2024 Alachua County, Florida Persimmon U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Persimmon U-Pick Orchards in Alachua County, Florida in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a state have persimmons 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.

Alachua County

• Grove (Drew) - Persimmons (3 types)
  SE 212 Lane, Island Grove, FL . Phone: 904-396-6759. Open: August - October, Sunday, 9am - 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. On SR 325, 3 miles E of Cross Creek)
• High Springs Orchard & Bakery, LLC - Certified Organic, chestnuts, Muscadines, grapes, figs, pears, persimmons, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, restrooms
  10804 NW Sr 45, High Springs, FL 32643. Phone: 352 222 1343. Email: jenny@highspringsorchard.com. Open: By appointment only, call 352 222 1343 for info. Directions: 5 miles S on High Springs on US 2741. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  High Springs Orchard & Bakery, LLC Facebook page. 5 miles S on High Springs on US 27/41. . We are certified organic for all crops! Asian Pears, Chestnuts and Baked goods. We've officially replaced all of our old blueberry bushes with fig trees! Figs should be ready a little later, we will post updates when they're ready for u pick! Unfortunately, this does mean blueberries are no longer available at our farm, sorry! How about a fig instead? In 1996, we bought a 28 acre farm and started with a few persimmon trees. After a decade, it has turned into hundreds of persimmon, chestnut and Asian pear trees. We also have an assorted variety of Muscadine grape vines. High Springs Orchard and Bakery Facebook page.
• Hilltop Vineyard - persimmons
  , Hawthorne, FL . Phone: (352) 475-2366. Click here for a map of the area. . Price (from 2006): Varies. Usually available in September to October. - Call before you go - this comes from a government website, which may be out of date. If you have recent information , please write me!
• Ken's Orchard - Persimmons
  116 N.W. 170th Street, Newberry, FL . Phone: (352) 472-3928. Open: September through October. Click here for a map and directions.
• William Cunningham - citrus and persimmons
  1127 Blackburn Rd, Pierson, FL . Phone: (386) 749-4325. Open: Usually available in October to January citrus, September to end of season persimmons; Tuesday to Sunday from 9am - Sunset; preferably with an appointment. Click here for a map and directions. Usually available in October to January (citrus), September to end of season (persimmons); Tuesday to Sunday from 9am - Sunset; preferably with an appointment. Persimmons - harvest in September, October. Citrus: Navels, Hamlins, Red/Pink Grapefruits, Ponkan Tangerines, Satsuma, Lemons, Limes. Fish: Hybrid Tilapia - Blue and White (Mojarra). Our land is pesticides, fungicides free. The citrus season starts a week before Thanksgiving and lasts till March (May for grapefruits). Please feel free to call us for availability and directions. A visitor writes on April 17, 2015: "We contacted the farmer by cell phone, used (386) 749 4325 and he responded in a friendly way, giving us details. On 4/3/2015 we picked bags of grapefruits, some limes and lemons - all delicious - all still available, lots left. Price good. Huge grapefruit trees, picked with a grabber on a pole, also fabulous smelling blossoms." For availability of other crops (berries, vegetables, etc.) in Florida, click here!

 

Persimmons

Persimmon Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

 

Persimmons, are a VERY tart and rare fruit.   More popular in Asia, the Asian varieties have been introduced to North America and become popular. Native North American Fuyu persimmons (shown at top right) are flattened in shape.

 

The Asia hachiya persimmons are more elongated and a bit sweeter.  All persimmons are exceedingly tart until the are dead-ripe and slight mushy in texture.

Uses:

Persimmons are typically made into jelly, but also used for their flavor in baked goods such as muffins, tarts and sauces. Persimmon berries also freeze well.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jelly,  see these pages:

• How to make Persimmon jelly

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of Persimmon 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 Persimmons from late July to early August.

Persimmons are an unusual fruit because they actually DO ripen after being harvested. In fact, it is BEST to pick the persimmons while they are hard, and allow them to ripen and soften in a cool basement. This avoid bug and bird danage.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe Persimmons are soft, almost mushy, and have a bright orange color.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest Persimmons, simply hold the branch beneath and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch them if they fall.

Handling and Storage:

After harvesting, sort through the fruit and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store them in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate them when they become ripe and soft; consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing them for longer-term storage.

 

 

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(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

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