2024 Boston and surrounding counties in Massachusetts Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Peach U-Pick Orchards in Boston and surrounding counties in Massachusetts 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 a 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.
New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive
family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best
camping weather. See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks,
guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.
New! We just went live with our latest website,
FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings,
Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas
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Essex County
Boston Hill Farm - U-pick Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples and Pumpkins, Hayrides , Route 114, North Andover, MA 01845. Phone: 978-681-8556. Email: bostonhillfarm@verizon.net. Open: Year round from 9 am to 6 pm, Fall Festival is every weekend following Labor Day through and including the last weekend of October. Click here for a map and directions. . Year round from 9 am to 6 pm, Fall Festival is every weekend following Labor Day through (and including) the last weekend of October. Take a hayride to your destination whether it is to scout out the perfect pumpkin or to wander the apple orchard to pick your favorite apple. We have Macintosh, Cortland and Macoun apples to suit everyone's taste and baking needs! We also have peaches. If you are looking for a pumpkin, search our Pumpkin Patch for the very best shaped pumpkin to carve your favorite spooky face or creative holiday designs. Whatever you choose, we're sure you will find the right one for you! We also have Sugar pumpkins which can be purchased at the Farm Store. Hayrides and festivals in the fall with fresh pies and cider donuts. Fresh vegetables and fruit all season in the Farm Store. Facebook page Comments from a visitor on October 14, 2008: "We went to Boston Hill this weekend (Oct 13th), and it was perfect for my 9-year-old "Little Sister" from the Big Sister program. The apples were easy picking, since all the trees are dwarf trees, they were absolutely delicious, and the pumpkins were easy to pick out from the field. There was a hay ride for those who didn't want to walk, a playground she absolutely loved, animals to pet and look at, ice cream, and a bakery with home-made apple donuts. We had a good time!"
Brooksby Farm - apples, blueberries, cherries, flowers, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, rhubarb, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info), weddings, Honey from hives on the farm, 38 Felton St, Peabody, MA 01960. Phone: 978-531-7456. Email: Brooksby@peabody-ma.gov. Open: mid-June to February daily from 9am to 5 pm; Strawberry start in mid June; Apples start September 6; Peach mid Aug. Directions: Rt128 to Rt114 Call for more directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. We have seasonal Pick Your Own Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and apples. Our garden vegetables are ready in July and we harvest thru early fall. Then our winter squash and apples carry us thru December. Visit our bakery for delicious cider donuts, hot mulled cider, cold cider and coffee. Make time to browse through our holiday filled farm store and take in the warm, inviting - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Fax: 9785311631 Rt128 to Rt114 Call for more directionsWe have seasonal Pick Your Own Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and apples. Our garden vegetables are ready in July and we harvest thru early fall. Then our winter squash and apples carry us thru December. Visit our bakery for delicious cider donuts, hot mulled cider, cold cider and coffee. Make time to browse through our holiday filled farm store and take in the warm, inviting atmosphere. We have many unique gift ideas, holiday decorations and ornaments, baked goods, soy candles, fudge, candies, and gift baskets. While here visit our barnyard animals, take in the beautiful views, take a deep breath and relax. Weddings at the Felton-Smith Historic Site. The Smith Barn is the perfect setting for your special day. Birthday Parties: Have your birthday party or group activity at. Reservations only. Field Trips: Our field trips are designed for Pre-k to 3rd grade, daycare groups, home schools, and mothers groups. Picnic Tables - Bring a lunch and enjoy your surroundings. Owned by the City of Peabody, is a 270 acre farm and apple/peach orchard located in the heart of Peabody just 20 miles North of Boston. We offer seasonal pick your own fruits, farm store, barnyard animals and our own vegetables See LessCome pick your own fruits seasonally, shop our farm store and visit our barnyard animals.Be good to yourself.. support local farming!The ONLY Autumn pyo crops offered are apples, some fruits in summer, but no pears anymore. (UPDATED: October 07, 2023) Comments from a visitor on July 20, 2020: "Keep in mind, this is owned by the city government, so they are going overboard with the COVID paranoia outdoors. Worldwide there are no documented and verified cases of COVID transmission outdoors, so says the CDC. " Comments from a visitor on August 18, 2011: "We just visited to pick peaches this morning, August 18, 2011. There were a lot of peaches on the trees, but we had to look carefully to find many that were ripe. A 1/2 peck is $8.00. We weighed ours at home and it comes to about 6 1/4 lbs. Bags need to be purchased at the farm stand before entering the you-pick area."
