G and S Orchards Blog

The 2012 CSA sign up season has started!

2012-01-30T00:34:00.001-05:00

Membership in our CSA is a great way to support a real working farm. You will learn about the people and farm that supply you with a wonderful variety of high quality produce throughout the season.

Again this year we are offering a Fruit CSA and a Vegetable CSA. The Fruit CSA is available in 2 share sizes and 2 season sizes. The Vegetable CSA is one size and one season.

Check out our CSA page and e-mail to receive your sign up information.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-12-22T00:15:00.004-05:00

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

What does November bring?

2011-11-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

The Farm Stand will continue to be open through Wednesday November 23rd. There will be Apples, Pears, and Winter Squash. Also Leeks, Pie Pumpkins and Gourds while supplies last.

The CSA will continue their pick ups through the week of November 14th.

The farm employees will continue to harvest the late season Apples. Once that is done they will hand weed all of the summer fruit crops (Strawberries, Blueberries, Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries). The plastic and irrigation lines will be pulled and stored for next season. The fields will be tilled and the rye grass spread for a winter cover crop. The smelliest dryer sheets we can buy will be pinned on all of the new Apple trees and Juneberry bushes to prevent deer browse. The straw mulch will be spread over the Strawberries. The orchards will be mowed one final time. All of the equipment will be washed and put away for the winter. If the weather holds out we will be able to accomplish all of this before the 1st sticking and staying snow fall. Winter is on the way!

Is it really October?

2011-10-06T11:28:00.001-04:00

The summer is technically over but don’t believe the calendar! We should have at least a month of beautiful fall weather so come out to the You Pick on weekends for your apples and pumpkins. Also the fall berries while supplies last. The You Dig Potatoes were a big hit. We will definitely plant more next year.

The Farm Stand will be open everyday through November 20th so stop by for your Apples, Pears, Winter Squash, Leeks, Pumpkins, Gourds, Corn Stalks and other late season fruits and vegetables.

Welcome the Fall Season.

2011-09-02T20:12:00.001-04:00

September is time to welcome in the fall season at G and S Orchards. On the farm we are picking Bartlett Pears and Early Apples, also Fall Raspberries, Blackberries and Late Blueberries. Soon the You Pick will be Open. You and your family are welcome to come out and pick Apples, Red and Yellow Raspberries, Blackberries and Late Blueberries. New this year at the You Pick is Potatoes. Actually they will be You Dig Potatoes. We are excited to see how that is received by our customers. Don’t forget Pumpkin Season in October.

Good luck with the first week back at school and see you soon!

Why is the You Pick closed?

2011-08-14T16:27:00.002-04:00

The You Pick is closed for several reasons. Most families are busy with the last of the summer vacations. Parents and Children are spending time shopping and getting ready to go back to school. We need a chance to get ready for the pear and apple harvest season. And the fall crops need to ripen. So it is a good time for everyone to take a break. We will re-open Saturday September 10th with late Blueberries, Blackberries, Red & Yellow Raspberries, Apples and Potatoes. Pumpkins will be ready later in the month. In the mean time be sure to stop by the Farm Stand for all your seasonal produce needs. Call or e-mail to order baskets of peaches, pears, peppers and tomatoes for canning. See you soon!

Missed the Red Raspberries?

2011-08-05T00:10:00.003-04:00

Don't despair they will be back. Fall Red Raspberries will be available for picking on the weekends in September along with Blackberries, late Blueberries, Potatoes, Apples and Pumpkins.

Blueberries are prime for picking.

2011-07-24T22:55:00.004-04:00

This is the peak of the Blueberry season. The You Pick fields are open every day Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 12:30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am to 2:30pm. We anticipate the last day for the Summer Blueberry season to be Sunday August 14th. Not interested in picking your own fruit stop by the stand for already picked Blueberries and a wide assortment of G and S Orchards finest produce. Hope to see you soon!

