2024 Topeka and Northeastern Kansas Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

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Peach U-Pick Orchards in Topeka and Northeastern Kansas 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.

Atchison County

Brown County

  • Grimm's Gardens - blueberries, cherries, apples, peaches, apricots, raspberries, persimmons, aronia, chesnuts, plums, elderberries, Honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, restrooms
    2991 Goldfinch Road, Hiawatha, KS 66434. Phone: 785-459-2586. Email: info@grimmsgardens.com. Open: dawn to dusk on picking days; Normal hours are Monday to Friday 8 to 6 and Saturday 8 to 4. Directions: 4 miles west of Hiawatha on highway 36 and 6.5 miles north on Goldfinch Rd. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. . Fax:. . Crops are usually available in July, August, September. Opening blueberry patch July 4 Thursday, raspberries are ready also; Always call ahead for specifics.
    Comments from a visitor on June 29, 2011: "My 3 year old and I went to Grimm's Garden near Hiawatha KS on Monday. It was everything the website said it would be and more. The staff was friendly and helpful, even looking up questions that they did not know the answer too. Raspberry picking was awesome and a quick relax in a shaded hammock was well earned. I was very excited to find a HUGE assortment of water plants for the pond I am building. "
    Comments from a visitor on July 22, 2008: "My husband and I visited this morning and picked 30lbs of blueberries. They're beautiful, a lot of them are the size of grapes. This farm is really something to see. I will be returning many times I am sure. They have peaches, raspberries, black raspberries, apples and wonderful flowers and landscaping. The best I have seen."

Johnson County

  • Gieringer's Family Orchard & Berry Farm - strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, picnic area, corn maze, pumpkin patch (pick in the field where they grow), pumpkins (in a market, stand or shop), jumping pillow, birthday parties, tours of the operation, group tours
    39345 W. 183rd Street, Edgerton, KS 66021. Phone: (913) 893-9626. Email: goberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: seasonally, usually May to October, check website or facebook for picking conditions and days, hours and additional information. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx .
    Gieringer's Family Orchard & Berry Farm Facebook page. . . . 56 Highway to Edgerton Kansas. Edgerton road north 2 miles to 183rd. West 1.5 miles. For a map to our farm, Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. We grow a variety of fruits and vegetables that we offer to the public on our U-pick farm. You can also buy our products at two local farmers markets, Overland Park and Lawrence. The season begins in early May with 50,000 strawberry plants which you can pick or purchase as pre-picked. We also have a limited supply of cheddar and purple cauliflower during this time. In June, our U-pick blueberries and blackberries ripen and can also be picked or purchased as pre-picked in the farm market on our property. During berry season, we have fresh strawberry or blueberry donuts and strawberry lemonade slushees. U-pick peaches and pre-picked tomatoes and sweet corn will be available from late June through August. Beginning in September, we will start our fall season off with a large field of sunflowers and U-pick pumpkins. Our pumpkins weigh anywhere between 1 to 100+ pounds and come in a variety of colors. Orange, yellow, white and even pink! There are always lots of family friendly activities for folks of all ages. Here are just a few. Interactive corn maze, pumpkin jump pad, giant corn pit, wagon rides, hay mountain, combine slides, pumpkin spice donuts and cider slushees which can be enjoyed in our shaded picnic area. We also support other local producers and our community. You can find locally made honey, pickled jalapenos, jams and jellies in our farm market on U-pick days. Another thing that we love to do is give group tours and we are a proud school field trip destination! Sharing agricultural fun facts and allowing everyone to have hands on learning opportunities is something we enjoy. Here is a produce & Fall Fest timeline: Strawberries (Early May) Blueberries (June) Blackberries (Mid June-July) *During berry season we make fresh strawberry or blueberry donuts and strawberry lemonade slushees. Peaches (Late June-August) Tomatoes (June-August) Sweet Corn (Late June-August) Sunflower Field (late September) U-Pick Pumpkins (October) *During our fall season we make fresh pumpkin donuts and apple cider slushees. (UPDATED: March 23, 2018)
  • Wagon Wheel Orchard - apples, cherries, peaches, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals, school tours
    15380 Edgerton Road, Gardner, KS 66030. Phone: 913-893-6050. Email: wagonwheelmail@aol.com. Open: We will typically be open weekends only but will add dates and times as crop size increases please check our website for updates. Directions: western Johnson County on Edgerton Rd - 12 mile south of 151st St . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. . western Johnson County on Edgerton Rd - 1/2 mile south of 151st St Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November.

Osage County

  • Fieldstone Orchard and Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, blackberries, cherries, grapes, other berries, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours, group reservations
    7049 East 149th Street, Overbrook, KS 66524. Phone: 785-665-7643. Email: info@fieldstoneorchard.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: From Topeka: south on highway 75, east on highway 56, 2 miles past Overbrook north on Stubbs Road, west on 149th Street. From Lawrence: south on highway 59, west on highway 56, 13 miles, north on Stubbs Road, west on 149th Street. From Kansas City: south on Interstate highway 35 to exit 202. Drive through Edgerton, north to highway 56, west on highway 56 past 59 highway 13 miles to Stubbs Road, north 1 mile, west on 149th Str eet. First driveway south, park in paddock by Sale Barn. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers.
    Fieldstone Orchard and Farm Facebook page. . Fax:. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Please check website for specific dates as each year has been different; These dates are approximations: Asparagus: April 15 to May 15; Cherries (sour and sweet) June; Blackberries: July to August; Raspberries: July to first frost; Summer apples: July; plums: July to August; 38 varieites of apples including heirloom begin August to November 15; 5 varieties of Asian Pears begin September 1 to October; concord and wine grapes 3rd week in September or so;. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Chemical free orchard and farm us ing organic foods, products, herbs to feed the crops and trees to create nutrient dense foods and balance the ecosystem including beneficial bugs for pest control. We are using Beyond Organic practices. All produce is planted from organic and/or heirloom seed and grown organically. No pesticides, herbicides or chemicals are used on our property. Contact us for information about the Kaw Valley Farm Tour the First Full weekend of October and other events we may have throughout the year. .

Shawnee County

  • 86th Street Orchard - apples, cherries, grapes, pears, peaches, raspberries (black), tomatoes, other vegetables, already-picked produce (of the pyo crops), school tours
    5332 Northwest 86th Street, Topeka, KS 66618. Phone: (785) 246-1442. Email: cathy_kenny@yahoo.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Thursday to Saturday, from 9am to dusk; Other days and times by appointment; Please call or email before stopping by so we can let you know what's ripe and ready. We have changed our fruit to mainly apples, peaches and Honey. We are strictly a u pick orchard with no other activities No groups do to us being a small orchard. We do have over 70 trees . Please call 785-409-3224. We have started growing raspberries in the high tunnel, but they are not at the productive stage yet. (UPDATED: May 18, 2022, JBS)

 

Pick Your Own Farms!

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 (dependingThe Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC 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)

McSunley Stainless Steel 21QT Canner, Any Stovetop

Pressure Canners for all stovetops

Looking for canning equipment and supplies?

Water bath canner with a jar rack

Electric pressure canner

Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt

Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)

Ball Blue book (most recent version)

8oz canning jars for jams

Regular canning lids

Wide mouth canning lids

 


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McSunley Stainless Steel 21QT Canner, Any Stovetop

Pressure Canners for all stovetops