2024 Central Washington State Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Central Washington State 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

Benton County

• Ray French Orchard - apples, cherries, peaches, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked
  955 Harvest Lane Pr. Ne., Richland, WA 99352. Phone: 509-627-3673. Email: rfrenchorchard@live.com. Open: Starting in June, Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm; Closed Sundays. Directions: from Prosser, WA, Merge onto I-82 towards Richland, Take the Dallas Road exit \(104\), Turn left onto N. Dallas Rd., Turn Right onto Arena Rd., Turn Right onto Kennedy Rd., Turn Right onto N. Harvest lane . Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . from Prosser, WA, Merge onto I-82 towards Richland, Take the Dallas Road exit (104), Turn left onto N. Dallas Rd., Turn Right onto Arena Rd., Turn Right onto Kennedy Rd., Turn Right onto N. Harvest lane Please bring your own boxes

Yakima County

• Thompson's Farm - apples, cherries, peaches, plums, pumpkins, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  9535 Old Naches Highway, Naches, WA 98937. Phone: 509 949 2455. Email: tomfarm@wolfenet.com. Open: see our website for current information. Directions: Located on Highway 12 and is 12 miles west of Yakima, Washington. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Naches is . To get to the farm while traveling west turn right onto Schafer street. This is between a fruitstand, not ours, and a chevron station. Drive about two blocks and you will be at the farm. We are located on the northeast corner of Naches. Thompsons farm market is on Highway 12. When you get to Naches travel past Schafer and we are located on the south side of the highway across from Slims Market. In early June we will have asparagus at the market from the lower Yakima valley and mid June will begin bing cherries from the lower Yakima Valley; We will have our own cherries including u pick starting with bings and then rainiers in late June; We bring produce up from the lower valley all season such as beans, corn and whatever is looking good that day; Apricots will begin around late June; We will also bring Walla Walla onions in during June; In July we will continue with apricots and cherries and will have some peaches from the lower Yakima valley; We have a very large farm garden and supply the market with ripe heirloom tomatoes, summer squash, peppers, and cucumbers; In August we will start to harvest peaches, we have delp hale in mid August then suncrest and white peaches; We will have some pears at the end of August; In early September we have elberta and then in mid September we have ohenry; Mid September also has gala apples followed by golden delicious, red delicious and a few variety apples that continue into October; In October we are harvesting pumpkins; You May check the website for updates during the summerCherry Harvest at the Family Farm Late June through mid July.Peach Harvest at the Family Farm Mid August through mid September. (large variety of peaches with wagon rides to the trees on the weekends).Pumpkin Patch at the Family Farm every weekend in October with famous pumpkin cannon, hayrides, farm animals, u-pick and u-select apples, cornstalks, squash and gourds(UPDATED: August 9, 2023, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on April 18, 2010: "The farm is fantastic, friendly people, easy to find the produce"
• West Valley U-Pick - Uses natural growing practices, apples, blueberries, pears, tomatoes, tomatillos, apricots, marionberriies, peaches, pluots, grapes, apricots and prepicked produce, restrooms
  11901 Zier Road, Yakima, WA 98908. Phone: 509-945-5406. Email: yakimaberries@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm. Directions: We are located in the beautiful West Valley area of Yakima, WA. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  West Valley U-Pick Facebook page. Blueberries and Raspberries July, August and the first two weeks of September Pears Bartlett and Anjou August through early September Apples Gala and Red and Golden Delicious September through October Pumpkins October Garden veggies all summer. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicWe have an area to park your motorhome and large field for camping, a hose for water, and a primitive bathroom, for those who would like to spend the night. Please call for availabilityCrops are usually available in July, August, September, October Cherries: Rainier, Bing, Skeena, and Sour Pie Cherries available for u-pick in early July. Pre-picked cherries are available early-mid July. Important note: all of their u-pick cherries are often all been picked on opening day. Apples: Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Blondee apples are available for u-pick mid-August to October. Note: You can press your own apple cider on their old-fashioned hand-cranked cider presses! The presses are free to use if you buy our apples. We have cider jugs to purchase, or you can bring your own jugs if you prefer.Blueberries - Duke and Chandler blueberries are available in mid-to-late July, Aurora blueberries are available late-July to September. The best picking times are mid-July and mid-August when the most berries are ripe . Peaches - Clingstone peach variety Early Elberta is available for u-pick in late July. Freestone peach varieties Golden Elberta and Red Haven peaches are available in late August. Peaches tend to go quickly,Pears - Bartlet and Danjou pears. Available for u-pick mid-August to mid-September.Pluots - Available for u-pick mid-August to mid-September. Grapes - Assorted varieties of table grapes are available for u-pick straight off the trellises in late August and early September. Guests are also welcome to pick grape leaves at no charge!Marionberries - They have a small number of marionberry bushes for u-pick available in mid-to-late August. Apricots - They have a few small apricot trees for u-pick available in early July. Supplies are very limited, please call ahead of time to inquire for availability.Tomatoes - more than 20 varieties of vine-ripe tomatoes including Roma, Beefsteak, Solar flare, Market, Maria, and other heirloom tomatoes. Available for u-pick mid-August to October.Eggplant - Italian and Asian Eggplant are available for u-pick from early August to late September.Peppers - Assorted varieties of sweet and hot peppers are available for u-pick from late July to late September. Varieties include Jalapeno, Poblano, Habanero, Shishito, Bell, and a few melt-your-face-hot Carolina ReapersTomatillos - available for u-pick late July to October. SWe use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicYou may e-mail us for my phone number, current crops, and picking times. We look forward to seeing you on our farm. We Have Raspberries, Blueberries, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Pluots and . Formerly called All Natural U Pick and Scenic Acres Orchard (UPDATED: August 7, 2023, JBS)
• Wood Orchard - Peaches and limited Nectarines.
  362 Gangl Road, Wapato, WA 98951. Phone: 509-877-4421. Open: July-August-September. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. A visitor writes on June 25, 2013: "Very good Elberta Peaches (Giant and Golden) All Freestone. Elegant ladies and Angeles. Late Standard Elbertas. I freeze and make peach Jam, and the tree ripened peaches are the most flavorfull. You need to call to find out when each will be ready. They also have Walnuts, not u-pick, but from last year's crop (dried on wire rack), "

 

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