Cofran's Texas . . .
Hill Country Portal

Yes, in the Texas Hill Country we grow pumpkins, peaches, apples, pecans and berries. Probably best known for the delicious peaches, and this draws thousands of visitors a year, as explained in more detail below.

And, this beautiful region is well recognized for having excellent strawberries, blackberries and vegetables. Many of these growers have farm stands with baskets of fresh, locally grown produce, and some allow "pick-your-own" (PYO) as well, a fun, family-oriented outdoor experience. Enjoy!

Many of these outdoor market stands listed below are located right at their family-owned and operated farms, where they sell seasonal fruits and vegetables, and for your fall decorating they typically have large pumpkins and gourds, indian corn, dried corn stalks, straw bales and flowers. Many also have a selection of cold drinks, home-baked goods, produce, jams and jellies. Some have a fall corn maze (a walkable "maze" through a field of corn for the kids to enjoy).

Below is our list. Please note that many of our farm stands sell a variety of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in season, along with some serve mouth-watering ice cream, cobbler, pies, breads, jams, jellies, etc. Some of these stands and retail locations will box and ship your selection, which makes for nice gifts and easy transport. We have basic categories listed below, but many of these outlets include produce from several categories, so take a look in all categories.

We also have related focus pages on this Portal site dedicated to:
Hill Country Wine & Grapes, Hill Country Beer & Breweries, Hill Country Lavender, & Hill Country Festivals & Major Events.

Our event calendar includes the annual Pecan Jam Festival in San Saba (mid-October), and other events that celebrate our delicious fruits.










Want to take the kids to a real pumpkin patch? There are three kinds of pumpkin patches:

• Still in the field where they are growing: This is what most people prefer, the real thing! But, the area can be muddy or dusty out in the country. Typically, if they are running low on pumpkins, more are bought and brought to the field so that kids can still get the same experience in nature! Kids run around looking for the perfect pumpkin out in the field! Many of these places have other related activities, such as hay rides, animal rides, petting zoo, tours, food, etc. to make an extended outing.
• Already harvested and set out for kids to explore: Located in an outdoor, country or farm environment, and often at a local spot, such as a church.
• Store or farm stand: Not the best experience for the kids, but better than no pumpkins! Pick the one you like and take it home. No special activities for kids.

Here are the local places in the Hill Country where there are old-fashion-style pumpkin patches:

BLUE OAK GARDEN CENTER: 830-353-1228; 1834 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TX 78028. blueoakgardencenter.com

EIEIO'S ORGANIC FARM: 512-847-2463; 1000 Green Acres, Wimberley, TX 78676. eieiofarm.wordpress.com

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: 830-625-4513; 572 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130

GRUENE PUMPKIN PATCH: 830-625-7200; 2629 E Common St, New Braunfels, TX 78132

(The) HOMESTEAD FARM & MARKET: 830-644-8009; 502 Jenschke Ln, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. fbgcornmaze.com. Corn maze & pumpkin patch. Near Stonewall

JENSCHKE ORCHARDS: 830-889-0756; 830-997-8422; US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. bestfredericksburgpeaches.com. Wholesale, retail & PYO peaches. 7 mi E of FBG near Trade Days. Pumpkin patch, corn maze, Christmas trees.

LOVE CREEK ORCHARDS: 800-449-0882; 830-589-2588; Medina, TX 78055. lovecreekorchards.com

MAZED & CONFUSED CORN MAZE: 132 Bradshaw Ln, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. mazedandconfused.com

PEACH VALLEY FARM (formerly M & J FARMS): 512-431-6545; 12992 US-281 N, Round Mountain, TX 78663. peachvalleyfarm.com. Peach orchard, pumpkin patch & retail store

PIPE CREEK CHRISTMAS TREE FARM: 830-510-6006; TX-16 & Phil’s Rd, Pipe Creek, TX 78063. pipecreekchristmastrees.com

SPRING CREEK GARDENS: 830-885-6321; 11355 US-281 N, Spring Branch, TX 78070. scgardens.com

SWEET BERRY FARM: 830-798-1462; 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654. sweetberryfarm.com

TEXAS BIG WORM PUMPKIN PATCH: 512-355-8165; 4625 TX-29 E, Bertram, TX 78605. Facebook. Seasonal.

