What to pick, and how
Guides to u-pick crops across America. When to go, what to bring, which varieties to look for, and how to pick the best fruit.
Fall day trips
Planned itineraries for a perfect fall Saturday — timed routes through the best farm country.
A Perfect Fall Saturday in the Berkshires
A fall itinerary through the Berkshires — apple picking in the hilltowns, a farm stand with cider donuts, a pumpkin patch with mountain views, and a village farmers' market in the afternoon.
A Perfect Fall Saturday in the Lehigh Valley
A fall itinerary through Pennsylvania's farm belt — apple picking in the slate belt, a farm market with Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, and an afternoon farmers' market in Bethlehem or Easton.
A Perfect Fall Saturday in the Hudson Valley
A timed itinerary through the Hudson Valley's densest farm corridor — u-pick apples, a pumpkin patch, a farm stand lunch, and a riverside farmers' market, all within 30 miles.
A Perfect Fall Saturday in the Finger Lakes
A fall itinerary through the Finger Lakes — u-pick apples on the lake hillsides, a farm winery stop, a lakeside farm stand, and a village farmers' market, all within the Seneca and Cayuga lake corridors.
A Perfect Fall Saturday in Loudoun County
A fall itinerary through Virginia's farm country — apple picking in the Blue Ridge foothills, a farm winery, a pumpkin patch with corn maze, and a village farmers' market, all within Loudoun County's rolling countryside.
Crop guides
Berry Picking Farms Near You: Find U-Pick Berries by State
Where to find berry picking farms near you, when strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries ripen state by state, typical prices, and what to bring.
Peak Apple Season, State by State
When apple picking peaks in every region, plus why the same orchard can pick for two months straight.
Pumpkin Patch Season Dates by State
Typical pumpkin patch season by state, grouped by region. Use these windows to plan a trip, then confirm with the farm.
When Do Pumpkin Patches Open and Close?
Most U.S. pumpkin patches open the last weekend of September and close October 31. Here are the typical windows by region and why the dates move.
Mushroom Foraging in the Pacific Northwest
Chanterelles, matsutake, and more. A guide to safely foraging wild mushrooms in the forests of Oregon and Washington.
Winter Squash and Pumpkin Picking: A Fall Guide
From butternut to acorn to spaghetti squash, a guide to picking and storing winter squash at u-pick farms.
Apple Picking in the Northeast: A Fall Tradition
Your guide to apple picking in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine — when to go, what varieties to expect, and how to choose.
Blackberry Picking in the Southeast: A Summer Tradition
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at Southeast u-pick blackberry farms.
Blueberry Picking in the Pacific Northwest
When blueberries ripen in Oregon and Washington, what to bring, and how to pick the best berries.
Cherry Picking in the Pacific Northwest
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at Washington and Oregon u-pick cherry orchards.
Grape Picking in California: A Vineyard Guide
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at California u-pick grape vineyards.
Pear Picking in the Pacific Northwest
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at Oregon and Washington u-pick pear orchards.
Pumpkin Picking in the Northeast: A Fall Tradition
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at Northeast pumpkin patches and farms.
Strawberry Picking in California: A Field Guide
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at California u-pick strawberry farms.
Tomato Picking in the Mid-Atlantic
When to go, what to bring, and which varieties to look for at Mid-Atlantic u-pick tomato farms.
Sweet Corn Picking in the Midwest
Sweet corn loses sweetness by the hour after picking. Here's how to pick the best ears at u-pick corn fields.
Peach Picking in the Southeast: Stone Fruit Season
Nothing tastes like a tree-ripe peach eaten in the orchard. A guide to picking peaches and nectarines at u-pick farms.
Pea Picking: Snap, Shell, and Snow
Peas are the quintessential cool-weather crop. A guide to picking snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas at u-pick farms.
Asparagus Picking: A Spring Ritual
The short-lived u-pick asparagus season is one of spring's first harvests. Here's how to make the most of it.