U-Pick Experience in Southern Wisconsin
Simple, seasonal, and worth the wait
A U-Pick experience in Southern Wisconsin should feel simple, seasonal, and genuinely fun—not chaotic, not confusing, and definitely not a “good luck out there” situation. At Nuts about Dee’s Berries, our U-Pick is being built as a guided, well-marked experience that gets better each year as our perennial food forest matures.
Because we’re establishing long-term plantings, public access will expand in phases. For the most up-to-date status, check Directions & Hours and our Harvest Calendar before you plan a visit.
🟡 Coming Soon — Anticipated U-Pick: 2028
Shrub harvests begin first, with tree crops following as plantings mature.
What Makes Our U-Pick Experience Different
This isn’t a one-crop field with a short-term setup. Our farm is designed as a layered, perennial system—trees, shrubs, and ground cover working together over time. That means your U-Pick visit is more than “grab fruit and go.” It’s a chance to walk through a living system that grows richer each season.
Want the bigger “why” behind the farm? Visit Our Farm & Mission.
U-Pick Openings and Phased Access
Our U-Pick experience is being introduced in phases as plantings mature and the farm becomes ready to support visitors safely and comfortably. While we’re located within easy reach of the Greater Madison area, the Greater Milwaukee area, and day-trip distance from northern Illinois, access will expand intentionally rather than all at once.
How to Plan Your Visit
Because our U-Pick experience is introduced in phases, a little planning goes a long way. Whether you’re visiting from the Greater Madison area, making a longer drive from the Greater Milwaukee area, or planning a future trip from farther out, checking a few key updates ahead of time will help ensure a smooth experience.
Start with current availability
Harvest timing and access vary by season and by year as plantings mature. Most harvests on the farm fall between June and early December, though specific crops and availability change as different shrubs, trees, and planting blocks come into production.
Before planning a visit, always check our most recent farm announcements to see:
- Which crops are currently available
- Whether U-Pick is open, limited, or reservation-based
- Any weather-related or seasonal updates
This is especially important during early seasons, when harvest windows may be short and availability more limited.
Plan for a working farm
Our farm is designed as a living, evolving system. Paths, rows, and picking areas are clearly marked, but conditions can change with weather and growth. We recommend:
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sun and weather protection
- Water for warm days
- Containers or baskets, unless otherwise noted
Comfortable pacing and situational awareness go a long way—this is not a rush-in, rush-out kind of place.
Check access details before heading out
Because public access expands gradually, always confirm current access and timing on Directions & Hours before you travel. This helps avoid unnecessary trips and ensures you arrive when the farm is ready to welcome visitors.
Stay informed as the season evolves
The most reliable way to plan a visit is to follow along with our farm updates. We share opening announcements, seasonal changes, and event notices as they happen, so you know what to expect before you arrive.
What to Expect During a U-Pick Visit
Black currants are known for their bold flavor, but their deep color also signals a uniquely concentrated nutritional profile. Compared to many common berries, black currants stand out for their naturally high levels of vitamin C and dark-pigmented plant compounds.
A Self-Guided, Seasonal Experience
U-Pick visits are primarily self-guided. You’ll be free to move at your own pace, focus on the crops available that day, and spend as much or as little time as you’d like within open areas.
Because our plantings are perennial and diverse, the look and feel of the farm shifts naturally — some rows may be in peak harvest, others resting or still maturing. This variety is part of what makes each visit unique.
Families, First-Timers & Curious Pickers Welcome
We welcome families, first-time U-Pick visitors, and anyone curious about where their food comes from. Children are welcome with supervision, and the pace of the farm naturally supports exploring, learning, and taking breaks as needed.
Paths are designed for walking, and most picking is done by hand. Expect grass, mulch, and natural ground underfoot rather than paved walkways.
A Living Farm Environment
As an actively growing food forest, conditions on the farm change with weather, growth, and the season. You may notice new plantings, protective tree shelters, irrigation lines, or areas resting between harvests.
We do our best to make each visit intuitive and enjoyable, but part of the experience is being present in a real, working farm — one that’s evolving year by year.
Before heading out, it’s always a good idea to check current availability and access so you know what to expect when you arrive.
Because our farm is a working, outdoor space, coming prepared makes the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
We recommend planning for the season and weather, and treating your visit like time spent walking through a living landscape — not a paved attraction.