TEXAS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: 10930 East Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander, TX. Pumpkin patch, hay maze, arts & crafts, vendors, food trucks, corn hole, kids activities. Free parking. Admission fee. texaspumpkinfest.com. Sep 26-Oct 31, 2020 -

VOGEL ORCHARD: 830-644-2404; 12862 US-290 E, 2358 Gellermann Ln, Stonewall, TX 78671. Web. Retail & wholesale

If you find more in the Hill Country, just let us know and we will add them here.





The Hill Country is well known for producing some of the best peaches available. Our soil and climatic conditions are most favorable here for growing abundant, delicious peaches.

Most of the orchards are in the Fredericksburg area (Gillespie County) and in particular are concentrated in Stonewall, and Johnson City/Round Mountain area (Blanco County). Gillespie County produces 40% of all the peaches grown in the state of Texas. You can see many of the orchards along the highways.

The peach season runs from mid-May through the first week of August in a normal year. Several orchards offer "pick-your-own", a fun and different outdoor activity for the family. When in season, visitors will find peach stands all along US 281 and on US 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. These stands typically also offer a variety of fresh, locally grown produce and fruit.

The Stonewall area calls itself "The Peach Capital of Texas" and many refer to the excellent peaches grown there as "Stonewall" peaches.

The Hill Country Fruit Council in Fredericksburg produces a listing of its members and other helpful peach information in a brochure entitled fredericksburg-Stonewall Peaches displayed on their website texaspeaches.com

An informative article on this subject is at: Texas Escapes.

The Stonewall Peach JAMboree is held in mid-June each year to celebrate the bounty of local peaches. Activities include breakfast, rodeo, dance, races, peach eating contest, peach seed spitting contest, peach auction, peach queen coronation, and more. Info: 830-644-2735. stonewalltexas.com and see Hill Country Festivals for the June schedule.

Be sure to check out the detailed profile page in this Portal site for each town along the way to see their event calendar and more detail on fun things to do in the area.

There is a dedicated web site that focuses on the peaches in the Hill Country, and in particular those grown on the Pedernales Valley farms located between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. We won't duplicate their helpful information here. To reach this great site just click: Peaches.

PEACHES IN THE AREA JUST EAST OF Fredericksburg:

CRENWELGE PEACHES: 830-997-4977; 617 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Web. Retail

BARILOCHE FARM: Closed

BEHRENDS ORCHARD: 830-997-4420; 4 mi E of town on S side of US 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. texaspeaches.com/behrends/Default.htm. Retail & wholesale

ENGEL ORCHARD: 830-997-3292; 9885 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail

ENGEL FARMS: 830-990-0537; 9973 US-290 E, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail. 8 mi E of town

GEORGE PEHL ORCHARD: 830-997-1118; 1349 RR-1376, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Just S of the KOA

JENSCHKE ORCHARDS: 830-889-0756; 830-997-8422; US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. bestfredericksburgpeaches.com. Wholesale, retail & PYO peaches. 7 mi E of FBG near Trade Days. Pumpkin patch, corn maze, Christmas trees.

MARK PREHN ORCHARD: 830-456-3400; 1653 Gellerman Ln (2 mi W of Stonewall), Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail

PEDERNALES VALLEY FARMS & LYDELL'S STORE: 830-997-1982; 1607 E Main, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Across from Fort Martin Scott. Retail & wholesale

ROCKY HILL ORCHARD: 830-997-6352; 279 Rocky Hill Ln, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. WebRetail. 5 mi E of town

STUDEBAKER FARM: 830-990-1109; US 290, Fredericksburg/Blumenthal, TX. Web. 5 mi W of Stonewall at Blumenthal, PYO, Retail

