2024 Southwest Michigan Peach U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Peach U-Pick Orchards in Southwest Michigan 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.

Allegan County

• A.W. Overhiser Orchards - cherries (sweet and tart), peaches, pears, plums, apples
  NW corner of 64th Street and 109th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 616-836-3298. Email: awo@i2k.com. Open: July through October, daily, from 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . . I-196 to Exit 26 (109th Avenue Pullman Rd.) E 3.5 mi. to 64th St, right on NW corner. Family owned and operated for over 150 years raising tree fruit. Over 300 acres of farmland that include cherries (sweet and tart) and we do the pitting for you. School groups are welcome to visit the farm in fall. Apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin picking and cider tasting make for a fun packed trip to the farm. Farm Market address is 6405-109th Ave., South Haven, MI 49090. (UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2011: "We spent the day at Overhiser Orchards picking cherries. The orchards are large and beautiful, the fruit is delicious and the staff is very friendly and knowledgable( they even stayed late on a Saturday evening so we could keep picking.) It is also the least expensive orchard we have encountered so far. Great experience, we will definitely be going back for peaches and plums. "
• Crane Orchards Upick - apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze
  6054 124th (M-89), Fennville, MI . Phone: 616-561-8651. Open: in early September depending on the season, call for dates. Directions: Located in west Michigan between South Haven and Saugatuck. Click here for a map and directions. . U-Pick has 15 varieties of apples to pick in season. Hayrides on weekends in Oct. and a corn maze. 10 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Close in late Oct. . Take I-196 Exit 34, go E 4 miles on S side of the road, located with Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant at 6054 124th (M-89), Fennville. PIE PANTRY, FRESH FRUIT AND ORCHARDS, BAKERY and RESTAURANT, WINERY, TASTING BAR, WEDDINGS, EVENTS (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS) (UPDATED: July 12, 2011, by a visitor)
• Dutch Farm Market - apples, cherries, peaches, plums,
  6967 109th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 616-637-8334. Email: braak@shps.org. Open: mid-May - July 4, 9 am to 6 pm July 5-Labor Day, 8 am to 7 pm Labor Day-October 31, 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Click here for a map and directions. . . or use their contact page. U-pick. Retail market/bakery complete with already-picked fruits and vegetables. Ice cream, baked goods, pies, jams and jellies. Picnic area. Buses welcome. Click here for harvest dates. N of South Haven on I-96, Exit 26 (Pullman Rd.) is a family run farm/business specializing in homegrown fruits and vegetables. Fruit pies and bakery items are another specialty of the market. Easy on/off highway access, picnic area, and public restrooms available. Ice cream shop available along with Dutch treats. ((UPDATED: September 19, 2019, JBS)
• McIntosh Apple Orchards - cherries (sweet and tart), peaches, pears, apples and plums
  6431 107th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 269-637-7922. Email: apple1941@aol.com. Open: June-October, Tuesday to Sun. Click here for a map and directions. . Enjoy a lovely day in the country, visit our orchard, browse through our farm market and cider mill. Watch cider being fermented into hard cider. We have u-pick and ready-picked . Pitted tart cherries (fresh and frozen). Seasonal vegetables. , 8 am to 6 pm. South Haven. From I-94, take I-96 (Exit 34) N to Exit 26 (109th Ave.), E on 109th to 64th (approx. 2.5 miles); S to 107th Avenue, (1 mile ); W to orchard (150 yards.) Look for signs. (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)

