2024 Triangle area of North Carolina Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Triangle area of North Carolina 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.

Durham County

• Many Rivers Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, Asian pears, peaches, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked
  502 John Jones Rd, Bahama, NC 27503. Phone: (919) 358-8920. Email: maustin1040@gmail.com. Open: See website for dates and times. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, PayPal. . Peaches: July - August Apples: July - October. We use integrated pest management practices. We grow an eclectic collection of heirloom and modern apples: Akane, Arkansas Black, Arkansas Sweet, Ashmead Kernel, Blue Pearmain, Braeburn, Caville Blanc, Chestnut Crab, Cortland, Dula Beauty, Enterprise, Esopus Spitzenburg, Florina, Freedom, Goldrush, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Grimes Golden, Harrison, Hewes Virginia Crab, Honeycrisp - Firestorm, Hooples Antique Gold, Kentucky Limbertwig, Kidd's Orange Redd, King David, King of Pippins, Liberty, Myers Royal Limbertwig, Orleans Antique, Pink Lady, Pristine, Red Astrachan, Reverend Morgan, Roxbury Russet, Rubinette, Stayman Winesap, Strawberry Pippen, Sundance, Swiss Limbertwig, Victoria Limbertwig, Virginia Beauty, White Winter Pearmain, Wickson, William's Pride, WineCrisp, Zestar. (ADDED: December 05, 2020)

Granville County

• 'Tween Towns Farm - Apples, Blackberry, Blueberry, Eggplant, Figs, Pears, Hot Peppers
  546 Walnut Grove Road, Oxford, NC 27565. Phone: 919-693-8591. Open: UPDATE for 2019, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, , their last reported hours were Pick-your-own Blueberries and other available produce from July 1 thru August 13. Click here for a map and directions. . Open Tuesday through Friday 8am-noon and Saturday 8am to 5pm; July 1 thru August 13. Take Hwy 96 North 6.6 miles to Satterwhite Road turn left, go 5 miles to stop sign, make short right then turn left continue on Walnut Grove Road (SR 1317), go about 2.8 miles, farm is on left.
• Bee Happy Farm - blueberries, muscadines, figs, persimmons, Asian, pears, European pears
  3102 Hester Rd, Creedmoor, NC 27522. Phone: 919-452-8167. Email: beehappy3102@gmail.com. Click here for a map and directions. . Delicious local honey from bees right on our own farm! You pick or we pick fruit in season - blueberries, muscadines, figs, persimmons, Asian & European pears. We also sell many varieties of plants, trees & shrubs.

Wake County

• Granny Pearls Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, blackberries, blueberries, figs, flowers, grapes, muscadine grapes, pears, pecans , plums, walnuts, porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
  7209 Mitchell Mill Rd, Zebulon, NC 27587. Phone: (919) 426-1772. Email: info@grannypearlsfarm.com. Open: by appointment; Call for appointment please; Memorial Day until Labor day; Availability outside these time windows are available by appointment. Directions: 3 Miles from Rolesville, NC on Mitchell Mill Road 12 mile from Fowlers Cross roads and 2.5 miles from Highway 96. About 5 miles from Wake Forest, 6 miles from Knightdale, Wendell and North Raleigh. 10 miles from Zebulon. 20 miles From Louisburg. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Granny Pearls Farm . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. 3 Miles from Rolesville, NC on Mitchell Mill Road 1/2 mile from Fowlers Cross roads and 2.5 miles from Highway 96. About 5 miles from Wake Forest, 6 miles from Knightdale, Wendell and North Raleigh. 10 miles from Zebulon. 20 miles From Louisburg. Raspberries: May 29 to September 30, blueberries June 1 to July 10 , Blackberries: June 10 to July 30, Grapes: July 15 to September 3. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (UPDATED: May 09, 2018)

 

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