TUSCANY ON THE PEDERNALES: 682-553-9287; 1349 RR-1376, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. (Luckenbach Road, 1 mile off US 290 E). texaspeaches.com/tusc/default.html. Pick your own and retail peaches

WOODS ORCHARD: 830-385-9442; Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail

ZENNER'S ORCHARD: 830-997-7445; 2745 RR 1631, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail & wholesale

PEACHES IN THE AREA JUST SOUTH OF FREDERICKSBURG:

DONALD ECKHARDT ORCHARD: 830-992-7113; US-87, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. hillcountrypeaches.com. 2.2 mi S of town. Retail & wholesale

ERNST MARKET: 830-997-2035; 3722 TX-16 S, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Retail

FISCHER & WIESER'S DAS PEACH HAUS: 830-997-8969; US-87 S, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

MARBURGER ORCHARD: 830-997-9433; 559 Kuhlmann Rd, US-87, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. marburgerorchard.com. 5 mi S of town. PYO, Retail

PEACHES IN THE STONEWALL AREA:

BURG'S CORNER-HILL COUNTRY HARVEST, INC: 830-644-2604; 15194 US-290 E, Stonewall, TX 78671. burgscorner.com. Retail & wholesale peaches, peach products, fruit, fresh produce, eggs, cider, honey, pecans, ice cream, preserves, pickles, canned goods, sweets, gifts, and online store. Locally grown, creafted. Open air but covered (barn)). Open: Mon 9a-4p, Thur-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 11a-5p

GOLD ORCHARDS: 830-644-2890; 14329 US 290 E, POB 56, Stonewall, TX 78671. Web. 14 mi E of Fredericksburg. Retail

VOGEL ORCHARD: 830-644-2404; 12862 US 290 E, 2358 Gellermann Ln, Stonewall, TX 78671. Web. Retail & wholesale

WAHL TREE RIPE PEACHES & VEGETABLES: 830-644-2299; 15371 US 290 E, Stonewall, TX 78671. Retail

PEACHES IN THE ROUND MOUNTAIN

PEACH VALLEY FARM (formerly M & J FARMS): 512-431-6545; 12992 US 281 N, Round Mountain, TX 78663. peachvalleyfarm.com. Peach orchard & retail store

PEACHES IN THE BLANCO AREA:

ENGEL'S FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES: 830-456-3438; US 281, Blanco, TX 78606. Web. 1 mi S of Blanco.

MCCALL CREEK FARMS MARKET: 830-833-0442; 4524 US 281 N, TX 78606. mccallcreekfarms.com. 3.5 mi N of Blanco. Retail

INTERESTING PEACH TID BITS:

Peach varieties vary as to when they ripen, and further the timing depends on moisture conditions, temperature and other factors. Best to contact local growers to see how the peaches are progressing.

The primary factors influencing the plentifulness of peaches include:

• Chill Hours: The amount of time peach trees are below 45 degree temperature, to help them have a healthy winter dormancy and condition them for spring. Optimum winter days are 35 to 40 degrees. Late winter freezes can ruin a peach crop. Desirable chill hours vary by peach variety.
• Moisture: Without adequate rain, peaches will not fill out.
• Timing: The grower faces the challenge of waiting for the unknown late freeze versus pruning early enough to complete the entire process for all trees during late winter. The warmer the budding period, the faster trees will bud. Pruning accelerates the budding process. But, a late freeze will diminish or kill the buds. There is no hotline to Mother Nature to call to determine her schedule. Thus, the process is risky and some years peaches abound, and some years they don't. It can vary by orchard, peach variety, and date of pruning, all within the same farm.

When growers refer to peach stone "freeness", the following are typical terms:

• "Cling": The peach clings to the pit. Ripen in May.
• "Semi-Free": The peach will release from the pit when ripe. Ripen in early June.
• "Freestone": The peach will easily release from the pit. Ripen in June and July.