The You Pick Sweet Cherry season is almost over!

2011-07-15T10:11:00.005-04:00

The You Pick Sweet Cherry season is almost over. Please don't wait too long. We hope to make it through Sunday the 24th of July. Be sure to check the Home page for availability. Already Picked Sweet Cherries will be available on the Farm Stand until August.

Fruit, Fruit and More Fruit; Veggies Too!

2011-07-09T05:07:00.003-04:00

This is the peak of the You Pick Summer Season. Right now you can pick White & Dark Sweet Cherries. Sour Cherries. Blueberries. White, Red & Black Currants. Red Raspberries (the Black and Purple Raspberries are just getting started). Green & Red Gooseberries. The last of the Snap & Shell peas. The Fava beans are here. Wow, what choices. Hope to see you soon.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T17:19:00.003-04:00

We had a great opening weekend for You Pick Sweet Cherries. Remember they will last several weeks so don't despair if you didn't make it out. They will just get better as they hang on the trees. Hope to see you soon.
If you don't have the time or the energy to pick please stop by the Farm Stand for already picked fruit. Need large quantities give us a call 315-524-3823 or send an e-mail to place an order.

The Sweet Cherry season has started.

2011-06-28T22:42:00.002-04:00

We will start the You Pick Sweet Cherry season on Wednesday June 29th. 6 days later than last year but right on time in an average year. The Dark Sweet Cherries are always ready 1st. Followed by the White Sweet Cherries one week later. It is hard to predict how long the season will last. That depends on the weather over the next several weeks. If the nights warm up then the fruit will ripen faster and the sugars will build up. The fruit will be sweeter but they won't hang on the trees as long as if the nights stayed cool and delayed the ripening. If the rain holds off and doesn't come as often as it did in the spring the season should last at least 4 weeks. Remember our trees are dwarf so you don't need a ladder. All of the picking is from the ground. We hope to see you soon!

The Strawberry season is going to be a short one.....don't wait!

2011-06-21T09:42:00.004-04:00

The Strawberry season is going to be a short one. The heat of this past weekend and the predicted heat of this week coming will really shorten the season. We are irrigating in an attempt to slow things down but it is hard to control Mother Nature. Please don't wait too long.

The up side of this is the Sweet Cherries and Blueberries as well as the Raspberries, Currants and Gooseberries will be ready sooner-hopefully the first weekend in July.

2011 You Pick Strawberry Season starts the 16th.

2011-06-13T08:01:00.006-04:00

Summer is finally here. Or least we hope so. The You Pick Strawberry season will start Thursday the 16th. This years You Pick Strawberry hours will be as follows: Monday thru Friday 7:30am to 12:30pm & Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 2:30pm. Weather Permitting. Always check our website for the daily update if you intend to come out and pick. If you don't have the time or desire to pick for yourself no worries already picked fruit is available at the Farm Stand located at 4572 Lincoln Road. Just north of the You Pick Gate.

We anticipate the season lasting only 3 weeks. The very cool wet pro-longed spring has kept the plants small. Now that the days are warm to down right hot the berries are ripening all at once. One plant will contain 5 to 7 berries of all different sizes but they are all red to almost red. So don't wait long. We hope to see you soon.

Juneberries!

2011-06-05T23:23:00.007-04:00

Well the word is out. Alex Hinckley of Channel 8 News was here today to talk to Gary and I about our Juneberry planting. Thanks to the efforts of Jim Ochterski from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County and a SARE grant we have a 3/4 acre planting research project for the new super fruit - the Juneberry. Juneberries are sweet and flavorful. They taste like a Blueberry and Sweet Cherry and Almond all at the same time. The bushes are a year old and will bear fruit in June of 2012. Yes, that is a year away but it will be worth the wait. Stay tuned!

On Sunday, June 5, 2011 WROC Channel 8 produced the following news story about juneberries / saskatoons and their emergence as a “superfruit” crop in Upstate New York. Click this link to see the story: http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=254597

Where did the last 30 days go?

