The Complete Seasonal Fruit Picking Calendar: A Parent's Guide to Year-Round Farm Fun
When I first started planning farm visits with my daughters, I had no idea that strawberry season was basically over by July or that the best apple varieties ripen at completely different times. After three years of trial and error (and some very disappointed toddlers), I've created the ultimate seasonal fruit calendar that actually works for busy families.
Quick Reference: This guide covers the entire U.S., but remember that seasons can vary by 2-4 weeks depending on your specific location and weather patterns. Always call your local farms to confirm what's currently ready for picking!
Spring Fruit Picking (March - May)
Strawberries: The Perfect First Farm Experience
Peak Season: May - June (varies by region)
Best for Kids: Ages 18 months and up
Why We Love It:
- Low to the ground - perfect for toddler height
- Sweet taste that kids love
- Quick picking - holds attention spans
- Soft fruit that's safe for little hands
Regional Timing:
- Florida/California: March - April
- Southeast: April - May
- Mid-Atlantic: May - June
- Northeast/Midwest: June - July
- Pacific Northwest: June - July
Dad Tip: Strawberry season is short but intense. Most farms are picked clean within 3-4 weeks, so don't wait! I learned this when we missed strawberry season entirely one year because I thought "June sounded good."
Summer Fruit Picking (June - August)
Blueberries: The Toddler-Friendly Champion
Peak Season: July - August
Best for Kids: All ages (my 2-year-old's favorite)
Why It's Perfect for Families:
- Bite-sized and safe for toddlers
- Bushes are the perfect height for kids
- Less messy than other berries
- Long picking season (6-8 weeks)
- Multiple varieties ripen at different times
Variety Timeline:
- Early Season (June-July): Duke, Spartan
- Mid Season (July): Bluecrop, Patriot
- Late Season (August): Jersey, Elliott
Raspberries & Blackberries: For Adventurous Families
Peak Season: July - August
Best for Kids: Ages 3+ (thorns require careful supervision)
What to Expect:
- Delicious but delicate berries
- Thorny canes require long sleeves
- Shorter picking season than blueberries
- Higher prices but incredible flavor
Fall Fruit Picking (September - November)
Apples: The Classic Fall Experience
Peak Season: September - October
Best for Kids: Ages 2+ (look for dwarf trees)
Apple Variety Calendar:
- Late August: Gala, Early Harvest
- Early September: Honeycrisp, McIntosh
- Mid September: Cortland, Empire
- Late September: Jonathan, Golden Delicious
- October: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji
Best Apple Varieties for Kids:
- Honeycrisp: Sweet, crispy, perfect size
- Gala: Small, sweet, great for little hands
- Fuji: Very sweet, holds up well
- Empire: Good balance of sweet and tart
Pears: The Underrated Fall Fruit
Peak Season: August - October
Best for Kids: Ages 3+ (can be messy when ripe)
Popular Varieties:
- Bartlett: Classic pear flavor, August-September
- Bosc: Firm texture, great for baking, September-October
- Anjou: Sweet and juicy, September-October
Pumpkins: More Than Just Jack-o'-Lanterns
Peak Season: October
Best for Kids: All ages (more about the experience than picking)
What Makes It Special:
- Perfect for fall photos
- Usually combined with corn mazes and hayrides
- Kids can pick their own size
- Great for Halloween decorating
- Many varieties for different uses (carving, cooking, decorating)
Regional Variations: Planning by Location
Southern States (Zones 8-10)
Season starts 4-6 weeks earlier than northern states
- Strawberries: March-April
- Blueberries: May-July
- Peaches: May-August
- Apples: August-October (limited varieties)
Northern States (Zones 3-6)
Later season but longer harvest windows
- Strawberries: June-July
- Blueberries: July-September
- Apples: September-October
- Cranberries: September-November
West Coast (Zones 8-10)
Year-round growing season in some areas
- Strawberries: March-November (California)
- Cherries: June-July
- Apples: August-October
- Citrus: November-April
Planning Your Farm Visit Calendar
Here's how I plan our family's farm visits throughout the year:
My Annual Farm Visit Strategy:
- Spring: One strawberry farm visit (timing is critical!)
- Summer: 2-3 blueberry visits (season is long, kids love them)
- Fall: 2 apple orchard visits (early and late season varieties)
- Late Fall: One pumpkin patch visit (for Halloween fun)
Tools for Tracking Seasons
- Farm websites and social media: Most farms post weekly updates
- Local extension office: Provides regional growing information
- Weather tracking: Unusual weather can shift seasons by weeks
- Farm newsletters: Sign up for updates from your favorite farms
Ready to plan your farm visits? Use our farm directory to find U-Pick farms near you, organized by location and crop type. Each farm listing includes seasonal information and family-friendly features to help you plan the perfect outing with your kids.