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Links to U Pickup farms
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ADMIN
Note: This is just one
simple example from the internet to show that You Pickup farms are not only
getting increasingly more popularity in all states in the US but also in all
other developed countries. The margins are high because of freshness, quality
and picking them directly themselves. It is a great way of education as well. As
a marketing tool these farms will be incorporated in our eco sustainable
villages also... Admin
Where you can find a pick-your-own farm near you!
Updated for 2005
May
is the prime Strawberry picking time throughout most of the southern half of the
U.S., and May through June in the northern half, so don't miss the strawberries!
Florida is into blueberry season now. Blackberries and blueberries will start
in the deep south and very warm areas in early June!
State by state listings of PYO
farms
[ Alabama ]
[ Alaska ]
[ Arkansas ]
[ Arizona ]
[ California ]
[ Colorado ]
[ Connecticut ]
[ Delaware ]
[ Florida ]
[ Georgia ]
[ Hawaii ]
[ Idaho ]
[ Illinois ]
[ Indiana ]
[ Iowa ]
[ Kansas ]
[ Kentucky ]
[ Louisiana ]
[ Maine ]
[ Maryland ]
[ Massachusetts ]
[ Michigan ]
[ Minnesota ]
[ Mississippi ]
[ Missouri ]
[Montana]
[Nebraska]
[ New Hampshire ]
[ New Jersey ]
[ New Mexico ]
[ New York ]
[ North Carolina ]
[ North Dakota ]
[ Nevada ]
[ Ohio ]
[ Oklahoma ]
[ Oregon ]
[ Pennsylvania ]
[ Rhode Island ]
[ South Carolina ]
[ South Dakota ]
[ Tennessee ]
[ Texas ]
[ Utah ]
[ Vermont ]
[ Virginia ]
[ Washington state ]
[ West Virginia ]
[ Wisconsin ]
[ Wyoming ]
PYO Farms Outside the U.S.
[ Australia ]
[ Canada ] [ South Africa ]
[ New Zealand ] [ United
Kingdom ] [ Adding a Farm outside of North America ]
Looking for pick your own farms in other countries? Living in France, Italy
(Italia), Germany (Deutschland), Nederlands, or Sweden? Help me compile a list
for your country -
just write me!
Picking Tips
[General
picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How much to I need to pick?
(Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting
the right varieties to pick] [All
about apple varieties - which to pick and why!] [Picking tips for Vegetables]
[
Strawberry picking tips]
[
Blueberries picking tips]
Illustrated Canning
Instructions and Recipes
[ All About Home Canning, Freezing and Making Jams,
Pickles, Sauces, etc. ] [ How to make applesauce ]
[ How to make Jam]
[How
to make orange marmalade] [How
to make salsa]
[ How to make apple butter ]
[ How to make pickles]
[How
to make spaghetti sauce]
[ How to make ketchup
(catsup)] [Home
to freeze corn from ears][ Other recipes ]
[FAQs
- Answers to common questions and problems] [Recommended
books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!]
[Free
canning publications to download and print]
Halloween Information
[State by state
listings of Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides and Corn Mazes] [What
is the history of Halloween?]
[Halloween around the world] [How
to choose a pumpkin] [How
to make a pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin (it's easy!) ] [Pumpkin
carving directions and suggestions] [Tips
for a safe and fun Halloween] [Halloween
clip art] [What
to do with the pumpkin after Halloween.] [Halloween
links to other Halloween web sites]
Christmas Tree Information
[Choose
and Cut-Your-Own and precut Christmas Tree farm listings] [Tips
for your trip to the farm] [Selecting
a tree] [Tree
varieties] [Caring
for a tree] [Decorating
tips] [Holiday
recipes] [Holiday
information and facts] [The
history of the Christmas Tree] [Christmas
tree traditions around the world]
Other Related Resources
and Information
[ Pumpkins PYO ]
[ What does organic mean? ]
[ U.S. Crop seasons ] [ How to Start a Pick-Your-Own Farm Operation ]
[About us!]
