2024 Southern Illinois Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Southern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for peaches that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have peaches 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.

Madison County

• Mills Apple Farm - U-Pick: peaches, apples, Christmas trees,
  11477 Pocahontas Road, Marine, IL . Phone: 618-887-4732. Email: jerry@millsapplefarm.com. Open: in July when the peaches ripen; closes for season Dec. Directions: 25 miles Northeast of St. Louis, MO on Pocahontas Road between Marine and Grantfork, IL. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Mills Apple Farm Facebook page. . . 24th at noon; open 9:00 - 5:00 on Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays except Labor Day and Columbus Day. Directions to the Farm. Market: peaches, apples. Any childe who has ever wanted to drive a train will have that chance on weekends, when the train is available. The train belongs to Keith. He made it from scratch and it is a work of art. He cannot always be at the farm on fall weekends, but he tries to be. There is a nominal charge to be the engineer. Every year we add more pumpkins. They will be ready in late September through October. It is hard to say which the kids enjoy most: the wagon ride to the patch, or the search for the perfect pumpkin to pick. Facebook page. is open seasonally from mid-July to December of each year. specializes in peaches and apples, but you will also find: 14 varieties of Peaches, 15 varieties of Apples, Apple Cider, Pumpkins, Fresh Pies and Cookies - baked from scratch, We also offer:, Educational Apple Tours, Educational Pumpkin Tours, Hayrides and Bonfires, Special Event Hosting at our covered pavilion, Wedding ceremonies in The Meadow.
• Stumpf Peach Orchard - peaches
  6210 Geiger Road, Alhambra, IL . Phone: 618-488-7423. Click here for a map and directions. . Roadside stand, too.

Marion County

• Beal's Orchard - Pick your own: Blueberries, peaches
  471 Jasper Road, Centralia, Illinois, IL 62801. Phone: 618-822-6169. Open: mid June through November 1;. Click here for a map and directions. . Also a roadside market with breads, cakes, pastries with fillings, donuts, caramel apples, popcorn, molasses, fresh apples, blackberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet corn and turnips. Aunt Beth's brand apple butter (sweetened/unsweetened). Prairie Apiaries brand honey and Larry Miles/Millsap brand sorghum. Call for hours. Farm bakery items include apple cider donuts, strawberry, apple, and blueberry snack stix, jams, jelly, and preserves, apple butter, honey, sorghum. We also have apple cider and cherry-apple cider. (UPDATED: February 28, 2013, from the state Ag website)
• Schwartz Farms in Centralia - apples, blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  1942 Copple Road, Centralia, IL 62801. Phone: 618-532-8058. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Open: strawberries in May, peaches and blackberries in June,apples and pumpkins from September thru November. Directions: In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and \you\" pick fruits and berries. """. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Centralia Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is just east of Centralia. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season apples peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items. Apples, strawberries, blackberries. Award winning apple cider. Bakery with apple cider donuts, pastries, strawberry shortcake and homemade cobblers.
• Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon - blueberries, peaches, pears, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
  Route 37, Dix, IL . Phone: 618-266-7756. Email: applejam1@charter.net. Directions: Located 8 miles north of Mt. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schwartz Farms in Mt. Vernon Facebook page. . Phone: 618-532-8058. Alternate Phone: 618-249-8546. . Also apple cider, honey, molasses & apple butter. Schwartz Orchard Facebook page. In Southern Illinois and just an easy hours drive from St. Louis, Schwartz Orchard is . Vernon on route 37. If you live in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, or Salem we are in your neighborhood. Fresh Produce and Beautiful Flowers. Fresh, in season peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more are available at Schwartz Orchard. We offer both picked and "you" pick fruits and berries. Come see our different varieties of blooming flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. Schwartz Orchard has a complete kitchen. We offer baked goods from Strawberry Shortcake to Peach Cobbler. We don't stop there. come by and try one out. We have picnic tables for you to sit back, snack and enjoy. Place your orders for your family reunions. We will have them "hot" and waiting for you to pick up. We have apple butter, jellies, and jams with eight new "low" sugar items.