2011-06-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

Boy have we been busy. Since my last posting we have planted peas, beans, sweet corn, onions, leeks, gladiolas, tomatoes, tomatilloes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, pickles, melons, summer squash, zucchini and apple trees. We picked up 18 new hives of Honeybees; took delivery of 10 quads of Bumblebees; are participating in a native pollinator research project with Cornell University. We put up and planted a new high tunnel hoop house for season extension. We have spent countless hours in the tractors plowing, discing, rototilling, mowing, spraying and planting. Some where in all of that time we have managed to eat at least 3 meals a day, sleep at least 5 hours a night and spend quality time with our 6 wonderful dogs on their daily walk. Oh and lets not forget laundry and the dishes. With any luck the stand and you pick will be open in 2 weeks!

Spring is here!

2011-05-01T09:57:00.002-04:00

The Barn Swallows returned mid week and that is a sure sign of spring. The Forsythia is in full bloom so that means time to uncover the Strawberries. The Rhubarb is up and growing fast. Everything is happy to see the sun. And so are we. The wind is helping to dry out the very saturated ground. Soon the fruit trees will be in bloom.

Meet us at the CSA Fair!

2011-03-24T08:53:00.004-04:00

Come meet us and learn more about our CSA at the NOFA-NY CSA Fair. Subscribing to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) lets you receive a season's worth of fresh produce, one week at a time, support your local farm, and eat the very freshest produce. Activities for children are planned, so bring the whole family! Tell your friends!

Saturday March 26
1:00-4:00pm
Rochester Village Gate at Physikos
302 N. Goodman Street, #E201
Rochester, NY 14607

Spring is on the way, sign up for our CSA!

2011-03-14T22:32:00.004-04:00

This year we are offering both a Fruit CSA and a Vegetable CSA. The Fruit CSA is available in 2 share sizes and 2 season sizes. The Vegetable CSA is one size and one season. Returning CSA members your enrollment is due by March 25th. Enrollments for new members are now available. If you are interested please send us an e-mail for information and an application. We look forward to having you as a member of our CSA family.

The 2011 CSA sign up season is NOW!

2011-02-06T14:40:00.004-05:00

The 2011 CSA sign up season is NOW. Membership in our CSA is a great way to support your local farmer and receive a wonderful variety of high quality produce throughout the season. Check out our CSA page and e-mail to receive your sign up information.

How about all this snow! It sure is keeping Gary busy plowing. When the weather permits he is also outside trimming the fruit trees. Stephanie is busy at her part time job off the farm and trying to get all the paper work done. Yes, winter is a slower season for us but it seems like there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T23:15:00.004-05:00

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Be sure to give thanks for what you and your family have. Many are not so lucky.

CSA enrollment will start in February.

2010-12-24T17:22:00.002-05:00

If you are interested in becoming a new member of the CSA please send us an e-mail. We will send the enrollment information to existing members in February. New members will be contacted in March. Thank you.

Giving Thanks.

2010-11-24T23:07:00.003-05:00

We would like to thank all of our faithful customers for your support this season. We would also like to thank all of our employees. Both are an important part of G and S Orchards' success. We couldn't do this without you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Back home for the winter.

2010-11-12T08:55:00.006-05:00

It is with mixed emotions I write this blog. I just returned from the Rochester airport. Our faithful H2A employees are returning home for the winter months. Although we are happy for the season to be over we are sad to see them go. Both Gary and I enjoy their company and really appreciate everything they do for us. We would not be able to provide the outstanding quality produce and service without them. They are our friends as well as our employees. I look forward to the spring when they will return with their smiling faces ready to tackle another season. Adios amigos!

Mom, how about this one?

