Where in Southern Connecticut to find pick your own farms and orchards for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and canning & freezing instructions!

This month's notes: April 2014: Spring is just around the corner.  Strawberries are here in Florida, Texas and California, next in late March and April for much of the South, then in May for most of the country and June in cooler northern areas. See how easy it is to make strawberry jam or strawberry-rhubarb jam!

Organic farms are identified in green!  See our guide to local fruit and vegetable festivals!. Please tell the farms you found them here - and ask them to update their information!!

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I'm always looking for suggestions of more farms and events to add and feedback about any you have visited, so if you encounter any, just click on the preceding link, as appropriate!  And if you have a farm and want to add it or correct the information, please click on the link to "add my farm".

Southern Connecticut U-Pick Farms and Orchards, sorted by county

Remember: ALWAYS call (or follow the link to the farm's own website, if the name is a blue link) to confirm the information before you go! They may close, run out or change events, times, etc. without notifying me!

Middlesex County

  • Gotta's Farm - strawberries, apples, peaches
    661 Glastonbury Turnpike, Portland, CT 06480. Phone: (860) 342-1844. Email: rgottafarm@aol.com. Gotta's Farm opens May 1st for the season with spring plants. PYO strawberries in June, peaches in Aug, apples in September and October. Open May 1st for the season with annual & perennial flowering plants. Fresh fruits & vegetables available at farm stand from July to December.
    Comments from a visitor on July 21, 2009: "This has been our family's favorite for many, many years! The crops are amazing, prices great too! They have some of the best PYO apples around."
  • Lyman Orchards - PYO strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, flowers, peaches, nectarines, pears, apples & pumpkins, Corn maze
    Jct. Routes 147 and 157, Middlefield, CT 06455. Phone: (860) 349-1793. Fax: (860) 349-1424. Email: jlyman3@lymanorchards.com. Enjoy 1100 acres of championship golf, championship pies, and Family Fun! CT's largest indoor Farm Market. Corn maze from September 6 - November 2.  Corn maze: Sept.-October. Great food at the Apple Barrel - home of CT's Best Apple Pie! 24 hour PYO hotline: 860-349-6015. 
    Comments from a visitor on July 07, 2011: "The farm is huge but you can drive close to the different u-pick sites and it's well-signed so they are easy to locate. You pay for what you pick at the location but they still take credit cards. You can bring your own containers if you want and they will pre-weigh them for you (so you don't pay for the weight of the container)."