TYPICAL RIPENING PERIOD:

HOW TO FREEZE FRESH PEACHES: Peal peaches. Slice or half them. Dilute 1/2 cup water with 2 tablespoons of "Fruit Fresh" (lessens browning, preserves). Thoroughly mix 5 lbs of peaches with the diluted preservative. Place into freezer bags, seal and freeze them.

HOW TO BUY PEACHES: Make your selections based on what you intend to do with the peaches. For immediate eating or making into a jam or ice cream, select a soft-ripe peach. For canning or freezing, select a firm-ripe peach.

SIMPLE PEACH MATH: 3 to 4 medium peaches weigh about 1 pound. One bushel of medium peaches weighs about 48 lbs and produce 18-24 quarts of canned or frozen peaches.

PORTAL PEACH RECIPES:

Peaches and other fruits can be a sweet addition to any how to cook pancakes recipe you make at home.

HOMEMADE PEACH ICE CREAM USING AN AUTOMATIC (CUISINART) ICE CREAM MAKER: By Sharon
Yield: 1 to 1.5 qts
Ingredients:

• 1 or more cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup regular milk
• 1 can eagle brand milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 to 6 chopped peaches

Steps: Freeze the Cuisinart container. In a separate bowl mix above ingredients except for peaches. Cool mixture overnight in refrigerator. Put mixture into frozen Cuisinart container and mix for 15 min. Add peaches and mix 5 more minutes. Enjoy the ice cream then or empty into plastics freezer bowl and freeze.

PEACH COBBLER: By Sharon
Yield: 13"x9"
Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup Crisco
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup regular milk
• 6 large peaches (peeled and sliced)

Steps: Blend flour, Crisco, baking powder and salt with pastry blender until resembles course meal. Add milk and stir. Roll out on floured surface in rectangle form t make the crust. Melt 1 stick butter in 13"x9" Pyrex dish. Boil 2 cups water with 2 cups sugar until melted. Place fresh peaches on crust and cover. Roll crust into jelly roll. Slice into 15 slices. Place slices into dish with melted butter. Pour water-sugar mixture over sliced peach roll. Bake in 400° oven for 45 min. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

PEACH DUMPLINGS: (By Zena): A recipe from the Czech Republic.
Ingredients:

• 1 lb all purpose flour
• 1 pkg dry yeast
• pinch of salt
• 1 pt lukewarm water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 eggs
• whole peaches with skin or whole pealed peaches (blanched in boiling water for 20 seconds to easily remove skin)

Steps: Make the dough as follows. Dissolve sugar into warm water. In a bowl crumble the yeast, add the sugar water, stir and let rest 20 min. Add the flour, add eggs and a pinch of salt. Mix well and kneed into a soft dough. Let the dough rise for at least half an hour in a warm place. After rising, roll the dough flat and divide it into equal pieces about 3-5" square (depending on size of peaches). Wrap whole peaches into each dough square (carefully, so there are no holes) forming dumpling balls. Let the dumplings rise for 5 min. Boil water in a larger pot. Put dumplings into boiling water and cook about 10-12 min after they rise to the surface. After removing from the water, pierce each one with fork to release the steam. Garnish cooked dumplings as follows: In a bowl put 8 oz cottage cheese, 3 tbs sugar, 1/2 cup milk, and stir or whip until smooth. Top each dumpling with the mixture. Pour melted butter on the dumplings, and sprinkle sugar on top.

Don't overlook the growing reputation of the apple orchards in the Medina and Mason areas, known for producing succulent apples. See our profiles on Medina and Mason. See Hill Country Festivals. The South Llano area on TX 16 also has a commercial apple orchard operation.

APPLE VALLEY ORCHARD: 325-247-3979; 12340 TX-16 S, Llano, TX 78643. Facebook. Apples, berries, more. Located a few miles S of Llano.