2010-10-17T16:14:00.006-04:00

The weekend of October 23rd and 24th will be the last weekend for the 2010 You Pick Season. As mentioned in earlier blogs the season is ahead of last year by 10 to 14 days. The rain, wind and frosts have helped ripen and drop the apples on the ground. There is a good supply of pumpkins in the field. The Farm Stand will remain open for as long as the weather allows and offers a wide variety of apples, pears, leeks, peppers, eggplant, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks.

Pumpkins, Gourds and Winter Sqaush!

2010-10-14T10:36:00.003-04:00

This summer was a great growing season for pumpkins, gourds and winter squash. The weather was hot and dry with rains at just the right time. The Honeybees from our hives did a wonderful job pollinating the many blossoms. This makes the pumpkins big and plentiful. Come and pick yours while the supply is good. Pre-picked pumpkins, gourds and winter squash are available at the Farm Stand.

How long will the 2010 You Pick Apple season last?

2010-09-24T19:51:00.003-04:00

The apple season like the rest of the summer is 10 to 14 days ahead of "normal". If you add 10 to 14 days to today you arrive at the middle of October. So that means we have about 2 weeks left for the apple season. If the apples stay on the trees we will be open until Sunday the 31st of October. Keep in mind the longer you wait the fewer varieties there will be to choose from and the fewer apples there will be on the trees. So don't wait!

Where does the time go!

2010-09-15T21:08:00.005-04:00

Has it really been a month since my last blog. Yikes! Once we start apple harvest things go all ca-flewie. Why is that? Well apples are the largest single crop that we grow and it requires lots of time and coordination to get the crop sold, picked, sorted and delivered. Plus we have to continue with the harvest of the other fruits and veggies. Not to mention the Farm Stand, Fairport Farmers Market, You Pick and CSA. But as the saying goes make hay while the sun shines. So we will continue in high gear until the end of the season.

The Farm Stand is Open Daily.

2010-08-15T15:25:00.004-04:00

The Farm Stand is open everyday Monday thru Friday 8:30AM to 6:30PM & Saturday and Sunday 8:00AM to 6:00PM. We offer a wide assortment of seasonal Fruits and Vegetables. The week of August 16th we have Blueberries, Peaches, Blackberries, Melons, Tomatoes including "Ramapo", grape, pink, yellow, red round & paste) Green & Jalapeno peppers, Green Beans, Eggplant, Tomatillos and Fresh Onions.

Do your canning tomatoes and peaches now. Don't wait the season will not last.

You Pick Blueberries and Blackberries by appointment-call or e-mail us. The official reopening of the You Pick will be Saturday September 11th with Apples, Red Raspberries and Pumpkins.

The Blackberries are ready!

2010-08-06T19:26:00.005-04:00

The Blackberry season has started. As with everything else the season is 10 to 14 days earlier than in a normal year. They are big and beautiful. Plus they are really sweet (a benefit of the July heat). If you have picked Blackberries out in the wild or remember picking Blackberries as a child you will be pleasantly surprised with G and S Orchard’s Blackberry bushes.....they are THORNLESS. Yes, that is correct.....THORNLESS! You will not be attacked by prickers in these bushes. No scratched arms or hair being pulled out of your head. It will be a truly enjoyable experience. Hurry out to get them while they last. We also have picked Blackberries on the Farm Stand. See you soon.

What’s next?

2010-07-24T14:50:00.004-04:00

While the Sweet Cherries, Gooseberries, Currants, Fava beans and Raspberries are winding down the Blueberries are at the peak of their season. You will be able to pick Blueberries and Blackberries until Sunday August 15th. The You Pick will close on the 16th of August and reopen on Saturday the 11th of September for the Fall Season. You will be able to pick Apples, Blackberries and Fall Red Raspberries. Pumpkins will be ready later in the month.
If you don’t have the time or the energy to pick, check out the Farm Stand which is open everyday with a great variety of fruits and vegetables. Call or e-mail to place an order for larger quantities. We hope to see you soon. Gary and Stephanie

How long will the You Pick season last????????

