2024 Central New York State Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Central New York State 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.

Montgomery County

• Bellinger's Orchard - Apples, Pears, Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Sweet cherries, Tart Cherries, farm market, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, birthday parties, school tours
  685 Argersinger Road, Fultonville, NY 12072. Phone: 518-922-8558. Email: info@bellingersorchard.com. Open: daily from September through October 9-5. Directions: Take exit 28 from the NYS Thruway and then a left onto Riverside Drive. Make a left onto 30A and go up the hill. Take a right onto VanEpps Road. Go two and one-half miles and then bear right onto Argersinger Road. Our orchard is exactly one mile down the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Bellinger's Orchard Facebook page. . . Open in November 9-5 closed Tuesdays. PYO Sweet & Tart Cherries in July; Peaches available on our farm wagon in Mid- August; Picked & PYO Apples (Over 40+ varieties!), Pears, Pumpkins, Winter Squash Sept-Mid Nov. Our new farm market features homemade cider donuts, fresh cider, cheese, honey, pie, fudge, salsas, fruit butters, jams & jellies and other delicious local gourmet products made in NYS! Weekend hay wagon rides, corn maze, picnic area & more. (UPDATED: June 1, 2018)
• Shooter's Hill Heirloom Farm - It appears as though they are closed; their phone is diisconnected, can anyone confirm? If so, please write me,
  1226 Carlisle Road, Canajoharie, NY 13317. Phone: 518-673-1048. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Fax:. It lSunday to Tuesday 8am to 6pm; , Wednesday: Duchtown Plaza Palentine Bridge NY 3pm to 6pm; Farmers Market, Thursday and Friday 8am to 6pm; , Saturday: Arkel Museum Parking Lot Canajoharie NY 10am to 2pm; Farmers Market. beans, beets, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, gooseberries, herbs or spices, melons, onions, other berries, peas, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, picnic area, farm animals

Oswego County

• Fruit Valley Orchard - apples, cherries, currants (red and black), pears, plums, U-pick and already picked, gift shop
  507 Bunker Hill Road, Oswego, NY 13126. Phone: 315-342-3793. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday, from 1 pm to 5pm. Directions: Take route 104 West and take your second left from SUNY Oswego on to Cemetery Road. Then, take the second right off Cemetery Road and follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, WIC Vouchers. . Alternate Phone: 315-343-4595. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Greenhouses open May 1; Apples ready for picking the first week of September through October. We also have a booth every Thursday from 5 pm to 9pm, starting May 15 through October.

Tompkins County

• Indian Creek Farm - apples, eggplant, flowers, pears, peaches, raspberries (red), tomatoes,
  1408 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Phone: 607-227-6147. Open: to the public every day, sunrise to sunset. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fruit trees for the home gardener. A hundred varieties of dwarf apple trees.You can pick fruits and vegetables in the fields; or pop into the farm stand for fresh produce that we have harvested for you
• Littletree Orchards - Apples, cherries, flowers, pears, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries, winter squash, tomatoes, Other fruit or veg, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field
  345 Shaffer Road, Newfield, NY 14867. Phone: 607-564-9246. Open: July 1 through November 15 Littletree Orchards is open 10 am to 6 pm everyday. Directions: to Littletree Orchards from Ithaca, New York \(only 7.4 miles from Buttermilk Falls St. Park\) From Ithaca take Route 13 south to the Newfield exit. Take the Newfield exit on to Main Street. Take Main Street to Tioga State Bank \(.9 mile\). Take a left at Tioga State Band on to Shaffer Road. Take Shaffer Road \(.4 mile\) and turn at the first left \(this keeps you on Shaffer Road\). Stay on Shaffer Road 1.2 miles and you will find Littletree Orchards on the left. enter Littletree driveway, bear right and stop in at the Apple Barn. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. to from Ithaca, New York (only 7.4 miles from Buttermilk Falls St. Park) From Ithaca take Route 13 south to the Newfield exit. Take the Newfield exit on to Main Street. Take Main Street to Tioga State Bank (.9 mile). Take a left at Tioga State Band on to Shaffer Road. Take Shaffer Road (.4 mile) and turn at the first left (this keeps you on Shaffer Road). Stay on Shaffer Road 1.2 miles and you will find on the left. enter Littletree driveway, bear right and stop in at the Apple Barn. Approximate Harvest Dates sweet Cherries; July raspberries; mid-July - august tart cherries; mid-July - mid-August tomatoes; mid-August - frost peaches; mid-August - mid-September apples; late July - mid- November fresh flowers; August - frost dried flowers; July - mid-November hard shell gourds; July - mid-November winter squash; fall pumpkins; mid-September - October. Doughnuts in the Apple Barn. Basil to pick. Picnic tables on premises. Littletree welcomes formal and informal groups of all ages. Groups can take self-guided tours or have a guided tour. Call for details or to schedule a tour. Littletree is a family friendly orchard which specializing in U-Pick, focused on FUN.

 

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