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

This month's notes: February 2012: Winter is upon us, but don't despair! Strawberry and citrus picking actually begins in Florida, southern Texas and southern Californiaa in December. And for the rest of us; there are many delicious jams, jellies, and marmalades that you can make for yourself or as gifts, from frozen or fresh fruit.  See this page for hundreds of easy canning and freezing instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals. Then see each state's crop availability calendar for more specific dates of upcoming crops. 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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Southern Connecticut's 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.
    A visitor writes 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. 
    A visitor writes 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).
  • Country Corners Farm - ORGANIC, beans, blackberries, blueberries, cucumbers, grapes, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, picnic area
    288 Brewster Road, Griswold, CT 06351. Phone: (860)376-2259. Email us at: blaizer53@netzero.net. Directions: From the South I-395 to exit 85, turn right on to Route 164; go until you see River Edge Golf Course on the right, then take the next left, which is Brewster Road; follow it until it ends; you are here! From the North, take I-395 south to exit 85; go straight through the first light and turn left at the next light onto Route 164, then follow the directions above to River Ridge Golf Course. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November. Open: Monday to Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-7, Sunday 12-6. Wild Garlic May 11-May 24, Blackberries Aug., Blueberries, July-Aug., Raspberries are not certified yet as we just found the old patch this Spring, Apples starting in July Thru October. note: no PYO on the apples or pears due to the large size of the Trees, Retail only, Pumpkins late September thru October., Other summer Veggies as they come in. We are certified organic for some crops. Payment: Cash, only. We are USDA Certified Organic and Certified Naturally Grown. The only thing that is not certified is our Raspberries because we just found them this Spring. This farm has been in my Family since 1854. although we are considered a start-up farm due to a 27 year dormant period.
  • Drazen Orchards - apples, pears, peaches, plums, 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 November. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page.  Fruit, corn, tomatoes and cider available at the stand. (UPDATED: October 08, 2011)
  • 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, vegetables.
    170 Fleming Road, Meriden, CT, 06450. Phone: (203) 294-0276. July 2nd to September Sat/Sun 10-5 September to Thanksgiving Tues-Thursday 12-6, Sat/Sun 10-5 Thanksgiving to December 24th - Sat/Sun 10-5. 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.
  • Hickory Hill Orchards - peaches, apples, pears, pumpkins, nectarines
    351 South Meriden Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Phone: (203) 272-0181 or (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)
    A visitor writes 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! "
    A visitor writes 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)
    A visitor writes 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."
    A visitor writes 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)

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)

Local Honey Sources:

Middlesex County

Maple syrup 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 10:08 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)
Ball home canning kit water bath canner

Home Canning Kits

Features:

  • Everything you need to get started with waterbath canning (fruits,pickles, jams, jellies, salsa, sauces and tomatoes)
  • 21-1/2 qt. enamel water bath canner
  • Funnel, jar lifter, lid lifter, bubble freer spatula
  • Ball Blue Book

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, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. 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!
 


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Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

EHSO.com - Environmental health and safety information and guidance for the home
ConsumerFraudReporting.org - Information about identity theft, frauds and scams; how to report them and how to protect your identity.
FitnessAndHealthScience.org - Practical fitness, health and diet information that works.
And our other related websites!

Care to Donate to help me keep the website going? Donate to me at Benevia here:

Use the feedback form for questions, comments and feedback about farms -  Use this form suggest a farm to add to the website? 
Or as a last result (I reply to the forms FIRST),write me at 
 Write to pickyourown.org
All images and text  Copyright © Benivia, LLC 2004 - 2010 All rights reserved.   
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Permission is given to link to any page on www.pickyourown.org 
Looking for jobs on farms?  Farmers: If you'd like to advertise or have your own web page(s), click here!

Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

EHSO.com - Environmental health and safety information and guidance for the home
ConsumerFraudReporting.org - Information about identity theft, frauds and scams; how to report them and how to protect your identity.
FitnessAndHealthScience.org - Practical fitness, health and diet information that works.
And our other related websites!

Care to Donate to help me keep the website going? Donate to me at Benevia here:

Use the feedback form for questions, comments and feedback about farms -  Use this form suggest a farm to add to the website? 
Or as a last result (I reply to the forms FIRST),write me at 
 Write to pickyourown.org
All images and text  Copyright © Benivia, LLC 2004 - 2010 All rights reserved.   
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Permission is given to link to any page on www.pickyourown.org 
Looking for jobs on farms?  Farmers: If you'd like to advertise or have your own web page(s), click here!

Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

EHSO.com - Environmental health and safety information and guidance for the home
ConsumerFraudReporting.org - Information about identity theft, frauds and scams; how to report them and how to protect your identity.
FitnessAndHealthScience.org - Practical fitness, health and diet information that works.
And our other related websites!

Care to Donate to help me keep the website going? Donate to me at Benevia here:

Use the feedback form for questions, comments and feedback about farms -  Use this form suggest a farm to add to the website? 
Or as a last result (I reply to the forms FIRST),write me at 
 Write to pickyourown.org
All images and text  Copyright © Benivia, LLC 2004 - 2010 All rights reserved.   
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Permission is given to link to any page on www.pickyourown.org 
Looking for jobs on farms?  Farmers: If you'd like to advertise or have your own web page(s), click here!

Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

EHSO.com - Environmental health and safety information and guidance for the home
ConsumerFraudReporting.org - Information about identity theft, frauds and scams; how to report them and how to protect your identity.
FitnessAndHealthScience.org - Practical fitness, health and diet information that works.
And our other related websites!

Care to Donate to help me keep the website going? Donate to me at Benevia here:

Use the feedback form for questions, comments and feedback about farms -  Use this form suggest a farm to add to the website? 
Or as a last result (I reply to the forms FIRST),write me at 
 Write to pickyourown.org
All images and text  Copyright © Benivia, LLC 2004 - 2010 All rights reserved.   
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Permission is given to link to any page on www.pickyourown.org 
Looking for jobs on farms?  Farmers: If you'd like to advertise or have your own web page(s), click here!