Pick Your Own Fruit: 2 Local Farms for Fresh Fruit in the Mount Grace Region
Pick-your-own season is finally back! That means berry-stained hands and chin-dripping peaches are just around the corner. Whether you’re craving crisp apples or juicy raspberries, two standout destinations – Red Apple Farm in Phillipston and Upinngil Farm in Gill – offer unforgettable pick-your-own farm experiences in the Mount Grace region.
In Massachusetts, pick-your-own season kicks off with strawberries in June, before moving onto blueberries, raspberries and peaches in mid-to-late summer. Fall ushers in the age-old tradition of picking apples, running from early September through November.
🍎 Red Apple Farm (Phillipston, MA)
What you can pick: Blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, pears and pumpkins
Hours of Operation: Open daily, 9AM – 8PM year-round
A beloved local staple, Red Apple Farm is one of the premiere agritourism destinations in the state. Now run by the fourth generation of the Rose family, the farm features a full farm store, a lively Brew Barn Taproom, Cidery, and pick-your-own galore. From live music and tractor rides to an endless variety of apples, Red Apple Farm offers something for everyone.
In 2007, Mount Grace helped the Rose family place a Conservation Restriction on 103 acres of working woodlands adjacent to their orchards – ensuring that the land will stay protected for generations to come.
Wondering when your favorite fruit is in season? Check out their harvest calendar here.
💐 Upinngil Farm (Gill, MA)
What you can pick: Strawberries, raspberries, sugar snap peas and seasonal flowers.
(note: strawberry season has ended).
Hours of Operation: Open daily, 8AM-7PM year-round
For some rustic, family-run charm, head to Upinngil Farm in Gill, Mass. Upinngil is a small family farm located in the fertile Connecticut River Valley, with much of the land on the farm having been in cultivation or used for grazing continuously for more than 300 years.
Their highly diverse operation produces raw milk, farmstead cheeses, strawberries, grains, meat, eggs, homemade baked goods, beebalm, and maple syrup. “We’ve got a beautiful pick-your-own flower garden right behind our farm store, and in just over a month, our fall raspberries will be ripe for picking,” says Sorrel Hatch, daughter of farm owner Clifford Hitch. “We invite visitors to explore the farm—enjoy a family picnic behind the store, say hello to the chickens, stroll through our fields, and roll up your sleeves to pick some amazing berries.”
The farm is run by Patricia Crosby, Cliff Hatch, and their daughter, Sorrel Hatch. Mount Grace has held a CR on 12 acres of the family’s land since 1993.
These incredible family-run farms offer more than just fresh produce – they offer a meaningful connection to the land. If you're looking for more seasonal, family-friendly adventures across central and western Massachusetts, we've got you covered. Subscribe to our eNewsletter to receive monthly stories like this one, delivered straight to your inbox.