2024 Southwest Michigan Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Peach U-Pick Orchards in Southwest Michigan 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
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guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.
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Allegan County
A.W. Overhiser Orchards - cherries (sweet and tart), peaches, pears, plums, apples NW corner of 64th Street and 109th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 616-836-3298. Email: awo@i2k.com. Open: July through October, daily, from 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. I-196 to Exit 26 (109th Avenue Pullman Rd.) E 3.5 mi. to 64th St, right on NW corner. Family owned and operated for over 150 years raising tree fruit. Over 300 acres of farmland that include cherries (sweet and tart) and we do the pitting for you. School groups are welcome to visit the farm in fall. Apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin picking and cider tasting make for a fun packed trip to the farm. Farm Market address is 6405-109th Ave., South Haven, MI 49090. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS) Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2011: "We spent the day at Overhiser Orchards picking cherries. The orchards are large and beautiful, the fruit is delicious and the staff is very friendly and knowledgable( they even stayed late on a Saturday evening so we could keep picking.) It is also the least expensive orchard we've encountered so far. Great experience, we will definitely be going back for peaches and plums. "
Crane Orchards Upick - apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze 6054 124th (M-89), Fennville, MI . Phone: 616-561-8651. Open: in early September depending on the season, call for dates. Directions: Located in west Michigan between South Haven and Saugatuck. Click here for a map and directions. . U-Pick has 15 varieties of apples to pick in season. Hayrides on weekends in Oct. and a corn maze 10 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Close in late Oct. Take I-196 Exit 34, go E 4 miles on S side of the road, located with Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant at 6054 124th (M-89), Fennville. PIE PANTRY, FRESH FRUIT AND ORCHARDS, BAKERY and RESTAURANT, WINERY, TASTING BAR, WEDDINGS, EVENTS (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS) (UPDATED: July 12, 2011, by a visitor)
Dutch Farm Market - apples, cherries, peaches, plums, 6967 109th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 616-637-8334. Email: braak@shps.org. Open: mid-May - July 4, 9 am to 6 pm July 5-Labor Day, 8 am to 7 pm Labor Day-October 31, 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Click here for a map and directions. . or use their contact page. U-pick. Retail market/bakery complete with already-picked fruits and vegetables. Ice cream, baked goods, pies, jams and jellies. Picnic area. Buses welcome Click here for harvest datesN of South Haven on I-96, Exit 26 (Pullman Rd.) is a family run farm/business specializing in homegrown fruits and vegetables. Fruit pies and bakery items are another specialty of the market. Easy on/off highway access, picnic area, and public restrooms available. Ice cream shop available along with Dutch treats. ((UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
Berrien County
Fruit Acres Farm Market and U-Pick - Apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides 2789 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone: (269) 468-5076. Email: fruitacres@iserv.net. Open: Farm Market is open daily from 9am to 7pm, June through October; U-Pick is open most weekends July through October from 10am to 5pm. Directions: I-94 in Southwest Michigan at Coloma Exit #39 Farm Market at Exit. Ask there for U-Pick Directions . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October. Big Black Sweet Cherries July 1-10 Sour Pie Cherries July 7-16 Early Peaches July 23-31 Freestone Peaches August 1-September 15 White Flesh Peaches August 20-September 10 Baby Gold type Cling Peaches August Early Apples July 20-August 30 Fall Apples September 1-October 25 Large assortment of locally grown fruits and vegetables in our farm market. Sweet Fall Apple Cider.
Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm - u-pick cherries, apricots, raspberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins, hayrides 1850 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone: 616-468-3075. Email: info@jollayorchards.com. Open: May 1-Thanksgiving, daily, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm Harvest Festival weekends in September and October, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. Directions: Exit 39 off I-94, turn left and go 2 miles to 1850 Friday Road, Coloma. . Click here for a map and directions. Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm Facebook page. . Fresh market with bakery, jams and jellies, other specialty items. Picnic area, animal farm and playground for fun activities. Fall Harvest Festival offers hayrides, children's activities and pumpkin patch(UPDATED: February 26, 2019, JBS) Experience the fun at Jollay Orchards, play in the old western town, amaze in the corn maze and fright in the haunted house, throw a line into the fishing pond and hike around the orchards.
