2024 Orange County in Southeast NY Raspberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in Orange County in Southeast NY in 2024, by county

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

Orange County

• Berry Patch - U-pick raspberries.
  191 Shea Road, Campbell Hall, NY 10916. Phone: 845-427-2615. Open: Late August through September Weekends 10-6. Click here for a map and directions. . A whole acre to pick! Call before you go! I haven't heard from this farm since 2010.
• Lawrence Farms Orchards - Apples, strawberries, sweet and tart cherries, vegetables, Peaches, Sweet Corn, Grapes, Prunes, raspberries, Plums, apricots, currants, Pears, peas, greens,
  39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh, NY 12550. Phone: 845-562-4268. Email: jlaw614@aol.com. Open: spaces, well-groomed picking areas, play area, farm animals, and a corn maze in summer. Click here for a map and directions.
  Lawrence Farms Orchards Facebook page. . Our Spring/Summer Pick Your Own season begins with fresh, juicy, sweet strawberries, usually starting in mid-June. During this season we also offer for picking English Shelling Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, several Lettuce varieties, Beets and Greens, Red and Black Currants, and Gooseberries. Toward the end of June we also have Pick Your Own Sweet and Tart Cherries. We open of our Summer/Fall Pick Your Own season in mid-August for tree ripened Peaches, Sweet Corn, and early variety of Apples Throughout the fall season we offer later ripening varieties of Apples, as well as Seedless and Table Green Beans, Tomatoes, many varieties of Hot and Sweet Peppers, Cabbages, Beets, Spinach, Eggplant, Broccoli, and Pumpkins. please call or check our "Plan Your Trip" page first for crop availability (Note: They have a comprehensive harvest calendar on their website). Weather conditions sometimes change picking schedules and availability. 2022 Admission:$7 Monday to Thursday and $10 Friday, Saturday and Sunday (children under 2 free) Season passes available. Time: 9am; 4pm Daily. Our available apple varieties are Honey Crisp, Cortland, Fuji, Macoun, Ozark Gold, Macintosh, Aceymac, Jonamac, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Mutsu, Autumn Gala, Cameo, Idared, Sun Crisp, Fortune, Northern Spy, Rome, Stayman Winesap, Candy Crisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn. We also have Concord Niagara Grapes, and Pears. Our vegetables are tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kale, beans, Sweet corn, zucchini, zucchini flowers, squash, cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, beet greens, spinach, and Pumpkins. We will be here everyday from 9-4. We look forward to seeing all of our amazing customers. (UPDATED: September 24, 2022, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 09, 2012: (positive) "I was hesitant after reading some negative reviews about Lawrence Farms Orchard (ed: on other websites) in Newburgh NY but I'm so glad we gave it a try anyway. The staff were friendly and helpful. The fruit and vegetables were plentiful and reasonably priced. The farm is beautiful. The children's village is really creative and the kids loved it. All around a great experience!"
  Comments from a visitor on July 01, 2010: (positive) "Just got back from a fantastic visit at Lawrence Farm Orchards and I cannot say enough wonderful words about our trip. Called in the morning to confirm what was available for picking. The owner was very specific about crop availability (spinach, peas (all kinds) lettuce, zucchini, and limited raspberries and gooseberries. He apologized for not having more fruit available which was unnecessary as we completely understand crops vary from day to day. I must say that the one previous negative review of the farm was a concern, but we took the chance and made the 40 minute trip to the farm and boy are we glad we did. When we arrived at the farm, he took the time to point out all areas of the farm as well as location of the crops and to go over when new crops would be ready for pick your own. The vegetables were magnificent. I have never seen lettuce that big and healthy before. The zucchini were also quite large and the spinach was also A+. He even told us we were more the welcome to verify the raspberry bushes if interested. The prices were great. The farm is huge with a variety of animals to look at and feed including goats, swans, chickens, ducks, and horses (though you can only really feed the swans/ducks and goats. The farm also has a great old fashioned children's village with wooden houses and interior furniture. Our children 5, 3, and 2 did not want to leave. As well as a quaint farm stand with wonderful jellies, jams, and other homemade goods. They also have food including pizza, hot dogs, french fries, ice cream, cider doughnuts, etc. to snack. We left with enough peas, spinach, lettuce, and zucchini to last quite some time and were amazed how cheap it all was. 10 pounds of zucchini, 2 pounds of spinach, 1 pound of peas, and a head of lettuce - 22 dollars - how can you go wrong. They have an abundance of crops for pick your own (in late July/early august they often have 12 different fruits and vegetables to pick) and also give you the option of filling out postcards which they mail letting you know when peaches, apples, strawberries, and Christmas trees are ready for picking. We will most definitely be back to Lawrence farms and everyone is looking forward to it. I highly recommend this farm as it has quickly become a family favorite. I am surprised someone had such a bad experience with Lawrence Farms because they were so welcoming, helpful and genuine. If you have the opportunity to visit, especially with kids, this is one place not to miss."
  Comments from a visitor on May 24, 2010: (positive)) "I have visited about four times a year for the last three years and been very happy. It is a wonderfully kid-friendly location with big open It is far enough away from the city that it doesn't turn into a complete zoo like Westchester farms. It is true that cheaper farms can be found for adults who are doing serious picking, but for a great day with the family (especially with young kids) this user-friendly farm is a fantastic option."
• Ochs Orchard - apples, apricots, beans, blackberries, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, kale, nectarines, other berries, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, petting zoo, farm animals
  4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY 10990. Phone: (845) 986-1591. Email: JKOchs1591@gmail.com. Open: Typical season is June through December every day 9am to 6pm; Farm market open January through May, please call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Ochs Orchard Facebook page. . . Strawberries June Cherries late June to early July Blueberries July to August Blackberries July to August Peaches July to September Veggies August to October Apples Late August to October Pumpkins September to October. We are best known for our spectacular views. Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and while you are picking in the orchard, enjoy. Our petting zoo has ducks, miniature goats, "Misty" the Sicilian donkey and "Eeyore" the miniature donkey. On the weekends, we have a variety of baked goods & pies. We offer a wide variety of our own homemade ice cream. Many flavors made from fruits we grow right here. On weekends in the fall, we also provide hot food from our eatery with-in the store. Come on in to our beautiful room with tables & chairs to enjoy your lunch. Also, near the farm market you can enjoy our Pick-Your Own flower garden. The butterflies are waiting for you! Typical (emphasis on typical) harvest start dates (month / day) for our varieties are Jersey Mac 8/13; Zesta 8/20; Ginger Gold 8/25; Pristine 8/25; Paula Red 9/01; Jonamac 9/09; Gala 9/09; Honey Crisp 9/10; Tsugaru 9/12; R.I. Greening 9/12; McIntosh 9/12; Cortland 9/18; Macoun 9/25; Red Delicious 9/25; Empire 9/27; Golden Delicious 10/10; Cameo 10/10; Spigold 10/15; Jonagold 10/15; Mutsu/Crispin 10/15; Rome 10/22; Fuji 10/25; Stayman 10/25. (UPDATED: June 03, 2020)

