2024 Northern Indiana Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Northern Indiana in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards for pears that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have pears 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.

Allen County

• Cook's Orchard and Farm Market - apples, pears, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), Honey from hives on the farm, farm market, porta-potties are available, school tours, group reservations
  8724 Huguenard Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818. Phone: 260-489-3940. Email: DickCook@frontier.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: located West of Lima Road at the intersection of Huguenard Road and Wallen Road; . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Cook's Orchard and Farm Market . Apples are available for U-pick on dwarf trees for easy picking. We also have already picked, brushed apples available inside our store for purchase, including Honeycrisp. Other products available at Cook's: fresh cider, apple butter, local honey, jams and jellies, vine ripe tomatoes, melons, pumpkins, squash, gourds, and sweet corn. In mid-August, we have already picked fresh Red Haven peaches for sale. In late August we have fresh pears available to pick.
  Comments from a visitor on August 28, 2010: "Large variety of apples available including: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Mutsu, Jonagold, Cortland, McIntosh, Jonathon, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire, Rome, Northern Spy, Granny Smith, Arkansas Black, Spartan, Gold Rush, Braeburn, Lura Red, Paula Red, Ida Red, Lustre Elstar, Stayman, and more!, ick your own apples or choose from a large variety of already picked apples on display in store room. Also have available: tomatoes, pumpkins, gourds and a large variety of jams and jellies. "

Noble County

• Bender's Orchard - apples, pears,
  3133w 300s Corner of Noble County roads 300S and 300W, Albion, IN 46701. Phone: 260-799-5772. Email: bender54@ligtel.com. Open: Generally open Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, Sundays 11 am to 7 pm, and most weekday evenings; This is a small two person operation; Calling ahead is recommended; Self serve stocked refrigerator in parking lot is always open; 2nds slight skin defects at a discount are available for baking, sauce or eating. Directions: From Churubusco or Fort Wayne: SR33 North, go 1 mile past SR9, then turn left \(West\) onto 400S, turn right \(North\) onto 300W, then left onto 300S. From Columbia City: SR109 North to Noble County 300S, turn right \(East\),go 34 mile past brick farm house to orchard parking lot. From North of the orchard: SR33 South, turn right \(South\) onto 300W, go 1.2 miles to 300S, turn right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Bender's Orchard . From Churubusco or Fort Wayne: SR33 North, go 1 mile past SR9, then turn left (West) onto 400S, turn right (North) onto 300W, then left onto 300S. From Columbia City: SR109 North to Noble County 300S, turn right (East),go 3/4 mile past brick farm house to orchard parking lot. From North of the orchard: SR33 South, turn right (South) onto 300W, go 1.2 miles to 300S, turn right. Crops are usually available in September, October, November. Generally open Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, Sundays 11 am to 7 pm, and most weekday evenings; This is a small two person operation; Calling ahead is recommended; Self serve stocked refrigerator in parking lot is always open; 2nds (slight skin defects) at a discount are available for baking, sauce or eating. Asian Pears. U-Pick only on late Fall apples. 28 varieties of apples. Some are heirlooms.

 

pear Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

pears, also known as serviceberries or Juneberries, are delicious and nutritious berries native to North America, mostly in the western Canada and northwestern U.S. . These small blue-purple berries grow on shrubs or small trees and have a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and almonds. Here's what you need to know about pears, how to use them, when to harvest them, and how to do it:

Flavor and Uses:

pears have a pleasantly sweet and slightly tart taste, making them a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to fruit salads, used in baked goods such as pies, muffins, and tarts, or even incorporated into jams, jellies, and sauces. pear berries also freeze well. They can be substituted for blueberries in recipes.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jam, jelly, freeze or make pear pie from Saksatoons / Juneberries, see these pages:

• How to make pear jam
• How to freeze pears
• World's best and easiest pear pie
• How to Can pears
• How to make pear jelly
• How to make and can pear syrup
• How to make home-canned pear pie filling to use later
• pear buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping pear coffee cake

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of pear berry harvest can vary depending on your location and climate, but it generally occurs in the summer months. In most regions, you can expect to start harvesting pears from late June to early August. Keep an eye on the berries as they ripen to determine the best time for harvesting.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe pear berries are plump, firm, and have a deep purple-blue color. They should come off the plant easily when gently pulled or twisted. Look for berries that have a uniform color and avoid those that are still green or red. Taste a few berries to ensure they have reached the desired sweetness before harvesting the entire crop.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest pear berries, simply hold the branch beneath the cluster of ripe berries and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch the berries as they fall.

The easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers.  The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

Be careful not to squeeze or crush the berries while harvesting to maintain their shape and quality.

Handling and Storage:

Handle pear berries with care as they are delicate and can bruise easily. After harvesting, sort through the berries and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store the freshly picked berries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate the berries and consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing the berries for longer-term storage.

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked pears will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening.  Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed pears freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

 

 

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