2024 Western counties in Massachusetts Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Western counties in Massachusetts in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for peaches that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have peaches orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Franklin County

• Quonquont Farm and Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, peaches, Fresh eggs, porta-potties, weddings and wedding parties
  9 North Street, Whately, MA 1093. Phone: (413) 575-4680. Email: info@quonquont.com. Open: Early July through mid October, Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. Directions: From I-91 take exit 35 onto Routes 510 south into Whately. Take the first right onto Swamp Road, then right onto North Street. Quonquont Farm is on the left at 9 North Street. Caution! Some GPS units confuse 9 North Street in Whately with North Street in South Deerfield or Haydenville. Please follow the directions above if your GPS does not lead you to Whately. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, ApplePay, AndroidPay, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Quonquont Farm and Orchard Facebook page. . From I-91 take exit 35 onto Routes 5/10 south into Whately. Take the first right onto Swamp Road, then right onto North Street. Quonquont Farm is on the left at 9 North Street. Caution! Some GPS units confuse 9 North Street in Whately with North Street in South Deerfield or Haydenville. Please follow the directions above if your GPS does not lead you to Whately. Typical crop dates: blueberries early July through mid-August; flowers July through mid-October; peaches mid-August through mid-September; apples mid-August through October;. We use integrated pest management practices. Vegetables, cider, honey, maple syrup and other locally-made products available at the farmstand. In addition to our orchards and flower gardens, we are stewards for a rich ecosystem of meadows, forest, a spring-fed farm pond, a series of lively beaver ponds, and the Whately Dingle Brook. (UPDATED: December 23, 2021)

Hampshire County

• Park Hill Orchard - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, blackberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  82 Park Hill Road, Easthampton, MA 1027. Phone: (413) 303-0335. Email: contact@parkhillorchard.com. Open: from 10 am to 5 pm for picking. Directions: Type in Park Hill Orchard to your map program. Otherwise turn on West street from Route 10 in Easthampton. Turn right on Oliver Street and Right on Park Hill Road for half a mile. We are the apple orchard you will see. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, WIC Vouchers.
  Park Hill Orchard Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Blueberries in July turning to peach as August comes; Apple picking starting August 15 until November;. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Art In the Orchard is a popular outdoor sculpture exhibition. The Farm stand, PYO, and Art In the Orchard all open in early to mid August.(ADDED: January 02, 2019)
• Phoenix Fruit Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, peaches, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties, weddings and wedding parties
  249 Sabin Street, Belchertown, MA 1007. Phone: (413) 213-1414. Email: elly@phoenixfruitfarm.com. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm, July 28 to October 21. Directions: Coming from the Mass Pike: Take exit 8 \(PalmerAmherst\). Turn left on 32, then left onto High Street. Bear right onto Palmer streetroute 181. Follow signs to stay on 181, and after about 5-6 miles, you will take a right on Cold Spring road. Take your first left onto Sabin street, drive past the UMass Orchard, and Phoenix Fruit Farm will be on the right. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers.
  Phoenix Fruit Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (978) 430-9459. . Coming from the Mass Pike: Take exit 8 (Palmer/Amherst). Turn left on 32, then left onto High Street. Bear right onto Palmer street/route 181. Follow signs to stay on 181, and after about 5-6 miles, you will take a right on Cold Spring road. Take your first left onto Sabin street, drive past the UMass Orchard, and will be on the right. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. All of our fruit is grown using advanced IPM practices, and ecological growing techniques. We do not use herbicide, choosing instead to foster a complex ecosystem in the soil and understory of the trees. We use biological and cultural pest control methods, and use sprays only when there is no other non-chemical control option. (ADDED: April 09, 2018)

 

Oops! Error

Peach Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S., Peaches typically peak during late June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce good local peaches, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions, and no late frosts. If you want to know which are the best varieties of peaches for home canning, see this page!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for peaches, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Peaches more than 14 inches deep will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.
5. You might want to ask whether the peaches are! There are two major types of peaches: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone peaches and nectarines have flesh that slips easily away from the pit. Clingstones are a REAL pain, because the fruit tenaciously clings to the stone or pit! Most peach varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (depending upon your location) from June through September. Some nectarines are freestone and some are clingstone. Freestone nectarines are available in June and July. Most plum varieties are clingstone. 

When you get home

1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
3. Even under ideal conditions peaches will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
4. Now, get ready to make Peach jam or canned peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
    - peach jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on
    - how to make home canned peaches from fresh!
   - Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
   - make your own home canned peach pie filling to use in the winter
5. Here's a great and easy peach pie recipe
   or peach-blueberry pie  or how about
   - peach salsa?
   - Peach chutney
   - Spiced peaches
   - peach butter
   - Peach honey
   - pickled peaches
   - peach syrup
   - peach juice
6. Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes, like easy peach cobbler.
7. If you want more information about the Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC, click here.

Temporary Storage Tips

• Ripe peaches have a creamy or golden undertone and "peachy-sweet" fragrance.
• Peaches should be refrigerated and used within a few days.
• Putting peaches and nectarines in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature for a day or two can help soften firm fruit - but they won't become sweeter or ripen further - that stopped when they were removed from th etree.
• For best flavor, allow the fruit to ripen fully on the tree.
• Store at 33�F to 40�F  and high humidity (a vegetable drawer in the fridge).

How to tell if the peaches are ripe!

• Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Peaches will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften")
• Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
• Softness: unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won't ripen very much after picking!
• Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!

Tips on How to Pick Peaches

A peach is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a peach gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.  Grab the peach firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the peach into the basket, but set it in gently!

Marks on the Peachs: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the peach. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit.  These look like dents in the peaches if the peaches were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the peach. There's nothing wrong with these peaches. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free peaches, and it's better not to have the pesticides!

How much do you need?

Raw measures:

• About 2 medium peaches = 1 cup sliced peaches.
• About 4 medium peaches = 1 cup pureed peach.
• About 3 medium peaches = 1 pound of peaches

Process yields (Raw amounts to processed amounts)

• 2 to 21/2 pounds of fresh peaches yields 1 quart canned
• 1 lb of fresh peaches typically yields 3 cups of peeled, sliced peaches or 2 cups or puree.
• It takes about 5 good sizes peaches or nectarines (or about 10 plums) to fill one quart jar of canned peaches.
• An average of 171/2 pounds of fresh peaches are needed per canner load of 7 quarts;
• An average of 11 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints.
• 1 bushel = 48 to 50 pounds, yields approximately 18 to 25 quart jars.

And a visitor contributes this: 6-7 peaches makes about 4 cups puree, so 2-3 peaches make about 2 cups puree. 1 peach equals about 1 cup puree.

Peaches-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

 

Peach pit tips

It's best to remove peach pits before you cook the peaches. Cherry, peach, and apricot pits also contain amygdalin; the latter two, in potentially harmful amounts. Fortunately, peach and apricot pits are sufficiently large and hard that few people intentionally swallow or chew them. (The unapproved anti-cancer drug See this page for more information&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/cam/laetrile">Laetrile is a semisynthetic derivative of amygdalin; a cheaper version of laetrile produced in Mexico came from crushed apricot pits.) See this page for more information.

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers