Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, where you'll find answers to common questions about our persimmons, farm visits, and more!

All About Persimmons

  • Persimmon season typically runs from mid-March to early June each year. Availability may vary depending on weather conditions and crop yield.

  • We cultivate both astringent and sweet, crunchy varieties:

    • Astringent: Nightingale (Hachiya) and Yemon, available from early autumn.

    • Sweet/Crunchy: Fuyu, Swane’s, and Suruga, typically starting around mid-April.

    All persimmons sold at our packing shed are grown on our family properties in Galston and nearby Arcadia.

    Click here for more information on the different varieties we grow.

  • Yes, we offer trays of freshly picked persimmons at the packing shed during the season. No booking is necessary. For larger quantities, please contact us in advance at 0493 702 541 to place an order.

  • If we sell out, we’ll immediately update the moving banner on our website’s homepage. A sign will also be placed at our farm gate.

    For the most up-to-date availability, feel free to call or SMS us at 0493 702 541 before visiting.

  • Yes! At Aviani Persimmon Farm, we offer a Pick Your Own persimmons experience for the Fuyu variety, (known for being sweet, crunchy, and non-astringent) as well as Nightingale & Yemon (the astringent varieties that must be eaten very soft).

    Our persimmon picking season typically begins in April, and bookings are required. We recommend following our Facebook and Instagram pages or joining our VIP SMS list to be notified when bookings open (see our Contact Us page).

    For the latest updates and to plan your visit, check our Pick Your Own page or contact us directly.

  • If you're looking to make dried persimmons, astringent varieties like Nightingale and Yemon are the best choices, as their natural sugars concentrate during drying, creating a rich, sweet flavor with a soft, chewy texture.

    Non-astringent varieties (like Fuyu) can also be dried, but they tend to stay firmer and slightly crisp.

    The Yemon persimmon is especially popular for making ‘gotgam’ (곶감)—a traditional Korean delicacy where whole persimmons are hung by their stems to dry naturally.

    For customers buying Yemon persimmons for gotgam, we harvest to order and leave a long stem for easy hanging. The fruit is picked when it’s orange but still very firm to ensure the best drying results.

    • Yemon persimmons for gotgam are generally sold by the box (approx. 10kg per box), but we can arrange any quantity to suit your needs.

    • Pre-orders are required – Contact us at 0493 702 541 for enquiries or to place an order.

  • Waiting for persimmons to ripen? Here are some easy methods to speed up the process:

    For Astringent Persimmons (Nightingale/Hachiya and Yemon)

    These varieties must be fully soft before eating. To ripen them faster:

    • Store with Apples or Bananas
      Place persimmons in a bag or airtight container with ethylene-producing fruits like apples, bananas, or pears. This natural gas speeds up ripening within a few days.

    • Seal in a Bag with Alcohol
      Commercial growers use alcohol to remove astringency. You can replicate this by placing persimmons in a sealed plastic bag with a small open container of vodka, rum, or sake for 24 hours.

    • Keep in a Warm Room
      Storing persimmons at room temperature (18-22°C) in a warm, sunny spot will naturally speed up ripening. Avoid the fridge, as cold temperatures slow the process.

    • Freeze & Defrost for Instant Ripening
      Freezing firm persimmons overnight and then defrosting at room temperature instantly softens and ripens them by breaking down the cell walls and tannins, mimicking the natural ripening process.

    For Non-Astringent Persimmons (Fuyu, Suruga, Swane’s)

    These can be eaten crisp or soft. If you prefer them riper:

    • Store at room temperature until they soften.

    • Place in a bag with an apple or banana to speed up the process.

    Once fully ripe, refrigerate persimmons to keep them fresh for longer.

Pick Your Own (Persimmon Picking)

  • Pick Your Own (persimmon picking) typically begins in late April and continues for 4-6 weeks, depending on the crop yield. Bookings will open on the website approximately one week before the first session.

  • We have two types of Pick Your Own sessions:

    1) Fuyu persimmons (the crunchy sweet variety)

    2) Nightingale & Yemon persimmons (the sweet soft varieties)

  • Yes, you need to book as tickets are limited for each session and sessions often sell out, particularly on weekends or public holidays. Walk-ins will only be accommodated if there is availability.

  • We initially release 30 tickets per session. If a session is showing as Full, we recommend joining the waitlist—there’s still a good chance you’ll be able to attend.

