2024 Memphis and Southwest Tennessee Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Memphis and Southwest Tennessee 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.

Hardeman County

• Plum Berry Fruit Farm - Apples, Blackberries, Watermelons, Peaches, Pears, Muscadines
  23610 US Hwy. 64, Hornsby, TN 38044. Phone: (731) 659-2926. Email: mackcarterjr@aol.com. Open: call for hours and availability. Directions: Located on the South Side of US Hwy. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 731-433-8098. . is . 64 in Hornsby, TN which is eight (8) miles East of Bolivar TN. s grows peaches, pears, blackberries, muscadines, and water melons. (ADDED: June 26, 2018, JBS)

Shelby County

• Jones Orchard - apples, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, strawberries, and prepicked produce
  6824 Big Creek Church, Millington, TN 38053. Phone: (901) 872-0703. Email: jonesorchard@bigriver.net. Open: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
  Jones Orchard Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 901-873-3150. . Crops are usually available in April through October. click here for picking updates.; Typical dates (call or see our website before you come!): Strawberries April 9 to May 30 Peaches June 1 to September 15; Plums June 1 to June 21; Nectarines June 1 to July 15; Blackberries June 7 to July 15; Blueberries June 15 to July 15; Apples September 1 to September 30; Pumpkins October 1 to October 31. We have over 25 varieties of peaches in production, spanning 110 acres of land. All peach varieties are available at our Pick Your Own Orchards. We also offer 3 acres of strawberries, 10 acres of plums, 10 acres of nectarines, 10 acres of blackberries, 5 acres of blueberries, 5 acres of pears, 5 acres of apples, and 5 acres of pumpkins. Jone's Orchard Facebook page. (This is formerly Farmer Jim's strawberries at the Agricenter). .
  Comments from a visitor on October 29, 2009: "Yes, we enjoyed it very much. Family owned and open to all new things to make the market work yet use many traditional values for the land."
  Comments from a visitor on July 03, 2009: "We went on 3 July 2009 - the trees were loaded with Peaches, yellow and red plums. The peaches were the best - in the sense they were everywhere and very easy to pick. The area around the trees were maintained ok - we could drive our car all the way inside the orchard and around the trees. We can easily spend about 2 hours, picking various fruits. "Another visitor comments: "Visited this jumbo farm for the first time today. Friendly, helpful staff and fruit trees as far as one can see. We almost got lost in the peach section. Great fruit. Be sure to visit their restaurant--outstanding home cooking. Terrific bargain within spitting distance of Memphis."

 

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