Connors Farm - apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, 30 Valley Rd rte35, Danvers, MA 01923. Phone: 978-777-1245. Email: info@connorsfarm.com. Open: see our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Connors Farm Facebook page. . Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October In June our annual Strawberry Festival Blueberry Picking as well as strawberry picking; Connors Corn Maze is open Saturday Sept 13 to Friday October 31 2008Facebook page. They have vegetable seedlings, perennials, annual flowers, hanging baskets, Vine-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, squash, carrots, beets, herbs and other fresh fruits and vegetables fresh eggs, fresh pasta, jams, jellies, breads, cookies, hot coffees, Homemade Ice Cream, frozen chicken an beef patties, and fruit pies, Apple cider Doughnuts Weekend BQ's Champions BQ team will be serving up the best BQ food Large Groups please contact us ahead of time so that we can schedule a catered lunch. Pony ride will begin every Sat & Sun starting Sept 13th. pick-your-own crops: Strawberries: mid-June to mid-July, Peas: mid-June to mid-July Peaches: mid-July to mid-September Blueberries: mid-July to mid-August Raspberries: early July to frost Cut Flowers: early July to frost Apples: Labor Day to Halloween; Pumpkins: October. Comments from a visitor on September 05, 2011: (negative) "We wanted an end of summer farm day and, based on what is in season, looked for a farm with pick your own raspberries AND peaches. in Danvers fit the bill so we headed there. We had to pre-pay for a peach peck bag while the raspberries were to be weighed and paid for afterwrds. And I had to sign a waiver saying I had been warned there were bees at the back of the peach orchard. The girl that helped me told me both were out back behind the pond nad there would be signs. Well, there were no signs at all and only one other group picking peaches. Almost none of the peaches were ripe and if we hadn't pre-paid for the bag, we probably would have left sooner. We willed our bag with the ripest we could find/reach but there were not only bees (they KEEP bees behind the field), but, more annoying, mosquitos everywhere despite it being midday and sunny. Perhaps this is related to the pond which appeared to be completely still. My 6 year old daughter got it worst - she has more than a dozen bites" Comments from a visitor on September 27, 2009: (negative) "On 9/26/09, my family & I decided to go apple picking. I wanted some place different. I went on this website and chose Connor's farm in Danvers, MA. It was a beautiful day and I expected it to be busy. If you were there for the corn maize or the family toddler section then it would of been fine. We were there to pick apples. We found the apple tree's by a small sign. There were no markings to say which tree's for which apples. There was no one working out in the fields so we could ask questions. I found the orchard was neglected. Vines and weeds and such were growing over and around the very small trees, sunlight couldn't even get into the apples to ripen. I wanted to leave and get my money back for the pre-paid bag purchase. We were there so, we filled the bag with what we could gather that were worthy apples. I came home and made apple sauce with them. Not worth eating. Next time I will stick to the farms without all the stuff, and good healthy apple tree's for the picking. Brenda C."
Smolak Farms - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, inflatables or bounce houses, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations 315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA 01845. Phone: (978) 682-6332. Email: inform@smolakfarms.com. Open: Fields are open from 9 am to 4 daily; Check our facebook page for the latest crop of the day!. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx. Smolak Farms Facebook page. Please visit our website for our Strawberry Festival Information and more information about our farm. Fall Festivals begin September 12 and 13 and run every weekend through October 31; Choose and Cut Christmas trees will be available the first weekend after Thanksgiving. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
Middlesex County
Autumn Hills Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, grapes, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations 495 Chicopee Row, Groton, MA 01450. Phone: 978-448-8388. Email: info@autumnhillsorchard.com. Open: September through October; Weekends and holidays from 10am to 5pm; Weekdays by appointment; Call or email ahead for appointment. Directions: From Groton Center on Route 119. Heading north take Hollis street \(right turn out of Groton Center just after Town Hall\) about 3.5 miles. \(Hollis changes name to Chicopee Row at the Cemetery, but there\'s no street sign.\) Our driveway is on the left after Wilson Way. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx. Autumn Hills Orchard Facebook page. From Groton Center on Route 119. Heading north take Hollis street (right turn out of Groton Center just after Town Hall) about 3.5 miles. (Hollis changes name to Chicopee Row at the Cemetery, but there's no street sign.) Our driveway is on the left after Wilson WayWe use integrated pest management practices
Belkin Lookout Farm - Strawberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Asian Pears, Apples, Pumpkins (Fall only) petting zoo, rides, hayride 89 Pleasant Street, South Natick, MA 01760. Phone: 508-653-0653. Email: chughes@lookoutfarm.com. Open: daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Belkin Lookout Farm Facebook page. . Our fruit is based on availability and costs $2.50 per lb (in 2008) You can pick your own fruit, enjoy our train rides, 2 petting zoos and children's play area! Summer Admission: August 9th - August 31st: $8 Per Person (all Ages) Daily. Fall Admission: September 1st - November 1st: Weekday Rate (Monday thru Friday) - $8 per person (all ages). Weekends (Saturday & Sunday & Columbus Day Holiday) - $14 per adult, $12 for Children under 12 years old and Senior Citizens. Remember Children Under 2 years old are ALWAYS FREE! Also has an organic food store with ice cream. 2020 update, Please note, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to enter the orchard for U-pick. No walk-in guests will be allowed. Orchard access will be based per person ages 2 and above. Due to Covid-19, the Barnyard Play Area, Farm Animals and Train Ride will not be available. We look forward to open all of our operations next season. Lookout Farm Facebook page. Comments from a visitor on September 05, 2012: "We normally go picking at Belkin Farms and they are WONDERFUL!!!! Very kid friendly, very clean and safe and lots of great amenities. I would strongly recommend them to anyone who is going picking with kids." Comments from a visitor on September 04, 2008: "Loved it"
Carver Hill Orchard - Apples, blueberries, cherries, corn (sweet), flowers, pears, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, saws provided, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, wagon rides Brookside Avenue, Stow, MA 01775. Phone: 978-897-6117. Email: cclord@hotmail.com. Open: Mid June to August Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. Directions: Take Route 117 to Stow, MA. Take Route 62 South for .2 miles and Brookside Ave is on your left. Follow the road to the end. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Carver Hill Orchard Facebook page. . Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November, December September through December open 10 AM to 5 PM 7 days a weekKitchen available for hotdogs, chips snacks and Ice Cream! Facebook page.
