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Lemont, Illinois 60439
13332 Bell Rd, Lemont, IL 60439
Homer Glen, Illinois 60491
14158 W 159th St, Homer Glen, IL 60491
Naperville, Illinois 60565
516 Knoch Knolls Rd, Naperville, IL 60565
Plainfield, Illinois 60586
18061 Bronk Rd, Plainfield, IL 60586
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
1066 N 1150 W, Michigan City, IN 46360
New Buffalo, Michigan 49117
11160 Farina Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Chicago sits on former prairie land with some of the world's richest black soil, perfect for growing crops. Summers are warm and humid around 84°F, while winters are cold with temperatures often below freezing. The growing season runs from mid-May through early October, with Lake Michigan moderating temperatures for farms along the shore.
Chicago grew up as the Midwest's agricultural hub, with the famous stockyards and grain exchanges connecting prairie farms to the world. The surrounding farmland fed the growing city and shipped food nationwide via railroads. Today's farms continue this tradition, with many family operations dating back over 100 years, now serving Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.
Sweet corn is king here, ready by mid-July when the city celebrates Taste of Chicago. Strawberries arrive in early June, followed by blueberries and raspberries through summer. September brings apple season with Honeycrisp and Gala varieties, while October means pumpkin patches and corn mazes. The rich soil also produces excellent tomatoes, peppers, and melons during the warm months.
Most farms are 45-60 minutes from downtown via I-90, I-294, or I-55, with many clustered in the northwest suburbs and Indiana. Weekend mornings avoid both city traffic and afternoon heat. The Metra train reaches some farm areas on weekends. Lake effect weather can vary greatly, so farms closer to the lake may have different conditions than those inland. Many farms offer warming stations and hot cider during cool fall weekends.
U-Pick Farms Directory