[ Website news ] [Disclaimer] [ Unusual Fruits ]
[Related
Links pages]
Where to find "pick your own" farms
in 2004
This is the one web site that lists all of the
known pick your own fruit and vegetable farms in almost every state in the U.S.
and 5 other countries, as well! I'm adding and verifying farms as fast as I
can, but it is a slow process to locate farms and confirm their information, so
by all means email me the information about any good pick-your-own farms in your
area! If you have any to add or corrections please let me know! If you have
questions, write me at Blake @ pickyourown.org. Also help me rate them!
Why pick your own?
The quality is much better than any store or farm
stand, when you choose the fruit and get it right from the plant. It looks and
tastes better. The produce is healthier, too, because it is fresher and you
can choose organically grown farms. The costs are usually substantially less;
the farmer doesn't need to pay labor to pick, and he has no packaging or
shipping costs. If you plan to can or preserve any jam, fruit or vegetables,
this is the best way to get the quantity, quality and price you want. And
finally, it's fun: families and couples like to do it to get outside, get some
activity and spend time together. Kids love it!
What can you pick?
These p-y-o farms offer mostly fruit, vegetables,
pumpkins and Christmas trees. Most common are apples, pumpkins, strawberries,
blackberries, blueberries, peaches, figs and tomatoes, but you can always find
some interesting other fruits and vegetables, too. There are a number of
Christmas tree farms listed, too, where you can go select and cut (or have cut)
your own x-mas tree.
How to find a farm or orchard?
If you are looking for a pyo (pick-your-own) farm,
click on the links for your state at the top of the page (or
here) or just use the
search engine! And let me know of any farms I haven't listed, or any farms
in states I haven't yet added, and I will create pages for them.
Other Tips?
Be SURE to call before you go. I
never go to a farm, if I can't get through on the phone. Crops don't ripen
according to a precise schedule, so if they are not ripe, the farm won't be
open. And some of these farmers are not the world's best business men, so they
may keep erratic hours or close unexpectedly, or just not answer their phone.
For more tips, such as what to wear and how to plan ahead,
click here!
And be sure to check the weather information at the bottom of this page, and on
each state's page!
Supplies
 |
Ball Home Canning Kit
Now Priced Lower:
This is the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to
make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti
sauce!. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years:
the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, six pint jars
with lids and rings, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer, and the bible
of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's much cheaper than buying the items
separately. You'll never need anything else except more jars and lids!
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When to go
Each month brings the availability of a different
fruit or vegetable . Remember, it varies on location, varieties planted, and
weather conditions.
I've tried to put a state or area-specific harvest
calendar on each web page but here are some typical U.S. dates for a few common
crops, the South will be the earlier end, and the North, the latter:
 | March - April: Asparagus |
| May-June: strawberries |
| June- July: cherries |
| June-August: blueberries, blackberries |
| July-September: peaches, tomatoes, green
beans |
| July-October: raspberries |
| September-October: apples and grapes |
| October: Pumpkins |
| December: Christmas trees |
What to bring
| Pack for a day trip - I always bring snacks,
hand towels or disposable wipes and plenty of liquids to drink. |
| Include containers for picking (smaller
containers are better for children's smaller hands), |
| Dress in old clothes and worn athletic shoes;
you want to be comfortable and not worried about staining or tearing your
clothes! If the ground is wet, it will really ruin any nice shoe, so wear your
beat up old ones! |
| Wide-brimmed hats help protect you from the
summer sun; and in the Fall, extra layers keep you warm. Don't forget
sunscreen for the back of your neck and exposed skin (unless you WANT to go
into work on Monday looking like a "redneck" :) |
The weather could change without notice. If you
get hit by a downpour, be ready to switch to Plan B and if you can't wait it
out, go to the backup plan; such as a visit to a museum, tourist or historic
site nearby. Your kids will remember it as "the time we went to pick fruit and
instead had fun doing" something else.
Pack a picnic lunch and snacks. You'll be gone all
day and all that picking and being outdoors will work up a big appetite
(assuming the kids haven't already gorged on the fruit they're picking). Bring a
cooler and back it with your favorite lunch and snacks. Eating outdoors is part
of the experience!