CHADWICK OLIVE GROVES & VILLA: 512-589-5121; 6443 US-190 E, Lampasas, TX 76550. Event venue

KENDALL COUNTY NATURAL APPLES: 111 Sunset Dr, Boerne, TX 78006. A PYO orchard with 40 trees and 12 varieties

LOVE CREEK ORCHARDS: 800-449-0882; 830-589-2588; Medina, TX 78055. From April through October, these apple orchards are open to the public by guided tour only; call to set up a tour time. Lunch, tours, apple picking, pumpkin patch. Known for its dwarf apple trees that produce full-sized fruit with varieties ranging from Crispin to Jonagold. lovecreekorchards.com

SONLIGHT APPLE ORCHARD: 325-347-1808; TX-29 E, Mason, TX 76856. sonlightappleorchard.com




SWEET BERRY FARM: 830-798-1462; 1801 FM-1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654. sweetberryfarm.com

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY OLIVE COMPANY: 512-607-6512; 2530 W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. texashillcountryoliveco.com. Olive farm and retail store





San Saba: "Pecan Capital of the World". This area has an ideal climate and water and soil conditions to support native and improved pecan production. Native production is prolific along the rivers and creeks, while improved varieties are found in irrigated orchards nearby. An amateur horticulturist from England developed the first improved varieties here in San Saba in the 1870s. Birthplace of the paper shell pecan. San Saba is a hub for the production and wholesale and retail distribution of pecans and pecan products throughout the world. The pecan tree is the state tree. See directory below for local pecan companies that have retail outlets. See the Mother Pecan Tree from which many varieties were grafted, located at the Millican Pecan Company orchard in San Saba County.

CIRCLE H ORCHARDS: 830-755-6440; 7380 Rolling Acres Trail, Fair Oaks Ranch, Boerne, TX 78006. circleHorchards.com

BUZZ WHITE ORCHARDS: 830-997-8407; 959 S Eagle, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

SEVEN CIS PECAN ORCHARD: 512-282-2397; Junction, TX 76849

FRIO PECAN FARM: 877-832-0674; TX-337 E, Leakey, TX 78873. 3/4 mi off US 83. friopecanfarm.com

B&D PECAN PARADISE: 512-752-3362; 9659 US-190 W, Lometa, TX 76853

ATKINSON PECAN COMPANY: 325-446-4931, Menard, TX 76859

R. B. BAGLEY PECANS: Menard, TX 76859

K&K PECANS: 325-396-2943; 210 S Ellis St, Menard, TX 76859

COMAL PECAN FARM: 830-609-0168; 231 High Creek Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130. comalpecanfarm.com

ALAMO PECAN & COFFEE COMPANY: 325-372-5275; 877-618-9089; 601 E Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877

BONEY & CLAUD'S: 325-372-6887; 311 N High (TX-16), San Saba, TX 76877. "Pecan Emporium and Country Store"

DONER PECAN COMPANY: 325-372-5623; 1707 W Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877

(The) GREAT SAN SABA RIVER PECAN CO: 325-372-6078; 234 US 190, San Saba, TX 76877. greatpecans.com

MILLICAN PECAN COMPANY: 325-372-4026; 1101 W Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877. pecancompany.com

OLIVER PECAN COMPANY: 325-372-5771; 1402 W Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877. oliverpecan.com

R. B. BAGLEY PECANS, GIFTS & MORE: 325-372-4700; 412 E Commerce, San Saba, TX 76877

SAN SABA PECAN, LP: 325-372-5727; 2803 W Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877. SanSabaPecan.com

WILLIAMS PECAN CO: 325-372-5146; 1604 W Wallace, San Saba, TX 76877




AGGIE HORTICULTURE: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu

GO TEXAN: gotexan.org

HILL COUNTRY FRUIT COUNCIL: texaspeaches.com

ORANGE PIPPEN: orangepippin.com/orchards/united-states/texas. Texas orchard directory

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE: See AgriLife

TEXAS FRUIT CONFERENCE: Hosted by Texas AgriLife. Targets Texas fruit growers, and is one of the most comprehensive, annual, educational events. Contact AgriLife Viticulture & Fruit Lab, 830-990-4046. 2023: Fredericksburg, 10/18-20

TEXAS PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION: texasfruitgrowers.org

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