Lehmans Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, cherries, red currants, black currants, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Nectarines, Blueberries, Blackberries, Plums, ​Peaches, ​Tomatoes, Peppers, ​Pears, Sweet Cherries, Tart Cherries, Gooseberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food 2280 Portage Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: 269-683-9078. Email: stevelecklider@aol.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm, from late May through October; Off season hours open every day from 12 pm to 5 pm November, December, closed January, February, March then open in April and May. Directions: coming from Chicago, Take I80-90 Toll Road east to exit 72. Drive north on bypass 31 into Michigan, turn right on US12 and head east one mile. Turn right on Portage Road and head south one mile, the red farm house is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Lehmans Orchard Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 574-286-7815Fax: We use integrated pest management practicesPick your own tart cherry and blueberry starting around July 1; Please check website or phone for current pick your own information. Also visit our farm winery/cidery/farm stand during the season. We are always adding interesting products and crops(UPDATED: August 28, 2023, JBS)
Lemon Creek Fruit Farm - cherries, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, plums, apples and grapes 533 E Lemon Creek, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Phone: 269-471-1321. Email: farm@lemoncreekwinery.com. Open: June to November, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday from 12 to 6 pm. Directions: 6 miles E of Red Arrow Hwy. at Bridgman, 5 miles west of Berrien Springs on Lemon Creek Rd. U-pick available for cherries, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, plums, apples and grapes in season. . Click here for a map and directions. See this page for when fruits are typically available to pick. Free wine tasting, picnic area, festivals, Father's Day Festival, home wine makers welcome.
McCartney Farm - nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears and apples 2537 Hillandale Road, Sodus, MI 49126. Phone: 269-944-1862. Open: August 15 for nectarines and peaches, early September for pears and late Sept. Directions: Located in the Benton Harbor-St. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears and a variety of apples-Oct. for apples, seven days a week, 9 am to 5 pm Call for availability on fruit and pricesTake I-94 to Exit 30, E on Napier Avenue, approx. 2-1/2 miles to Hillandale Road. Then south for 1 mile Our farm is 90 minutes east of Chicago, . Joseph, Michigan area. Comments from a visitor on July 12, 2008: "We've been going to this farm for many years now and it's always clean, trees are labeled nicely, and supervised children are welcome to pick the fruit. Prices are very reasonably, also. Definitely worth the trip every year."
Nye's Apple Barn and Farms - apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries 3151 Niles Avenue (m63), Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Phone: (269) 429-0596. Email: amthompson8@hotmail.com. Open: Please call ahead for dates; The season varies from year to year; Hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm Daily. Directions: Exit 27 from I-94. Coming from Chicago: Turn left, cross over bridge, market is on the right. From Detroit: Turn right, market is on the right. . Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: (269) 208-2344 Grape varieties: Fredonia, Niagara, Concord (all available at discount quantities). Apples are usually ready from September 27 to October 13, from 9:00-5:00 Michigan time.
Prillwitz Fruit Farm - apples, blueberries, sweet cherries, tart cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, apple cider and pumpkins. 7196 E. Main Street, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Phone: 269-461-6720. Open: Daily June through October call for hours. Directions: Located 1 mile outside Eau Claire on Main Street. Click here for a map and directions. Daily June through October (call for hours). Family owned and operated for over 60 years. True, authentic, down-home and refreshingly real. Grown and sold right on the farm, including sweet and tart cherries, peaches, plums (dunkelberg, damson and stanley prune), blueberries, grapes, apples, cider and pumpkins. U-Pick or already picked available. . 11 miles from the I-94 Exit or 11 miles north of Niles. (ADDED: June 30, 2016, JBS)
Shafer Orchards - peaches, apples, grapes (Concord), pumpkins, squash and gourds Shafer Road, Baroda, MI . Phone: 269-422-1972. Email: shafer@parrett.net. Open: August 10-October 20, daily, 9 am to 7 pm, Michigan time of course. Click here for a map and directions. U-pick five varieties of peaches, 10 varieties of apples, grapes (Concord), many sizes and shapes of pumpkins, squash and gourds. Dawn Redwood and Ginko Biloba treesFrom Chicago, take I-94 E to Michigan Exit 16. Turn right onto Red Arrow Hwy. At stop light in Bridgman, turn right onto Lake-Shawnee and continue 5 miles to Hills Road; turn right on Hills Road. go 1/4 mile to Shafer. Turn left to 207 Shafer Road, Baroda. The Shafer Farm LLC (formerly) is a peach, apple, and grape u-pick. A visitor writes on August 24, 2013: "Took my family of 7 peach picking at Shafers - DELICIOUS! The trees were full and just right for little ones. "
