Whether you like fuzzy peaches or their smoother, shinier nectarine cousins, enjoy the best summer has to offer at Naturipe Fruits. Both peaches and nectarines are left on the trees as long as possible for optimum flavour. They’ll last for weeks at home, so you can keep enjoying their fresh-picked taste. Show
Remember, conditions change and supplies can vary every day on a cherry orchard, so BE SURE to call or email us before you come. We hope that you enjoy your time at the orchard, and that we will have a chance to get to know you when you come. We prize the friendships that have emerged at this beautiful intersection of farmland, fruit, and people. Please feel free to contact us at any time at the phone numbers listed here on the site, or e-mail us at [email protected] Thank you — and again, welcome! PEACHES, APPLES, CHERRIES AND MORENOTE for 2022: NO AUGUST PEACHES (But call in August, as this may change) In addition to peaches, you’ll find a number of varieties of summer apples for sale, both cooking and eating apples. Lodi, a world-class cooking apple, should be available at least until the end of July, and throughout late July and most of August we’ll have Jersey Macs (a wonderful semi-tart apple), Paula Reds (ditto) and Tydeman’s Reds, which many people consider to be in a class by itself. By late July/early August we expect our Gala apples to be ready to pick. This beautiful, sweet apple variety gains popularity nationwide every year. FALL APPLESLevering Orchard was founded by Frank’s grandfather in 1908 as an apple orchard, and though today we grow a wide range of fruit, we continue to honor Ralph Levering’s original vision by producing many varieties of fall apples. By Labor Day, we’re picking and selling old standards like Red and Golden Delicious, as well as Spartan, a Macintosh-cross variety that wins new fans every year for it’s not-too-sweet, not-too-tart balance and juicy crispness. By the end of September we’re into our Jonagold season (a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious), and the first week of October marks the beginning of Mutsu season. MUTSU SEASON? WHAT’S A “MUTSU?”“Mutsu” is the Japanese word for an apple variety-originating in Japan-that just might be the greatest apple variety in the world. A lot of our veteran customers think so. And while we aren’t going to take sides in this debate, the fact is the Mutsu apple grows spectacularly large, is a beautiful green-gold, has a scrumptious, dense crispness and well-balanced flavor, and will store for months in a cool place after you take it home. It’s just a sensational apple! Most supermarkets don’t carry it because supermarkets don’t want to sell an apple this big-it isn’t convenient. But we’re not a supermarket-we’re an orchard selling truly fresh fruit (by contrast, theirs is usually shipped long distances and stored for long periods). And as an added bonus, we sell our fruit at much cheaper prices. So check out our Mutsus. We’ll have them for sale at least until Thanksgiving. They’re what an apple should be. STAYMEN-WINESAPS, GRANNYS, FUJIS, YORKS, ROMESOctober and November are also the season for many classic varieties. Our Staymen-Winesaps are ripe during this period, and many people believe that this semi-tart apple is king of the hill. Others say that the Granny Smith-a favorite at our house, for sure-is impossible to beat. If you like something sweeter, our Fujis fill the bill (and the tummy). Yorks and Romes continue to set the standard for fall cooking apples. Call 276.755.3593 during business hours for varieties available or email [email protected] In the meantime, we hope to see you at Levering Orchard, hungry for fresh peaches, apples, and other fruits. We’ll do our best to satisfy your appetite and provide you with a fresher, more healthful, more adventurous alternative to supermarket fruit! As family farmers, we appreciate your interest, your business, and your friendship. We look forward to seeing you – not only in cyberspace but — in the Blue Ridge Mountain space! Cherry-picking season is a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of deal. If you’re thinking of picking some fresh cherries for your favorite pie or jam recipe, you’ll have to head out from around mid-June to early July. There are a number of fantastic farms in the NYC area where you can pick your own cherries—and cherries are the perfect size for tiny hands to pick. Farms recommend coming earlier rather than later, as it’s picking while supplies last. (Your best bet is to check a farm’s social media feeds before heading out.) Cherries are typically gone by early July, but you can still pick your own berries at one of these farms near NYC, and pick your own flowers at these farms. Just can’t get enough of farm life? How about a farm stay? Videos From TinybeansSome Tips Before You PickKate LowethCherry Picking in New YorkLawrence Farms Orchards Good to know: Admission is $5 per person (children under two are free), and there are season passes available if you plan on coming back to pick any of their other offerings. Non-cash methods of payment are accepted at an additional 4% fee from your final total. Where: 306 Frozen Ridge Rd., Newburgh, NY Phone: 845-562-4268 Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Online: lawrencefarmsorchards.com Distance from NYC: 1h 30m Prospect Hill Orchards Good to know: Credit cards are accepted as long as they have a chip. You can catch a ride on a tractor from the parking lot up to the cherry hill. Where: 340 Milton Tpke., Milton, NY Phone: 845-795-2383 Hours: Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Online: prospecthillorchards.com Distance from NYC: 1h 40m Fishkill Farms Good to know: Pets are allowed on the property, except in the farm store or areas where fruits and vegetables are grown. Picking requires a reservation, which open up as the fruits ripen and it becomes clear how many visitors the farm can accommodate. Where: 9 Fishkill Farm Rd., Hopewell Junction, NY Phone: 845-897-4377 Hours: Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; cherry-picking only available on weekends to the public Online: fishkillfarms.com Distance from NYC: 1h 40m Rose Hill Farm Good to know: You’re allowed to bring your own food for a picnic in certain areas. If you decide to stop by The Taproom for food and drinks for the adults, outdoor seating is available but you’re also welcome to bring your own camping chairs or picnic blankets and stay the afternoon. Where: 19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY Phone: 845-758-4215 Hours: Fri. 2-8 p.m., Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 12-7 p.m. Online: pickrosehillfarm.com Distance from NYC: 2h 10m Wickham’s Fruit Farm Good to know: Pets aren’t allowed anywhere on the farm, and outside bags are prohibited, as well. Where: 28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue, Long Island Phone: 631-734-6441 Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-“maybe 4 or 5” p.m. Online: wickhamsfruitfarm.com Distance from NYC: 3h 10m
Advertisement Wikimedia ccCherry Picking in New JerseyTerhune Orchards Good to know: Terhune often holds classes (on topics like herbs and gardening) and live music. You can also sign up your children for “Read and Pick Tuesdays,” a program that combines fruit picking with an educational and fun activity meant to teach kids about the farm. The cherries Read and Pick Tuesday is scheduled for June 14, and registration is $12 per child (one accompanying adult can come along for no additional charge). Where: 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ Phone: 609-924-2310 Hours: Mon.-Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online: terhuneorchards.com Distance from NYC: 1h 30m Battleview Orchards Good to know: This location is cash only and pets aren’t allowed. Senior citizens get a 10% discount on Mondays and Thursdays at the store and orchard. Not sure what to do with those sour cherries? Battleview Orchards has shared some of their favorite sour cherry recipes on their website. Where: 91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, NJ Phone: 732-462-0756 Hours: Wed.-Mon., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Online: battlevieworchards.com Distance from NYC: 1h 30m Stoneyfield Orchard Where: 5 Orchard St., Belvidere, NJ Phone: 908-475-5209 Hours: Sat. & Sun., 12-4 p.m. Online: stoneyfieldorchard.com Distance from NYC: 1h 40m Christine LaiCherry Picking in ConnecticutBelltown Hill Orchards Good to know: Don’t miss out on the farm’s delicious baked goods, including pies, breads, donuts, and their famous hot apple fritters. (Some bakery items are even sugar-free!) You can also snag plenty of jams, preserves, soups, salsas, relishes, and any other fruit or veg product your heart desires at Grandma’s Pantry. Are sour cherries available now?They're also used in soups and meat dishes. Sour cherries are also popular in juice and dried form. Sour cherries are available from June to July. Sour cherries were first cultivated around the Caspian Sea by early Persians and brought back to Greece.
What month are sour cherries ready to pick?The California cherries peak at the end of May/beginning of June.
What is the best tasting sour cherry?Montmorency Cherries
These red cherries are the most popular sour variety, which doesn't mean they're never enjoyed as a snack, but they are more often cooked, dried, canned, or frozen. They're also squeezed for their juice and used in pie filling, jams, and preserves.
Are sour cherries the same as Montmorency?Also known as tart or pie cherries, Montmorency cherries are the most widely cultivated type of sour cherry in the United States. These cherries are available fresh during July and August, but are most often consumed canned, frozen or dried.
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