Berrien County

• Frank Farms - Apples, cherries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, vegetables, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area
  8249 Deans Hill Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102. Phone: 269-461-4125. Email: frank@frankfarms.com. Open: 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm Call ahead when the weather is questionable. Directions: Take I-94 to WatervlietM-140 Exit. Take M-140 South to M-62, take a left onto M-62 and then a right onto Painter School Road. Take a left onto Deans Hill Road. We are on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Fax: 269-461-3422. . Take I-94 to Watervliet/M-140 Exit. Take M-140 South to M-62, take a left onto M-62 and then a right onto Painter School Road. Take a left onto Deans Hill Road. We are on the left. Updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. Strawberries June 10th, Tart Cherries 1st of July, Red and Black Raspberries July 1st, Peaches August 1st, Apples September 15th. Our Vegetable U-Pick starts in the middle of June and lasts until the end of October. We have several varieties of vegetables including Potatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Eggplant and Bell Peppers. We have a variety of fruits and vegetables available for sale as well as our u-pick. (UPDATED: June 16, 2021 JBS)
• Fruit Acres Farm Market and U-Pick - Apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides
  2789 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone: (269) 468-5076. Email: fruitacres@iserv.net. Open: Farm Market is open daily from 9am to 7pm, June through October; U-Pick is open most weekends July through October from 10am to 5pm. Directions: I-94 in Southwest Michigan at Coloma Exit #39 Farm Market at Exit. Ask there for U-Pick Directions . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October. Big Black Sweet Cherries July 1-10 Sour Pie Cherries July 7-16 Early Peaches July 23-31 Freestone Peaches August 1-September 15 White Flesh Peaches August 20-September 10 Baby Gold type Cling Peaches August Early Apples July 20-August 30 Fall Apples September 1-October 25 Large assortment of locally grown fruits and vegetables in our farm market. Sweet Fall Apple Cider.
• Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm - u-pick cherries, apricots, raspberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins, hayrides
  1850 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone: 616-468-3075. Email: info@jollayorchards.com. Open: May 1-Thanksgiving, daily, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm Harvest Festival weekends in September and October, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. Directions: Exit 39 off I-94, turn left and go 2 miles to 1850 Friday Road, Coloma. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm Facebook page. . Fresh market with bakery, jams and jellies, other specialty items. Picnic area, animal farm and playground for fun activities. Fall Harvest Festival offers hayrides, children's activities and pumpkin patch. (UPDATED: February 26, 2019, JBS) Experience the fun at Jollay Orchards, play in the old western town, amaze in the corn maze and fright in the haunted house, throw a line into the fishing pond and hike around the orchards.
• Lemon Creek Fruit Farm - cherries, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, plums, apples and grapes
  533 E Lemon Creek, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Phone: 269-471-1321. Email: farm@lemoncreekwinery.com. Open: June to November, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday from 12 to 6 pm. Directions: 6 miles E of Red Arrow Hwy. at Bridgman, 5 miles west of Berrien Springs on Lemon Creek Rd. U-pick available for cherries, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, plums, apples and grapes in season. . Click here for a map and directions. . See this page for when fruits are typically available to pick. Free wine tasting, picnic area, festivals, Father's Day Festival, home wine makers welcome.
• McCartney Farm - nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears and apples
  2537 Hillandale Road, Sodus, MI 49126. Phone: 269-944-1862. Open: August 15 for nectarines and peaches, early September for pears and late Sept. Directions: Located in the Benton Harbor-St. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick nectarines, peaches, Bartlett pears and a variety of apples. -Oct. for apples, seven days a week, 9 am to 5 pm Call for availability on fruit and prices. Take I-94 to Exit 30, E on Napier Avenue, approx. 2-1/2 miles to Hillandale Road. Then south for 1 mile Our farm is 90 minutes east of Chicago, . Joseph, Michigan area.
  Comments from a visitor on July 12, 2008: "We have been going to this farm for many years now and it's always clean, trees are labeled nicely, and supervised children are welcome to pick the fruit. Prices are very reasonably, also. Definitely worth the trip every year."
• Nye's Apple Barn and Farms - apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries
  3151 Niles Avenue (m63), Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Phone: (269) 429-0596. Email: amthompson8@hotmail.com. Open: Please call ahead for dates; The season varies from year to year; Hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm Daily. Directions: Exit 27 from I-94. Coming from Chicago: Turn left, cross over bridge, market is on the right. From Detroit: Turn right, market is on the right. . Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Alternate Phone: (269) 208-2344. . Grape varieties: Fredonia, Niagara, Concord (all available at discount quantities). Apples are usually ready from September 27 to October 13, from 9:00-5:00 Michigan time.
• Prillwitz Fruit Farm - apples, blueberries, sweet cherries, tart cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, apple cider and pumpkins.
