Harvest guides

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.

autumn Mushrooms

Mushroom Foraging in the Pacific Northwest

Chanterelles, matsutake, and more. A guide to safely foraging wild mushrooms in the forests of Oregon and Washington.

Pacific Northwest Read →
autumn Winter Squash

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.

Nationwide Read →
summer Blackberries

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.

Southeast Read →
summer Blueberries

Blueberry Picking in the Pacific Northwest

When blueberries ripen in Oregon and Washington, what to bring, and how to pick the best berries.

Pacific Northwest Read →
summer Cherries

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.

Pacific Northwest Read →
autumn Apples

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.

Northeast Read →
autumn Grapes

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.

California Read →
autumn Pears

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.

Pacific Northwest Read →
summer Tomatoes

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.

Mid-Atlantic Read →
spring Strawberries

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.

California Read →
autumn Pumpkins

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.

Northeast Read →
summer Sweet Corn

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.

Midwest Read →
summer Peaches

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.

Southeast Read →
spring Peas

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.

Nationwide Read →
spring Asparagus

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.

Nationwide Read →