on cool mornings or evenings. When you arrive: move aside the leaves to find the reddest, ripest berries (often hidden under foliage). Pick each berry with the stem attached (they won’t ripen further once picked). It’s usually helpful to bring your own sturdy basket or bucket (the farm may also rent or sell containers) to keep berries from getting squashed. Other packing tips:

• Dress for the weather: wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent, since fields have little shade or breeze. Bring water and snacks too.

• Sturdy shoes or boots are a must (fields can be muddy or uneven).

• Don’t wash strawberries until just before eating – moisture makes them spoil faster. Store them in the shade or cooler during your drive home.

• Payment methods: Some farms (e.g. Basse’s) are cashless, so have credit/debit ready or pay by app. Others take cash – check each farm’s site or hotline.

• Always call or check a farm’s website/Facebook on picking day to confirm hours and availability (fields do close if bad weather or if berries run out).

Nearby Treats and Eats

After you’ve filled your basket, reward yourselves with local goodies. Many berry farms are in small towns with a few nice spots:

• Near Appleland (Fredonia): Try Miriam’s Bakery (fresh pies, cupcakes) or the Fredonia Family Restaurant for coffee and sandwiches. In nearby Belgium, the Cedar Valley Cheese Store has custard/ice cream treats.

• Near Basse’s (Colgate/Waukesha Co.): The town of Richfield has Fork in the Road Market for sandwiches and ice cream. Heading back toward Milwaukee, the Hamburger Haus in Grafton is famous for its milkshakes and stands along the way.

• Near The Fideler (Kewaskum/West Bend): West Bend (10 miles west) has lots of cafes and bakeries – try Betty’s Pies (downtown) for rich pie, or Coffee Corner Bistro (Kewaskum) for a latte and quiche.

• Near Brehmer’s (Hartford): Downtown Hartford’s Scoop DeVille offers handcrafted ice cream, and Jim’s Place is a classic diner for burgers or breakfasts. Hartford also has cute cafes and a Subway for something quick.

• Along the North Shore: If you stop closer to home, Shorewood and Whitefish Bay have excellent coffee (e.g. Highland House Bakery, Third Ward’s Fuel Café) and several shops serve ice cream and fruit smoothies. The historic Chocolaterie Stam in Cedarburg (south of Port Washington) makes berry desserts in season.

Wherever you go, plan a picnic (many farms have tables) or pick up lunch nearby. Fresh strawberries pair perfectly with a scoop of ice cream or a creamy coffee drink – the sweetest end to a summer day!