U-Pick Farms: How Pick-Your-Own Works and When to Go
4 min read
Pick-your-own farms, also called u-pick, let you walk the field and harvest fruit yourself. It is cheaper than buying picked, the fruit could not be fresher, and it makes a great outing. Here is how it works.
How u-pick works
You arrive, grab a container or bucket the farm provides, and head to the rows they have opened for picking that day. When you are done, you pay by the pound or by the container at the stand. Some farms charge a small entry fee that goes toward your picking.
What to bring
- Closed-toe shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty
- Sun protection and water for hot days
- Cash, though many farms now take cards
- Your own containers if the farm allows, which some do
When each crop is ready
- Strawberries: late spring, roughly April through June
- Blueberries and cherries: June and July
- Peaches and blackberries: July and August
- Apples: late August through October
- Pumpkins: September and October
Seasons run earlier in the South and later in the North, and a single farm's window can be short, so timing matters.
Call before you go
U-pick availability depends on the weather and how much has already been picked. Fields can close for a few days to ripen. Check the farm's website or call ahead. Find u-pick farms near you by state.