2010-07-14T08:58:00.002-04:00

That is a very good question. The answer varies with each season and each crop.

1st check the Fruit Picking Schedules chart for estimated times, and then check the Twitter box (in red on the home page) this will give you the crops that are in peak season. For further confirmation call 315-524-3823 and listen to the message. You will hear detailed picking information as well as the Farm Stand availability.

This year everything is ahead of schedule by 10 to 14 days which generally means it will also end sooner. Here are the tentative ending dates for the You Pick crops. Please note we do have and will have already picked fruit on the Farm Stand located at 4570 Lincoln Road for longer than the You Pick season. This fruit was harvested at its peak and held in our cooling facility. There we are able to maintain the quality and freshness our customers expect.

Gooseberries-7/18
Red Raspberries-7/18 for summer crop-fall crop starts September 11th.
White Sweet Cherries-7/18
Black Currants-8/8
Black Raspberries-7/25
Dark Sweet Cherries-7/25
Purple Raspberries-8/1
Blueberries-8/15
Blackberries-until frost

Blueberries, Blueberries, Blueberries!

2010-07-09T09:41:00.004-04:00

We have the sweetest Blueberries on 6 undulating acres overlooking the surrounding orchards. Our Blueberries are high in vitamin C and anti-oxidants. They are great for just about everything. Remember they are super easy to freeze. Be sure to check out the Blueberry crisp recipe on our website.

Note: already picked Blueberries are available at the Farm Stand.

The Raspberries are awesome this year!

2010-07-03T15:34:00.005-04:00

Thanks to the mild winter and the warm spring weather the raspberries this summer are awesome. They are sweet and plentiful but we are running 10 to 14 days ahead of last year so don't wait. You pick is at the peak now. Make that special batch of jam or freeze some for a wonderful treat this Christmas in filled cookies or as a sauce over cake for Valentine's Day. The aroma will fill the house with the scent of summer and they will be delicious.
We hope to see you soon. Gary and Stephanie

Sweet Cherries are Ready!

2010-06-25T10:13:00.007-04:00

The Sweet Cherry season is 2 weeks early this year thanks to the very warm weather in April and May. We have Dark and White Sweet Cherries and boy are they sweet. The sun has really made a difference in the taste and flavor. You are able to purchase these at the Farm Stand on Lincoln Road or Pick them right from the trees in the 2 acre orchard. One of the best features of our You Pick is NO LADDERS. Everything is from the ground and the branches are even low enough for the children to reach. See you soon!

Strawberries?

2010-06-23T09:21:00.003-04:00

Yes, we do have Strawberries for You Pick and already Picked. They are getting smaller as the season progresses but at the same time they are getting sweeter. But please remember the season will be short so don't wait! The You Pick fields are open Monday thru Friday 7:30am to 11:30am, Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 2:00pm. We will have picked Strawberries on the Farm Stand as long as the season lasts.

The Strawberry season is in full swing...don’t wait too long!

2010-06-18T21:56:00.001-04:00

The Strawberry season is in full swing. Berries are red, ripe, juicy and tasty. Be sure to visit the You Pick 7:30am to 11:30am as soon as you are able. If you don’t have time to pick your own contact us to place an order for pick up at the Farm Stand. The season will not last long so don’t wait!

The 2010 Strawberry Season has started!

2010-06-07T09:15:00.002-04:00

This years Strawberry season will be an unusual one. The early warm weather of April and Early May brought the plants into bloom sooner than is typical. Then the long hours of freezing temperatures during several nights in Mid-May froze many of the blossoms (despite the row covers that were used to protect them). What did this do? It caused all the early blossoms and any baby berries to fall off. So most of the strawberries available will be from the later blossoms.

So what started as a bountiful very early season is now going to be a short later season.

On a positive note the fruit is really sweet because of all the sun and heat we have had.

But don’t wait too long ……… the season will be over before you know it!

Sorry for the long absence!