New Haven County 

  • Bishop Farms of Cheshire Ct. - apples, blueberries, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
    500 So Meriden Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: 203-272-8243. Fax: 203-272-8674. Email: clarkk15@yahoo.com. Directions: Route 84 to 691 exit 3 south on route 10 left onto route 70 1.5 miles on right. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November, December. Open: Monday to Friday,9am to 5pm , Saturday and Sunday,9am to 6pm. Christmas hours Monday thru Sunday 9am to 7 pm. Starts day after thanksgiving. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. (UPDATED: September 02, 2008)
  • Bishop's Orchards location 1 - PYO Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apples, raspberries and pumpkins
    1355 Boston Post Road (US Rte 1, I-95 Exit 57), Guilford, CT 06437. Phone: (203) 458-7425. Email: pyoinfo@bishopsorchards.com. Open: from June-October daily until 7pm. Pick-your-own season starts in June with strawberries and goes through October with apples and pumpkins. In December we have cut-your-own Christmas trees. Since 1871, six generations of Bishop's have been serving Connecticut with farm products. The market is open all year till 7 pm (Sun till 6pm), featuring a bakery & kitchen specializing in pies & prepared meal solutions, produce from our 300 acre farm & around the world, meats, dairy products, flowers, and gift baskets. Bishop's Orchards Winery offers our own wine & CT wines 7 days a week. Pick your own in Guilford goes from June till October open from 10-5, with strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apples, raspberries & pumpkins. Visit our Llamas & Alpacas too! Northford Market should read Since 1871, five generations of Bishop's have been serving Connecticut with farm products. Open weekends 10-5 in September and October, Bishop's Northford Orchard has Pick Your Own Apples and Peaches, plus Farm Market products including pies, cider and apples and pumpkins. Our main farm in Guilford is open all year around. There is a blog article about them here.  (UPDATED: October 15, 2008)
  • Bishop's Orchards  Location 2- PYO apples & peaches, pumpkins
    1920 Middletown Ave (Rte 17, 3 miles N of Rte 22), Northford, CT 06472. Phone: (203) 458-PICK. Email:  pyoinfo@bishopsorchards.com. Since 1871, 5 generations of Bishop's have been serving CT with farm products.  Our Guilford Farm is open all year, and our Northford PYO & Market is open in September and October with peaches, apples, mums, pumpkins, pies, & cider.  Weekends, hop on our wagon ride when you PYO apples.  Bishop’s has been serving CT since 1871. Open: weekends 10am to 5pm in September and October. Our Northford Orchard has farm market products-pies, cider, apples & pumpkins. Our Guilford farm is open year round (see previous listing).
  • Drazen Orchards - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, pears, peaches, plums, farm market, picnic area
    251 Wallingford Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: 203-272-7985. Email: gordraz@sbcglobal.net. Open: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm Early August to October 31; Closed Tuesdays. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. (UPDATED: September 24, 2012)
  • Emerald Green Farm and Gardens - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), Fresh eggs, gift shop, restrooms
    84 Tankwood Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: 203 -949-0594. Email: emerald green farm@sbcglobal.net. Open: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Phone for holiday hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Blueberries: Late June through September peaches and plums : July through September Apples: Late July through November. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Check. Greenhouses with a large selection of annual flowers and hanging baskets Country store and garden center gift shop. (ADDED: September 12, 2010)
  • Glendale Farms - Strawberries
    203 Herbert Street, Milford, CT 06460. Phone: (203) 874-7203  Fax: (203) 874-7499. PYO Strawberries available approximately June 5th - June 30th. 
  • High Hill Orchard - Uses natural growing practices, Apples, pears, blueberries (check on the blueberries!), pumpkins, chestnuts, vegetables.
    170 Fleming Road, Meriden, CT, 06450. Phone: (203) 294-0276. Open: July 2nd to September Sat/Sun 10-5 September to Thanksgiving Tuesday to Thursday 12 pm to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm; Thanksgiving to December 24th - Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Excellent apple and pear cider in fall. Some organic produce, some are low input. Hayrides in September and October. Visit our farm stand for our own fresh apple cider & vegetables. See this blog for a first hand account of their visit.  (UPDATED: October 28, 2013, from their website)
  • Hickory Hill Orchards - peaches, apples, pears, pumpkins, nectarines
    351 South Meriden Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: (203) 272-0181. Alternate phone: (203) 272-3824  Fax: (203) 272-3824. Email:lynnkudish@gmail.com. Directions: click here. Open Daily 10:00am - 5:30pm; August 20, 2005 through December 2005. Country store, gift baskets, dried & silk flowers, cider, pies, donuts. Weekend hayrides, school groups welcome. 
  • Ives Farm - pumpkins, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, pony rides
    1585 Cheshire St, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: 203-272-5847 And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in May, July, August, September, October. Open: Summer Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Fall Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. "Flowers" May 1st, Annuals, Hanging Baskets, Geraniums & Perennials, Retail & Wholesale. "Strawberries" June 5th to July 1st (weather permitting) "Fresh Sweet Corn & Produce" July 10th "Fall Activities" October 1st to 31st Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard.
  • Norton Brothers Fruit Farm - blueberries, raspberries, apples, pears, peaches, Pumpkins, PYO apples, pears & peaches, Christmas trees, Hay rides.
    450-466 Academy Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: (203) 272-8418. PYO apples, pears, plums, peaches. Retail fresh produce, gifts, pumpkins.  Open mid-spring through the winter, the farm has native strawberries as soon as they’re ready; blueberries and raspberries for pick-your-own starting in June; peaches soon after for picking, six varieties of pears, and from August through October over 34 varieties of apples to pick. Hay rides, pumpkins, scarecrows, and Christmas trees and decorations keep everyone busy during the seasons. September and October are the busiest times for area schools to have educational and fun tours throughout the farm. Birthday and other parties can use the farm facilities also. (UPDATED: June 24, 2009)
    Comments from a visitor on September 27, 2011: "Hi! First of all, I want to thank you for running such an amazing, comprehensive site! I always turn here first for canning info and to find local farms. I especially liked Norton Brother's Farm in Cheshire, CT. It's a great family-run place, with tons of apples and raspberries, and without the crowds and overwhelming size of some of the larger places. They even had a couple of old tractors near the parking lot for kids to climb on, which was a bigger hit than the fruit for my 4-year-old! "
    Comments from a visitor on July 07, 2011: "Not as busy as bigger farms. The walk from the farm stand to the picking site might be far (i.e. blueberries). More expensive than other farms. "
  • Pell Farms - PYO strawberries & ready-picked
    700 Middletown Avenue (next to All Saint's Cemetery), North Haven, CT  06473. Phone: 860-749-3582. Fax: 860-749-6619. Email: Pellfarms@gmail.com. Open: June and early July from 8am to 8pm daily.  (UPDATED: June 24, 2009)
    Comments from a visitor on July 07, 2011: "Great strawberries but the season is already over for 2011. Call ahead first. Went one day and the berries were wonderful and plentiful, went again a week later and they were gone."
    Comments from a visitor on June 20, 2011: "(This farm is in Connecticut--I went to both the North Haven and Somers locations) This place is wonderful--I went for three weekends in a row in June and each time came back with pounds and pounds of delicious and very inexpensive strawberries! The people who run it are just as lovely. "
  • Rose Orchards - apples, pears, raspberries, strawberries, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
    33 Route 139, North Branford, CT 06471. Phone: 203-488-7996. Directions: And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October. Open: Hours vary by season, please call us for more information. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, AmEx. We have a large variety of fresh baked pies and baked goods, including bread, muffins, cookies, and biscuits. The Creamery serves old fashioned frozen custart and frozen yogurt. We have sundaes, pie a la mode, and a variety of other confections. (ADDED: September 19, 2008)
  • Zentek Farms - tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplant
    325 Higgins Road, Cheshire, CT  06410. Phone: (203) 272-0444. Fax: (203) 250-9190. Email: paulzfarms@aol.com  . Open: PYO starts in August. We also have a farm market-we raise corn and other vegetables.