Parlee Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, cherries, flowers, nectarines, peaches, plums, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours 95 Farwell Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879. Phone: 978-649-3854. Email: info@parleefarms.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Parlee Farms Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe use integrated pest management practicesMary's Country Kitchen & Bakery offers fresh fruit desserts made with our own fruit. Customers can watch donuts being made in the farmstand. Donut variety depends upon the season with apple cider, strawberry or blueberry being made. Mary's Country Kitchen offers fresh fruit desserts and ice cream. is a 93-acre pick-your-own farm with a 7500 sq. ft. post and beam farmstand. Annie's Animal Barns house young farm animals for our customers to visit with and feed.
Norfolk County
Ward's Berry Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 614 South Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Phone: 781-784-3600. Email: info@wardsberryfarm.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: Ward\'s Berry Farm is located at 614 South Main Street in Sharon Massachusetts, We are conveniently located off of Route 95. Take Route 95 to exit 8 and head east toward Sharon, the farm is located on the right hand side after about a 12 mile. If your coming from Cobbs Corner, take Route 27 north to Sharon center, go straight through the intersection on South Main Street. Continue for ~3 miles. Once you\'ve past the farm fields, look for our yellow sign on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Ward's Berry Farm Facebook page. Fax: 781-784-1650 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesis located at 614 South Main Street in Sharon Massachusetts, We are conveniently located off of Route 95. Take Route 95 to exit 8 and head east toward Sharon, the farm is located on the right hand side after about a 1/2 mile. If your coming from Cobbs Corner, take Route 27 north to Sharon center, go straight through the intersection on South Main Street. Continue for ~3 miles. Once you've past the farm fields, look for our yellow sign on the left Pick your own Strawberries approximately mid June to July 4 and Blueberries July 4 to the end of August; Pick your own peaches starts mid-August; The hay pyramid is available September 1; The Corn Maze opens around mid-September; Pick your own pumpkin hayrides begin around mid-September and run on the weekends through October 30. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. We are very excited to be offering Farmer's Choice Boxes, our own CSA, again this season! Each week from mid-June through late-September farmer Jim Ward will select a variety of local produce (which is picked fresh right here at in Sharon, MA) to fill the boxes. The contents of the boxes vary from week to week as the season progresses, so not only do you get fresh produce, but you also gain a real feel for our local cycle of crops! Please visit our CSA page on our website for more information. During the winter months, we have an organic box buying program. Each week we arrange set boxes of organic fruits and vegetables for pre-ordering by club members. For more information about our Organic Buying Club, click here
Peaches
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:
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!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
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.
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.
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
Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or
damaged fruit to use immediately.
Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and
freeze them up!
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
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, Most recent data (2020)
Form
Average retail price *3
Preparation yield factor
Size of a cup equivalent
Unit
Average price per cup equivalent
Fresh *1
$1.72
per pound
0.96
0.342
pounds
$0.61
Canned
Packed in juice *2
$2.02
per pound
1
0.540
pounds
$1.09
Packed in syrup or water *3
$1.81
per pound
0.65
0.441
pounds
$1.23
Frozen
$3.39
per pound
1
0.331
pounds
$1.12
Note 1 - The USDA National Nutrient Database for
Standard Reference (SR) reports that the inedible pit of a peach accounts for 4 percent of the retail weight, implying a preparation yield
of 96 percent, when eaten raw.
Note 2 - Consumers are assumed to eat the solid
fruit and drink the juice. All contents of the can are edible and count towards an individual's recommended fruit consumption.
Note 3 - The syrup (or water) is discarded prior
to consumption. Based on the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED), ERS assumes that 65 percent of the can's gross weight is solid and
35 percent is liquid. The FPED cup equivalent weight for canned fruit is the weight of the solids and not of the liquid medium in which it
is packed. The preparation yield factor for canned peaches in the above table does not account for any further preparation that occurs prior
to consumption.
Source: USDA, Economic Research Service calculations from 2020 Circana (formerly Information
Resources, Inc. [IRI]) OmniMarket Core Outlets (formerly InfoScan) data; the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR),
Legacy Release; and the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED) 2017–18 as well as the FPED's accompanying Methodology and User Guide.
---
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.