2010-05-04T11:53:00.011-04:00

In April, Stephanie’s Mom suffered a massive stroke and died. We have been consumed with all that goes along with the sudden death of a loved one. Thank you for your patience & understanding.
Gary and Stephanie

Spring is in the air!

2010-03-07T11:20:00.001-05:00

March is here and you can smell spring in the air. The birds are up and singing earlier every day. And check out how yellow the willow trees are.

Spring also means CSA sign ups. Interested in the 2010 season? Just send us an e-mail. Returning members don’t miss out on the discount opportunities, get your enrollments in.

How about all that snow in February? It might be a hassle for some but it really helps keep the ground cold and the fruit dormant. This reduces the risk of flowering too soon and the new crop freezing if there is a cold snap.

Enjoy the increasing sunshine and keep a look out for other signs of spring.

2010 CSA sign up is here! Where did January go?

2010-02-01T09:58:00.004-05:00

2010 CSA sign ups have started. Please check out the CSA page and e-mail us if you are interested in learning more or signing up. It is a great opportunity to support your local farmer and receive great produce during the season.

How about all this snow! When not plowing to keep the driveways open Gary has been busy getting the equipment ready and trimming the fruit trees. Stephanie is submerged in paper work. We both have meetings, meetings, meetings!

Is it Spring yet?

What a beautiful weekend for picking!

2009-10-25T16:48:00.001-04:00

The weekend of October 24th & 25th was outstanding for picking apples and pumpkins. The crisp cool air was stirring the leaves on the trees, the birds were flocking and the sun was shinning.

If you missed it don’t despair. We will be open Saturday October 31st from 9am to 3pm and Sunday November 1st from 10am to 3pm.

And the best part is all YOU PICK IS HALF PRICE! See you this weekend.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back and get that extra hour of sleep! Yippee……

This week on the farm.

2009-09-22T08:24:00.000-04:00

The weekend weather was wonderful for picking.

The Canada Geese are heading south. While out in the orchard you can see and hear them as they start the journey.

The You Pick Pumpkins will start this weekend. We will continue with the Apples, Red Raspberries & Blackberries.

Unfortunately we had a light frost very early Sunday morning which impacted the squash, peppers and tomatoes. The plants may not produce much longer.

This year has been a challenge with the rain, cold temperatures and now an early frost.

But that is farming the biggest gamble in the world.

This week on the farm!

2009-09-14T12:05:00.006-04:00

Our employees started picking processing apples this morning. They will start picking fresh fruit tomorrow.

The Bartlett pears are picked and in the cooler for the season.

This past weekend was the 1st weekend for You Pick Apples. The Gala and Jonamac are sweet. The Cortland and McIntosh have their traditional sweet/tart flavor. Soon the Empires will be ready.

Late season Red Raspberries, Blackberries and Blueberries also available.

We look forward to seeing you for picking every weekend Saturday 9am to 3pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Weekdays by appointment.

Don’t have time for You Pick the Farm Stand is Open Daily 8am to 6:30pm.

See you in the orchards!

You Pick Apples starting September 12th!

2009-09-08T17:37:00.002-04:00

The You Pick will re-open on Saturday September 12th at 9am. The hours during September and October will be Saturdays 9am to 3pm and Sundays 10am to 3pm. We will be picking Apples, Red Raspberries, Blackberries and Blueberries. Picked fruit and vegetables are available at the Farm Stand every day of the week. You Pick Pumpkins in October!

Question: is there any interest in You Pick Bartlett Pears?

Did I miss the You Pick Blueberries this season?

2009-08-20T09:54:00.002-04:00

We will be open for You Pick Blueberries one more weekend in August, the 22nd and 23rd. The hours are 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. Then we will close the You Pick until September 12th. Already picked Blueberries will be available at the Farm Stand which is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm and at Fairport Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for the rest of the month of August and into September.

