2024 Salem and Marion County Oregon Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Salem and Marion County Oregon 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

Marion County

• Ernst Family Farms - corn (sweet), peaches, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, wedding venue,
  3118 Horseshoe Lake Road, Saint Paul, OR 97137. Phone: 503-633-4355. Open: Mid to late August to early September Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm. Directions: Follow the signs to Street Paul, go west a mile and a half on Blanchet Avenue at the Ernst Irrigation store, follow road as it turns into Horseshoe Lake Road \(sign not posted\), Stand and Orchard are at the bottom of a small hill, stand has red tin roof, surrounded by grass fields. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Follow the signs to Street Paul, go west a mile and a half on Blanchet Avenue at the Ernst Irrigation store, follow road as it turns into Horseshoe Lake Road (sign not posted), Stand and Orchard are at the bottom of a small hill, stand has red tin roof, surrounded by grass fields
• Greens Bridge Gardens - apples, blackberries, boysenberries, cucumbers, eggplants, flowers, loganberries, marionberries, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Other fruit or veg,
  3730 Jefferson - Scio Drive Southeast, Jefferson, OR 97352. Phone: 541-327-2995. Email: gbgardens@hotmail.com. Open: Daily 9am to 6pm through Thanksgiving; Follow our facebook page for the most up-to-date u-pick information. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. : From I-5 (north or south) Exit 238 Take a left off the exit, 2 miles into Jefferson, over the bridge. Take a right at the only traffic light in town, over the railroad tracks. approximately 1.5 miles out on your right. Find us at the following Farmer's Markets: Beaverton on Wednesday and Saturday, Lake Oswego on Saturdays, Lebanon on Thursdays, Moreland on Wednesdays. We offer the best fresh produce, fruits, berries and more for your convenient u-pick experience. Bring your own containers. No Pets Please. No Smoking. Availability changes daily. As of 2016; Our apple varieties: Cameo, Braeburn, Spartan, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Winter Banana, Jonagold, Early Fugi, Fugi, Gala, Empire, McIntosh, Cortland, Ruby Jon, Zestar, Gravenstein. Our peach varietioes are: Springcrest, Red Haven, Veteran, Cresthaven, Glowingstar, Coralstar, Elberta, Blushingstar (White Flesh), PF27A, Canadian Harmony, Sweet Cap (Donut Peach), Suncrest, Allstar, Autumnstar. Our tomato varieties: Bobcat, Sweet 100, Romas, Sun Gold, Carolina Gold, Big Beef. Our berries: Marionberry, Boysenberry, Obsidian Blackberry, Loganberry, Tulameen Raspberry, Tayberry, Triple Crown Blackberry, Strawberry. Our pepper varieties: Jalepeno, Serrano, Poblano, Fresno Chili, Anaheim, Sweat Banana, Habanero, Yum Yum Sweet, Green Bell, Super Chili, Cherry Bomb. Our flower varieties: Dahlias, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Asters, Cosmos, Sweet Williams. At, we are dedicated to bringing our customers the finest produce around. U-Picking is available on nearly all the produce we grow. Whether it be strawberries for shortcake tonight, or tomatoes to put-up for the winter, our customers enjoy picking their choice of produce. Enjoy the benefits of picking your groceries directly from the source! It just doesn't get any fresher! (UPDATED: August 28, 2020 JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "Greens Bridge Farm has u-pick strawberries at 80 cents per pound."
• Harpole's Produce - apples, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, boysenberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, flowers, grapes, marionberries, melons, onions, other berries, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, farm animals
  8071 Mount Angel Hwy NE, Silverton, OR 97381. Phone: 503-873-4182. Email: melodyharpole@gmail.com. Open: 7 days a week. Directions: From Salem: Take Silverton road towards Silverton - Turn left on Brush creek road, turn right on Hazelgreen road, turn left on Mount Angel Hwy NE. Farm is about 2 12 mile on left. Fruit stand is visible from the road with flower, plants, and fruit. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . From Salem: Take Silverton road towards Silverton - Turn left on Brush creek road, turn right on Hazelgreen road, turn left on Mount Angel Hwy NE. Farm is about 2 1/2 mile on left. Fruit stand is visible from the road with flower, plants, and fruitCrops are usually available in April through November Usually staffed, but if not then a can is bolted to the stand and the honor system is in place(UPDATED: June 27, 2016, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: " has u-pick strawberries at 75 cents per pound. Harpole's also has you-pick raspberries $1/lb right now. They're just starting to come on. They also still have strawberries, but from the looks of things, only another 2 weeks before they're finished up. "
• Meyer Peach Orchard - peaches,
