APPROXIMATE RIPENING SCHEDULE
This approximate schedule is a working document which we provide as a general reference. It is subject to change based on weather and climate variability and growing conditions unique to each season. For the most current picking conditions, keep an eye out for updates through our newsletter, Instagram posts, and our website. You can also call our Fruit Hotline, updated on PYO days, at (845) 758-4215 to hear a recorded live update.
Strawberries: early to late June
Strawberries are in short supply this 2024 season, and we will not be opening the patch for any picking.
Several unique varieties, typically with a staggered ripening schedule to span the month of June:
early-June GALLETA large size, glossy fruit
mid-June JEWEL deep red & aromatic
late/mid June CABOT, MAYFLOWER, DICKENS & SPARKLE
late-June MALWINA dark red & sweet
Cherries: mid to late June, typically a brief ~15 day harvest!
This spring 2024, the cherry orchard experienced a snowball bloom, resulting in an above-average fruit set. It was incredible to see, and we're excited to open cherry picking towards the end of June.
Our many sweet varieties are best for eating fresh or freezing for smoothies:
Cavalier, Rynbrandt, Ulster, Chelan, Celeste, Sam, Attika, Benton, Tieton, WhiteGold, Summit, Ebony Pearl, Black Pearl, Burgundy Pearl, NY 007, Black Gold, Regina, Sweetheart, V71151, Early Star, Grace Star, Black Star, Big Star
The punchier flavors of our Tart / Sour Varieties are ideal for baking, canning, fermenting and infusing (beer, cider/wine, cordials) although we love eating them fresh as well!
Danube
Galaxy (aka Montmorency)
BalatoN
Blueberries: early-July through mid-Aug
early Jul - early Aug REKA mid-size berry. rich flavor. pleasing aroma.
mid-July—mid-Aug BLUERAY large berry. sweet taste. dark-blue color.
late-July-late Aug CHANDLER extra large sweet and juicy berry.
late July-late Aug DARROW large and sweet. highly rated flavor.
mid-Aug-early Sept ELLIOT medium size berry. firm. light-blue color. more tart flavor is ideal for baking / preserves.
Apricots: mid-July
HARGRAND - very large yellow-orange fruit with a slight blush. freestone with firm orange flesh. very good for eating fresh, drying or in jams and preserves.
Plums: mid to late-July
Plum Varieties:
Early Golden - harvested 7/7 - 7/9 (2022)
Shiro - harvest ~7/20-7/27 (2022)
oblinaya
Stanley Prune-Plum
Peaches: early-Aug through early-Sept
PEENTO “FLAT” (AKA DONUT SHAPED) varieties:
Saturn Blush skin, white flesh, low acid, sweet flavor with hint of almond, freestone
GALAXY Blush skin, white flesh, sweet flavor, MELTING TEXTURE, SEMI-freestone
TangOs 1 Golden/mango color, yellow flesh Clingstone, aromatic, pleasant acidity
TangOs 2 Yellow-green skin, white flesh clingstone, spicy and tropical flavor, melting texture
GLOBE (ROUND) VARIETIES:
Messina red blush skin, large size, freestone yellow flesh
Glowingstar red blush skin, medium to large size, freestone yellow flesh
Cresthaven tomato-orange blush skin, large size, freestone yellow flesh
Ouachita Gold large size, freestone yellow flesh
Flamin’ Fury (PF27A) medium size, semi-freestone yellow flesh
EF1049
Snow King
Contender
Encore
PF24-007
Blushing Star
Klondike
Apples: late-Aug through mid-Nov
gingergold (Late aug): attractive yellow gold apple from Virginia. Mild flavor, cream colored flesh.
Paulared (Late aug): Red skin over green-yellow background. firm, crisp, juicy, sub-acid flavor.
FULFORD gala (early sept): EARLIER RIPENING large-sized Gala finishing with a blush rather than a stripe.
jonamac (EARLY sept): firm, crisp & sweet flavor similar to McIntosh. great for fresh cider.