We will reopen You Pick Saturday September 12th with Apples, Red Raspberries, Blackberries and late Blueberries. Picking will be available weekends from Saturday September 12th thru Sunday November 1st. Weekday picking may be scheduled by appointment.

How long will the Blueberry season last?

2009-08-07T12:46:00.002-04:00

The length of the season for Blueberries depends on the weather. If the temperatures continue to stay cool at night it will delay the ripening so the season will last longer. The increased amount of sun we have been experiencing lately has really sweetened the fruit.

We traditionally have Blueberries on the Farm Stand located at 4572 Lincoln Rd and at Fairport Farmers Market thru the Labor Day weekend.

You Pick will be open every weekend from 7:30am to 2:00pm while the supplies last. Call 315-524-3823 to double check or follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/GandSorchards.

Don’t forget to try the delicious Blueberry crisp recipe on the Blueberry page.

August is the best month for Blueberries!

2009-07-29T22:24:00.003-04:00

Be sure to You Pick your Blueberries during the month of August. They are at the peak of perfection. Large, sweet and juicy. If you don't have time for You Pick we have already Picked fruit available at the Farm Stand or Fairport Farmers Market.

Great for fresh eating and baking but they also freeze well. Just wash, drain and place on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once frozen roll into the storage container and use as needed.

What a treat to have your own local Blueberries in the middle of winter. Pancakes, muffins, crisp, pie, waffles with Blueberry sauce. The possibilities are endless and yummy!

How long will the 2009 You Pick and Picked Sweet Cherry season last?

2009-07-27T08:13:00.001-04:00

The last day scheduled for You Pick Sweet Cherries will be Sunday the 2nd of August. After that day you will be able to find Sweet Cherries on the trees but they will be softer than usual and have marks, cracks and splits. As the fruit over ripens the sugars really increase and this causes the fruit to break down much faster.

We do have and will have already Picked Sweet Cherries on the Farm Stand located at 4570 Lincoln Road for the entire Month of August. The fruit was harvested at its peak and held in our cooling facility. This maintains the quality and freshness our customers have come to expect from G and S Orchards.

When and Why is the You Pick closed?

2009-07-23T11:32:00.003-04:00

When: every afternoon.

Why: we are a true operating farm and it is necessary to close in order to accomplish the field work.

When: if the fields are very wet or it is raining.

Why: many diseases are transferred in moisture. If you are picking when it is raining or very wet you will move the disease (if there is any) between plants.

Why: the ground compacts when it is walked on during a wet or rainy period.

Why: the fruit you pick will not keep well when picked wet.

Why: certain fruit (raspberries) have less sugar content when picked in the rain.

Why: it is not a pleasant experience for our customers.

Sweet Juicy Huge Blueberries are here!

2009-07-18T19:15:00.004-04:00

You Pick Blueberries have started. We also have picked Blueberries on the Farm Stand and at Fairport Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

Blueberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and Antioxidants. They are delicious eaten fresh or after being frozen. Watch for future suggestions and recipes for Blueberries. Add your comments if you have a recipe you would like to share.

You Pick etiquette compliments of the North American Blueberry Council!

» Most You Pick farms post a per pound or per bucket rate for Blueberries. If in doubt, ask before you pick.

» Who could resist a sample of Blueberries in the field. But, take it easy! This is how the farmer makes his living. Sample don't eat.

» Wash your hands before and after picking.

» Stay on trails and in between rows. Do not walk or stand on the plant root mounds as it will hurt the growth of the Blueberries.

» Bring your family, tell your friends and have a great time!

What is a “Bonus” day?

2009-07-14T08:26:00.002-04:00

When we are able to extend the picking past the normal or average picking time we refer to it as a “Bonus” day. The cool night time temperatures of the last several weeks prevent the strawberries from becoming over ripe. But the sun of the day makes them extra sweet. Get them while they last. Delicious!

Sweet Cherries are at the peak of perfection!

