Late July and early August is sunflower season southeastern Wisconsin!
And some of the sunflower fields around Milwaukee are blooming already.
There’s just something about sunflowers that makes us smile. Kids and adults alike are enchanted by their sheer size and beauty. Sunflowers can grow 5-10 feet tall, and they provide the perfect photo op. Plus, most farms will let you cut a few stems to take home and use to decorate your front porch.
Soak up the last of summer’s sunny days by visiting one of these sunflower farms throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Some are nearby, while others require a day trip.
Open dates and time depend on weather and flower maturity. Be sure to call ahead for hours and the latest information.
1. Lannon Sunflower Farm
W204 N8525 Lannon Rd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
(414) 803-1542
lannonsunflowerfarm.com
Opening in mid-July this year, picking season at Lannon typically lasts through the month of August and sometimes even into mid-September. There’s also a wildflower butterfly garden and sunflower mazes.
With admission ($20 per vehicle), you are allowed to pick 12 sunflowers. There’s an additional charge for summer raspberries, fall U-pick pumpkins and a kids’ corn maze. Well-mannered pets are allowed as long as they are leashed (leave only pawprints behind!). The farm does not accept electronic forms of payment, so bring cash.
2. Basse’s Taste of Country
3190 County Line Q
Colgate, WI 53017
(262) 628-2626
bassesfarms.com
Come September, Basse’s offers the best of both worlds with their annual Apple & Sunflower Fest (September date TBA). For $14.95 per person (under 2 are free), you can pick a 1/4 peck bag of apples in seven different varieties, plus walk through the sunflower maze and zinnia fields. Walk to the fields if you like, or kick back and ride the Grain Train.
If you want to cut some flowers, you’ll have to pay extra. For $19.95, you’ll get a vintage metal U-pick bucket that you can fill with sunflowers or zinnias, or mix and match. Each bucket holds anywhere from 20 to 40 stems. Basse’s provides the shears; return them to get your bucket filled with water and keep your blooms hydrated. Want more apples? Each additional 1/4 peck bag costs $7.95.
Returning this year is a beer garden in the middle of the sunflower patch. Enjoy hard seltzers and up to 6 different local craft brews on tap.
Note: Basse’s is cashless, so be sure to bring a digital form of payment.
3. Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Farm
9612 W Oakwood Rd, Franklin, WI 53132
Website
Located in southern Milwaukee County in Franklin, Buffalo Bill’s is best known for their Christmas trees. However, they also have two sunflower fields and a pumpkin patch that is a destination in its own right.
Admission is $4 per person and includes access to various activities, including play structures, a corn maze, pumpkin bowling, grain pit, pedal carts, bean bag toss, ladder golf, cowboy roping and more. Visit on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to enjoy FREE admission!
Don’t miss Sunflower Fest in early October, when each guest can take home one free sunflower stem.
NOTE: Cash or check is preferred. Credit transactions incur a processing fee.
4. Schuster’s Farm
1326 US-12, Deerfield, WI 53531
This family farm in the Madison area is bustling all year long, with sunflowers in the summer and fall fun later in the year.
Wander through the zinnia flower fields and the sunflower fields, take wagon rides around the farm, visit the goats, and enjoy live music.
5. Shimon Sunflower Farm
2575 Co Rd CC, Slinger, WI 53086
(262) 308-9877
shimonsunflowerfarm.com
This local family farm is owned and operated by a young couple with four kids and two chocolate Labs. They have 19 different types of sunflowers in their field, and most are included in the U-pick sunflowers admission price.
For $20 per car, you can pick one dozen sunflowers and explore the farm. The Shimons have also taken the time to carefully plan some beautiful photo opportunities. They expect to open the farm at the end of July or beginning of August.
Things to bring along: bug spray, a pair of shears or scissors (if you forget, they have some you can borrow), and a mason jar or clean container to put your flowers in (they also have some temporary containers to keep your flowers fresh until you get home, as well as jars and vases for sale).
6. Thompson Strawberry Farm
14000 75th St., Bristol, WI 53104
(262) 857-2353
thompsonstrawberryfarm.com
Don’t let the name of this farm fool you. Thompson offers more than just strawberry picking. In 2022, they had over 40 acres of sunflowers.
Sunflowers are available from mid-July through October (weather permitting). You may choose to walk through one of the sunflower mazes, or take a more leisurely stroll around the fields. There are also large, grassy areas for the kids to run around.
The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each adult admission fee ($15) includes a Thompson Strawberry Farm sunflower cup that you can fill up with flowers from the fields. Each child admission fee ($10) includes a Thompson Shaved Ice. Several flavors are available at the concession stand near the field. Children under 3 years old get in free.
Bring your own cutting tool to cut the flowers, or purchase a pair of scissors for $3. Zinnias and wildflowers are in bloom in mid-August, and you can mix these into your harvested sunflower stems.