    Please note that joining the waitlist does not reserve tickets—it simply means you’ll be notified if more become available.

    If the weather looks favourable, we release an additional 20 tickets per session around 1–2 days prior. When this happens, people on the waitlist will be notified by email as soon as tickets are released.

    We encourage you to join the waitlist early to give yourself the best chance of securing tickets, as notifications are sent in the order people joined (earliest first).

    Why do we do this?
    Nobody enjoys picking fruit in muddy conditions. If there has been recent rain or wet weather is forecast, we limit numbers to reduce foot traffic in the picking areas. This helps prevent soil compaction and protects the root systems and overall health of our trees. It also ensures a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone visiting the farm.

  • We love dogs, but unfortunately they’re not allowed in the orchard (except for registered assistance animals).

  • We accept cash, all major credit cards, and bank transfers.

  • Yes, please contact us on 0493 702 541 or complete the Contact Form to discuss your requirements.

  • Yes! For weekday PYO sessions not listed on our schedule, please SMS 0493 702 541 with your request. A minimum of 10 adults is required to confirm a session. We'll notify you by 8am on the day of the session if it needs to be postponed due to insufficient numbers.

  • Yes! Join our SMS list to stay informed each year about harvest times, variety availability, and when PYO bookings open. Complete the Contact Form and indicate your interest in receiving SMS updates.

Visiting Us

  • During the season, we are open 7 days a week, 8am - 4 pm, including public holidays over the Easter long weekend and on Anzac Day.

  • The best time to visit Aviani Persimmon Farm depends on what you're looking for:

    • For astringent persimmons (Nightingale & Yemen) – Visit in March and April.

    • For sweet & crunchy persimmons (Fuyu, Swane’s & Suruga) – Visit from mid-April to late May.

    • For pick your own persimmons (Fuyu) – Available late April to late May (bookings required).

    • For both astringent & non-astringent varieties – the second half of April is ideal, as this is when they overlap.

    🔸 Best time of day for pre-picked fruit:

    • Astringent varieties (Nightingale & Yemen) – Fruit is restocked first thing in the morning (from 8am). These varieties may sell out by the afternoon.

    • Non-astringent varieties (Fuyu, Swane’s, Saruga) – Restocked throughout the day as they are picked and packed. To avoid disappointment, SMS or call at least a day in advance to reserve trays of Fuyu as they are in high demand.

    🚜 Busy periods: Easter weekend & Anzac Day public holiday see high visitor numbers. We stock plenty of pre-picked persimmons in the packing shed to meet demand.

    For real-time updates (including when we sell out for the day), see announcements on the home page of our website or call ahead.

  • Yes! We have on-site parking.

    • Packing Shed (to buy pre-picked persimmons): Parking is in the grassy area, immediately to the left as you enter the farm.

    • Pick Your Own: Once you drive into the farm, follow the driveway towards the house and look for the 'PYO Parking' signs. During busy times, we have a large overflow parking area for PYO near the house.

    Please drive slowly and carefully when entering and leaving the farm, especially during peak times (weekends and public holidays), as there may be many visitors and children about.

  • We accept both cash and card payments; however, cash is preferred for faster transactions. A small surcharge applies for card payments.

  • For large orders we can deliver within Sydney for a fee.

  • During Pick Your Own season, a portable toilet is available on-site for your convenience.

    Prefer a full restroom? Public toilets are just a 2-minute drive away — located behind Galston Library and near Liquorland.

  • No, we do not have a cafe on-site.

    There are many wonderful cafes in the Dural, Galston and Glenorie villages to choose from.

  • Picnics are allowed for Pick Your Own customers with prior arrangement, depending on bookings for that day. Please note, we do not have public toilets on-site.

    Alternatively, nearby parks such as Fagan Park and Galston Recreation Reserve offer picnic facilities.

  • Yes! We welcome group bookings, and bus/coach tour groups. Advance bookings are essential to ensure we can accommodate your group. Please contact us to arrange a suitable date and discuss any specific requirements.

  • No, we currently don’t sell persimmon trees. You can try at Engall’s Nursery in Dural which is not far from the farm.

  • Currently, we focus solely on persimmons however pomegranates will soon be available to purchase. During the off-season, we rest and prepare for the next harvest.