Helpful things to bring:
- Closed-toe shoes suitable for grass and uneven ground
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) during warmer months
- Water, especially on warm or humid days
- Containers or baskets for picking, unless otherwise noted for specific crops
You’re welcome to move at your own pace, take breaks, and enjoy the process. A relaxed approach goes a long way — this is a place to wander thoughtfully, not rush through rows.
As always, crop availability and conditions vary throughout the season. Checking current updates before your visit helps ensure you arrive ready for what the farm is offering that day.
How Harvesting Works
Our U-Pick experience is designed to be simple, clearly marked, and easy to follow—especially for first-time visitors.
When you arrive, you’ll find:
- Clearly identified picking areas
- Signage indicating which crops are ready
- Guidance on where to start and how to harvest respectfully
Some crops may be available for open picking, while others may be limited, reservation-based, or offered in smaller quantities as plantings mature. Harvest methods and limits can vary by crop and season, depending on conditions and timing.
During early seasons, availability may be lighter and harvest windows shorter. As the farm grows, so will the variety, volume, and duration of what’s available to pick.
If you’re ever unsure where to go or what’s ready, checking current farm updates before your visit is the best way to arrive confident and prepared.
What Makes Our U-Pick Experience Different
Short season. Big flavor. Grown with intention.
Our U-Pick experience is shaped by long-term thinking rather than short-term volume. The farm is designed as a perennial food forest, meaning crops are layered, diverse, and grown with the intention of producing food for decades—not just a single season.
Instead of planting for quick turnover, we focus on systems that mature over time. That approach influences everything from how harvests are phased, to how visitors move through the farm, to how we care for the plants between picking seasons.
One result of this design is a natural progression through the growing season. Early summer brings the first harvests as shrubs begin to ripen, while late summer and fall introduce deeper, more substantial crops as trees come into production. Rather than everything peaking at once, the season unfolds month by month—from early summer into late fall.
This means:
Harvests grow year over year as plantings mature
Availability follows a seasonal rhythm, not a single peak
The experience evolves as the farm grows, rather than staying static
Our goal isn’t to rush people through rows or maximize foot traffic. It’s to create a calm, well-marked environment where visitors can connect with what’s in season and understand how each harvest fits into the larger picture of the farm.
Because the farm is always evolving, no two seasons—and no two visits—are exactly the same. What remains consistent is our commitment to thoughtful harvesting, healthy plants, and a U-Pick experience that invites visitors back at different points in the season to see what’s changed.
After You Pick: Enjoying Your Harvest
One of the best parts of a U-Pick visit is taking home fruit and nuts that were harvested at peak ripeness—often the same day they’re enjoyed, preserved, or shared.
Because many of our crops are seasonal and short-window, how you handle your harvest matters. Most berries and fruits benefit from gentle handling, keeping them cool, and using or preserving them soon after picking. Nuts and late-season fruits may require a bit more patience, curing, or ripening at home.
Some visitors arrive with a plan—fresh eating, baking, preserving, or fermenting—while others decide once they see what’s available. Either approach works. What’s important is matching expectations to the crop and season.
We share tips, recipes, and storage guidance through our farm updates and educational content as different harvests come into season. If you’re curious about how to make the most of what you picked, that’s a great place to continue the experience beyond the farm.
Know Before You Go
Because our U-Pick experience is seasonal and introduced in phases, access and availability can change throughout the year and from season to season.
Before heading out, we always recommend checking the most up-to-date information so you know what to expect when you arrive.
Before your visit, be sure to check:
- Current U-Pick availability and access status
- Which crops are open for harvesting
- Any weather-related or seasonal updates
This helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit—especially during early seasons or shorter harvest windows.
Stay in the Loop
Because our U-Pick experience grows and changes with the seasons, the best way to plan a visit is to stay connected.
We share updates when harvest windows open, when access expands, and when something new is coming into season. If you’re hoping to visit—especially during early years or shorter harvest windows—following along helps ensure you don’t miss it.
Choose the update style that works for you:
Email updates for harvest announcements and seasonal planning
Facebook updates for timely farm news and real-time changes
Whether you’re nearby or planning a future visit, staying in the loop makes it easier to arrive informed and ready to enjoy what’s in season.
Harvests unfold month by month—from early summer through late fall—so staying connected helps you catch what’s in season when it’s ready.