Spring is here in Vermont, and our harvests are beginning to wake from their winter slumber and getting ready for another season. It's almost time to head out to the orchards for some fruit picking!
Fruit picking is one meaningful way to connect with your food and support local agriculture. When done in an eco-friendly way, there are so many more benefits that stem from this action.
This guide will walk you through the basic timing of fruit picking, its benefits, and some sustainable practice tips. It will answer questions like, what fruit-picking season is it? When should I go pick a particular fruit? How can I do sustainable farming?
This guide stems from how Champlain Orchards, one of Vermont's oldest continuously operating orchards, does it. Let’s begin with a very important question.
Why is Fruit Picking So Special?
It’s a satisfying feeling to pluck a perfectly ripe fruit straight from its source. On summer mornings, the grass still has a light layer of dew between rows of trees heavy with fruits. As you walk through and pick a freshly ripe fruit in your hand, you create an experience that simply can't be replicated in a grocery store aisle.
Fruit picking connects us to age-old traditions that have sustained communities for generations. For example, Champlain Orchards has over 300+ acres of Eco-Certified farmland that has been producing fruit for over two decades with careful stewardship guiding every decision. Orchards tell many old tales.
An Annual Guide To Fruit Picking
Knowing when to visit for your favorite fruits is key. While the weather can always shift things slightly, here's a general guide to fruit-picking seasons in Vermont and fruit-picking farms near you, with a focus on how things are done at Champlain Orchards:
Late Spring (May-June)
-
Strawberry picking (Late May to mid-June): These ruby gems kick off the picking season with their sweet aroma and juicy flesh. Nothing compares to kneeling in a sunny patch, parting leaves to discover those ruby red berries hiding underneath.
Early Summer (June-July)
-
Cherry picking (Late June to July): Both sweet and tart cherries have a relatively short but glorious season. Their firm texture and deep flavor make them worth the wait. Come prepared with an extra pair of clothes so as not to get stained.
-
Raspberry picking (Late June through July): These delicate berries require gentle handling but reward you with intense flavor. You can find both the red and black varieties in this season.
-
Currant picking (July): Depending on the year, you might find currant picking opportunities. These tart little jewels are perfect for jams and preserves.
Peak Summer (August-September)
-
Blackberry picking (August): August comes with berries, and you can harvest both wild and cultivated blackberries during this period. These large, juicy berries darken as they ripen and have incredible taste.
-
Elderberry picking (August): A rare occurrence, but you can also find the tiny elderberries that pack a nutritional punch and are traditionally used in syrups and tinctures.
-
Stone fruit picking (August to early September): This is the prime time for plum picking, peach picking, and Nectarine picking. These smooth (or fuzzy, for peaches) stone fruits all show out as summer reaches its peak.
Fall (September-October)
-
Pear picking (September): As summer concludes, different varieties of these sweet, buttery fruits signal the transition to fall. Pears are also best picked slightly underripe and allowed to ripen off the tree.
-
Apple picking (September through October): The grand finale of the picking season comes with apples in the fall. With so many options, there’s an apple for every taste and purpose. Champlain Orchards comes alive with several apple varieties, from sweet to tart, crisp to tender, modern to heirloom, and so much more.
Remember that Mother Nature doesn't follow a strict calendar, so, these timeframes can wiggle a bit each year. Weather conditions can shift harvest times by a week or two in either direction. For the most up-to-date picking information, check Champlain Orchards' website or social media channels before planning your visit.
Benefits of Fruit Picking
Here are some benefits that you seek to gain when you pick your fruits:
Unbeatable Freshness & Flavor
Fruit tastes different when it's picked at its absolute peak ripeness. Store-bought fruit often travels hundreds or thousands of miles before reaching your kitchen. This travel time means it's usually picked before reaching peak ripeness to prevent spoilage. When you pick your fruit, you're getting it at its absolute freshest, with short harvest-to-table time.
