6 of the best farms near St. Louis where you can pick your own produce

With summer in full swing and fall fast approaching, now is the best time for harvesting fruits and vegetables of all kinds. With so many options for orchards and pick-your-own farms, here are some of the best and lesser-known places to pick produce with your entire family, all within about an hour of St. Louis.

Braeutigam Orchards
With eight generations of farmers behind Braeutigam Orchards, this family-owned and -operated orchard has maintained quality produce with a variety of pick-your-own options. Upon visiting, you can expect their Lodi and Pristine apples, along with other varieties of apples already in season. As for vegetables, eggplants and summer squash are both in harvest, and all of the produce can be picked while enjoying a fresh cup of apple or peach cider. A full list of Braeutigam’s produce can be found online.
2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, 618.233.4059, braeutigamorchards.com

Centennial Farms
Having been in operation since 1854, Centennial Farms in Augusta is known for its thornless, easy-to-pick Triple Crown blackberries, which are freshly ripened and available to pick Thursday, July 27, through Sunday, July 30. Apples will be available in August, and pumpkins will be open for picking come the final week of September. You can also buy 15 types of preserve blends, such as the Black and Blue featuring blackberries and blueberries, along with a variety of salsas, pickles and relishes, all available for purchase in their market.
199 Jackson St., Augusta, 636.228.4338, centennialfarms.biz

Eckert’s Farm
Dedicated to sustainable agriculture and staying “forever loyal to the land,” both Eckert’s farms in Belleville and Grafton currently have peaches and blackberries available for picking for the summer season. There are also bell peppers, tomatoes, kale, onions, beets, cucumbers, squash, zucchini and sweet corn available for picking exclusively at the Belleville location. You can also cut your own sunflowers for a limited time. 20995 Eckert Orchard Road, Grafton, 800.745.0513; 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, 618.310.2758, eckerts.com

Herman’s Farm Orchard 
Cited on their website as the “best tasting tomatoes in the Midwest,” Herman’s Farm Orchard has a large variety of heirloom tomatoes including Red Duce, Wild Boar, Cherokee Purple and Brandywine. Along with their renowned tomatoes, Herman’s has peaches and other fruits available to pick, and their homemade jams, pie fillings and apple butter are available to buy in their market. 3663 MO-94, St. Charles, 636.925.9969, hermansfarm.weebly.com

Stuckmeyer’s Farm 
With four generations running a 200-acre farm along with a greenhouse, Stuckmeyer’s has maintained its mantra of being a place “where quality is homegrown.” Although they are not offering pick-your-own produce until October when the pumpkins are ripe, they do offer a variety of produce in their market, including tomatoes, sweet corn, cantaloupe, peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, okra and zucchini, along with their noteworthy Stuckmeyer Sweet onions. A full list of their currently available produce can be found online.
249 Schneider Drive, Fenton, 636.349.1225, stuckmeyers.com

Thierbach Orchards and Berry Farm
Thierbach Orchards in Marthasville currently has a large number of fresh blackberries ready to be picked. There are also peaches you can pick yourself, including Red Haven and Donut peaches.
85 Town Branch Road, Marthasville, 636.433.2299, thierbachorchards.com