U-Picking at Abbott's
Here are the crops available and their approximate picking schedule:
Strawberries June – July
Cherries late June – July
Raspberries July – August
Blueberries July – September
Apples Aug – Oct
Prunes Sept
Pumpkins late Sept – Oct
Fruit ripeness and volume depend on the weather. It’s always wise to call ahead and make sure we’re open before you come out. You can also keep up to date with us on Facebook. We keep our berry patch as weed-free as possible. Our strawberries are grown on raised beds, which makes them easier to reach. We also put straw between rows and plastic mulch within rows to keep the berries clean and your feet dry. Be sure to stop at our sheds located near each berry patch to get a list of what rows are open to pick that day and to pick up a container. We do take major credit cards (Visa, Master Card & Discover) in the field. Berries are sold by the pound on a first-come, first-served basis.
Keep in mind that berries keep longer when picked in the cool of the day and refrigerated as soon as possible. There’s not much shade in a berry patch, so dress for the weather and bring your sunscreen. We will give you our reusable waxed boxes to fill! If you need to cool down after picking, we have ice cream in our Country Store as well as cool drinks and many other treats.
In mid-August, the orchard is open whenever the Country Store is open. Our orchard is closely-mowed and though the majority of our trees aren’t too high, climbing trees is not allowed. We ask that you pick the fruit by the individual stem. Taking a bud or branch off will affect future growth on our trees.
Sweet cherry season tends to be short, sometimes just hours long; sign up for our e-mail newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, or you will miss it (late June/early July). Italian prune-plums ripen in early September.
We have popular apple varieties in addition to some new sensations like Snapdragon and Ruby Frost. Our apples start ripening in mid-August, so don’t miss out on u-pick apples for late-summer fun. Apples keep best when stored in your refrigerator.
To pick apples, stop in first in the store or at a shed (on the weekends). Pick out a bag size or bring your own. We will also give you a list of what rows we are picking from that day. Not every apple is ripe at the same time. Do you have a favorite variety? Call ahead, check our website or Facebook to be sure not to miss yours! We hate to have to raise our prices due to theft so if you see someone disregarding our system, or stealing, please tell an Abbott employee to help keep your prices low.
Pumpkins are sold by size, not weight. We grow our pumpkins in several sizes. Look for a size gauge in the pumpkin patch, or on the side of our wagons, to tell you what yours will cost. Corn stalks can be purchased in the store or sheds, by the bundle.
During Fall Festival Days you do not have to buy a wristband to pick apples or visit the pumpkin patch. If you would like to participate in the festival activities, wristbands or tickets are available in our sheds and in the store.
Dogs
Due to Health and USDA regulations, we cannot allow pets in the store, cider mill or upick fields(food) or our barnyard(animals).
That leaves the parking and other grassy areas for pets.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Enjoy your day at Abbott's!
