2024 Skagit County, Washington State Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Skagit County, Washington 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.

Skagit County

• Jones Creek Farms - SQE Organic, apples, crabapples, Asian pears, figs, lemons, pears, Asian pears, peaches, plums, Quince, garlic, porta-potties, Cell service cell phones work here
  32260 Burrese Rd, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284. Phone: none. Email: jonescreekfarms@yahoo.com. Open: Our season opening and closing dates are completely dependent on mother nature; Typically we should be open late August through sometime in October; Our operating days and hours are always the same: Friday through Monday, 10 am to 5 pm; Please check our website, as the season gets closer, for opener date. Directions: Take hiway 20, Burlington, Exit from Interstate 5. Go east on hiway 20 to milepost 75 where you will see our sign. Click here for a map and directions. We use natural organic practices, and are subject to the NOP small quantity exemption. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, All credit cards.
  Click here for our Instagram page.
  Jones Creek Farms specializes in U pick. We are the longest running and largest U pick in NW Washington. Our U pick is an extension of our sustainable farming methods. It is NOT agritourism but IS simply a means of lowering operating costs and thereby a way to pass lower food costs along to our customers. Other crops: Quince. Farm u pick opening date changes every year; Its of course dependent on the weather and so the ripening of the first varieties; Typically, mid or late August we have been opening and closing by the end of October; Please keep up to date with the information page listed below for opening date and variety picking dates;.
  (UPDATED: January 30, 2024)
  Comments from a visitor on October 18, 2008: "Arriving at the Jones Creek Farm, you see a red barn nestled in the blue Cascade mountains. You already feel at home as Chomper and Copper, the Price family's dogs welcome you wagging their tails and Talea and Les Price offer you a cup of fresh apple cider. Then it's off with provided wagons and bags to the orchard where Talea can tell you about every apple there, letting you know where to find the best sweet or tart varieties. There is only one rule at Jones Creek Farm and that is you should try every apple you possibly can. If you don't like it, throw it under the tree and move on to the next apples to taste. We were there for 3 hours last weekend and were stuffed as we left. Talea and Les are passionate about their farm and it shows. Not only is the farm beautifully kept and the crops grown organically, but not certified, they can also tell you all you want to know about the crops and how best to prepare them. Their friendliness and letting you taste and pick whatever you want is truly a unique experience. I moved here from the east coast where apple-picking is a common autumn outing, but I never visited a farm as friendly and knowledgable as the Jones Creek Farm. I will definitely return, perhaps for the garlic festival, tomatoes and the tree grafting in the winter."

 

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