  7196 E. Main Street, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Phone: 269-461-6720. Open: Daily June through October call for hours. Directions: Located 1 mile outside Eau Claire on Main Street. Click here for a map and directions. . Daily June through October (call for hours). Family owned and operated for over 60 years. True, authentic, down-home and refreshingly real. Grown and sold right on the farm, including sweet and tart cherries, peaches, plums (dunkelberg, damson and stanley prune), blueberries, grapes, apples, cider and pumpkins. U-Pick or already picked available. . 11 miles from the I-94 Exit or 11 miles north of Niles. (ADDED: June 30, 2016, JBS)
• Shafer Orchards - peaches, apples, grapes (Concord), pumpkins, squash and gourds
  Shafer Road, Baroda, MI . Phone: 269-422-1972. Email: shafer@parrett.net. Open: August 10-October 20, daily, 9 am to 7 pm, Michigan time of course. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick five varieties of peaches, 10 varieties of apples, grapes (Concord), many sizes and shapes of pumpkins, squash and gourds. Dawn Redwood and Ginko Biloba trees. From Chicago, take I-94 E to Michigan Exit 16. Turn right onto Red Arrow Hwy. At stop light in Bridgman, turn right onto Lake-Shawnee and continue 5 miles to Hills Road; turn right on Hills Road. go 1/4 mile to Shafer. Turn left to 207 Shafer Road, Baroda. The Shafer Farm LLC (formerly) is a peach, apple, and grape u-pick. A visitor writes on August 24, 2013: "Took my family of 7 peach picking at Shafers - DELICIOUS! The trees were full and just right for little ones. "
• Springhope Farm - apples, peaches, pumpkins, hayrides, picnic area
  18720 Cleveland Avenue, Galien, MI 49113. Phone: 269-545-8313. Email: bobwoods@triton.net. Open: late July-October 31, 6 days a week closed Wednesday, 10 am to 7 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . is a family friendly orchard with peaches, u-pick and ready-picked apples and pumpkins. The farm store also features a variety of farm fresh vegetables, cut flowers and dried gourds. We have a picnic area available and hayrides to the apple orchard on the weekends. late July-October 31, 6 days a week (closed Wednesday), 10 am to 7 pm. From I-94, Exit at 4A (Hwy. 12). Travel E to Galien, turn right (S) on Cleveland Avenue at yellow flashing light. Go 1-1/2 miles to 18720 Cleveland (on the right.) Our orchard features apples, sweet cherries and peaches. So if you are looking for U-picked or ready picked apples and ready-picked peaches we are your connection in the country! Our farm store offers home grown and locally grown vegetables, dried gourds and cut flowers. (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 22, 2008: "We loved it. It was a nice farm they have someone to pick you up, so you don't have to carry your apples. The apple trees are close so if you want to walk you can. The atmosphere was so nice. they were so friendly and accommodating. We go apple picking every year, this was my first time at Springhope, ( I found them online) it was very good experience. I will be going back, we really had a good time picking apples. They have some of the best tasting apples I ever had and we eat alot of apples. "
• Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic - Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, apricots, red and black blackberries, grapes, and hayrides
  7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, MI . Phone: 269-471-1401. Open: 9 am to 6 pm everyday except Sundays; Early June to late October. Click here for a map and directions.
  Stover's Farm Market and U-Pic Facebook page. . U-Pic Schedule: Dates are TENATIVE, please call for availability! Strawberries: June - July; Sweet Cherries June - July; Tart Cherries: June - July; Red and Black Raspberries: June - July; Blackberries: July - August; Apricots July - August; Blueberries: July - August; Peaches July - September; (Red Haven, Crest Haven, Glo Haven, Baby Gold, Red Skins); Fall Red Raspberries: September - October; Pumpkins: September - October; Grapes September - October; Apples September - October; (Molly Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Red Rome, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonathan, Mutsu and others). Stovers has hayrides in October. (UPDATED: September 18, 2019, JBS)

Kalamazoo County

• Verhage Farms - apples, cherries, peaches, hayrides, pumpkins
  8619 W M L Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49065. Phone: 616-375-0153. Open: for approximately 8 weeks, September 5-Nov. Click here for a map and directions. . We have: u-pick apples, already picked apples, homemade cider (non-pasteurized), homemade donuts (12 varieties), homemade caramel apples (5 varieties), Country Store - homemade jams, hayrides, pumpkin jump, animal barn, school tours and picnic area. We are open 5, 10 am to 6 pm. In Kalamazoo, go W on Stadium Dr. to 6th Street (turn right). Go to the end of 6th and turn left on "ML", go over railroad tracks, 1/2 mile on left to 8619 West "ML" Avenue.

Van Buren County

• Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. - apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, U-pick and already picked, farm market, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  60139 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071. Phone: 269-668-3724. Email: info@schultzfruitridgefarm.com. Open: Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 Sunday 10 am to 5 U - pick is finished 12 hour before closing Call for holiday Hours: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate . Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 Sunday 10 am to 5 U - pick is finished 1/2 hour before closing Call for holiday Hours: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.

 

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