Living in the Garden State means we not only have access to plump, juicy fruits and vegetables, but we can also pick them ourselves — all summer long.
With strawberry season currently in full swing, u-pick farms across New Jersey have begun to open their fields for the picking months. Wander through vast rows of farmland featuring everything from peaches to peas (in May through August), and fill your basket as you go.
Looking for a good pick-your-own spot near you? Here's everything you need to know to find one.
**NOTE** Picking can be weather/seasonally dependent, so be sure to call your local farm ahead of time to confirm its fields are open for the day.
Alstede Farms, Chester Township
Alstede Farms is one of the most extensive pick-your-own farms in Jersey. Expect strawberries,peas, radishes, cilantro and raspberries in June; blueberries, beans, peaches, sweet corns and peppers in July; and more produce throughout the fall.
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All pickers must purchase a ticket online before coming to the farm. Ticket time slots are open every 30 minutes, with the first being at 9 a.m., and the last at 4:30 p.m.Each ticket includes either a quart or 6-quart container to fill with produce (picker's choice), though you can purchase additional containers when you visit.
Go:1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester Township;908-879-7189,alstedefarms.com.
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Bader Farms Home Grown Produce & Plants, Pine Brook
If it’s nutritious vegetables you're after, head to Bader Farms Home Grown Produce & Plants in Pine Brook. The 15-acre, family-owned farm is run by husband and wife Ivan and Jean Bader, and their sons Ian and Sean. Within its lush green rows, you can pick your own ripe tomatoes, vibrant peppers, crunchy string beans and more — each grown with no insecticides or chemicals (in sustainablecomposted soil).
U-pick is slated to open in July, and will run from 9 a.m. to one hour before closing each day.
Go:290 Changebridge Road, Pine Brook;973-227-0294,baderfarms.com.
Battleview Orchards, Freehold
The family-owned Battleview Orchards rotates its u-pick produce depending on what’s fresh. Strawberry picking is currently the name of the game, but —later in the summer — sour cherries, peaches and nectarines willbe available.
Before stopping by, it's important to note: Battleview does not take reservations; u-pick is first-come-first-serve. No strollers, backpacks, bags or reusable fruit containers are permitted, and all purchases are cash only. The farm will provide a picking container.
Go:91 Wemrock Road, Freehold;732-462-0756,battlevieworchards.com.
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Peach season at the quaint Demarest Farms generally runs from July to August, but early Instagram posts from the team imply it might be right on the horizon. General admission fees are TBD, but we expect them to run between $5 and 8, based on prior years' prices. A bag to hold your peaches is an additional cost, but each bag — when full — holds about 10 to 12 pounds of peaches.
Once the peaches are ripe, Demarest Farms will open its online reservation system, and asks that you reserve your time slots digitally before arriving on site.
Go:244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale;201-666-0472,demarestfarms.com.
DiMeo Farms, Hammonton
Pick organic blueberries amongthe Pine Barrens at the 108-year-old DiMeo Farms in Hammonton. For over a century, the rustic spot has been growing "ultra-heavy bearing blueberry bushes that provide better tasting big blueberries," and this summer will be no different.
After filling your baskets with juicy blues, feel free to enjoy nature trails and picnic tables in the forest, as the farm offers both (kayaking along Hammonton Creek is also available for $20 per person). Just be sure, of course, to call ahead and reserve your same-day blueberry picking appointment.
Blueberries are $2.50 per pint, and DiMeo Farms is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Go:3101 NescoRoad, Hammonton;609-561-5905,dimeofarms.com.
Emery’s Farm, New Egypt
The 60-acre, spacious Emery’s Farm grows five varieties of blueberries — Duke, Blueray, Bluecrop, Darrowand Chandler.
But, if you're not familiar with blueberry varieties? All you need to know is they’re plump, delicious and will soon be available for u-pick from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (usually). Check the Facebook page for updates on when the farm is open.
The blueberry field is also only a short walk away from Emery's locally-famous country store, where a dedicated team of bakers offers fresh pastries and pies. So, be sure — when considering your $4 entry fee and $3/pound of blueberries — to also budget for those warm, decadent treats.
Go: 346 Long Swamp Road, New Egypt; 609-758-8514,emerysfarm.com.
Farms View New Jersey Farm Market & Garden Center, Wayne
Farms View is yet another place to get your hands on succulent strawberries in North Jersey. The field sits just a few yards away from the main store (which offers fruits, veggies, baked goods, decor and more) and is easily accessible for families with small children. Strawberries are currently ripe on the farm, but picking availability depends on the specific day. Monitor picking status on the farm's Instagram page.
Should the fields be open, the entrance feefor pick-your-own is $5 and strawberries are $5.50 per pound. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday,9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Go:945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne;973-839-1212,farmsview.com.
Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill
Mood’s is a quintessential, rustic barn with its name painted in stark black letters over a chipping white structure. Beyondthat nostalgic building, however, lies fields of fruits and vegetables available for picking. In June, blueberries and raspberries bloom in their luscious rows, while July brings sweet plums and nectarines. August supplies red pears and grapes, both of which look great in photos against that aforementioned old-timey backdrop.
To pick at Mood’s, the team asks that you bring your own bucket or box (no plastic bags are allowed). Hours for the season are TBD, though the farm is generally closed on Sundays.
Go: 901 South Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill;856-478-2500,moodsfarmmarket.com.
Sussex County Strawberry Farm, Newton
Juicy, bright red strawberries can be dusted with sugar, sliced over yogurt, baked into pies, mashed into jams, dipped into whipped cream, smothered with chocolate or eaten all on their own.
Whichever way you prefer this sweet snack, though, you can pick your own at Sussex County Strawberry Farm.
And, once the strawberries go? Raspberries and blackberries will be available (starting in late August) for all of your dipping, dunking and baking needs.
Beginning in June, picking starts at 7 a.m. each day — though hours are subject to change.
Go:565 Route 206, Newton;973-579-5055,sussexcountystrawberryfarm.com.
Wightman Farms, Morristown
Wightman Farms is a Jersey staple that has been in operation since 1922. The strawberries at the Morristown landmark are plump and pickable, and yearly guests delight in filling their baskets with them. Throughout the summer months, visitors also enjoy snagging cherries, peaches, nectarines and apples.
Though Wightman may have one of the longest picking seasons (approx. five months of PYO produce), the fields are only open to the public on very specific days and hours. Currently, u-pick runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays — and does not operate on weekdays.
Wightman's charges a one-time entry fee of $10 per person, which is good for the entire season.Fruit is an additional price/pound.
Go:1111 Mt Kemble Ave., Morristown;973-425-9819,wightmanfarms.com.
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Other pick-your-ownfarms
Eastmont Orchards: Apples, peaches. Opens in July for peach season.169 County Road 537, Colts Neck; 732-542-5404,eastmontorchards.com.
Hallock’s U-Pick Farm: Sweet peas, okra, snow peas, broccoli, hot peppers, spinach, cilantro and more.38 Fischer Road, New Egypt; 609-758-8847,hallocksupick.com.
Bear Berries:Blueberries. 1449 Junction Road, Browns Mills section of Pemberton;609-636-5158,bearberries91.com.
Blueberry Bill Farms, Inc.: Blueberries. 914 11th St., Hammonton; 609-839-4306,blueberrybillfarms.com.
Haines Berry Farm: Blueberries. 98 Sheep Pen Hill Road, Pemberton; 609-894-8630,hainesberryfarm.com.
Specca Farms: Eggplants, snow peas, cucumbers, potatoes, habanero peppers, beets and more. 870 Jacksonville-Mount Holly Road, Bordentown; 609-267-4445, speccafarms.com (PYO available produce lists updated regularly at: facebook.com/SpeccaFarmsPickYourOwn).
Piney Hollow Farm:Blueberries.502 East Piney Hollow Road, Williamstown;856-629-5188,instagram.com/pineyhollowfarm.
Melick’s Town Farm:Apples, strawberries, peaches, nectarines and sunflowers. 19 King St., Oldwick;908-439-2318,melickstownfarm.com.
Phillips Farms:Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, currants, sweet and sour cherries and more. 564 Milford-Warren Glen Road (Rt. 519), Milford;908-995-0022,phillipsfarms.com.
Giamarese Farm:Strawberries, peas, lettuce and apples. 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick;732-821-9494,giamaresefarm.com.
Donaldson Farms: Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. 3345 Allen Road, Hackettstown;908-852-9122,donaldsonfarms.net.
Stoneyfield Orchard:Peaches, apples, pears and sour cherries.5 Orchard St., Belvidere; 908-475-5209,stoneyfieldorchard.com.
Walking Bird Farm: Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. 250 S Mannheim Ave., Egg Harbor City; 609-808-4420, walkingbirdfarm.com.
Johnson's Corner Farm: Strawberries, sugar snap peas, cherries, blueberries, string beans, corn and peaches. 133 Church Road, Medford; 609-654-8643, johnsonsfarm.com.
Johnson's Locust Hall Farm: Strawberries, sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, peaches and blackberries. 2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown; 609-353-9000, johnsonslocusthallfarm.com.
Peterson Family Farm: Strawberries and peaches.438 Quakertown Road, Flemington; 908-878-7303, petersonfarm.net.
Snyder’s Farm: Strawberries and blueberries. 586 South Middlebush Road,Somerset; 732-496-0441, snyders-farm.com.
