2024 Orange County in Southeast NY Apricot U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apricot U-Pick Orchards in Orange County in Southeast NY in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apricots that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apricots 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.

Orange County

• Lawrence Farms Orchards - Apples, strawberries, sweet and tart cherries, vegetables, Peaches, Sweet Corn, Grapes, Prunes, raspberries, Plums, apricots, currants, Pears, peas, greens,
  39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh, NY 12550. Phone: 845-562-4268. Email: jlaw614@aol.com. Open: spaces, well-groomed picking areas, play area, farm animals, and a corn maze in summer. Click here for a map and directions.
  Lawrence Farms Orchards Facebook page. . Our Spring/Summer Pick Your Own season begins with fresh, juicy, sweet strawberries, usually starting in mid-June. During this season we also offer for picking English Shelling Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, several Lettuce varieties, Beets and Greens, Red and Black Currants, and Gooseberries. Toward the end of June we also have Pick Your Own Sweet and Tart Cherries. We open of our Summer/Fall Pick Your Own season in mid-August for tree ripened Peaches, Sweet Corn, and early variety of Apples Throughout the fall season we offer later ripening varieties of Apples, as well as Seedless and Table Green Beans, Tomatoes, many varieties of Hot and Sweet Peppers, Cabbages, Beets, Spinach, Eggplant, Broccoli, and Pumpkins. please call or check our "Plan Your Trip" page first for crop availability (Note: They have a comprehensive harvest calendar on their website). Weather conditions sometimes change picking schedules and availability. 2022 Admission:$7 Monday to Thursday and $10 Friday, Saturday and Sunday (children under 2 free) Season passes available. Time: 9am; 4pm Daily. Our available apple varieties are Honey Crisp, Cortland, Fuji, Macoun, Ozark Gold, Macintosh, Aceymac, Jonamac, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Mutsu, Autumn Gala, Cameo, Idared, Sun Crisp, Fortune, Northern Spy, Rome, Stayman Winesap, Candy Crisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn. We also have Concord Niagara Grapes, and Pears. Our vegetables are tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kale, beans, Sweet corn, zucchini, zucchini flowers, squash, cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, beet greens, spinach, and Pumpkins. We will be here everyday from 9-4. We look forward to seeing all of our amazing customers. (UPDATED: September 24, 2022, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 09, 2012: (positive) "I was hesitant after reading some negative reviews about Lawrence Farms Orchard (ed: on other websites) in Newburgh NY but I'm so glad we gave it a try anyway. The staff were friendly and helpful. The fruit and vegetables were plentiful and reasonably priced. The farm is beautiful. The children's village is really creative and the kids loved it. All around a great experience!"
  Comments from a visitor on July 01, 2010: (positive) "Just got back from a fantastic visit at Lawrence Farm Orchards and I cannot say enough wonderful words about our trip. Called in the morning to confirm what was available for picking. The owner was very specific about crop availability (spinach, peas (all kinds) lettuce, zucchini, and limited raspberries and gooseberries. He apologized for not having more fruit available which was unnecessary as we completely understand crops vary from day to day. I must say that the one previous negative review of the farm was a concern, but we took the chance and made the 40 minute trip to the farm and boy are we glad we did. When we arrived at the farm, he took the time to point out all areas of the farm as well as location of the crops and to go over when new crops would be ready for pick your own. The vegetables were magnificent. I have never seen lettuce that big and healthy before. The zucchini were also quite large and the spinach was also A+. He even told us we were more the welcome to verify the raspberry bushes if interested. The prices were great. The farm is huge with a variety of animals to look at and feed including goats, swans, chickens, ducks, and horses (though you can only really feed the swans/ducks and goats. The farm also has a great old fashioned children's village with wooden houses and interior furniture. Our children 5, 3, and 2 did not want to leave. As well as a quaint farm stand with wonderful jellies, jams, and other homemade goods. They also have food including pizza, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream, cider doughnuts, etc. to snack. We left with enough peas, spinach, lettuce, and zucchini to last quite some time and were amazed how cheap it all was. 10 pounds of zucchini, 2 pounds of spinach, 1 pound of peas, and a head of lettuce - 22 dollars - how can you go wrong. They have an abundance of crops for pick your own (in late July/early august they often have 12 different fruits and vegetables to pick) and also give you the option of filling out postcards which they mail letting you know when peaches, apples, strawberries, and Christmas trees are ready for picking. We will most definitely be back to Lawrence farms and everyone is looking forward to it. I highly recommend this farm as it has quickly become a family favorite. I am surprised someone had such a bad experience with Lawrence Farms because they were so welcoming, helpful and genuine. If you have the opportunity to visit, especially with kids, this is one place not to miss."
  Comments from a visitor on May 24, 2010: (positive)) "I have visited about four times a year for the last three years and been very happy. It is a wonderfully kid-friendly location with big open It is far enough away from the city that it doesn't turn into a complete zoo like Westchester farms. It is true that cheaper farms can be found for adults who are doing serious picking, but for a great day with the family (especially with young kids) this user-friendly farm is a fantastic option."
• Ochs Orchard - apples, apricots, beans, blackberries, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, kale, nectarines, other berries, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, petting zoo, farm animals
  4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY 10990. Phone: (845) 986-1591. Email: JKOchs1591@gmail.com. Open: Typical season is June through December every day 9am to 6pm; Farm market open January through May, please call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Ochs Orchard Facebook page. . . Strawberries June Cherries late June to early July Blueberries July to August Blackberries July to August Peaches July to September Veggies August to October Apples Late August to October Pumpkins September to October. We are best known for our spectacular views. Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and while you are picking in the orchard, enjoy. Our petting zoo has ducks, miniature goats, "Misty" the Sicilian donkey and "Eeyore" the miniature donkey. On the weekends, we have a variety of baked goods & pies. We offer a wide variety of our own homemade ice cream. Many flavors made from fruits we grow right here. On weekends in the fall, we also provide hot food from our eatery with-in the store. Come on in to our beautiful room with tables & chairs to enjoy your lunch. Also, near the farm market you can enjoy our Pick-Your Own flower garden. The butterflies are waiting for you! Typical (emphasis on typical) harvest start dates (month / day) for our varieties are Jersey Mac 8/13; Zesta 8/20; Ginger Gold 8/25; Pristine 8/25; Paula Red 9/01; Jonamac 9/09; Gala 9/09; Honey Crisp 9/10; Tsugaru 9/12; R.I. Greening 9/12; McIntosh 9/12; Cortland 9/18; Macoun 9/25; Red Delicious 9/25; Empire 9/27; Golden Delicious 10/10; Cameo 10/10; Spigold 10/15; Jonagold 10/15; Mutsu/Crispin 10/15; Rome 10/22; Fuji 10/25; Stayman 10/25. (UPDATED: June 03, 2020)

