handpicked peaches are known for their delicate nature, making it important to carefully select them to ensure they are bruise-free and unharmed!
Picking your own is a great way to guarantee fresh, delicious, and local peaches from mid-June through September — as long as everyone else doesn’t pick them first!
You’ll want to pick peaches with some firmness to them and some on the softer side. This way you’ll have a few to eat right away and others that will ripen over the next few days.
It can be better to cut the fruit off the tree to minimize the chances of damaging the peel, which will cause the fruit to go bad quickly.
Most of the time, ripe fruit will fall off with little to no effort. This is a great sign that its sugars have matured and it will make your mouth water!
Check out the list below for great orchards in and near Long Island for picking peaches. Some even have other fruits and vegetables for sale, so check them out through the growing season beginning in May and ending in late October.
1. Lewin Farms
With an assortment of fruits and vegetables available for purchase, Lewin farms is a great season-long go-to for all your needs!
Whether you want to pick your own or just stop by to get your grocery shopping done, this farm is ideal, and they even offer Christmas trees during the holiday season!
- Location: 812 Sound Ave., Claverton, NY 11933
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and White
- Hours: Monday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, apples, pumpkins, gourds
2. Windy Acres Orchard
This local farm has a small variety of fruits and vegetables for picking and sale at their farm stand.
Open seasonally between May and October, expect seasonal events in the fall like hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin picking.
Check out their market store for other items for sale like preserves, syrups, and honey.
- Location: 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton, NY 11933
- Types of Peaches: Yellow
- Hours: Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, pumpkins, raspberries, nectarines
3. Wickham’s Fruit Farm
Originally founded in 1661, this farm has 200 acres of fruit orchards. This beautiful farm sits on a lake and has been added to the Suffolk County Farmland preservation program, so it will stay a farm for years to come!
Open May through December, you’ll find cheeses, pies, preserves, baked goods, and cider made from the historic cider press.
- Location: 28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue, L.I., NY 11935
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and White
- Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, pumpkins
5. Ochs Orchard
With over 100 acres of growing space in Warwick Valley, Ochs Orchard has a little bit of everything!
Whether it’s picking your own or purchasing from the farmstand, you’ll be able to get the majority of your grocery shopping done here!
Featuring a plethora of local goods, you’ll find honey, cider, baked goods, sauces, candles, and more!
- Location: 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY 10990
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and White
- Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, peppers, eggplant, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, apricots, nectarines, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, melons, pears, plums
6. Fishkill Farms
A farm focused on bettering its practices by going “Beyond Organic,” they foster a healthy ecosystem while growing a bounty of different fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Check out their farm store that is open year round for cider tasting, home-baked goods, and brunch.
- Location: 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell JCT, NY 12533
- Types of Peaches: White, Yellow, Donut
- Hours: Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Pick your own is only available by reservation)
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, pears, Asian pears, tomatoes, herbs, flowers
7. Demarest Farms
This is a full-service farm offering pick-your-own fruits as well as seasonal hanging flower baskets, seasonal events, baked goods, hot foods, and various local treats.
Be sure to book your reservation ahead of time to ensure you have a time slot, and don’t miss out on their delicious fruit!
- Location: 244 Werimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ 07642
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and White
- Hours: Monday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, pumpkins
8. Battleview Orchards
With 4th-generation farmers Scott and Lisa at the helm, this farm still operates as it did when it opened in 1908.
With a full country store and market, you may come to pick your own fruit, but you’ll most likely end up leaving with freshly baked pies, bread, pastries, gifts, and freshly pressed apple cider!
- Location: 91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, NJ 07728
- Types of Peaches: White, Yellow
- Hours: Monday through Sunday (closed Tuesday) 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Strawberries, sour cherries, nectarines, apples, pumpkins
9. Alstede Farms
This farm is a one-stop shop for peaches and an entire farm experience! From fresh fruits and produce to a full line of preserves, sauces, and juices, you’ll find plenty to take home at the farm store.
They also have a petting zoo, seasonal events, and entertainment as well as wine tastings from a local winery.
- Location: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and White
- Hours: Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Strawberries, peas, greens, raspberries, blackberries, beans, blueberries, apples, potatoes, pumpkins, flowers
10. Smith Farms
A lovely smaller farm with views of the Catskill mountains, this farm’s focus is on stone fruit and apple growing.
After picking your haul of peaches, try to stick around for a sunset to remember! Be sure to bring cash because they do not accept credit cards.
- Location: 200 White Birch Rd., Hudson, NY 12534
- Types of Peaches: White and Yellow
- Hours: Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Sour cherries, sweet cherries, nectarines, apples
Closing Thoughts
Peach picking is only available for a few months of the year, so be sure to check out one of these farms this upcoming season!
Always follow each farm’s guidelines when you’re there to ensure your safety and keep the farm nice for years to come.
Don’t forget to check out their seasonal events to get that sense of local pride and connect with the community now and then!