2024 Southeast Michigan Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Southeast Michigan 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.

Macomb County

• Blake Farms Orchard and Cider Mill - apples, asparagus, blackberries, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, herbs or spices, lavender, melons, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, trike track, pedal kart track, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  17985 Armada Center Rd, Armada, MI 48005. Phone: (586) 784-5343. Email: info@blakefarms.com. Open: MID JUNE THROUGH EARLY NOVEMBER from 8 AM to 6 PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Blake Farms Orchard and Cider Mill Facebook page. . . We use integrated pest management practices (IPM). Blake's Big Apple, located in Armada, Michigan offers everything for the family. You can get our award winning cider and donuts prepared fresh daily, as well as pre-picked seasonal produce. You can also come out and pick our your own produce. We also carry our own line of jarred goods, like salsas, jams, jellies, pickled veggies and bbq sauces. During the fall we also have a variety of haunted attractions, like zombie paintball and haunted hayrides.Apple varieties: Empire, Jonathon, Japanese Rose, MacIntosh, Cortland, Gala. Also U-Pick tomatoes and Peppers: Jalapenos, Pablanos, Bell peppers, Banana peppers, Raspberries, Plums, Bartlett Pears.Apple varieties: Empire, Jonathon, Early Fuji, Japanese Rose, Wolf River, Wealthy, Cortland, Gala. Vegetables: Green beans, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cabbage, and Lavender, Wild flowers. Peppers: Jalapenos, Pablanos, Bell peppers, Banana peppers, Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill LEARN MOREBlake's Big Apple LEARN MOREBlake's Almont Garden Center LEARN MORE (UPDATED: May 26, 2018)

Monroe County

• Gaskill Family Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, asparagus, beets, blackberries, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, other berries, pears, peppers, raspberries (red),
  12433 Crowe Rd, Milan, MI 48160. Phone: 734-439-1225. Email: gaskillfamilyfarm@gmail.com. Open: Directions: From US 23 North: take exit 22 Cone Road and turn right west. Directions: From US 23 North: take exit 22 Cone Road and turn right \(west\). Immediately turn right \(north\) onto Crowe Road. From US 23 South: Take exit 22 \(Cone Road\) turn left \(north\) onto Ann Arbor Road. At stop sign, turn left \(west\) onto Cone Road. Cross the overpass and turn right \(north\) onto Crowe Road. Once on Crowe, we are the 3rd house on the left \(west\) after you cross the railroad tracks \(approximately 1 mile\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Gaskill Family Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 734-260-2998. . From US 23 North: take exit 22 Cone Road and turn right (west). Immediately turn right (north) onto Crowe Road. From US 23 South: Take exit 22 (Cone Road) turn left (north) onto Ann Arbor Road. At stop sign, turn left (west) onto Cone Road. Cross the overpass and turn right (north) onto Crowe Road. Once on Crowe, we are the 3rd house on the left (west) after you cross the railroad tracks (approximately 1 mile). Strawberries (starting 2017) mid June to early July; Raspberries about 1 to 2 weeks after strawberries start until late Fall; vegetables all summer and into Fall (June to October); Apples/Pears September to late October. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card. Updated June 2016. is a small farm growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. In a normal year we will start out picking strawberries for the farmers markets followed about mid June with summer red raspberries then blackberries, fall red raspberries, apples and pumpkins. Our growing method is conventional with a great deal of effort put on Integrated Pest Management. We work with nature every where we can, from seeding down hard to plant areas to a vegetation that will attract beneficial insects to growing a combination of clover and grasses between rows of raspberries, not only make it easier for our customers to walk, but to supply some of the nitrogen the raspberries need to grow. (UPDATED: June 24, 2016) (ADDED: June 22, 2015)

Washtenaw County

• Lutz Orchard - apples, pears, farm animals, school tours
  11030 Macon Road, Saline, MI 48176. Phone: 734 429 5145. Open: September and October Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday 9 am to noon Saterday Sunday 9 am to 5 pm closed all day Thursday. Directions: 4 miles SW of Saline. Take Monroe St. S from US-12 in Saline. Monroe becomes Macon Road at city limits, Intersection of Braun Rd. . Click here for a map and directions. . Payment:

Wayne County

• Apple Charlies - apples, pears, peaches, pumpkins, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours
  38035 S. Huron, New Boston, MI 48164. Phone: (734) 753-9380. Email: Charlie@applecharliesorchardandcidermill.com. Open: September 1 to November 10. Directions: From Detroit: I-94 W to I-275 S. to exit 11b \(South Huron Road\) Turn right and go 1 mile west From Ann Arbor: I-94 E to I-275 S. to exit 11b \(South Huron Road\) Turn right and go 1 mile west From Monroe: I-275 N. to exit 11 turn \(South Huron Road\) Turn left and go 1 mile west. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Apple Charlies . From Detroit: I-94 W to I-275 S. to exit 11b (South Huron Road) Turn right and go 1 mile west From Ann Arbor: I-94 E to I-275 S. to exit 11b (South Huron Road) Turn right and go 1 mile west From Monroe: I-275 N. to exit 11 turn (South Huron Road) Turn left and go 1 mile west. . (UPDATED: October 9, 2021 JBS)

 

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