We have some berry good news: Strawberry picking season has arrived, and the sweet treats are ripe for the picking. Pack the family up for a short drive to a fun-filled day at a u-pick farm, and prepare to fill up your basket. Whether eaten raw, cooked in a pie or mashed in a jam, u-pick berries provide that farm-fresh taste and saves you a trip to the store. We’ver rounded up local farms for pickers young and old.
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown, NJ
Pick your own strawberries (and red and black raspberries later in the season; weather and crop condition permitting) with your fam. Come on a Friday starting June 18th for pony rides and hayrides, and stop by the market for a post-pick sip or snack. Saturday, June 5th the farm will be hosting a Food Truck Festival to kick off summer with music, games and plenty of eats. Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm; Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Check their website or call (908) 852-9122 x1 for current crop conditions before planning your visit. Free entry, pricing by the pound.
Johnson's Locust Hall Farm, Jobstown, NJ
Pick Your Own Strawberries is OPEN at this sweet family owned farm, with picking in the safest way possible. Reserve your desired time via their website and don't forget to pop in to their market for their Apple Cider Donuts while you're visiting. Head back mid-June for blackberries. $25 per reservation plus $4.95 park and pick reservation, includes one picking flat with 6 empty quarts to fill.
Alstede Farms, Chester, NJ
A one-stop shop for berries, Alstede Farms grows strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Right now their pick your own dates are TBD but opening soon. Visit their site for updates and enjoy some of their fun farm activities suchas hayrides, mazes and animals while you’re there. Open daily from 9am – 7pm. Check their “What Can I Pick Today?” webpage or call (908) 879-7189 before your visit for current crop conditions. Weekday admission, $6.99, weekend admission, $8.99, pre-purchase tickets required.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton NJ
Picking at this family favorite spot is available daily starting NOW while strawberries last. Families interested in heading out for the day should check their website for conditions before and follow the new guidelines. When you arrive, you'll not only be rewarded with fields of ripe berries but guests can walk the Farm Trail as well and enjoy the scenery. Cherries, blueberries and blackberries coming in June. $4.95 per pound with a minimum of $5/per person ages 3 and up.
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction, NY
Organic strawberries kick off their pick-your-own season likely June 5th, but come back in July for cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and again in August for peaches and nectarines. Fishkill’s orchards are certified sustainably grown and produce an environmentally friendly low-spray fruit. Follow and favorite their Facebook and Instagram pages or call (845) 897-4377 for current crop conditions, farm updates, and upcoming events. Open daily from 9 – 6; U-pick customers must arrive by 5pm. $5 for adults and kids over the age of 12, free admission on Tuesdays.
Sussex County Strawberry Farm, Andover, NJ
In business for more than 30 years, this two-family-owned-and-operated farm believes “the best berries are the ones you pick yourself.” Picking season begins in early June (estimated around June 10th) for strawberries and late August for red raspberries and blackberries. Call (973) 579-5055 or check their Facebook page before your visit for picking times and conditions. Berries pricing by the box, $8.25 for 2 qt. box-$16.50 for 4 qt. box.
Hillview Farms, Gillette, NJ
Open nearly 150 years, Hillview’s bumper crops of apples, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, and assorted vegetables and flowers span a whopping 53 acres. U-pick blueberry season lasts through July. Open daily 9am to 6pm. U-pick fields close at 5pm. Visit their website or call (908) 647-0957 before your visit for picking times and conditions. Free admission, $3.59 per pound.
Melick's Town Farm, Oldwick, NJ
The Pick Your Own season has begun with ripe strawberries at the ready. Open daily from 9:30am and reservations must be made in advance by clicking here. Be sure to stop by the market pre- or post-pick for fresh baked good, produce, wine and hard cider. Open daily from 9am-6pm. Reservation are made available online the day prior, $2.99.
Stony Hill Farms, Chester, NJ
Young and old pickers alike are encouraged to harvest their own strawberries starting mid -June from Stony Hill’s beautiful two-acre patch. Head back in the fall to challenge yourself in their super-sized corn maze. Open daily starting in June from 10am to 5pm (picking until 4pm; fields close at 5pm). Call (908) 879-2908 or check their Facebook page prior to your visit to see what U-pick varieties are ripe and/or to check for weather closings. $4.99 admission, strawberries $3.99 per pound
Ort Farms, Long Valley, NJ
Now open for picking, Ort Farms provides a full day experience of fun at this PYO strawberry festivals. In addition to picking, enjoy their delish food (like sip and swirl ice cream), pony rides, train rides, wine tasting and more. Open daily, call for patch updates. Admission is $4 and strawberries $3.99 per pound, plus a picking box or bucket.
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan, NJ
Just as its moniker implies, there’s plenty of times in store (and on the field) for your family to make for a happy day. Pick from their produce or enjoy the beautiful lavender fields that are sure to bring calm to your life. Raspberry picking and lavender viewing available starting June 12, with blueberries to follow in late June. Open daily, tickets sold at the door only, $3 per person.