Farmer's Markets, Farm Stands and Roadside Stands, Etc.
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

Middlesex County

  • Higganum Village Farmers' Market - Farmers market (multiple stalls or vendors), Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, some produce is certified organically grown, some produce is sustainably grown, some produce is grown using IPM (integrated pest management), Uncovered outdoor market, Fresh local eggs, Baked goods, Preserves, jams, jellies, Crafts, artistic products, etc, picnic area, face painting
    Higganum Green (part of the larger town of Haddam), Higganum, CT 06441. Phone: 860-345-3075. Email: sumba@snet.net. Open: Every Friday on Higganum Green from June 1 to October 26, 3:30 to 6:30 pm, and Indoors at the Higganum VFW Hall (across the street from the Green) in November and December - times to be announced. Directions: From Exit 9 or 10 off Route 9, look for signs to the Center of Higganum, and you can't miss Higganum Green at the junction of Routes 81, 154 and Candlewood Hill Road.(Please note: the VFW Hall sign is a new one put on the Old Higganum Fire Station and Youth Center Building and our map is not updated with that new name.). Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Click here for our Facebook page. Special Events are listed in our website for the year, but we are also proud to support our local Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services Concerts (from Jazz to Rock and Roll!)at the Gazebo which occur on the Higganum Green throughout the months of July and August. Additionally, on June 29th the Haddam 350th Birthday Committee is hosting the Bristol Olde Tyme Fiddlers Concert at the Gazebo. All concerts begin at 7 pm immediately following the Higganum Village Farmers' Market and run until approximately 8:30 pm, weather permitting. We feature local entertainment, as well as supporting our local Haddam Community Groups. We're one of the first five Connecticut Farmers' Markets to feature a Connecticut Winery; Dalice Elizabeth Winery, from Preston, Connecticut! Three special events take place this year, our 4th Annual Goin' Green on the Green on August 10th, 2012 - with companies and businesses helping us to make eco and earth friendly choices in home heating, cooling, or design or function. New this year will be a book swap, and Re-use, Re-new, Re-cycle - artisans! We are also hosting the area's only Fiber Arts Festival on September 28th; planning to include paper craft, felting, weaving, quilting, all kinds of yarns and spinning and hand made crafters who create, knit, crochet or play with fiber! Lastly, we go indoors to our VFW Hall(across the road from the Higganum Green) for 2 pre-Holiday markets, at Thanksgiving and Christmas. All our events are posted in Facebook and on our website where folks can sign up for our weekly newsletter. (ADDED: June 23, 2012)

