What's in Season in July Near Ann Arbor (And Where to Find It)

July is when Michigan farming really hits its stride. After the brief berry burst of June, the fields around Ann Arbor fill up with summer squash, cucumbers, fresh herbs, early tomatoes, and the first sweet corn of the season. If you’ve been waiting for the farmers market haul of your dreams, this is the month.

Here’s what to look for — and where to find it.

What’s Peaking in July

Blueberries and cherries kick off the month strong. Michigan is one of the top blueberry-producing states in the country, and you don’t have to go far to get them fresh. Wasem Fruit Farm in Milan is a local staple for summer fruit, and Kapnick Orchards in Britton carries both sweet and tart cherries — great for pies or eating out of hand.

Summer squash and zucchini arrive early July and stay through August. You’ll find them at nearly every farm on this list, but especially at CSA-focused operations like Tantre Farm, Community Farm of Ann Arbor, and Rain Dance Organics. If you’re not in a CSA, most of these farms sell at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Cucumbers, green beans, and beets are mid-July staples. Slow Farm Organic, Seva Farm, and Green Things Farm all tend to have a strong showing of summer vegetables at this time of year.

Fresh herbs — basil, dill, cilantro — are at their most fragrant in July heat. Jacob’s Fresh Farm and Hand Sown Farm are good bets if herbs are what you’re after.

Early tomatoes start appearing toward the last two weeks of July. The hoophouse-grown ones come first. Keep an eye on Baseline Farm, Old City Acres, and Blue Spring Farm — they tend to get tomatoes to market before anyone else.

Corn is typically a late-July arrival in this region. Fusilier Family Farms and Arbor Hills Farm are worth checking once the last week of July rolls around.

Don’t Forget the One-Stop Shops

If you want to grab a little of everything without driving farm to farm, Argus Farm Stop aggregates produce from local farms and is open daily. Robin Hills Farm and Whitney Farmstead round out the options in the western part of the county.

The Best Way to Keep Up

Availability changes week to week in July — a heat wave can push tomatoes two weeks early, and a dry stretch can cut cucumber yields in half. The most reliable way to stay in the loop is to join a CSA — you get a box of whatever’s best that week without having to guess. If CSA isn’t your thing, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the hub where most of these farms show up in one place.

July doesn’t last long. Get out there.