You know, I’ve spent YEARS planning (but never taking) a day trip based solely on visiting sunflower fields. I’m talking hour+ drives, people. David and I actually had our engagement photos taken at a sunflower patch, so I guess I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I found out we lived ridiculously close to a sunflower field last fall. Like, a two weeks after they were done blooming. So I waited 11 months, so I could finally take the girls!
We headed to Deep Roots, which doesn’t just have a sunflower field — they have a SUNFLOWER MAZE!
The girls and I had a blast marching along. There were little photo-op spots set up throughout, as well. Admission was $8/person for the maze (and children under 3 are free!).
This was the first time I took the girls (and myself) to a sunflower field (aside from the one time for our engagement photos… and we might have been trespassing 😅), and it was a small learning curve. Did I feel underprepared? Yes I did. Did I wear the absolute wrong shoes? Yes, I sure did. That said, I compiled a list of things I wish I had known prior to our visit to the sunflower fields!
5 Tips for Visiting Sunflower Fields
- Research the bloom time beforehand. Sunflowers have a season, which is typically mid-August here, but that can change based on weather. Most farms will post updates on their Facebook or Instagram pages, so check there first! You could also go old school and call the farm before you leave. They can tell you the best day/time to visit.
- Wear the right shoes. I can tell you one thing: flip flops were NOT the right shoe choice. My feet were so dirty, and it was hard to walk at times. Think of it like a pumpkin patch! I can imagine it could get pretty muddy too, if there’s been recent rain.
- Bring cash. Deep Roots does accept cards, but I can imagine not all do. Plan on paying a small fee to enter the fields, and/or a parking fee.
- Don’t pick the flowers UNLESS it’s a U-PICK Farm!!! And never step on them – even if it’s to get the most perfect ever pic for the Gram. Deep Roots does offer U-Pick, and has buckets/shears available when you check in/purchase tickets for the field. If you have kids, a solid game plan here would be to PLAN AHEAD OF TIME how many flowers you’re cutting, who is cutting them? Does everyone get to cut their own? Etc. This can help alleviate (fingers crossed!) any mid-field tantrums!
- Warn your kids ahead of time that there will be bees. This may seem like a no-brainer, but apparently, my children were SHOCKED. I have too many photos where my girls are mid-scream and flail because a “bee almost stung” them. If I could go back in time, I would have had a pow-wow on the drive over about how there will be bees, but the big, fluffy-looking bees are only interested in the flowers, and are also highly unlikely to sting them. I checked, but OFF Insect Repellent doesn’t work against bees, but you could always go for the placebo effect on your kids — I won’t tell 😉
Deep Roots also has the cutest farmers market with all kinds of goodies and fresh seasonal produce, and a little petting zoo!
Looking for more West Michigan Flower Fields? Read about visiting Holland’s Tulip Fields here!
xo -j