Reduced Food Waste
Picking your own often means you value the fruit more and are less likely to let it go to waste. Plus, farms sometimes open U-Pick for crops that might otherwise not be harvested commercially.
Commercial harvesting can lead to significant food waste. Fruits that don't meet certain size or appearance standards often get discarded despite being perfectly edible. Fruit picking grounds you; when you pick your own, you're helping reduce this waste by harvesting fruit that might otherwise go unpicked.
Environmental Benefits
Fruit picking can also be done in environmentally friendly ways. Champlain Orchards practices ecological fruit farming, which means:
-
Solar-powered operations
-
Third-party Eco-Certification
-
Reduced pesticide use
-
Protection for pollinators
-
Conservation of soil and water resources
By supporting these sustainable practices through fruit picking, you're voting with your dollars for environmentally responsible agriculture.
Support Local Farms
When you pick your own at a place like Champlain Orchards, you're directly supporting a local, family-owned farm committed to ecological practices. You're helping sustain Vermont agriculture and getting produce grown with minimal environmental impact.
This direct connection to food sources builds appreciation for the farming process and the natural cycles that bring food to our tables.
Community Building
When it’s pick-your-own farm season, some community bonds are maximized. People run into neighbors, make new friends, and catch up on community news between the rows. Fruit picking is a recreational activity that allows for community building and interaction.
The shared experience of harvesting food together strengthens community bonds while supporting local agricultural businesses.
Tips for Successful Fruit Picking
What to Bring
Here are some things to take along when going fruit picking:
-
Containers (though many local farms provide them)
-
Sun protection (sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses)
-
Water bottles
-
Separate light, long-sleeved clothing for picking
-
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
-
Camera for memories
Picking Techniques
Some fruits benefit from specific types of handling:
-
For berries: Give them a gentle roll between your fingers. If they're ripe, they'll practically fall into your hand. If you have to tug, leave it for a few more days.
-
For stone fruits: Cup the fruit, and give it a gentle twist while lifting. The fruit should separate easily. Never just pull straight down, that damages the branch.
-
For apples and pears: Roll upward and twist gently. The stem should come with the fruit. If you're yanking off branches, you're doing it wrong (and hurting next year's crop).
Follow any specific instructions the farm provides for picking different types of fruit to avoid damaging the plants. Pick only what's ripe!
Sustainable Picking Practices
To promote sustainable farming, here are some quick pointers:
-
Pick only what you'll use
-
Handle plants gently to avoid damage
-
Follow farm guidelines for sustainability and ask farm staff questions when unsure
-
Stay in designated picking areas, supervise children, and pack out everything you bring in
Always check ahead or call before you go to the farm. U-Pick hours and fruit availability can change daily based on the weather and how much has been picked.
Beyond the Picking: The Full Sustainable Farm Experience
When you choose to spend a day picking fruit at Champlain Orchards, you're doing more than gathering food. You're participating in a sustainable food system. Our "Cider for Good" initiative donates ¼ pound of apples to food banks for every 4-pack of cider sold, helping us contribute over 20,000 pounds of apples annually to those in need.
Beyond fruit picking, you can enjoy educational tours, seasonal events like apple festivals, and workshops on sustainability and farming practices. Our on-site store offers farm-fresh baked goods, preserves, and our award-winning ciders, recognized by USA Today's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.
Discover all the experiences available at Champlain Orchards by visiting our website. As one of Vermont's oldest continuously operating orchards, we take pride in growing over 175+ varieties of Eco-Certified fruits while carefully stewarding the land. Your support helps maintain this agricultural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Plan Your Picking Adventure
As we approach the fruit-picking season, you should start ticking your calendars. Prepare your gear, find partners by searching for fruit picking near me, and get ready to visit local sustainable farms.
If you are in Vermont and its environs, Champlain Orchards offers a sustainable picking experience that directly connects with your food source. Target your favorite fruits while using the guide and set up a visit. We look forward to welcoming you to our fields and orchards for a picking experience that's good for you, good for the community, and good for the planet.