On a daily basis, it’s perfectly acceptable to wander into Wegmans and grab some fruit along with the other groceries on your list. But it’s so much more fun to head to the farm and pick some yourself! Luckily 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. Keep an eye on the websites, or sign up for a newsletter, to find out exactly when picking actually begins and ends. For now, here is a rough guide to each delicious season:
U-Pick Strawberries
June 5 – June 20
Here are a few places you can pick your own strawberries, and festivals where you can taste everything from jams to shortcake to strawberry wine.
U-Pick Cherries
July 1 – July 31
Here are a few places you can pick your own cherries near Rochester. The season runs mostly in July, but start checking in late June and call before going.
U-Pick Raspberries
Early: July 5 – July 21; Fall & Everbearing: August 15 – September 30
Here are a few places around Rochester you can pick your own raspberries, starting in July with the early varieties. Fall varieties ripen in late August.
U-Pick Stone Fruit
July 20 – September 1
Peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots (stone fruit) hit their prime mid-August-mid-September. Here are a few places you can pick your own.
U-Pick Blueberries
August 1 – September 10
August is blueberry month! Here are a few places around Rochester you can pick your own blueberries.
U-Pick Grapes
September 1 – September 30
My family has been going to Jerome’s U-Pick Grapes nearly every year for 20 years. To avoid the crowds, go the weekend after the Naples festival.
U-Pick Apples
September 1 – October 15
Many of our farms offer a family-fun experience, with hay rides, cider & donuts and activities for the kids, in addition to pick your own apples.
U-Pick Pumpkins
September 15 – October 31
It’s so much more than simply buying a pumpkin. It’s about family time on the farm, with wagon rides, hot cider & donuts, corn maizes, and games.
U-Pick Christmas Trees
December.
Of course, you don’t eat these, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to pick your own tree on the farm! One of the most popular family traditions in December is decorating the Christmas tree. If you’re hunting for the perfect real tree, this list is for you.
U-Pick Marshmallows
Just kidding! But wouldn’t that be fun?
Where are your favorite U-Pick farms?
Share with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!