2024 Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and central Alabama Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and central Alabama in 2024, by county

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

Cullman County

• Sloshie Mae's Farm - No pesticides are used, blackberries, figs, muscadine grapes, pears, persimmons,
  255 County Road 1823, Arab, AL 35016. Phone: . Email: Sloshiemae@gmail.com. Open: Hours and availability of crops to pick varies considerably; please email for current availability and hours. Directions: From Arab go South on Highway 231, turn right onto county road 1763 then go 1.7 miles, turn left onto County Road 1823. Our farm is at the top of the first hill on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. 6 We do not use pesticides on the crops. Apple varieties (in years when we have a good crop - call first): Fuji, Gala, McIntosh and Granny Smith. Pear varieties: Hosui, Bartlett, Chojuro, Shinko, Orient, Pineapple and Kieffer. Fig varieties: Brown Turkey and Texas Everbearing. Persimmon Varieties: American, Giant Fuyu, Fuyu, Tanenashi and Hachiya. Plum varieties: Methley and Santa Rosa. Pear varieties: Hosui are ready August(This is our top seller and very sweet), Bartlett are ready August to September, Chojuro/Shinko/Orient/Pineapple are ready September, Kieffer-October to November. (UPDATED: July 06, 2018)

Etowah County

• Gypsy Ranch - Certified Organic, beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, melons, onions, other berries, pears, peas, pumpkins, rhubarb, summer squash, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  10501 Fairview Cove Road, Altoona, AL 35952. Phone: 256-840-4994. Email: kim@gypsyranch.us. Open: Monday to Saturday 8am till 6pm Sunday Noon till 6pm. Directions: From Gadsden take highway 431 to highway 278 at Mountain top turn right onto highway 179 go 4 miles turn left on to Fairview Cove Road 8 blocks From Boaz take highway 169 to highway 179 8 miles turn right onto Fairview Cove Road the farm is 8 blocks down on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 256-840-4041. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Strawberries April 20 till June 5. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Perry County

• Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation - Uses natural growing practices, beans, blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), melons, pears, peas, pecans , pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  Rt. 1 Box 260, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: 334-683-9955. Open: Any day of the week by appointment. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Highway 14 West in Folsom, Seven miles outside of Marion, AL Latitude and Longitude coordinates are N 32 40.866 and W 087 24.280. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We are a historic site with over 20 buildings dating back to the 1820's. The farm has been in the same family since it was settled in 1819. All of the buildings are apart of the tour and every thing you see was used by our family. Some of the buildings include the old general store, cotton gin, smoke house, gristmill, blacksmith etc. Take a walk through the past in the present and into the future. (UPDATED: June 25, 2018, JBS)

Shelby County

• Dry Valley Vineyard - No pesticides are used, Blackberries, Muscadines, blueberries, blackberries, pears, apples and Asian pears.
  1280 Hwy 89, Montevallo, AL 35115. Phone: 205-983-1123. Email: BMCDEA0013@AOL.COM. Open: July, August and September on Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 5:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 205-983-1122. . FROM I-65, TAKE CALERA/MONTEVALLO EXIT TO HWY 25 THRU CALERA. 4 MILES FROM CALERA, TAKE CO RD 89, approximately 1 MILE ON LEFT. JUNE: BLACKBERRIES. END OF JULY-OCTOBER: MUSCADINES. (ADDED: June 28, 2020, JBS)

Talladega County

• Holmestead Farm - Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Plumcots, Grapes (red, white, black), Saturn (Do-Nut) peaches, Asian Pear, Regular Pears, Apples, Japanese Persimmons, Figs, Muscadines, Scuppernongs, Satsumas, Meyer Lemons, Chestnuts, Pomegranates
  6582 County Road 7, Talladega, AL 35160. Phone: 256-404-4316. Email: holmesteadfarm@yahoo.com. Open: see their website. Click here for a map and directions. . From TalladegaOn Hwy 77 South, turn right at the 52 mile marker onto Hwy 77. In 11.2 miles, turn right onto County Road 7. In 6.5 miles, turn right onto Clay County 7. Our driveway will be on the right in 3.5 miles. U-PICK / WE-PICK FARM COUNTRY STORE & MARKET. Typical harvest seasons are: Strawberries - Late March thru June - 40,000 plants:Blackberries - Late May thru early June - 1400 plants:Blueberries - May thru July - 800 bushes: Raspberries - Late May thru early June - 600 plants:Peaches - April thru Sep - 400 trees:Nectarines - May thru August - 30 trees:Plums - April thru August - 250 trees:Plumcots - June - 20 trees:Grapes (red, white, black) - Late June thru early July - 30 plants:Saturn (Do-Nut) peaches - June - 35 trees:Asian Pear - August thru November - 75 trees:Regular Pears - July thru November - 25 trees:Apples - July thru November - 150 trees:Japanese Persimmons - Late Sep thru Nov - 75 trees:Figs - August thru October - 75 trees:Muscadines & Scuppernongs - August thru October - 150 plants:Satsumas - Late September thru November - 25 trees:Meyer Lemons - Late September thru December - 15 trees: Chestnuts - Fall - 6 trees:Pomegranate - coming in 2021. And we have a shelling machine so we can do that for you, too (additional fee)!

 

pear Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

pears, also known as serviceberries or Juneberries, are delicious and nutritious berries native to North America, mostly in the western Canada and northwestern U.S. . These small blue-purple berries grow on shrubs or small trees and have a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and almonds. Here's what you need to know about pears, how to use them, when to harvest them, and how to do it:

Flavor and Uses:

pears have a pleasantly sweet and slightly tart taste, making them a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to fruit salads, used in baked goods such as pies, muffins, and tarts, or even incorporated into jams, jellies, and sauces. pear berries also freeze well. They can be substituted for blueberries in recipes.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jam, jelly, freeze or make pear pie from Saksatoons / Juneberries, see these pages:

• How to make pear jam
• How to freeze pears
• World's best and easiest pear pie
• How to Can pears
• How to make pear jelly
• How to make and can pear syrup
• How to make home-canned pear pie filling to use later
• pear buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping pear coffee cake

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of pear berry harvest can vary depending on your location and climate, but it generally occurs in the summer months. In most regions, you can expect to start harvesting pears from late June to early August. Keep an eye on the berries as they ripen to determine the best time for harvesting.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe pear berries are plump, firm, and have a deep purple-blue color. They should come off the plant easily when gently pulled or twisted. Look for berries that have a uniform color and avoid those that are still green or red. Taste a few berries to ensure they have reached the desired sweetness before harvesting the entire crop.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest pear berries, simply hold the branch beneath the cluster of ripe berries and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch the berries as they fall.

The easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers.  The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

Be careful not to squeeze or crush the berries while harvesting to maintain their shape and quality.

Handling and Storage:

Handle pear berries with care as they are delicate and can bruise easily. After harvesting, sort through the berries and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store the freshly picked berries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate the berries and consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing the berries for longer-term storage.

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked pears will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening.  Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed pears freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

 

 

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