8 sunflower fields to visit in southeastern Wisconsin
Sunflower season has arrived in Wisconsin.
While peak bloom for individual flowers usually lasts only a couple weeks, some farms plant multiple fields that bloom through the rest of the summer and into fall.
Here are some southeastern Wisconsin spots to see the dazzling yellow flowers this year.
Thompson Strawberry Farm
The farm doubled the size of its sunflower field this year, with 4 million flowers spread across 40 acres. Visitors can walk through mazes cut into the fields and pick their own flowers to take home. The farm has a handful of fields that are expected to bloom into the fall.
Location: 14000 75th St., Bristol
Hours: 10-7 p.m. daily through October
Cost: $12 for adults, $6 for kids (ages 3-10); includes six you-pick sunflowers
Pets: Not permitted
More info: (262) 857-2353, thompsonstrawberryfarm.com
Lannon Sunflower Farm
Visitors are permitted to cut up to a dozen sunflowers at this farm in Waukesha County. The farm’s first field is at peak bloom now and should last for the next week or so. The farm's other sunflower fields are expected to bloom through September.
Location: W204-N8525 Lannon Road, Menomonee Falls
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
Cost: $20 per vehicle (cash only) includes 12 you-cut flowers (bring your own clippers and a container to bring them home)
Pets: Permitted, on a leash, and make sure you pick up after them
More info: (414) 803-1542, lannonsunflowerfarm.com
Shimon Sunflower Farm
Admission to this farm, which started growing sunflowers this year, includes 12 you-pick flowers. The farm planted nine varieties of sunflowers, most of which are available for picking.
Location: 2575 County Road CC, Slinger
Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $20 per vehicle includes 12 you-cut flowers (bring your own clippers and a container to bring them home)
Pets: Not permitted
More info: (262) 308-9877, shimonsunflowerfarm.com
Schuster’s Farm
Sunflowers aren’t the only natural beauties at this Dane County farm, which also plants zinnias that are blooming now and available for picking. The farm has pre-cut sunflowers available for purchase, play equipment for kids, food and beverages available for purchase and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Location: 1326 Highway 12/18, Deerfield
Hours: 4-8 p.m. July 28 for zinnias only; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (last ticket sold at 4:30), Aug. 6-29 for everything
Cost: $8.77 plus tax per person (ages 2 and under free); pick-your-own zinnias are $5.92 for 15 stems and $9.95 for 30 stems; pre-cut sunflowers are $1.90 per stem or $9.49 for six
Pets: Not permitted
More info: (608) 764-8488, schustersfarm.com
Kelley Country Creamery
This farm best known for its ice cream is free to visit, but all donations go to to the Old Glory Honor Flight. While visitors cannot pick their own flowers, bouquets are available for purchase. The farm expects to open its sunflower fields to visitors in early August.
Location: W5215 County Road B, Fond du Lac
Hours: 11 a.m.-dusk daily, opening in early August
Cost: Suggested donation of $3 per person
Pets: Permitted, must be on a leash
Contact: (920) 923-1715, kelleycountrycreamery.com
Eugster’s Farm Market
More than 500,000 sunflowers cover 15 acres at this farm south of Madison. There's also a petting farm with goats, kittens, pigs and more activities for kids. A wagon transports visitors to the sunflower field from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Kids are welcome, but those age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: 3865 Highway 138, Stoughton
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; through at least Aug. 9 (longer if the flowers permit); the last ticket is sold an hour before closing
Cost: $7.50 per person (children age 1 and under are free); animal feed or bottles to feed the goats in the petting farm are $1
Pets: Not permitted
More info: (608) 873-3822, eugsters.com
Skelly’s Farm Market
This farm’s sunflower field is broken into three areas. The 4-acre “walking area” has two viewing platforms and “prop stops,” with things like hay bales and rustic fences, for photo ops. The cutting area is for picking flowers to take home — every ticket includes at least one. The specialty flower area features 20 varieties of sunflowers, including multicolored ones.
Location: 2713 S. Hayner Road, Janesville
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Aug. 8 (weather-permitting); until 9 p.m. July 30-31 for Sunflowers at Sunset
Cost: The Single Flower Experience is $12 for adults and $9 for kids ages 4-12 (ages 3 and under are free); it includes admission to the field, one cut sunflower to take home and a doughnut. The Bouquet Experience costs $16 per person and includes field admission, six flowers and a doughnut from the farm’s bakery. The Ultimate Experience costs $30 and includes field admission, 12 flowers, a galvanized bucket for them and a doughnut.
Pets: Permitted outside, must be on a leash
More info: (608) 757-1200, skellysfarmmarket.com
Busy Barns Adventure Farm
Sunflowers should be blooming in mid-September in time for this farm’s Fall Festival, which includes you-pick pumpkins, wagon rides, a corn maze, animals, kids activities and food available for purchase.
Location: W7675 Highway 12, Fort Atkinson
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18-Oct. 31; watch the farm’s Facebook page for exact bloom dates
Cost: $12.50 if paying with credit card; $12 cash (children age 1 and under are free)
Contact: (920) 691-6742, busybarnsfarm.com