2024 Montgomery and southeastern Alabama Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Montgomery and southeastern Alabama 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.

Autauga County

• Autauga Hill Farms - Strawberries, peaches, new potatoes, peas, squash
  152 Co Rd 27, Prattville, AL 36067. Phone: (334) 365-4340. Directions: From Prattville, take Hwy 14 W past Big Bass Bait Shop, until top of hill. Turn left on Co Rd 27, 2nd house on the right past Clear Creek subdivision. Click . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: (334) 657-6989. We are not offering "pick your own" this year (2015); We normally do, but we pruned the trees very heavily this year; We will have some for sale; June 1- Aug 1, Saturday only from 9 am to 3 pm. here for a map of this location. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS) (ADDED: April 25, 2010, from AL state Ag website)
• Melina Hills Farm - blueberries, chestnuts, cucumbers, figs, muscadine grapes, peaches, peppers, pomegranates, summer squash, tomatoes, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
  3462 US highway 82 West, Billingsley, AL 36006. Phone: 205-280-8796. Email: melinahillsfarm@outlook.com. Open: Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 205-258-9825. Fax: 205 280 8796. . (ADDED: July 07, 2015)

Barbour County

• Backyard Orchards - strawberries, blueberries, cotton, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, pumpkins, corn maze
  6585 Northeast Hwy 431, Eufaula, AL 36027. Phone: (334) 695-5875. Email: BACKYARDORCHARDS@HOTMAIL.COM. Open: Call for hours. Click here for a map and directions. . Strawberry season runs from late March to early June. We offer U-pick and prepicked berries and grow two varieties. Blueberry season runs from early June-August. We offer Upick and prepicked berries! Peach season runs from early June-August. Every year we have a pumpkin patch and corn maze! We grow our own pumpkins including jack o' lanterns, white pumpkins, and fairy tale pumpkins! This year's fall events run from September 27- November 1. Take a wagon ride to the maze, sunflower, cotton, and pumpkin patch. The kids will enjoy playing in our cotton seed wagon and corn bins plus lots more! 2 and under are free. Admission includes one pumpkin per person! We grow many vegetables throughout the season. All a prepicked and sold in the barn. Here's a list of what we grow: Cabbage, Collards, Turnips, Potatoes, Onions, Squash, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Field Corn, Sweet Corn, Peppers, Peas, Okra. Facebook page. (UPDATED: June 25, 2022, JBS) (ADDED: June 7, 2015, JBS)

Chilton County

• Bentley Farms - Peaches, nectarines, sweet potatoes.
  20466 US Highway 31 South, Thorsby, AL . Phone: 800-489-3762. Open: May 25 to August 15, daylight to dark. Click here for a map and directions. .
• Cooedy Farms - muscadine grapes, nectarines, peas, peaches, persimmons, plums, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked
  2949 County Road 354, Clanton, AL 35045. Phone: 205-389-1837. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 7 am to 8 pm May 1 to October 31. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. .
• Culp Farms - 2023 permanently closed
  11602 County Road 51, Jemison, AL. Phone: 205-688-4553. Email: angie@culpfruits.com. Open: UPDATE for 2023, Their Facebook page says they are permanently closed.
  (UPDATED: June 25, 2023, JBS)  
• McCraw Farms - blackberries, blueberries, figs, muscadine grapes, nectarines, peaches, plums, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals
  7299 County Road 15, Maplesville, AL 36750. Phone: 334-366-4263. Email: mccraw27@bellsouth.net. Open: May 15, through August 15, open 7 days a week from 7am till 6pm. Directions: From Clanton Alabama take highway 22 west about 9 miles to McCraw Peach sign on left turn left at the sign this will be county road 15. Go about 3 miles farm is on the right at McCraw Peach sign. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. . Plums and early peaches ready May 15,nectarines,blackberries ready June 10,blueberries,figs,muscadines ready in july. We also have martin and craft gourds ranging in price from 50 cents to $3. Gourds already painted and or decorated $10 and up.
• Rocky Top Peach Farm - Peaches.
  4160 County Road 324, Maplesville, AL . Phone: 888-269-2415. Open: mid-May through August 1 from 7 AM until 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 334-366-4723. Directions - From Clanton, take Alabama Hwy 22 West out of Clanton, go about 10 miles and look for Chilton County Rd. 15 on the left. Turn left at County Road 15, then travel about 31/2 miles to County Road 324 on the right. Take County Road 324 (a dirt road) 1/2 mile, the farm is on the left.

Coosa County

• John G. Neighbors - Peaches, blackberries, blueberries, apples, mayhaws
  3730 Old Dark Road, Alex City, AL 35010. Phone: (256) 234-3634. Open: May 1-Nov 15, Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: 8 mile marker on State Hwy 259, halfway between Alexander City & Equality. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (256) 212-2003

Elmore County

• Witherspoon Fruit Farm - Peaches, blackberries and okra
  7148 Coosa River Road, Deatsville, AL 36022. Phone: 334-569-3598. Open: June 15 through August 1 on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Click here for a map and directions. . On dirt section of 7148 Coosa River Road; Call for directions.

Geneva County

• Aplin Farms - strawberries(u-pick and pre-picked)and peaches, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, figs, flowers, onions, peas, pecans , peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, and prepicked produce, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  2729 N Co Rd 49 , Dothan, AL 36305. Phone: 334-726-5104. Email: japlin4863@gmail.com. Open: Daily. Directions: From Dothan take Hwy 84W about 5.5 miles. Turn left on County Road 49. Go about 5.6 miles on Co Rd 49. The Farm will be on the right. Co Rd 49 is also known as South Bay Springs Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Call for Hay Ride Times. Groups can make reservation Monday through Friday. Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch are open the Month of October. All other crops are available from May to October. Call for availability. Also operates greenhouse; we sell: Ferns, hanging baskets, & many other types of plant in the spring and Mums in the fall. (UPDATED: October 20, 2020 JBS)

Montgomery County

• K. M. Yawn - permanently closed, Muscadines, peaches, pears
  11 Watson Circle, Montgomery, AL 36109. Phone: (334) 279-6369. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. . UPDATE: July 25, 2022: The owner tells me they are now . 1 block off the Atl Hwy, turn at Hancock Fabrics (next to Country's & Big Lots). Muscadines, peaches, pears, firewood (oak & hickory), house plants

 

Feedback

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