Pick Your Own Picking Tips

If you have never been to a “Pick Your Own” orchard, you may want to take a look at some of the following tips on picking fresh fruit.

For Strawberries:

Pick only the berries that are fully red. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands. Don't overfill your containers (do not stack berries more than 5” high) or try to pack the berries down this will cause bruising on the lower berries.

For Peaches:

Peaches are much softer than apples and most other fruits, so it is best to pick peaches with the sides of your fingers rather than your fingertips. Be sure that the peach does not have any green around the stem. A ripe peach will have a definite peach smell to it. Using the tips of your fingers may dent the peach and increase the risk of bruising. If you pick a peach that is not quite ripe, you can ripen it by following these directions. Place any unripe peaches in a single layer in a paper bag. Place an apple in the bag and seal the bag shut. Let this sit over night and then check the peaches in the morning. If they are ripe, remove them from the bag and place in the refrigerator. Do not store the apple with the peaches. If they need to ripen a bit more, repeat the procedure over night again. Do not forget about them, because they can go from unripe to over ripe or rotten in only a matter of days.

For Cherries:

Look for heavy, firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem. To extend the shelf life of pick your own cherries, make sure to pick them with the stems on. Cherries that are picked before they are completely ripe will not ripen any further once they are off of the branch. They will store in the refrigerator for two to three days. (The darker the cherry, the higher the nutrition.)

For Blueberries:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened. Once you pick a blueberry, it will not ripen any further. Chill berries as soon as possible after picking. This will help to extend their shelf life. Do not wash the berries until just before you are going to use them. Do not wash berries if you are going to freeze them. This will avoid the skin from toughening. You can rinse them in cold water when you take them out of the freezer to use. Fresh picked blueberries should keep well in the refrigerator for approximately 10-14 days.

For Apples:

Picking apples directly from a tree is easy. Apples should be crisp and firm. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and twist. Do not pull straight away from the tree. Also, if two apples are joined together (top-to-top) picking one means you will be picking both. Hold one in each hand and twist gently in counter-rotating directions. Do not shake the tree or branches, and if an apple you are trying to pick drops, (or the one next to it) pick it up. It's perfectly good and should not be wasted.

Additional Tips:

1. Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
2. Sturdy shoes are always a good idea. Keep in mind, there are no paved walkways in the orchard.
3. If you bring your own container, be sure to have it weighed at the check out stand before you start picking.
4. Please be aware that there may be fruit that has dropped from the branches and has started to decay. This can attract bees and/or yellow jackets. If you have an allergy to these types of insects, please be prepared in case of any stings. We will only have basic first aid supplies available. We are not equipped with any medication for allergic reactions from insect bites or stings. PICK YOUR OWN IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
5. If you need assistance at any time while in the orchard, please do not hesitate to ask any of our workers.
6. Before you start picking, ask if there is any area in particular that you should pick. At times, there will be certain areas that the fruit is ripe and other areas where it has not yet reached its harvest stage.