 

Apricot Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S., Apricots typically peak from June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce good local apricots, 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 apricots for home canning, see this page!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Apricots 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 apricots, 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 Apricots on top of each other will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers, so you can spread them out.
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 apricots are! There are two major types of apricots: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone apricots 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 apricot 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. 

How to tell if the apricots are ripe!

• Attached to the tree: Apricots are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Apricots 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 apricot is. Different apricot 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 apricots very firm, pick your apricots with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Apricots at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Apricots won't ripen very much after picking!
• Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!

Tips on How to Pick Apricots

A apricot is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a apricot gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.  Grab the apricot firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the apricot into the basket, but set it in gently!

Marks on the Apricots: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the apricot. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit.  These look like dents in the apricots if the apricots were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the apricot. There's nothing wrong with these apricots. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free apricots, and it's better not to have the pesticides!

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 apricots 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 Apricot jam or canned apricots - It is VERY easy - especially with our free  directions and recipes:

Apricot Canning, Freezing and Recipes

• How to make Apricot jam
• Canning apricots
• How to freeze apricots
• Here are some great and easy apricot desert recipes, like easy apricot cobbler.

How much do you need?

Raw measures:

• About 6 medium apricots = 1 cup sliced apricots.
• About 4 medium apricots = 1 cup pureed apricot.
• 1 pound fresh apricots = 8 to 12 whole fruits

Process yields (Raw amounts to processed amounts)

• 2 to 21/2 pounds of fresh apricots yields 1 quart canned
• 2-1/2 pounds fresh apricots = 2 to 3 pints frozen
• 1 lb of fresh apricots typically yields 3 cups of peeled, sliced apricots or 2 cups or puree.
• It takes about 5 good sizes apricots or nectarines (or about 10 plums) to fill one quart jar of canned apricots.
• An average of 17 -1/2 pounds of fresh apricots 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.

Apricots-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Canned Apricots

• 16-ounce can apricots = 2 cups drained

Dried Apricots

• 6 pounds fresh apricots = 1 pound dried apricots
• 1 pound dried apricots = 2-3/4 cups
• 1 pound dried apricots = 5 cups cooked
• 6 ounces dried apricots = 1 cup
• 6 ounces dried apricots = 2 cups cooked

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