Don't forget the camera. You may want to capture
those memories you're making. But remember you'll be out on the farm and bring a
cheap or disposable camera, rather than the expensive one.
When you arrive at the farm, take some time at the
beginning to explain to your kids on how to identify and pick ripe fruit. If you
don't know see our tips (below) or ask the farm hands. And since fields and
orchards can be large, make sure everyone knows where to meet up!
The fun doesn't have to end with just picking the
fruit. Some farms also offer hay rides, petting zoos, corn mazes, gift shops,
even restaurants. And if your children tire before you've gotten your fill of
fruit, most places also sell pre-picked produce; you'll still get better quality
and a better price than the grocery store.
Other tips:
These pages have more specific information:
And finally, what about turning some of that
produce into jars of homemade jam or applesauce that you can open on a cold,
dark winter day to remind you of the fun you had and how summer will be coming
again? Click here to see my incredibly simple, illustrated directions on how to
make apple sauce and
jams! And
much more canning
information is on this page.
Tips for each fruit:
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APPLE |
The time for harvest
of apples is based on the condition and maturity of the fruit. An early
indication of the approaching harvest time is when normal, unblemished fruit
begins to drop. Check to see if the flesh color at the bottom of the fruit
has turned from green to yellow-green. A taste test will also indicate that
the starches are turning to sugar. When
all signs of maturity are present, the apple should pick easily with the
stem still attached to the fruit.
Picking is done by rolling or twisting the
apple away from the fruit spur. Harvested apples should be kept cold (33° to
35°F) for retention of flavor and quality. When stored in this temperature
range, apples change very little. At 40°F, they ripen slowly, and at 60° or
higher they mature rapidly. The best way to store apples is in perforated
plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Click here for more information about the
characteristics of many apple varieties. |
|
APRICOT |
Allow the fruit to
become firm-ripe on the tree. It should be slightly soft, golden yellow, and
easily separated from the stem. Fruit that is to be dried should first ripen
fully on the tree. Apricots keep for about three weeks if stored in cool
temperatures (40° to 50°F). |
|
BLACKBERRY |
Pick the fruit as it
becomes soft and sweet and almost drops off at the slightest touch. It is
best to pick early in the day, because blackberries picked in the morning do
not spoil as quickly as those harvested in the afternoon. Berries that are
picked at the proper time, handled carefully, and stored in a cool place
will stay in good condition for several days.
Also see
more detailed instructions here. |
|
BLUEBERRY |
A fully ripe
blueberry will be uniform in color and should easily come loose from the
plant. If it takes any appreciable pressure to pick them, the berries aren't
fully ripe. Furthermore, a reddish ring around the "scar" (indentation where
the fruit is attached to the stem) also indicates that the berry is not
ripe. It is best to pick blueberries by
gently rolling each one from the cluster with the thumb into the palm of the
hand. When picking is done this way, the berries that aren't ripe will not
come loose.
After harvesting, cool blueberries as quickly
as possible to about 35°F. Harvest at weekly intervals. |
|
CHERRIES |
Cherries, like
peaches, continue to increase in size until they are ripe. They should be
picked when they are of maximum size and full-flavored. Cherries picked
before they are fully mature will not ripen off the tree.
Sweet cherries become firm when ripe, and sour
cherries part easily from the stem.
Cherries that are to be shipped will keep
longer if the stems are left attached. For immediate use, they can be picked
with or without the stems. |
|
CURRANT |
For eating out of
hand, currants should be dead ripe and picked just before eating. For making
jam and jelly, however, pick them when they are firm but not fully ripe.
Pectin content is high at this stage. Currants have a naturally high pectin
content and thus are excellent choices for jelly- and jam-making.
