This month's notes: February 2012: Winter is upon us, but don't despair! Strawberry and citrus picking actually begins in Florida, southern Texas and southern Californiaa in December. And for the rest of us; there are many delicious jams, jellies, and marmalades that you can make for yourself or as gifts, from frozen or fresh fruit. See this page for hundreds of easy canning and freezing instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals. Then see each state's crop availability calendar for more specific dates of upcoming crops. Organic farms are identified in green! See our guide to local fruit and vegetable festivals!. Please tell the farms you found them here - and ask them to update their information!!
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Where in Texas to find pick your own farms and orchards for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and canning & freezing instructions!
This page provides links to Texas's regional pages to find pick- your- own (PYO, U-pick, pick-it-yourself) farms for everything from apples, berries, fruit, pumpkins, vegetables to cut-you-own Christmas trees! I'm always looking for suggestions of more farms and events to add and feedback about any you have visited, so if you encounter any, just click on the preceding link, as appropriate! And if you have a farm and want to add it or correct the information, please click on the link to "add my farm".
Remember to ALWAYS either email, call or click the link to the farm's own website (if they have one) on the morning before you go, to confirm hours, conditions and availability of the specific crops you want!
We also have our own free and simple, step-by-step, illustrated instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple butter, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, ketchup or freezing corn . If you are looking for Canners, mixes, jars, pectin and other canning supplies at the best prices anywhere!
Texas U-Pick Farms and Orchards, sorted by area of state
Remember: ALWAYS call (or follow the link to the farm's own website, if the name is a blue link) to confirm the information before you go! They may close, run out or change events, times, etc. without notifying me!Select your area from the list below (or click on the map farther down the page, which is easier):
- Abilene area
- Austin area
- Corpus Christi area
- Dallas / Fort Worth (also try northeast TX, number 7, below)
- Houston and south east Texas (also try Austin, number 2)
- Lubbock area
- Northeastern Texas
- Panhandle
- San Angelo area
- San Antonio area
- Southern tip of Texas
- Southwestern corner of Texas
- Wichita Falls area
Other information:
- Crop availability / harvest schedule - click here
- To find pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other Halloween activities in Texas, click here.
- To find choose and cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Texas, click here.
We
also have a page with links to our own simple
instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and
vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple
butter, applesauce, spaghetti
sauce, salsa, pickles,
ketchup or freezing
corn .
| Current weather - click for forecast, or enter a zip code for a different location: | ||
| Dallas | Houston | Tyler |
Click on the map in the area that you want to find a farm or use the links following the map, or click here for a larger Texas County Map (with greater precision).


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Home Canning KitsThis is the same type of standard canner that my grandmother
used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and
spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and
lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs,
lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel,
labels, bubble freer, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's
much cheaper than buying the items separately. You'll never need anything else except jars & lids! To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!For more information
and current pricing: |
Picking Tips
[General picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How
much do I need to pick?
(Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting
the right varieties to pick] [All
about apple varieties - which to pick and why!] [Picking tips for Vegetables]
[ Strawberry picking tips]
[ Blueberries picking tips]
Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes
[ All About Home Canning, Freezing and Making Jams, Pickles, Sauces, etc. ] [FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems] [Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!] [Free canning publications to download and print]

