2024 Southern Tier of New York State Bean U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Bean U-Pick Orchards in Southern Tier of New York State in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for beans that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have beans 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Broome County

• North Windsor Berries - beans, beets, blackberries, cucumbers, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, school tours
  1609 NY Rte 79, Windsor, NY 13865. Phone: 607-655-2074. Email: NWBLTitus@aol.com. Open: Sunday Through Saturday 9am to 6pm from mid June to October 31st; Please see website for additional seasonal hours. Directions: From Binghamton: 17 East to Exit 79. Make a left off from exit. Farm is 1.5 miles on the Right. From Deposit: 17 West to exit 79. Make a right off from the exit. Go to the light and make a left. Farm is 1 mile on the right. From Sydney: Take 88 West to Exit 6 Harpursville. Make a left off the exit onto rte 79. Farm is approximately 9 miles on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. . Payment: cash, check, credit or debit ($15 minimum for cards). Children are allowed in fields but MUST be accompanied by an adult. U Pick Fruit and Vegetables include Berries, Green Beans, Peas, Summer Squash, Peppers, Onions, Tomato's, Beets, Kale, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Brussel Sprouts and More(UPDATED: September 9, 2023, JBS)

Chemung County

• Bradley Farms - Peppers, snap beans, tomatoes
  1543 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904. Phone: 607-732-0561. Email: bradleyfarms@aol.com. Open: daily 9am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Bradley Farms Facebook page. zombie safari paintball is a new attraction this fall season it will join The house of lost souls and trail of terror as part of the Haunted Empire events. Every Spring we open our greenhouses with a beautiful selection of hanging baskets and bedding plants, into the summer months the farm market store offers fresh produce, which leads up to our spooktacular fall harvest festival with pumpkins, apples and great entertainment and activities for kids and adults of all ages! Following our fall harvest and into the winter season the farm offers fresh cut Christmas trees for your holiday season.

Tioga County

• Ed-Mar Produce - Beans, tomatoes, potatoes, vegetables, flowers
  2937 State Hwy 17C, Tioga Center, NY 13845. Phone: 607-343-4138. Click here for a map and directions. /4139, 687-1644. Open June-October, call first
• Stoughton Farm - raspberries, beans, peas, corn maze, pumpkins
  10898 State Rt 38, Newark Valley, NY 13811. Phone: 607-642-3675. Email: info@stoughtonfarm.com. Open: May-October, Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: Located in Newark Valley, New York. Click here for a map and directions.
  Stoughton Farm Facebook page. info@stoughtonfarm. U-Pick: Here at , we believe the freshest fruit is the stuff you pick yourself. Therefore we offer a variety of different fruits and veggies you can pick on your own. Pod Peas: Mid/Late June - Early July. Green Beans: Late July - Late August. Fall Raspberries: Mid August - Mid SeptemberFacebook page. Our raspberries are grown in high tunnels, so you can pick rain or shine! We also have large high tunnels that allow Fall Raspberry u-picking, rain or shine. Other produce is brought in throughout the season, as locally grown as possible. On fall weekends other attractions include our Jumping Pillow, hay rides, cow train rides, pumpkin blaster, corn cannon and more. Mums, apples, cider, kettle corn, fresh cut fries, and fudge are a few of our other fall favorites. ​ is a greenhouse, roadside farm market, and "MAiZE" site . We grow and sell 10 greenhouses of annuals and perennials. We carry in season produce and other farm market goods.

 

Green Bean, Lima Bean, Shelled Beans Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

When are fresh beans available?

Beans are a warm weather crop, and won't grow much in cold soil. It takes them about 60 to 70 days from seed to harvest.

 In the U.S. beans typically peak in harvesting from June through October in the South, and in July to September in the North. But they can be ready as early as early June in many places, if the weather is good.

  

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
2. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for beans, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
3. 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.

  

Tips on How to Pick Beans

Whether you pick beans from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Tips on How to Pick Green Beans

1. Most beans these days are "stringless". That refers to a string, tough filament of the bean that runs along the outside from one end to the other.  Some beans have two, one on each side; and some have one.
2. I prefer to snap the bean off the plant just below where the stem attaches to the bean. If you do this, it will save time when you get home, because one end of the bean has already been trimmed.  But this only makes sense if you will be using, cooking, canning or freezing the beans that day. 
3. If you won't be using the beans the same day, then break  off the bean from the plant along the thin stem that connects the bean to the plant.
4. The beans snap off pretty easily. hence the name "snap beans".
5. Pole beans are the easiest to pick, because, since they grow up poles or twine, you don't have to squat down or bend over!
6. Beans are ready for harvest when the pods are plump and firm, but not yet bulging. .
7. In your own garden, pick your beans regularly to encourage more growth and prevent the pods from becoming tough and stringy.
8. To harvest, hold the stem of the plant with one hand and gently snap the pod with the other..

Look for string, snap or green beans that are :

1. firm
2. green (not yellowish - unless you're picking yellow beans!)
3. smooth, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out bean. Snap beans are best when the pods are firm and snap readily, but before the seeds within the pod develop. The tips should be pliable
4. not lumpy - those lumps are the beans that are developed - that's an overripe green bean!  Of course, if you want mature beans (not including the pod) then that's a different story, but we're talking about green beans here).
5. The beans in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
6. Avoid placing the picked beans in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Green Beans may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days

 

When you get home

1. After harvesting, store your beans in the refrigerator or blanch and freeze them for longer storage.
2. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
3. They will be good for about a week like that.

  

Bean recipes and home canning

Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra beans - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.

1. How to can green beans, yellow beans, snap beans, broad beans, etc.
2. How to make pickled beans
3. How to freeze green beans (and other beans)
4. How to Freeze Lima Beans, Broad beans, Butter Beans and/or Pinto Beans
5. Canning fresh shelled beans
6. Canned dried beans and peas (from kidney beans, peas, lima beans, broadbeans, chickpeas, pole beans, etc.)
7. Canned Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce
8. Canned Baked  Beans With Back, Pork or Ham and Tomato or Molasses Sauce -
9. Pickled green beans
10. Pickled Dill beans
11. Mustard beans (pickled mustard beans)
12. Pickled Three-Bean Salad

Varieties

There are many different types of beans, each with their own unique flavor, texture, and growing requirements. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Green Beans: Also known as snap beans or string beans, green beans are a classic garden staple. They can be eaten fresh or cooked and come in bush and pole varieties.
• Lima Beans: Lima beans (called Broad Beans or Butter Beans in the UK) are a nutritious and protein-rich vegetable that can be eaten fresh or dried. They require a long growing season and prefer warm temperatures.
• Pole Beans: Pole beans are a climbing variety of bean that require support to grow. They can reach up to 10 feet tall and have a longer growing season than bush beans.
• Dried Beans: Dried beans are a versatile pantry staple that can be used in soups, stews, and other dishes. Popular varieties include black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans

• s, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans

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