Springhope Farm - apples, peaches, pumpkins, hayrides, picnic area 18720 Cleveland Avenue, Galien, MI 49113. Phone: 269-545-8313. Email: bobwoods@triton.net. Open: late July-October 31, 6 days a week closed Wednesday, 10 am to 7 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . is a family friendly orchard with peaches, u-pick and ready-picked apples and pumpkins. The farm store also features a variety of farm fresh vegetables, cut flowers and dried gourds. We have a picnic area available and hayrides to the apple orchard on the weekendslate July-October 31, 6 days a week (closed Wednesday), 10 am to 7 pmFrom I-94, Exit at 4A (Hwy. 12). Travel E to Galien, turn right (S) on Cleveland Avenue at yellow flashing light. Go 1-1/2 miles to 18720 Cleveland (on the right.) Our orchard features apples, sweet cherries and peaches. So if you're looking for U-picked or ready picked apples and ready-picked peaches we are your connection in the country! Our farm store offers home grown and locally grown vegetables, dried gourds and cut flowers. (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS) Comments from a visitor on September 22, 2008: "We loved it. It was a nice farm they have someone to pick you up, so you don't have to carry your apples. The apple trees are close so if you want to walk you can. The atmosphere was so nice. they were so friendly and accommodating. We go apple picking every year, this was my first time at Springhope, ( I found them online) it was very good experience. I will be going back, we really had a good time picking apples. They have some of the best tasting apples I ever had and we eat alot of apples. "
Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic - Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, apricots, red and black blackberries, grapes, and hayrides 7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, MI . Phone: 269-471-1401. Open: 9 am to 6 pm everyday except Sundays; Early June to late October. Click here for a map and directions. Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic Facebook page. U-Pic Schedule: Dates are TENATIVE, please call for availability! Strawberries: June - July; Sweet Cherries June - July; Tart Cherries: June - July; Red and Black Raspberries: June - July; Blackberries: July - August; Apricots July - August; Blueberries: July - August; Peaches July - September; (Red Haven, Crest Haven, Glo Haven, Baby Gold, Red Skins); Fall Red Raspberries: September - October; Pumpkins: September - October; Grapes September - October; Apples September - October; (Molly Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Red Rome, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonathan, Mutsu and others). Stovers has hayrides in October(UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)
Eaton County
Atlas Orchards - apples, blueberries, peaches, 3400 Maurer Rd, Charlotte, MI 48813. Phone: (586) 339-4133. Email: Barcnich@gmail.com. Open: Fruit season July - November 8 am to 9 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, CashApp, PayPal, Venmo. Easy off of I69 to Fivepoint or Broadway. Cherries June Blueberries July-August PEACHES August Apples August- November(ADDED: July 28, 2023)
Kalamazoo County
Verhage Farms - apples, cherries, peaches, hayrides, pumpkins 8619 W M L Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49065. Phone: 616-375-0153. Open: for approximately 8 weeks, September 5-Nov. Click here for a map and directions. . We have: u-pick apples, already picked apples, homemade cider (non-pasteurized), homemade donuts (12 varieties), homemade caramel apples (5 varieties), Country Store - homemade jams, hayrides, pumpkin jump, animal barn, school tours and picnic area. We are open 5, 10 am to 6 pmIn Kalamazoo, go W on Stadium Dr. to 6th Street (turn right). Go to the end of 6th and turn left on "ML", go over railroad tracks, 1/2 mile on left to 8619 West "ML" Avenue
Van Buren County
Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. - apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, U-pick and already picked, farm market, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours 60139 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071. Phone: 269-668-3724. Email: info@schultzfruitridgefarm.com. Open: Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 Sunday 10 am to 5 U - pick is finished 12 hour before closing Call for holiday Hours: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 Sunday 10 am to 5 U - pick is finished 1/2 hour before closing Call for holiday Hours: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day
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.