2024 Colusa, Lake, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties in California Pea U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pea U-Pick Orchards in Colusa, Lake, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties in California in 2024, by county

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

Sacramento County

• R Kelley Farms - Black-Eyes, Purple Hulls, Crowder peas, Green Beans, Italian Beans, Sweet Peas, Speckled Butter Beans, Cranberry Beans, Okra, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Onions, Bell Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Hot Hot Peppers, Squash, Cucumbers
  1120 Scribner Road, Sacramento, CA 95832. Phone: 916-665-1191. Email: fresh@rkelleyfarms.com. Open: July through October Wednesday through Sunday 8am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . . See their website for availability and prices for u-pick. Our services include u-pick, we-pick; farm fresh eggs plus pea shelling and delivery. The farm specializes in growing black-eye, purple hull, crowder peas. We also offer green beans, speckled butter beans, garbanzo beans and cranberry beans. To compliment the fresh peas and beans, the farm has a variety of other items. This list includes tomatoes, okra, sweet corn, peppers, squash, cucumbers, yams, onions, winter greens and several types of sweet melons.
  Comments from a visitor on July 28, 2009: "They had everything.I counter about 7 different melons from casaba to savors to a yellow meat watermelon--they have black eye peas, purple hull peas, okra, squash, and the biggest onions in the world, and some beautiful purple bell peppers( never seen those before).the watermelon is to die for and I eat a passport melon(something new)on the way home. I was there on Sunday and they had Live Jazz on the farm. They said they do tours for kids and community groups. They had an employee restroom that they let me used, which was very clean. There is a nice pinic area with a manicured lawn, with BBQ pit access. This is not an organic farm however the farm said he only sprays when he has too. The crops look amazing you can but your items already picked and shelled or pick your own. Personally, I got a bag of shelled black eyes for $13.50 for 5lbs my mother was impressed. I was able to lie and say I picked them myself.I loved the veggies and people. From the diverse staff to the multi-cultural customers, I did not want to leave so they told me to go hang out on the lawn and eat my melons, so I did with the Jazz."
  Comments from a visitor on July 22, 2009: "Very sweet and a variety of melons. Very fresh produce and unique varieties. They specialize in fresh southern peas. Very friendly. They have restroom and a picnic area. You can schedule a tour. The owner is a Certified Crop Advisor and will conduct the tour. He also is a mentor for young adults. ( 10 yrs---18 yrs old) "

Yolo County (Sacramento area)

• Loving Nature Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, peas, peppers, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, Fresh eggs, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  38883 Z Line Road, Clarksburg, CA 95612. Phone: 916-899-1154. Email: michaelwong250@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm, all year round. Directions: On Jefferson Blvd heading south, make a right on Hamilton Road, at the end of Hamilton Road make a left on Z Line Road, go 0.4 mile and arrive at the first house on your left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Loving Nature Farm . All year round for a wide selection of U-pick seasonal fruit and vegetables. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We can grow a wide variety of all-natural vegetables on demand, lease small plots to those who are interested in growing organic food for themselves. We welcome all kinds of activities and functions by prior arrangements. We also deliver CSA boxes to homes and offices. (UPDATED: May 28, 2018, JBS)

 

Pea Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Peas (English, Snap peas, Snow Peas, Crowder Peas, etc.) are very easy to grow.  They thrive even in poor soil. In fact, as a legume, pea plants are able to take nitrogen from the air and fix it in nodules in their roots with bacteria to enrich the soil. Whether you grow them yourself or pick them at a PYO farm, or buy them at the market, they're available fresh almost everywhere.

Here's what to look for!

English peas

Pick English Peas when the pod is full and green and the peas are still tender and sweet. Test for maturity frequently by picking a couple of pods and examining them for firmness. Harvest the Chinese and snow peas, which are eaten pod and all, when the pods are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long and the peas are about the size of BB's. The pods are usually picked 5 to 7 days after flowering.

 

Snap Peas - aka, edible-podded peas

Similar to English peas, except the pod itself is also sweet and tender, like the peas inside.

Snow peas, aka Chinese peas

Like snap peas, the pod is edible, except you want to pick them while they are still flat, before the pod starts to swell with peas inside. Harvest Chinese and snow peas, which are eaten pod and all, when the pods are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long and the peas are about the size of BB's.

Specialty Peas

There are many varieties, like purple hulled peas, crowder peas, black-eyed- peas. Each has their followers!

 

When are peas available?

Peas are a cool, even cold weather crop, and can tolerate frost and cold soil. In the U.S. Peas typically peak during February (in the Deep South) through October in the North. Peak season is February through June before the weather gets hot.  Some farms plant a Fall crop too, as they only take 45 to 60 days from the time the seed is planted!

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 Peas, 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 while the weather is still cool, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

General Picking Tips

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

Look for Peas that are :

1. firm
2. Bright green (not yellowish!)
3. smooth, shiny pods, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out pea.
4. The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
5. Avoid placing the picked Peas 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. Peas may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days
6. It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

1. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
2. Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
   • How to can Peas
   • How to freeze English peas, Crowder peas and other shelled peas
   • How to freeze snap peas and snow peas
3. Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas
    

1. 
2. The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
3. Avoid placing the picked Peas 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. Peas may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days
4. It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

1. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
2. Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
   • How to can Peas
   • How to freeze English peas, Crowder peas and other shelled peas
   • How to freeze snap peas and snow peas
3. Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas
    

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