GALE gala (early TO MID sept): FULL RED COLOR WITH DEEP RED STRIPING. sweet flavor and CLEAN FINISH.
honeycrisp (early TO MID sept): crisp, and predominantly sweet, modern variety from the USA.
PIONEER mcintosh (MID sept): crisp & red with bright white flesh and refreshing tart/sweet flavor.
EARLY fuji (mid sept): Developed in Japan, but an all-American cross of Red Delicious and Ralls Janet. A very attractive modern apple, crisp, sweet-flavored, keeps well.
empire (late sept): tart/sweet vinous flavor, One of the best McIntosh-style apples. great for sauces.
cortland (LATE sept): successful McIntosh AND BEN DAVIS offspring, with all the usual characteristics, including the tart/sweet vinous flavor. Great for baking too.
jonagold (LATE SEPT): with a honey-nectar flavor, an exceptional dessert apple. hard cider variety.
shizuka (LATE SEPT): Large Yellow fruit with red-orange blush. tart but Sweeter and with less acid than Mutsu, excellent flavor.
macoun (LATE SEPT): considered one of the best McIntosh style apple varieties, from the famous Geneva Research Station. sweet flavor, great for sauces.
ROYAL COURT (LATE SEPT): DEEP RED COLOR WITH MAHAGONY BLUSH. CRISP WHITE FLESH.
ROYAL EMPIRE (LATE SEPT): DEEP RED COLOR WITH PURPLE STRIPES. SIMILAR FLAVOR TO EMPIRE. WHITE FLESH.
jonagold (EARLY OCT): with a honey-nectar flavor, an exceptional dessert apple. hard cider variety.
red delicious (EARLY OCT): One of the most famous American apple varieties, firm with bright red color. stores well WHEN FULLY RIPENED.
golden delicious (EARLY OCT): sweet flavor with honeyed aroma. yellow gold fruit, cream flesh.
mutsu (EARLY OCT): large green vaEARLY OCTriety from japan, aka crispin. tart flavor with honeyed aroma and creamy colored flesh. Great for sauces.
twenty oUNCE (EARLY OCT): "grandma fraleigh's favorite". very large fruit, yellow-green flushed red-orange. Juicy, sweet flesh.
cameo (MID oct): cross between empire & northern spy. crisp, juicy, acidic. excellent for baking.
ny 428 (MID oct): with a honey-nectar flavor, an exceptional dessert apple. hard cider variety.
NORTHERN SPY (MID TO late oct): large and stout apple. red skin with streaks of yellow and pale green. tender-crisp flesh is creamy yellow and juicy. Tart bite, cider-quality flavor with hints of pear.
fortune (MID TO late oct): excellent North American eating apple with a "spicy" flavor. Fruit is large with an attractive color and yellow Flesh. favorite for pies & sauces.
WINECRISP (MID TO LATE OCT): a true "dessert apple", decadently dense with a firm, crisp sweetness.
lady apple (EARLY TO MID NOV): aka Api, is an old French apple variety with a PLEASANT aromatic flavor. small size conducive to many decorative uses.
CRIPPS PINK aka PINK LADY® (EARLY TO MID NOV): sweet-tart apple has high sugars and high acids with a crisp bite and effervescent finish. Its beautiful, bright white flesh is slow to oxidize - great for snacks & salads.
granny smith (EARLY TO MID NOV): crisp. ACIDITY MELLOWS WHEN FULLY TREE RIPENED TO CREATE A BALANCED FLAVOR. very refreshing when chilled, sweetens in storage.
Cider Apples: recently planted
Caville blanc, dabinett, esopus spitzenberg, wickson crab, chesnut crab, newton pippin, baldwin, binet rouge, bramleys seedling, court pendu plat, frequin rouge, harrison, hewes crab, redfield, stoke red, geneva tremletts, yarlington mill, belle fille, brown snout, somerset redstreak, harry master jersey, cox orange pippin, NORTHERN SPY, margil, ellis bitter, nehou, callaos, coloradona, christalina, gnarled chapman, muscat de bernay, piel de sapa, redbyrd bitter, repinaldo, sangre du toro, solarina, texas king crab, Sylvie Crab and various wild varieties.
