2024 Southeastern New Hampshire Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern New Hampshire 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! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

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

Rockingham County

• Applecrest Farm Orchards, Inc. - - Apples, strawberries, vegetables, peaches and nectarines, make your own cider, and hayrides
  133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, NH 03844. Phone: 603-926-3721. Email: info@applecrest.com. Open: 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 926-0006 i Pick your own apples or pumpkins, make your own cider, and hayrides thru the orchards in the fall. We even offer a storybook hayride! STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Sunday, June 16, 2013 (10 am to 3 pm). Four rolling acres of juicy berries and a cool spring-fed pond provide the backdrop for a fun-filled day of Pick-Your-Own strawberries, free live bluegrass music, tractor drawn hayrides, face painting, cider donuts and a bevy of strawberry inspired delicacies from our very own scratch kitchen and bakery. Our Fall festivals launch on the first weekend in September and run from 11 am to 5 pm, both Saturday and Sunday, every weekend, through the end of October. Here's what you can expect: Pick-Your-Own Apples, Raspberries, Peaches & Pumpkins. Cut-your-own flowers too! FREE live Folk and Bluegrass music (1 pm - 5 pm. Old-Fashioned ice cream barn with 25 local-made flavors featuring our own grown-on-the-farm fruits. Horse-drawn Hayrides (10 am to 4:45 pm). Children's Petting Zoo (10 am to 4:45 pm). Face Painting & Balloons. Pie Eating Contests. Apple Pie & Ice Cream. Old-Fashioned Hot Cider Donuts. Make-your-own Scarecrow. Our Famous Corn Roast featuring: grilled gourmet sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, fire-roasted corn, Maine clam chowder, fresh pressed apple cider and more. Early September is always a great time to Pick-Your-Own, as we have FOUR great offerings to choose from: Apples, Pumpkins, Raspberries & Peaches. A visitor writes on September 22, 2020: "Apples were $30/peck PYO"
• Monahan Farm - Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, green beans, corn, and squash.
  2 South Road, East Kingston, NH 03827. Phone: 603-642-8186. Open: mid-June-September, call for hours. Click here for a map and directions. Monahan Farm Phone:, operational during farm season
• Oliver Merrill and Sons LLC - apples, peaches, berries, vegetables and eggs, Farm market, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  5569 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH 03053. Phone: 603-622-6636. Email: merrillfarmsnh@gmail.com. Open: See their website for current hours. Click here for a map and directions. Apples, peaches, pears, raspberries, other fruits and vegetables. PYO.

Strafford County

• Demeritt Hill Farm - apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  66 Lee Road (route 155), Lee, NH 03861. Phone: (603) 868-2111. Email: info@demeritthillfarm.com. Open: See our website or call the store to get our current days and hours. Directions: Merge onto I-95 N toward N.H.Maine \(Portions toll\). Take the US-4RT-16 exit- Exit 4- on the left toward N.H. LakesWhite Mts.Spaulding Turnpike. Merge onto NH-16 NSpaulding Turnpike \(Portions toll\). Merge onto US-4 W via EXIT 6W toward US-202Dover PointConcord. Take the RT-155A ramp toward University of New HampshireDurham. Turn right onto NH-155A. Turn right onto Lee RoadNH-155. DeMeritt Hill Farm is on the right side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Merge onto I-95 N toward N.H./Maine (Portions toll). Take the US-4/RT-16 exit- Exit 4- on the left toward N.H. Lakes/White Mts./Spaulding Turnpike. Merge onto NH-16 N/Spaulding Turnpike (Portions toll). Merge onto US-4 W via EXIT 6W toward US-202/Dover Point/Concord. Take the RT-155A ramp toward University of New Hampshire/Durham. Turn right onto NH-155A. Turn right onto Lee Road/NH-155. is on the right side of the road. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November, December Hosting your next school tour is our specialty! We have hosted hundreds of schools from all over New England with various themes. There is no group that is too large or too small. Each year, over four thousand school children visit our farm and walk away with their own positive memories. Our tour guides all have years of experience teaching children of all ages and abilities. We look forward to booking your next fall school trip
  Comments from a visitor on September 26, 2009: "My husband and I took our daughter to this farm. She's almost 3 years old. It is FANTASTIC! There's not only the pick-your-own there, but a few animals, and a playground better than most parks in the area. We will take her again-- we enjoyed it, too. "
  Comments from a visitor on January 10, 2009: "I love this farm, established in 1820 by the DeMeritt Family, it is so interesting and it FEELS so NH (I should know as a native..). The shops goods are incredible, the apples delicious and wonderful views for our family when we go apple picking! My husband and I walk their all the time with our dog, we bring all our friends from Germany here, and we just love it."
• Ridge Runner's Farm - Flowers, raspberries, blueberries, peaches & nectarines, fresh dug perennials
  16160 Ridge Road Top, New Durham, NH 03855. Phone: 603-859-7840. Email: ridgerunnersfarm@gmail.com. Open: Tuesday through Sunday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; they expect to stay open through the first week of September, but conditions can always change, so always call ahead. Click here for a map and directions.
  Ridge Runner's Farm Facebook page. Note: 2013 will be their last year in business. See this news story(UPDATED: August 18, 2013)
• Tuts Blueberries - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, restrooms
  64 Bolan Rd, Milton, NH 03851. Phone: (603) 652-8380. Email: tutsblueberries51@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm, from July1 to October1. Directions: Spaulding turnpike exit 17E,east on route 175 1 mile, left on route 125 north 4 miles right on Bolan road one half mile the farm is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Blueberry picking is usually July 15 to September 1;. We use integrated pest management practices(ADDED: August 05, 2021) (ADDED: July 01, 2015)

 

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:

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, 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.

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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