Romanticize your seasonal table with a display that highlights the bounty of a St. Croix Valley summer—featuring berries, blooms and locally made art and home goods. Pottery by Maggie Jaszczak, maggiejaszczak.com; Candles by Hilltop Handmade Goods, Instagram: @hilltopgoodsmn. Photos: Chris Emeott
Each month of summer arrives with new delights in the fields and farms across the East Metro. Rows of fragrant flowers and succulent fruits paint the rolling hills with color—ripe for the picking but only for a little while.
Make the most of this seasonal abundance by visiting a you-pick farm. These area growers make it simple to participate in your food system and enjoy a memorable family outing.
Afton Apple Orchard
Hastings
Since 1989, the Femling family has grown Afton Apple Orchard to more than 250 acres, making it one of the largest you-pick orchards in Minnesota. From June to early July, guests can pick strawberries, followed by blackberries in July, raspberries in August, and apples and pumpkins in the autumn. The Flower Festival, where guests can pick sunflowers and zinnias, is slated for late August. aftonapple.com
Arcola Trail Flower Farm
Stillwater
Susan Rockwood began growing cut flowers on her property as an encore career. A decade on, the flower farm supplies retail customers and florists with 75 varieties of organically grown flowers and foliage. Rockwood opens the farm up for private and public you-pick events on select dates from July to October. arcolatrailflowerfarm.com
Blueberry Fields of Stillwater
Stillwater
At this peaceful 2-acre farm, owner Summer Kuehn is dedicated to growing fruits without the use of herbicides, insecticides or pesticides. The fields are open based on crop availability during the growing season. Updates are shared on the farm’s Facebook page and voicemail box. blueberryfieldsofstillwater.com
Berries add beauty, color and flavor to all our favorite summer desserts. For an easy crowd-pleaser, top a sheet cake with whipped cream and an assortment of in-season berries.
Blue Ridge Growers
Troy, Wisconsin
Three decades ago, Jill and Dennis Berke planted 150 blueberry bushes on their 40-acre farm. Now, Blue Ridge is the oldest blueberry you-pick in St. Croix County with more than 800 high-bush and low-bush blueberry plants, plus tart cherries. The farm embraces organic (noncertified) growing practices, and customers can visit with the farm’s mixed herd of sheep and donkeys. blueridgegrowers.net
Pine Hill Flower and Garden Stand
Woodbury
Theresa and Ben Gulsvig started offering you-pick flowers at their Dale Road property in 2024 and added a roadside stand in 2025. Previous cut flowers include cerinthe, cosmos, dahlias, feverfew, sedum, snapdragons, strawflowers, sunflowers, zinnias and various native flowers. The Gulsvigs offer fresh garden produce, premade bouquets, How to You-Pick classes and more. Facebook: Pine Hill Flower and Garden Stand
Two Bees & A Bud
New Richmond, Wisconsin
Friday and Saturday mornings throughout summer and fall, this 40-acre property is open for you-pick flowers and picnics, along with classes, community and private events, and venue rentals. The property will also be open for moonlight you-pick on Friday evenings starting in July. A $5 admission fee allows visitors to explore the grounds, which, along with the flower fields, feature beehives, a forest, a Flower Barn shop and a picturesque pond. twobeesandabud.com
There’s nothing better than a breakfast spread featuring local berries and blooms. Start your day off with mouthwatering waffles topped with berries and whipped cream, or a berry parfait. Bowl and vases by Olivia Jenson, oliviajenson.com; Candles by Hilltop Handmade Goods, Instagram: @hilltopgoodsmn
White Pine Berry Farm
River Falls, Wisconsin
The Zwald family decided to grow berries in 2012 after four decades in the dairy business, starting with strawberries. They’ve since expanded to offer an array of produce and flowers, including blueberries, cherries, currants, pumpkins, raspberries, sunflowers and zinnias, which are available seasonally for you-pick in a charming country setting. The farm also hosts many events and festivals throughout the season. whitepineberryfarm.com
Wyatt’s Strawberries
Hastings
Veteran Greg Wyatt grew up farming strawberries, and now that small-scale farm features 8 acres of strawberries. From mid-June through early July, guests are welcome to bring their own containers or purchase a waxed box at the you-pick patch, and pre-picked berries are available if ordered in advance. Call for patch conditions. Facebook: Wyatt’s Strawberries