To harvest currants, twist the cluster off of the
branch first, then strip the berries from the cluster. Don't attempt to pick
the berries one-by-one.
|
|
ELDERBERRY |
The fruit should be
picked in clusters rather than as individual berries. After picking, the
fruit can be stripped from the stems. Use care not to strip off stem pieces
with the berries. When picking elderberries for jelly-making, use only those
that are about half ripe. |
|
GOOSEBERRY |
Gooseberry fruits
are often picked in the green or immature stage, but when they have reached
full size. They may, however, be left on the bush to ripen more fully to a
pinkish color and sweeter flavor. The berries can be picked from the plant
individually or stripped off the stem leaves and all (wear leather gloves)
and separated later. |
|
GRAPE |
Grapes should not be
picked until-they are fully ripe because they will not develop full flavor
if harvested before they are completely mature. The best indications of
ripeness are color and flavor. The natural bloom on the grape will become
noticeable at the fully-ripe stage, and the berries will become slightly
less firm to the touch. Cut each cluster
from the vine with a knife or pruning shears, handling them as little as
possible. Lay the clusters in a basket or other container, using care to
avoid crushing. Unlike most small fruits, grapes will keep for several weeks
if they are picked carefully and stored in a very cool, well-ventilated
place.
Keep grapes away from other kinds of produce
because they readily absorb odors. |
|
NECTARINE |
Ripe nectarines have
a creamy-yellow background color and yield slightly to pressure,
particularly along the seam. They are usually ready to pick when a slight
twist frees the fruit from the stem. They can be stored for three to four
weeks at 30°F and high humidity. |
|
PEACH |
Peaches are best
picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. Pick them when the
ground color changes from green to yellow. The skin of yellow-fleshed
varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed
varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white. For best flavor, allow the
fruit to ripen fully on the tree. Store at 32°F and high humidity. |
|
PEAR |
The fruit can be
ripened on the tree, but for better quality, they are best picked early and
allowed to ripen indoors. A few guidelines to use in determining whether
pears are ready to be picked include: healthy fruits begin to drop; there is
a change in fruit color from green to yellow; and the stem separates easily
from the branch. To pick pears, grasp the fruit firmly and twist or roll it
to make the stem separate from the tree.
If pears are picked before they are fully ripe,
they should be ripened at a temperature of 60° to 70°F. This will result in
optimum quality and smoothness of flesh. If you want to keep pears for a
longer period of time, store the freshly picked fruit in the refrigerator.
|
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PLUM |
As plums approach
maturity, there is a rapid increase in sugar content and the color changes
markedly. With blue or purple varieties, the color changes from green to
greenish-blue or reddish-purple, then to dark blue or purple. In other
varieties, the color proceeds from a yellowish-green to a more definite
yellow or straw yellow, and then to their characteristic yellow or red. As
the color increases the flesh becomes slightly soft, especially at the tip
end. Fruit that is going to be cooked or
preserved can be picked when slightly under ripe. Plums can be stored for two
to four weeks at 30° to 32°F, but at 37° to 50° they will not keep as long. |
|
RASPBERRY |
Fresh raspberries
harvested at their peak of quality surpass by far those purchased at retail
outlets. Ripe raspberries will separate easily from the plant. To ensure
that none of the fruit gets too ripe, berries should be picked every two or
three days. Because hot weather ripens raspberries quickly, it is sometimes
necessary to pick every day. To harvest,
use the thumb, index, and middle fingers to pick the berries. They should be
placed (not dropped) directly in a basket or other container. Harvested
berries should be handled as little as possible and kept in the shade until
they can be placed in cool storage. Under ideal conditions (31° to 32°F and
90 to 95 percent humidity) the fruit will keep for a day or two. |
|
STRAWBERRY |
Strawberries that
are picked when three-fourths red will develop full color and flavor in one
to two days at 70°F. Berries that are only half-red will seldom have the
flavor, texture, or size of berries that are more mature when picked.
The best time to pick the fruit is early in the
morning when the berries are still cool. The fruit should be picked with the
stem attached. This is accomplished by grasping the stem between the thumb
and forefinger and pinching it off. Pulling and snapping, but leaving the
cap on, is all right if the fruit is to be used immediately.
It is best to use or process the berries soon
after picking, because fruit that is stored for several days will lose some
of its fresh, bright color. It will also shrivel and generally deteriorate
in quality. For best storage, keep strawberries at a temperature below 40°F
and at a relative humidity of 85 to 90 percent. |
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