Once you’re done cutting your flowers, fill your cup at the water station to keep your flowers hydrated and secure for the way home. Additional flowers are available for $10 per dozen, or $5 per half dozen.
7. For The Love Of Flowers Farm
12114 W. 5 Mile Rd., Franksville, WI 53126
(262) 794-7500
Website
There are more than 50 different flowers and foliage grown on this farm, including multiple varieties of sunflowers that go way beyond traditional yellow petals. Clippers and pails of water are provided for visitor use.
After picking the flowers of your choice, stop by the gazebo to arrange your own bouquet or have a farm employee arrange it for you. Predetermined prices for U-pick bouquets range from $30 to $80 each.
Note: If you plan to bring a professional photographer along with you, the farm will charge a pro photo fee of $20 during open hours, and $30 after hours by pre-paid appointment.
8. Oak Rest Farms
6138 S. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 308-2405
Facebook page
Oak Rest was only able to do one planting in late June this year, so the sunflowers are expected to be blooming in late August. The blooming season typically lasts 2-3 weeks, so plan ahead!
9. Eugster’s Farm Market
3865 WI-138, Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-3822
eugsters.com
Don’t miss the 5th Annual Sunflower Days at Eugster’s, a 349-acre farm located south of Madison. This event usually kicks off the third weekend in July and continues through August. Paid admission ($8.50 per person, children under 2 are free) includes access to the sunflower field and U-Cut flowers, plus a 15-acre petting farm that offers tons of fun activities for the kiddos.
There are more than half a million sunflowers planted across 15 acres, and there’s a beautiful wildflower field right alongside them. Pack a picnic lunch, or pick up some homemade goods and fresh bakery items in the market.
Eugster’s accepts cash, check, or credit, but make sure you bring quarters for the petting farm crank machines if your kids want to feed the animals. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours on Saturday nights for photography (closing at 8 p.m.). Closed on Tuesdays.
10. Skelly’s Farm Market
2713 S. Hayner Rd., Janesville, WI 53548
(608) 757-1200
skellysfarmmarket.com
Skelly’s 5-acre field is divided into three areas: a walking area, a cutting area and a specialty flower area with 20 different varieties of sunflowers. The walking area features multiple “prop stops” and viewing platforms for amateur and professional photographers alike. The prop stops are little areas cut out of the main path with items like straw bales and ladders that can be used as photo props.
Admission prices range from $9 to $30, depending on how many flowers you’d like to take home (1, 6 or 12 cut flowers). All admission levels include a choice of donut from the bakery and a coupon for 10% off sunflower gifts in the retail barn. Children 3 and under get in free.
The 2022 season is expected to begin the last week of July and last through mid-August. The farm will have extended hours on August 4-13 (9 a.m.-Dusk). New this year is a Butterfly Release event scheduled for Saturday, August 6, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
11. Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc, WI 54220 (Town of Newton)
(920) 726-6000
farmwisconsin.org
Take a short drive and delve into the wonders of agriculture at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. Access to the sunflower maze is included in the price of admission. Once you find your way through the maze, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the interactive exhibits in the museum. Learn how science and technology have made food production and processing more efficient.
Take a short trip on our bus to the local dairy farm to be immersed in sustainable farming practices. Have a meal in the farm-to-table café, but save room for ice cream and other treats in the Farm House Store. You can even witness baby cows being born in the birthing barn!
Admission is $16 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $8 for youth (ages 4-18), and kids under 4 get in free.
12. Gierach Orchards
9616 W. Bonniwell Rd., Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 236-5506
gierachorchards.com
When you pull in to Gierach Orchards, you’ll be immediately charmed by a colorful garden, sprawling fruit trees, a busy chicken coop, and a large white barn.
Admission to the sunflower patch and cut flower field is $5 per person, and that includes 3 stems each. (Children 4 and under are free.) You can bring your own clippers, or they have some to borrow. There’s even a sunflower maze!
If you go later in the sunflower season, you can pick your own apples in the orchard, too. They also sell cider, meat, pre-picked apples and more.
We recommend wearing close-toed shoes, especially if it has rained recently. Learn about our visit to Gierach Orchards here.
13. The Flower Bee
22428 7 Mile Rd, Franksville, WI 53126
The Flower Bee Website
This you-pick flower farm supplies cleaned clippers and a picking bucket for you to pick, clip, and enjoy their beautiful farm. They’ll either wrap your bouquet or you can purchase a vase.
Sunflower Farm Tips:
- Catch the sunflowers at peak bloom in late July and early August.
- Don’t forget your camera! Sunflower fields are prime Insta-worthy material.
- Bring your own scissors or clippers to pick sunflowers. Many farms do provide them if you forget.
- Bring a clean container (e.g., mason jar, vase, bucket, etc.) to fill with water and keep your cut flowers fresh on the way home.
- Go early! Sunflowers only bloom for 2-3 weeks at a time, so don’t delay.
- Some of these farms do not accept credit card, so bring cash!
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Calie Herbst
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee With Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
