LYON TWP. — Blake’s is officially open for its fourth season, with new additions at the orchard on Silver Lake Road.
“We are seeking continuous improvement,” Ria Seremetis, director of communications for Blake Farms, said. “We know this area is important and we take a lot of pride in it… The community has been great and welcoming.”
Blake’s, which is celebrating 80 years in Armada next year, is bringing some successful endeavors from its main Macomb County location to Lyon Township — including new u-pick offerings. Asparagus is available from now through mid-June. Saskatoon berries – also known as serviceberries and Juneberries – should be ready around mid-July. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant will be ripe soon after.
Also new this year in Lyon will be a 3-day Appleseed Camp for kids ages 6-11, with sessions offered in June and July where campers learn all about nature, growing fruit and vegetable crops, do crafts, and get hands-on experience at the farm.
Children can look forward to a new addition to Funland, too. A Mega Slide is expected to make an appearance a bit later in the season.
For the adults, there is a new Key Lime Pie hard cider, which debuted in April and is available through the end of August, as well as a new look for the American Apple hard cider. In a partnership with Carhartt, the iconic cider features a new design and raises awareness for the Farmlink Project, providing surplus food from farmers to communities in need.
Adults and kids can enjoy together all new lemonades, including the classic flavor, as well as strawberry, blueberry and peach options.
The farm market is open daily with fresh doughnuts and food trucks and musical entertainment can be expected on weekends throughout the season.
Apples begin ripening in mid-August, and all varieties are returning this fall, including Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Jonamac, Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Northern Spy, and Mutsu.
Seremetis said 1,500 new apple trees were planted this year and so were strawberries, which farm visitors can look forward to picking in 2026.
What visitors may not look forward to this summer is some road construction closing the intersection of Kent Lake and Silver Lake roads. However, Kaley Duncan, Blake Farms marketing vice president, said the orchard will remain open and fully accessible during construction.
“We’re working closely with city officials and contractors to help minimize disruption and ensure that families and visitors can still enjoy their fall traditions with us,” she said. “We’ll continue to provide updates on the best routes for entry as construction progresses to make your visit as smooth as possible.”
For more information on u-pick dates, Appleseed Camp registration and all things Blake’s, visit https://blakefarms.com/blakes-south-lyon/.
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Blake’s in Lyon Township is open and ripe for (asparagus) picking. Here’s what else is new
Reporting by Susan Bromley / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