St. Clair County

• Braeutigam Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, eggplant, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, farm market, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, IL 62221. Phone: (618) 233-4059. Open: Seasonal from June to October Monday thru Friday: 8 am to 6 pm Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: 20 miles Southeast of Street Louis. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Braeutigam Orchards Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates.
• Eckert's Country Store and Farms - apples, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  951 South Green Mount Road, Belleville, IL 62220. Phone: (618) 233-0513. Email: eckert-info@eckerts.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: See our website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Eckert's Country Store and Farms Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. See our website for current crop information. Starting as a simple roadside stand in 1910, the sixth and seventh generations of the Eckert family now operates three retail, entertainment and farming establishments in southern Illinois. Eckert's Belleville location is open year round and is home to the Country Store, Restaurant, Garden Center, Custard Shop and Pick-Your-Own farm. Visit our website to learn more about our wide array of products, ripening dates, activities and so much more!. Just twenty-five minutes from downtown St. Louis, our Belleville "homeplace" farm is the site of our original 1910 roadside stand. Our Belleville farm complex has grown to offer something for every member of your family: a Country Store, a beautiful Garden Center, a Country Restaurant, an old-fashioned Custard Shop, fruit orchards!!, kids activities.
• Eckert's Millstadt Farm - apples, hayrides, jumping pillows, pumpkin cannon, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, Christmas trees
  2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, IL 62260. Phone: (800)745-0513. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . click here for farm directions. Only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, your whole family will love Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm! Visit the incredible creations in Uncle Aubrey's Workshop, squeal with delight at Billy Bob's pig races, ride the Deere Express through the orchard, then plunge into the 70-foot underground slide at Eckert's Mining Company! Wagon rides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch are a favorite for all. Visit Uncle Aubrey's Workshop, or join us for a Haunted Hayride this September & October - if you dare! There's so many activities for the kids see and do.. you will wear the kids out.. and Mom and Dad, too! Our jumping pillow is a giant colorful, inflatable pillow that is so much fun and will keep your kids entertained. Fun for adults, too! We cannot forget about the amazing pumpkin cannon, the Jack-O-Lobber. The Jack-O-Lobber fires a pumpkin a half-mile! Shows are every hour on the hour Friday through Sunday. If you are craving mouth-watering country food like roasted sweet corn or chicken shish kababs be sure to stop by Bob's N'Cobs Food Stand. Of course, hotdogs, bratwurst, KettleKorn, homemade ice cream and funnel cakes are always on the menu too! Eckert's is known far and wide for its great country entertainment. Watch a real live melodrama play out on the Grand Stage. (ADDED: August 26, 2011, by Blake)

 

Peach Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S., Peaches typically peak during late June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce good local peaches, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions, and no late frosts. If you want to know which are the best varieties of peaches for home canning, see this page!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for peaches, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Peaches more than 14 inches deep will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.
5. You might want to ask whether the peaches are! There are two major types of peaches: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone peaches and nectarines have flesh that slips easily away from the pit. Clingstones are a REAL pain, because the fruit tenaciously clings to the stone or pit! Most peach varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (depending upon your location) from June through September. Some nectarines are freestone and some are clingstone. Freestone nectarines are available in June and July. Most plum varieties are clingstone. 

When you get home

1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
3. Even under ideal conditions peaches will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
4. Now, get ready to make Peach jam or canned peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
    - peach jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on
    - how to make home canned peaches from fresh!
   - Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
   - make your own home canned peach pie filling to use in the winter
5. Here's a great and easy peach pie recipe
   or peach-blueberry pie  or how about
   - peach salsa?
   - Peach chutney
   - Spiced peaches
   - peach butter
   - Peach honey
   - pickled peaches
   - peach syrup
   - peach juice
6. Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes, like easy peach cobbler.
7. If you want more information about the Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC, click here.

Temporary Storage Tips

• Ripe peaches have a creamy or golden undertone and "peachy-sweet" fragrance.
• Peaches should be refrigerated and used within a few days.
• Putting peaches and nectarines in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature for a day or two can help soften firm fruit - but they won't become sweeter or ripen further - that stopped when they were removed from th etree.
• For best flavor, allow the fruit to ripen fully on the tree.
• Store at 33�F to 40�F  and high humidity (a vegetable drawer in the fridge).

How to tell if the peaches are ripe!

• Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Peaches will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften")
• Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
• Softness: unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won't ripen very much after picking!
• Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!

Tips on How to Pick Peaches

A peach is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a peach gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.  Grab the peach firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the peach into the basket, but set it in gently!

Marks on the Peachs: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the peach. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit.  These look like dents in the peaches if the peaches were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the peach. There's nothing wrong with these peaches. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free peaches, and it's better not to have the pesticides!

How much do you need?

Raw measures:

• About 2 medium peaches = 1 cup sliced peaches.
• About 4 medium peaches = 1 cup pureed peach.
• About 3 medium peaches = 1 pound of peaches

Process yields (Raw amounts to processed amounts)

• 2 to 21/2 pounds of fresh peaches yields 1 quart canned
• 1 lb of fresh peaches typically yields 3 cups of peeled, sliced peaches or 2 cups or puree.
• It takes about 5 good sizes peaches or nectarines (or about 10 plums) to fill one quart jar of canned peaches.
• An average of 171/2 pounds of fresh peaches are needed per canner load of 7 quarts;
• An average of 11 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints.
• 1 bushel = 48 to 50 pounds, yields approximately 18 to 25 quart jars.

And a visitor contributes this: 6-7 peaches makes about 4 cups puree, so 2-3 peaches make about 2 cups puree. 1 peach equals about 1 cup puree.

Peaches-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

 

Peach pit tips

It's best to remove peach pits before you cook the peaches. Cherry, peach, and apricot pits also contain amygdalin; the latter two, in potentially harmful amounts. Fortunately, peach and apricot pits are sufficiently large and hard that few people intentionally swallow or chew them. (The unapproved anti-cancer drug See this page for more information&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/cam/laetrile">Laetrile is a semisynthetic derivative of amygdalin; a cheaper version of laetrile produced in Mexico came from crushed apricot pits.) See this page for more information.

 

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