 

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. In the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!  
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for raspberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping raspberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on how to pick raspberries

1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.

   Raspberries Nutritional Data
   (fresh)

   Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
   Energy	220 kJ (53 kcal)
   Carbohydrates	11.94 g
   Sugars	4.42 g
   Dietary fiber	6.5 g
   Fat	0.65 g
   Protein	1.2 g
   Vitamins
   Thiamine	(3%) 0.032 mg
   Riboflavin2	(3%) 0.038 mg
   Niacin3	(4%) 0.598 mg
   Pantothenic acid5	(7%) 0.329 mg
   Vitamin B6	(4%) 0.055 mg
   Folate9	(5%) 21 μg
   Choline	(3%) 12.3 mg
   Vitamin C	(32%) 26.2 mg
   Vitamin E	(6%) 0.87 mg
   Vitamin K	(7%) 7.8 μg
   Minerals
   Calcium	(3%) 25 mg
   Iron	(5%) 0.69 mg
   Magnesium	(6%) 22 mg
   Manganese	(32%) 0.67 mg
   Phosphorus	(4%) 29 mg
   Potassium	(3%) 151 mg
   Zinc	(4%) 0.42 mg
   Other constituents
   Water	85.8 g
   Units μg = micrograms � mg = milligrams IU = International units
   Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source:

   
   
2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
8. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
5. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash  off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) raspberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
   raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
• The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
• 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
• Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
• Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
• Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
• In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
• Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
  Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
• The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
• Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
• According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
• U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to go to a raspberry festival? See this page for a list!

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