2024 Central Washington State Pear U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick Orchards in Central Washington State 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 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.

Yakima County

• West Valley U-Pick - Uses natural growing practices, apples, blueberries, pears, tomatoes, tomatillos, apricots, marionberriies, peaches, pluots, grapes, apricots and prepicked produce, restrooms
  11901 Zier Road, Yakima, WA 98908. Phone: 509-945-5406. Email: yakimaberries@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday 8 am to 7 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm. Directions: We are located in the beautiful West Valley area of Yakima, WA. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  West Valley U-Pick Facebook page. Blueberries and Raspberries July, August and the first two weeks of September Pears Bartlett and Anjou August through early September Apples Gala and Red and Golden Delicious September through October Pumpkins October Garden veggies all summer. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicWe have an area to park your motorhome and large field for camping, a hose for water, and a primitive bathroom, for those who would like to spend the night. Please call for availabilityCrops are usually available in July, August, September, October Cherries: Rainier, Bing, Skeena, and Sour Pie Cherries available for u-pick in early July. Pre-picked cherries are available early-mid July. Important note: all of their u-pick cherries are often all been picked on opening day. Apples: Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Blondee apples are available for u-pick mid-August to October. Note: You can press your own apple cider on their old-fashioned hand-cranked cider presses! The presses are free to use if you buy our apples. We have cider jugs to purchase, or you can bring your own jugs if you prefer.Blueberries - Duke and Chandler blueberries are available in mid-to-late July, Aurora blueberries are available late-July to September. The best picking times are mid-July and mid-August when the most berries are ripe . Peaches - Clingstone peach variety Early Elberta is available for u-pick in late July. Freestone peach varieties Golden Elberta and Red Haven peaches are available in late August. Peaches tend to go quickly,Pears - Bartlet and Danjou pears. Available for u-pick mid-August to mid-September.Pluots - Available for u-pick mid-August to mid-September. Grapes - Assorted varieties of table grapes are available for u-pick straight off the trellises in late August and early September. Guests are also welcome to pick grape leaves at no charge!Marionberries - They have a small number of marionberry bushes for u-pick available in mid-to-late August. Apricots - They have a few small apricot trees for u-pick available in early July. Supplies are very limited, please call ahead of time to inquire for availability.Tomatoes - more than 20 varieties of vine-ripe tomatoes including Roma, Beefsteak, Solar flare, Market, Maria, and other heirloom tomatoes. Available for u-pick mid-August to October.Eggplant - Italian and Asian Eggplant are available for u-pick from early August to late September.Peppers - Assorted varieties of sweet and hot peppers are available for u-pick from late July to late September. Varieties include Jalapeno, Poblano, Habanero, Shishito, Bell, and a few melt-your-face-hot Carolina ReapersTomatillos - available for u-pick late July to October. SWe use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicYou may e-mail us for my phone number, current crops, and picking times. We look forward to seeing you on our farm. We Have Raspberries, Blueberries, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Pluots and . Formerly called All Natural U Pick and Scenic Acres Orchard (UPDATED: August 7, 2023, JBS)

 

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