2024 Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Greensboro Triad Area of North Carolina 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 any state, nor even every 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.

Alamance County

• Buttermilk Creek Farm - blackberries, blueberries, peaches, restrooms, picnic area
  1905 Gwyn Road, Burlington, NC 27217. Phone: 336-212-1997. Email: buttermilkcreek@gmail.com. Open: Please check our website or Facebook page for EXACT opening and closing dates; we are generally open in July and August; When we are open, our hours are Wednesday - Friday: 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday: 7 am to 4 pm, CLOSED Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Directions: Located approximately 12 miles from I-40 north of Burlington. Take University Drive, Exit 140 off of Interstate 4085, Continue on Cook Rd. which becomes University Drive., turn left onto Shallowford Church Rd. \(it will be called Williamson Ave. to the right\), turn left onto Hwy 87 north, turn right onto Altamahaw Union Ridge Rd, \(you are following the signs to \Ace Speedway\"\)". Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, credit/debit cards. turn left onto Altamahaw Church St. \(the post office will be on your right\)

Davie County

• Hilltop Orchard - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, corn (sweet), peaches, U-pick and already picked
  555 Ijames Church Road, Mocksville, NC 27028. Phone: 336-492-7246. Open: call or see their Facebook page for hours and availability. Directions: I40 to exit 170 \(Mocksville\) 601 North toward Yadkinville Turn left on Ijames Church Road Go approximately 1-12 miles Orchard is on the left at the top of the hill. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . I40 to exit 170 (Mocksville) 601 North toward Yadkinville Turn left on Ijames Church Road Go approximately 1-1/2 miles Orchard is on the left at the top of the hill. Early to Mid July through Early August is our typical season. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (UPDATED: May 25, 2016)

Guilford County

• Blueberry Thrill Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, flowers, picnic area
  6938 Eaglesfield Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: 336 449-7246. Email: farmer@blueberrythrillfarm.com. Open: UPDATE for 2020: no apples in 2020, but they will open for pumpkins in October, see their website for hours, dates and availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Blueberry Thrill Farm Facebook page. . We use integrated pest management practices. We grow 20 different varieties of apples that are a carefully selected assortment of the best heritage and commercial varieties available for our climate, including some not available elsewhere. In addition to commercial varieties like Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady, we grow heritage varieties, including two different varieties of Winesaps. Another heritage variety in our orchard is Roxbury Russet which originated with the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. Other heritage varieties include Grimes Golden, which is associated with Johnny Appleseed, and Albemarle Pippins. Pippins were grown by President Thomas Jefferson and President George Washington and are regarded as one the best apples in the world after they ripen in storage for several months. Apple picking (u-pick) is available at the beginning on the seasons. We offer both u-pick and pre-picked. Click here for the apple variety arrival and picking timesPeaches: They grow seven varieties of peaches that ripen over a long period of time. As a general rule, the early peaches are Clingstone. The Freestone peaches start with Redhaven, followed by Fireprince , Winblow, Contender and Flameprince. The early peaches like Rich May ripen at the start of the Pick Your Own Blackberry & Blueberry season, while variety like Winblo and Contender ripen later in the Blackberry & Blueberry season. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS)

Randolph County

• Cedar View Farm - apples, beans, blackberries, broad beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, peas, peaches, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes,
  7466 Richland Church Road, Liberty, NC 27298. Phone: 336-202-7771. Email: poehouses@aol.com. Open: 7 days a week 8am to 6 pm. Directions: Call for directions and availably. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: 336-622-3296. . June Thursday November.
• Millstone Creek Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, pecans , pumpkins, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  506 Parks Crossroad Church Road, Ramseur, NC 27316. Phone: 336-824-5263. Email: info@millstonecreekorchards.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm; Sunday, from 1pm to 5:30pm, June 1 to October 31. Directions: Located at 506 Parks Crossroad Church Road, Ramseur, NC approximately 4 miles east of Ramseur, then right on Parks Crossroad Church Road one mile, farm on right. Located 12 miles east of Asheboro, right on Parks Crossroad Church Road, one mile on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Millstone Creek Orchards Facebook page. . Crop availability: Corn - June-August Cantaloupe, Beans, Watermelon, Squash & Peaches - July & August Tomatoes - June-October Okra - July-September Pears - August-September Apples - August-November Pumpkins - September-November Pecans - November & December. Pumpkin Day, Apple cider, gift shop, tours, hayrides & Pick Your Own fruits & vegetables.

Rockingham County

• Bee Sweet Orchards (formerly Haight Orchards) - apples, peaches, Honey from hives on the farm
  2229 Pannel Road, Reidsville, NC 27320. Phone: 336-427-6933. Open: August 1 to mid - September: Bee Sweet Orchards hours page. Directions: Located at the junction of routes 704 and 65, halfway between Madison and Reidsville. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Bee Sweet Orchards (formerly Haight Orchards) Facebook page. . Ten varieties of apples are available starting late July through approximately mid-September; Please call ahead for availability. Crops are usually available in August, September. No pick your own on peaches but peaches are only available from mid-July through late August. Please call for availability. We have 3 acres of apples, featuring 9 varieties (among them Ginger Gold, Gala, Red & Golden Delicious, Jonagold & Mutsu) and 4 acres of peaches, all of which are freestone. We feature pick your own and already-picked apples usually available from late July/early August thru end August. No pick your own on Mutsu, Early Fuji, McIntosh & Cortland. Our peaches and nectarines are already picked and sold from our barn and usually begin early/mid-July thru late August. We are open seasonally from early/mid- July through the end of August. ~~PEACHES & NECTARINES - We grow 14 varieties of peaches and 5 varieties of nectarines. Almost all are freestone and great for eating, canning or freezing. Please call for availability before you come . NO PICK YOUR OWN. (UPDATED: June 29, 2019, JBS)

 

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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:

1. 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!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
3. 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
4. Now, get ready to make Peach jam or canned peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
    - peach jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on
    - how to make home canned peaches from fresh!
   - Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
   - make your own home canned peach pie filling to use in the winter
5. Here's a great and easy peach pie recipe
   or peach-blueberry pie  or how about
   - peach salsa?
   - Peach chutney
   - Spiced peaches
   - peach butter
   - Peach honey
   - pickled peaches
   - peach syrup
   - peach juice
6. Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes, like easy peach cobbler.
7. If you want more information about the Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC, click here.

Temporary Storage Tips

• 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

 

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.

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers