Peaches and other stone fruits like plums, nectarines, and apricots typically ripen locally from late July through early September. Apricots tend to appear first in late July, followed by peaches and plums in early August, and nectarines in late August and into September.
Our Locally Grown Produce harvest guide features U-Pick and farmers’ markets for the entire harvest season.
1. West Wind Farm at Blue Barn Cidery, Hilton
- Apricots: Late July (if weather cooperates)
- Peaches: Mid‑August (multiple freestone varieties)
- Nectarines & Plums: Late August into mid‑September
- Confirm picking availability via their 24/7 hotline (585‑234‑0252) before visiting.
- U‑pick hours run from July through October with weekday and weekend schedules listed online.
2. Hurd Orchards, Holley
- Yellow & White peaches: Late July through early September
- Peen Tau (donut peaches): Mid‑August
- Nectarines & Plums: Late August into September
- A long‑standing favorite in Orleans County for stone fruits and more
3. G & S Orchards, Walworth / Route 286
- Offers freestone peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, plus berries and apples at the farmstand.
- U‑pick stone fruit usually starts in early August; check their schedule or social media before heading out.
- Located ~30 minutes from Rochester; excellent for mixed fruit picking.
4. Robb Farms, Spencerport
- Provides peach picking (often late July into August), along with berries and apple U‑pick in fall.
5. Fisher’s Fruit Farm, Brockport
- U‑pick sweet cherries in July and peaches in August; also cherries, apples, and other berries.
Niagara County Peach Festival — 2025 Details
The 67th Annual Niagara County Peach Festival, hosted by the Lewiston Kiwanis, will take place September 4–7, 2025, at Academy Park (Center Street & 9th Street) in Lewiston, NY.
The festival kicks off Thursday with events such as the Peach Taste-Off and Peach Queen Contest, and concludes Sunday evening with the Peach Queen Finals. Enjoy carnival rides provided by Amusements of America, with advance ride tickets available starting August 19. Complimentary shuttle parking is available off Center Street, with climate-controlled Gray Line shuttles transporting visitors to and from the festival grounds.
Lewiston is a charming village between Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, with plenty of dining and shopping options along Center Street. It’s also the perfect opportunity to plan a Lewiston getaway. Take advantage of the Discover Niagara Shuttle and park outside the village if you’d prefer to avoid traffic.
Tips for picking peaches & nectarines
Thank you to pickyourown.org for these helpful tips!
- Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
- Most peach varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (depending upon your location) from June through September.
- When you get home, put a couple of days’ supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others, and freeze them.
- 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.
- Peaches are ripe if they are still 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 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!
Explore More
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Many of our farms offer a family-fun experience, with hay rides, cider and donuts, and activities for the kids, in addition to apple picking.
There are U-Pick farms all around the Greater Rochester Area. Often times, picking your own product is as much a family adventure as it is entertainment!
22 Fabulous Fall Hikes in Monroe County
My favorite fall hikes offer a variety of landscapes and scenic views, including rivers, forests, and peaceful surroundings.
Where are your favorite spots to pick stone fruit?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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