2009-07-13T14:58:00.003-04:00

Sweet Cherry season is in full swing and at the peak of perfection. We have both Dark and White Sweet Cherries. You Pick is available daily: Monday thru Friday from 7:30am to 11:30am, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am to 2:00pm. If You Pick is not an option for you please stop at the Farm Stand or call 315-524-3823 and place an order for pick up.

For some you can never have enough Sweet Cherries. For others moderation is the key. But remember you can freeze these little nuggets whole for a great taste treat in the winter months. Here is how: Fresh Sweet Cherries, remove stems, wash, and dry in a colander or on a towel. Place a single layer on a cookie sheet and place that in the freezer. Once the Sweet Cherries are frozen remove them from the cookie sheet by rolling into a storage container. Put the container back in the freezer. Remove from the container only what you are going to eat within 15 minutes and they will not get soft.

Sweet Cherries are great for dehydrating/drying as well. Be sure to remove the pits before drying and place halves on the tray for drying.
For the more adventuresome canning is a great option. Either whole (without stems) or with the pits removed. Don’t have a pitter just use a small kitchen knife, cut into the cherry and spin around the pit. The pit will just pop out.

Don’t wait too long the season will be over before you know it!

The Sweet Cherries and Red Raspberries are loving the sun and so are we!

2009-07-06T22:55:00.003-04:00

What a difference in the flavor and size of all the fruit when the sun shines.

The Sweet Cherries are getting sweeter and bigger everyday. The You Pick season should last the entire month of July. We have many varieties to pick but we do not grow "Bing" because they crack very easily. They do not meet our quality expectations.

You Pick Red Raspberries are at their peak so don't delay.

Soon the Black Raspberries will be ready along with the Gooseberries, Black Currants and Blueberries.

Come visit G and S Orchards to enjoy the sun and country. Just 15 minutes from Rochester.

You Pick Sweet Cherries starting July 4th.

2009-06-30T21:32:00.005-04:00

Celebrate the 4th of July Holiday at G and S Orchards with You Pick Sweet Cherries!! The trees are loaded this year - no ladders needed. Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 2:00pm. Don't forget that you can now follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GandSorchards for real-time orchard conditions and picking schedule updates.

You Pick Strawberries.

2009-06-30T11:39:00.002-04:00

The Strawberries are holding up well. Please keep in mind the season will be done in less than 2 weeks. If you want to You Pick please make your plans NOW. Check Twitter for field condition updates.

Will it ever stop raining?

2009-06-28T21:42:00.004-04:00

After a rather dry spring it now feels like the rain won't stop. Fortunately we have very good ground which drains fast but the Strawberries, Red Raspberries and Sweet Cherries can only take so much. Keep your fingers crossed that the storms predicted for this week won’t last long or even better miss us completely. One good aspect of all the rain is it will make the Blueberries big and juicy!

Summer is here!

2009-06-26T10:20:00.002-04:00

Welcome to G and S Orchards first official Blog! We need to thank Lance Topping for pushing us into the “Techno World”. Suzanne and all the crew at BizWonk Inc have done a wonderful job.

Summer appears to be here. You Pick times for Strawberries are: 7:30am to 11:30am every day (unless it is pouring). The Strawberries are at their peak. Please don’t disappoint yourself or the family by waiting too long. We anticipate having Strawberries until the week after the 4th of July.

Red Raspberries are ripening fast and should be ready soon. Every one is asking for Sweet Cherries. The cool spring weather really slowed things down. We had Sweet Cherries last year on June 24th. We hope to start You Pick by the 4th of July this year.

Ribes what? These are Currants and Gooseberries. We have many colors and varieties to choose from. They should be ready Mid July. Check out the picking schedule for other Berries and Produce.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter.

See you in the Strawberry field!

Strawberry picking begins June 22!

2009-06-19T17:02:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the G and S Orchards Blog!

We expect strawberry picking to begin June 22.

Check back for updates and to confirm that picking is open in case of bad weather.