Picking Schedule

This is the 2010 picking schedule. Fruit seasons come and go, each can be very different from the previous one. This year is no exception. Last year our trees yielded one of the largest crops ever, this season we have much less, especially in apple varieties. A few 80 degree days in March and April pushed all fruit into early development followed by several freeze events which destroyed fruit in almost all apple varieties. Apple fruit set is very light in some blocks..

Stone fruit fared better than apples through the freezes. Peaches, plums and nectarines have a good but not heavy crop. Blueberries and raspberries look good.

Pumpkins, gourds, sweet corn and the vegetable garden have been planted and are growing.

2010 U-Pick Hours (when fresh fruit is available): 9am til 6pm Monday through Saturday; Sunday 10am til 6pm. Please call 269-561-5126 for current fruit information.

Our season is two weeks ahead of last year so we will open Crane's U-Pick to the public around July 4th. Our schedule looks like this for the 2010 season:

Transparent apples:
Anticipate picking around July 4th,. lasting for approximately one week. Light Crop.

Red Raspberries:
Berry picking should start around July 4th and continue until first frost..

Peaches:
Peach season will start with Risingstar, July 16th, followed by Red Haven and Redstar August 1st. The season continues into September as follows: Blazingstar, Starfire, Coralstar, Loring, Blushingstar (white fleshed peach), Glowingstar, Allstar and Redskin September 1st.

Nectarines
The first nectarines are expected to be ready approximately August 1st. We finish the season with Fantasia September 1st..

plums:
Shiro and Santa Rosa are available around August 1st.

Sweet Corn :
Available already picked in mid-July and August.

Blueberries:
Available already picked mid-July through August.

Apples:
Picking should start around Labor Day with Gala and Golden Supreme followed by Honeycrisp, Empire, Jonathan, McIntosh (very light crop), Cortland (light crop), Jonagold (light crop), Fuji, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutsu (light crop), Ida Red and Rome.

Pumpkins:
Take a wagon and walk through five acres of beautiful pumpkins until you find your perfect pumpkin! We also offer already picked winter squash, gourds and specialty pumpkins. The patch will be open until mid-October this year.

Chestnuts:
Nuts begin falling in early October.

Please remember, all of the above dates are approximate. If you are interested in a particular fruit call (269) 561-5126 for current fruit information. Dress properly: layered shirts, sunscreen, hats and close toed, flat shoes. Save money by bringing your own containers, small shallow boxes or 1/2 bushel baskets transport fruit best. Always call the above number for current fruit information.

We hope to see you soon!
Gary and Sandy Crane