New Haven County 

  • The Berry Farm - vegetables, flowers - UPDATE June 20, 2006: They are no longer a pick-your-own, but are a farm market
    470 Crook Horn Road, Southbury, CT 06488. Phone: (203) 267-7300. Floral bouquets and fresh herbs. Pre-picked vegetables and fruits seasonally. Open daily 10am - 7pm June through October. 
  • Drazen Orchards - Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Wide variety of seasonal, fruits and vegetables (some locally grown), Baked goods, Preserves, jams, jellies, porta-potties, picnic area, school tours
    251 Wallingford Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: 203-272-7985. Email: gordraz@sbcglobal.net. Open: Seven days a week 10am to 6pm, Early August to early Novrmbrt. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. (UPDATED: October 08, 2011)
  • Emerald Green Farm and Gardens - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, some produce is sustainably grown, Indoor market, Covered outdoor market, Fresh local eggs, Crafts, artistic products, etc, Fresh eggs, gift shop, restrooms
    84 Tankwood Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: 203 -949-0594. Email: emerald green farm@sbcglobal.net. Open: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Phone for holiday hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Blueberries: Late June through September peaches and plums : July through September Apples: Late July through November. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Check. Greenhouses with a large selection of annual flowers and hanging baskets Country store and garden center gift shop. (ADDED: September 12, 2010)
  • Hindinger Farm- Wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, gift shop, picnic area, pumpkins (brought in from the field)
    835 Dunbar Hill Rd. , Hamden, CT 06514. Phone: 203-288-0700. Email: info@hindingersfarm.com. Open: May-December, 9-5, Tuesday thru Sunday. Directions: See their website for directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard . Strawberry Festival in June, the farm participates in Dinners on the Farm, put on by a local restaurant in the summer. (Suggested by a visitor, ADDED: November 28, 2012)
    Comments from a visitor on November 28, 2012: "Love this place. Everyone is friendly and the produce is topnotch. They have a CSA program that runs from May thru November. Their biggest and best crops are their apples and peaches, but you can find all sorts of vegetables as well, in season, and delicious!! They also carry jams,jellies,salsas made from their produce and ice cream using their fruit made by a local ice creamery."

Local Honey Sources:

Middlesex County

Maple Syrup Farms and Sugarworks:

Middlesex County

Horse Rides and More:

New Haven County

  • Maple View Farm - children welcome, No pets please, No smoking allowed, horse-drawn carriage rides, porta-potties, picnic area, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, events at your location (call for info)
    603 Orange Center Road, Orange, CT 06477. Phone: 203-799-6495. Email: pclark22@optimum.net. Open: We are open all year by reservation; Birthday parties a the farm are from April until November from 10:00 am to 6:00. Directions: Payment: Cash, Check. We also have Pony Rides available for Birthday parties as well as the horsedrawn carriage. You can have your party at our farm or we can come to your house with the ponies. The parties at the farm include sheep, bunnies, the ride and a place to have your food. We also have a playground. Favors are included. Call for pricing. New this year is our Vis-a-Vis which is a horse-drawn wedding coach. It is available for any special event. Always on the Sunday after Thanksgiving we have horsedrawn wagon rides with Santa here at the farm. Reservations are a must and we start booking in August. It is $5.00 per person. (ADDED: July 07, 2011)

Middlesex County

  • Serenity Farm - Riding academies, schools, beginners riding lessons, other, pony rides, birthday parties
    108 Kelseytown Road, Clinton, CT 06413. Phone: 860-669-6559. Email: prettyponylady@yahoo.com. Open: We bring the ponies out to events all year round weather permitting; We can do pony rides at farm by appointment only. Directions: Clinton, Ct but you must call for an appointment. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We provide pony rides for Birthday Parties, Fairs, Corporate Events, Nursery Schools, Television adds and programs, special events or holiday celebrations. The ponies are beautifully decorated and adorable and friendly. We have been in business for over 20 years and the list of satisfied customers is endless. We bring the pony out to your home or facility. And we are fully insured. (ADDED: March 02, 2011)

Wholesale Foods

Middlesex County

  • 7 Falls Mushroom Farm - Local delivery, all produce is certified organically grown,
    156 Killingworth Road, Higganum, CT 06441. Phone: (860) 306-6068. Email: 7fallsmushroomfarm@gmail.com. Open: Call for appointment. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Shiitake Mushrooms. (ADDED: October 12, 2013)
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Picking Tips

[General picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How much do I need to pick? (Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting the right varieties to pick] [All about apple varieties - which to pick and why!]  [Picking tips for Vegetables] [ Strawberry picking tips] [ Blueberries picking tips]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes

[ All About Home Canning, Freezing and Making Jams, Pickles, Sauces, etc. ] [FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems] [Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!] [Free canning publications to download and print]

Home Canning Kits

Features:

Ball Enamel Waterbath Canner, Including Chrome-Plated Rack and 4-Piece Utensil Set

* All the tools you need for hot waterbath canning - in one comprehensive set!
* Complete with 21 1/2 qt. enameled waterbath canner
* Also includes canning rack, funnel, jar lifter, jar wrencher, bubble freer, tongs and lid lifter.
* A Kitchen Krafts exclusive collection.

This is the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer. It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. You'll never need anything else except jars & lids (and the jars are reusable)! There is also s simple kit with just the canner and rack, and a pressure canner, if your want to do vegetables (other than tomatoes). To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!
Don't forget the Ball Blue Book!

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc.

Need lids, rings and replacement jars?  Or pectin to make jam, spaghetti sauce or salsa mix or pickle mixes?  Get them all here, and usually at lower prices than your local store!

Get them all here at the best prices on the internet!