  5495 Center Street Ne, Salem, OR 97317. Phone: (503) 362-7153. Email: Meyerpeachorchard@hotmail.com. Open: Please call the phone number or visit us on Facebook or our website for updated days and hours of operation. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Meyer Peach Orchard Facebook page. We are open from late July through late August;We have been raising peaches since 1978 and currently have 2 varieties; Red Haven and Veteran. Our peaches are primarily u-pick. The ONLY pyo crops offered are Red Haven and Veteran PeachesRed Haven peach season is typically August 5 to August 12; Veteran peach season is typically August 18 to September 7;.We also offer pre-picked peaches in increments of 5 lbs for walk-up customers or in any quantity for orders placed ahead. Call or text your order. During peach harvest, usually the end of July through the beginning of September, Please call for updates before visiting us as our days and hours can change based on crop availability.(UPDATED: August 19, 2020)
• Mission Bottom Produce - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, peaches, strawberries, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet corn, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, garlic, onions, hot peppers, sweet peppers, carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, paste or Roma tomatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, Other vegetables, sunflowers, zinnias, flowers, Basil, U-pick and already picked, farm market, farm animals
  8553 Ravena Dr N, Salem, OR 97303. Phone: (503) 881-5656. Email: mbproduce@hotmail.com. Open: Call for current hours. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, All credit cards. from the north or south take the Brooks Exit off I-5 head west on Brooklake road travel about 2 miles to Wheatland road turn south and go about half a mile to Ravena Drive North turn West travel about one quarter of a mile and turn south by the sign. Strawberries season is typically May 25 to June 15; Broccoli season is typically all season; cucumbers is typically June 25 through September 30; Corn is typically available July 20 through September 30; Bean season is typically August 1 through September 30; Pepper season is July 15 to October 15; Tomato season is typically July 15 through October 15; Tomatillo season is typically June 15 through October 15; u-cut flowers season is typically July 1 through October 31; Basil season is typically June 15 through October 15; Onion and garlic season is typically June 15 through October 31; Brussel Sprout season is typically September 15 through October 31; Pumpkin patch season is typically September 15 through October 31; Egg are available year round. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsPlease text or call before coming I work off the farm during the week so advanced notice of coming out to the farm is great for all. We will pick to order as well with enough notice. (UPDATED: June 27, 2023)
• Olson Stuart Farms Inc - Cherries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Peaches, Apples, Blueberries, nectarines
  6925 Joseph SE, Salem, OR 97301. Phone: 503-362-5942. Email: info@olsonfarms.com. Open: June 1- September 30; The stand is Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm; U-Pick closes at 5:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions.
  Olson Stuart Farms Inc Facebook page. . See updates on Olson Farms Facebook page5 miles east of I-5 on Highway 22. u-pick, ready pick, pick to order (bring containers and call ahead for u-pick), accepts WIC and senior coupons. U-pick and we-pick fruits. Also have a farmer's market that has other produce and honey that they produce. (a.k.a, Olson Peaches). 2024 price is reported to be $1.90 per pound for blueberries.
  Comments from a visitor on June 13, 2011: "Olson's Farm will have strawberries available after June 16th or 17th - recorded message said they will update by the info by the 15."
• Rick Johnson Farm - apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, strawberries,
  3310 Perkins Street Ne, Salem, OR 97303. Phone: 503-393-0859. Open: Monday thru Saturday 9 am to 6 pm; Closed Sundays; June to November. Directions: Coming from I-5: Take I-5 to exit 263 \(the Brooks exit\). Turn west on Brooklake Road, continue for approximately 1 mile. Turn south \(left\) on River Road, continue to Perkins road, turn left \(east\). Go for 0.8 miles; Rick Johnson Farm is on the right hand side \(south side\). Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Rick Johnson Farm Coming from I-5: Take I-5 to exit 263 (the Brooks exit). Turn west on Brooklake Road, continue for approximately 1 mile. Turn south (left) on River Road, continue to Perkins road, turn left (east). Go for 0.8 miles; is on the right hand side (south side)Farm is located at corner of Perkins St. and 35th just north of Keizer. address is 3310 Perkins St NE Keizer Oregon 97303. Picked Peaches, Apples, Grapes, and Walnuts will also be sold in season. For information about these fruits please call. (UPDATED: June 25, 2020)
  Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2016: "Good old-fashioned family farm with hardworking family members doing 99% of the work. Awesome Peaches--Suncrest (very sweet!), Cresthavens, and Elbertas. Very good prices on u-pick (70 cents/lb). You can also buy already-picked peaches by the lug box (about 15-16 quarts of canned peaches worth) and two smaller box sizes. Also they have cherries, and I'm not sure what else. maybe watermelons? "

 

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