June 12, 2023 Healthy Living

The 22 best farms to pick your own fruits in upstate NY

Having an understanding of where your food comes from is part of a healthy lifestyle. Pick-your-own farms (PYO) and orchards provide the experience and satisfaction of harvesting your own produce and enable you to bring the farm-to-table concept to your home. More importantly, they offer a fun, cost-effective activity the entire family can enjoy.

Pick-Your-Own Tips

A little planning ahead can help you make the most of your PYO trip.

  • Always call ahead to confirm that the farm has what you want.
  • Take snacks and plenty of water.
  • Dress in comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. This goes for shoes, too.
  • Practice safe sun (e.g., wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses).
  • Be aware of farm rules (PYO minimum, no pets, etc.).
  • Save money by bringing your own containers. Farms will typically weigh them, place a sticker on them, and deduct the weight of the containers from the weight of the crops.

Where to Go, What to Pick

To help you navigate the PYO world, CDPHP® compiled the following list of local farms and orchards that offer this unique opportunity, as well as a guide to which fruits and veggies are available when and some seasonal recipes you can make with your newly acquired bounty. Please note that this list is not comprehensive. For a better idea of what each location offers, visit their website.

pyo_june

The month of June is when the upstate New York growing season really gets underway. Look for strawberries, rhubarbs, cherries, and snap peas, among other delicacies.

Featured FarmFeatured CropCounty
Altamont OrchardsStrawberriesAlbany
Samascott OrchardsRhubarbColumbia
Kelder’s FarmSnap PeasUlster
Buhrmaster Family FarmsStrawberriesSchenectady
Hand Melon FarmStrawberriesWashington

Featured Recipes: Strawberries and Cream, Cherry-Walnut Tart, Rhubarb Applesauce

pyo_july


Nothing says summer like ripe, fresh tomatoes. Raspberries and blackberries are also at their prime. Pie, anyone?

Featured FarmFeatured CropCounty
Sand Flats OrchardBlueberriesMontgomery
Gardenworks FarmBlueberriesWashington
Bellinger’s OrchardTart CherriesMontgomery
Bowman OrchardsBlackberriesSaratoga
Dubois FarmsSquashColumbia
Cashin’s FarmRaspberriesMontgomery

Featured Recipe: Raspberry & Kale Smoothie

pyo_august

Blueberries and sweet corn – two more summer essentials that you can find throughout New York state. Round out your August harvest with cucumbers and pears.

Featured FarmFeatured CropCounty
Kelder’s FarmCucumbersUlster
Indian Ladder FarmsBlueberriesAlbany
Out of the Blue Berry FarmBlueberriesFulton
Dubois FarmsTomatoesColumbia
Bohringer’s Fruit FarmSweet CornSchoharie
Winney’s FarmBlueberriesWashington

Featured Recipes: Lemon-Tarragon Grilled Corn, Blueberry-Apricot Shake

pyo2_sep

Apples – practically synonymous with New York state – are ready for the picking starting in September. You can also still find squash and grapes. Read our other blog for even more pick-your-own apple orchard locations listed by county.

Featured FarmFeatured CropCounty
Hurds Family FarmRaspberriesUlster
Samascott OrchardsSquashColumbia
Kristy’s BarnApplesRensselaer
Heller’s FarmGrapesColumbia
Windy Hill OrchardApplesRensselaer
Rogers Family OrchardsApplesFulton
Prospect Hill OrchardsApplesUlster

Featured Recipes: Baked Cod with Summer Squash, Carrot-Apple Slaw

pyo_oct

It’s officially fall, and that means pumpkins and more pumpkins! Several varieties of peppers are also still available.

Featured FarmFeatured CropCounty
Hand Melon FarmsPeppersWashington
Hay Berry FarmPumpkinsRensselaer

Featured Recipes: Spinach Pasta with Avocado-Pumpkin Seed Pesto, Grilled Asparagus & Peppers with Orange-Balsamic Dressing

Take Your Pic(k)

Calling all shutterbugs/PYO enthusiasts! We invite you to post a photo of your recent PYO trip to your favorite social media outlet and tag CDPHP.

Alexa Kerins
About the Author

Alexa is a senior communications consultant at CDPHP who plans, writes, and edits communications for a variety of projects. She is an eternal optimist who likes good food, fun exercise classes, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends. You can often find her obsessing over her mini golden doodle and uttering cheesy quotes like “you’re the bee’s knees” and “team work makes the dream work."

2 Responses to “The 22 best farms to pick your own fruits in upstate NY”

  1. Mary Pratt

    https://www.saratogaapple.com/

    They have you-pick apples and have allowed this for decades.

    Please add Saratoga Apple to your list.

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