2024 Western Nova Scotia, Canada Pear U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick Orchards in Western Nova Scotia, Canada in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a province or region 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.

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.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Annapolis

• Chipman Farms Ltd. - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pears
  Street unknown, Tupperville, NS . Phone: 902-665-2374. Click here for a map and directions. . Call for directions. (UPDATED: July 30, 2014, by a visitor)
• Dempsey Corner Orchards - apples, beans, beets, blueberries, carrots, cherries, corn (sweet), onions, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  2717 Route 221, Aylesford, NS B0P 1C0. Phone: 902-847-1855. Email: dempseycornerorchards@ns.aliantzinc.ca. Open: 7 days a week from 10 until 5 yes, that includes Sunday. Directions: Just North of Exit 16 in the Annapolis Valley and follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Pick Fruits and VegetablesWe have 12 different varieties and flavours of cherries.Come pick a peach off the tree. There are 57 varieties of apples to try. Plums come in different colours and sizes, but they all grow on trees and we will let you pick them all.Dig your own potatoes, carrots, onions, and beets. Table grapes and Wine grapes. Pumpkins from the field are way more fun than pumpkins from a shelf at the grocery store. (UPDATED: March 1, 2021 JBS)

Kings

• Boates Vinegar & U-Pick - apples, pears
  432 Bligh Road, Halifax, NS . Phone: 902-678-7671. Email: kb@xcountry.tv. Directions: Located at Boates Farm as well as throughout the winter. Click here for a map and directions.
  Boates Vinegar & U-Pick Facebook page. Fax: 902-678-0771 .Boates Farm specializes in organic, sweet apple cider and vinegars. We strive to produce apples and pears with as few inputs as possible. This helps boost populations of beneficial insects and lends to an ecologically-friendly management system. All of our new orchard plantings are managed organically without synthetic inputs. Our organic program is certified by Pro-Cert Organic Systems Inc. Fresh fruit, sweet cider and vinegar are marketed at a U-Pick during harvest in the Fall, . Picked fruit, sweet cider and vinegar are available on Saturdays at the historic Farmer's Market at the Brewery, 1496 Water Street, Halifax. Boates Vinegar and U-Pick facebook page.
• Elderkin's Farm Market and U-Pick - strawberries, apples, pears, pumpkins, cherries, blueberries, raspberries and gooseberries, Trout
  #10362 Hwy #1, Greenwich., NS . Phone: 902-542-7198. Email: elderkinsapples@gmail.com. Open: U-Pick Hours are Monday - Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm and Sunday: 9 am to 9 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 902-542-3842 Take exit 11 off Hwy 101, keep right to wolfville. full line farm market, Scotsburn ice cream, sweet & hard cider, bakery items made from scratch with no additives or preservatives, crafts, gifts, fruit trees, perennials and shrubs for sale, adopt-a -tree. Facilities/attractions: blossom tours, wagon rides, fish pond, farm animals, picnic tables and the best view in the Valley with a pleasant walk. Contact: Peter Elderkin, Elderkin's U-Pick offers the following seasonal varieties: Strawberries, Gooseberries, Cherries, Blueberries, Apples (Jersey Mac, Viking, Bough Sweet), Peaches, Blackberries, Pears. (UPDATED: March 1, 2021 JBS)
• Foote Family Farm - apples, pears, plums, pumpkins, honey from hives on the farm
  1972 Woodville Road, Woodville, NS . Phone: 902-678-4371. Email: trina@footefamilyfarm.com. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, cheque only. Fax: 902-678-1375. north of Highway 221 at Woodville. honey, apple cider, beekeeping supplies, walking trail, picnic areaOur honey is non-pasturized and contains no preservatives. In addition to our liquid honey, we manufacture creamed honey as well as cut comb. Honey is packaged in a variety of containers, from 500g bottles all the way up to 60-pound pails. Buyers can purchase any amount they desire, from single bottles to case lots. Honey also is available in bulk, so anyone can bring their own containers and have them filled. Depending on the season, different types of honey are available, including blueberry, clover and wildflower. Extractors remove the honey from the honeycombIf you visit the farm store in the fall, you can see the process of collecting the honey as it is being removed in the honey room with the extractors.
• Gates U-Pick - apples (Cortland, Macs, Gravs, Red Delicious, Spy, Nova Mac, Mira, Prima just to name a few varieties), pears, pumpkins
  1263 Starr\'s Point Road, Port Williams, NS . Phone: 902-542-9340. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, September 1-October 30. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 902-542-1656 Take exit 11 off 101 Hwy at Old Orchard Inn, follow signs to Port Williams. pre-picked fruit and a no-spray section, school buses welcome, free wagon rides, picnic tables, ducks and geese on ponds.

 

Pear

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