2024 West-Central Michigan Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in West-Central 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.

Ionia County

• KlineKrest Certified Organic Produce - Certified Organic, apples, aronia berries, Asian Pears, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, other berries, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, tayberries, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked
  1067 Somers Road, Lyons, MI 48851. Phone: (616) 902-1587. Email: LarryEKlines@gmail.com. Directions: From M66 in Ionia, go to Riverside Drive, then East to Somers Road. Turn South, and go .2 mile to KlineKrest Pvt Road. \(On east side of Somers Road\). Follow Pvt road to bottom of hill. Appointments required. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . UPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone and there's nothing else about them that is current on the internet - I presume they have closed. Does anyone have current information? If so, please write me. Monday to Friday at 9 am June 1 thru November 14 ? Saturdays from 9am to 1pm at either Ionia or Portland, MI CSA Farmers Market; Appointments required. From M66 in Ionia, go to Riverside Drive, then East to Somers Road. Turn South, and go .2 mile to KlineKrest Pvt Road. (On east side of Somers Road). Follow Pvt road to bottom of hill. Appointments required. See our home page for approximate monthly harvest dates; Current prices are listed on our website; Appointments are required; Call first;. We are certified organic for all crops! Appointments are required. Many unusual small fruits and berries. 45 varieties of Culinary, Medicinal, Native herbs. (ADDED: June 06, 2020)

Kent County

• Summersweet Orchard - apples, peaches, pears
  1889 92nd Street, Caledonia, MI 49316. Phone: 616-698-7134. Email: dutcher7@msn.com. Open: Peaches available mid - August to approximately first week of September; Apples approximately Sept 5 through October 10; Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Sunday. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Summersweet Orchard . s has a wide variety of fruits that consist of Yellow Peaches, Pears, Apples which include ( Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Suncrisp, Cortland, and the famous Honeycrisp) (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)

Mason County

• Christofferson Farms - apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), U-pick and already picked
  3441 South Morton Road, Ludington, MI 49431. Phone: 231-845-5831. Email: hattrickred@gmail.com. Open: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: From the city of Ludington: Head south on the Old PM Highway to Chauvez Road. Turn left \(east\) on Chauvez Road, and follow it to Morton Road, approximately 2 miles. Turn right \(south\) on Morton Road. We are the second house on your right \(west side\), a large brick house with black shutters. Go up the driveway and park. Honk the horn if no one comes out - we are probably out in the orchards. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Christofferson Farms Alternate Phone: 231-233-5281. . From the city of Ludington: Head south on the Old PM Highway to Chauvez Road. Turn left (east) on Chauvez Road, and follow it to Morton Road, approximately 2 miles. Turn right (south) on Morton Road. We are the second house on your right (west side), a large brick house with black shutters. Go up the driveway and park. Honk the horn if no one comes out - we are probably out in the orchards. Please call for specific availability of varieties. If you would like to visit the farm outside of our normal business hours, please call to make other arrangements. For more specific information on varieties and types of fruit available, please call us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

 

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