2024 Central New Jersey Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!
Search pickyourown.org
Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Central New Jersey in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
Search pickyourown.org
Mercer County
Lee Turkey Farm - Pick Your Own: Apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, beans, peas, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, eggplants, peppers, broccoli, pumpkins, other vegetables, flowers, hayrides, corn maze 201 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, NJ . Phone: (609) 448-0629. Open: May - December, 9 am till 6 pm Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from 2 pm till 6 pm; Please keep in mind that if you are coming to pick you must be at the farm no later than 5:15pm to enter the fields and orchards. Directions: On Hickory Corner Road, 1 mile W of Route 130. We also have a roadside market farm stand with Apples, cucumbers, cabbage, fruits, vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Red Delicious, Red Delicious, StaymaWinesap. We also have Hay rides; walking tours; corn maze; oven-ready turkeys. We also have Hay rides; walking tours; corn maze; oven-ready turkeys. Strawberries are usually available from mid May through mid June. . Click here for a map and directions. Lee Turkey Farm Facebook page. On Hickory Corner Road, 1 mile W of Route 130. We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Apples, cucumbers, cabbage, fruits, vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Red Delicious, Red Delicious, Stayma/Winesap. We also have Hay rides; walking tours; corn maze; oven-ready turkeys. We also have Hay rides; walking tours; corn maze; oven-ready turkeys. Strawberries are usually available from mid May through mid JuneFacebook pagePick Your Own Club/Picking Card: Before entering our fields and orchards, you must be a member of the Pick Your Own Club. The "Club" is nothing new. We have been doing this since 1972. The purpose of our Pick Your Own Club is to ensure that all of our customers understand the rules of our farm. We realize that no one particularly likes to follow rules, but ours are pretty easy to follow. After the form is filled out, there is a $2 charge for membership, and you will receive a picking card that acts as your pass for the entire season and shows that you filled out the liability form. Just $2 for the entire family for the entire year. Bring your picking pass with you whenever you come to pick, or you will be required to fill out the form again and purchase a new oneA visitor writes on September 06, 2014: "The blackberries that I got form the farm, worth $5, were a waste of money. It had plenty of worms..oh god! thrown them all.. please never bring berries from this farm. Also, last time I bought Nectarines from market, they were super sour. If you need Nectarines, pick by yourself (they are good), but the one in the market are not ripened.Peaches are good; apples are not so sweet.(while some are super sour, taste and then pick). EGG PLANTS ARE TOO GOOD. Please, never pick blackberries, they are just so suspicious to eat..eaweeeee. I have been to this farm twice,in future will go only for necters and peaches. good luck for your next pick up." Comments from a visitor on September 19, 2009: "My fiancee and I love to pick your own fruit. I was searching your website for a place that was close to home and we found . It's a GREAT place. It has a mom and pop feel. The staff is very friendly and are always willing to help you. The fruit was delicious and very plentiful. We went peach picking in September and there were so very many trees that still had so much fruit on them. I enjoyed the low prices on the pick your own. This is a GREAT find. People should check this place out!!"
Terhune Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, flowers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Phone: 609-924-2310. Email: info@terhuneorchards.com. Open: May through October, Daily from 9 am to 5 pm No PYO Blueberries on Mondays throughout the season Please see our Pick Your Own Schedule, visit our Facebook page, or call us at 609-924-2310 for current conditions before planning your visit. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Terhune Orchards Facebook page. . May through October, Daily from 9 am to 5 pm (No PYO Blueberries on Mondays throughout the season) Please see our Pick Your Own Schedule, visit our Facebook page, or call us at for current conditions before planning your visit. October weekends from 10 am to 5 pm; check website for availability of cropsPicking updates: Click here for picking updates Apple picking, pumpkin picking, cider, pies, farm animals, pick your own, field trips, farm market and more can be found at the Family's 200 fruit and vegetable-producing acres noted for quality products and country-style service. Terhunerchards Farm Store attracts local people doing their daily shopping as well as visitors on their way through the Princeton area. The Farm Store and Farm Yard are open every day all year.Starting the 3rd weekend in September, visit our: corn stalk maze, theme story barn, wagon rides on Saturday and Sunday; Pumpkin Patch. What better way to celebrate fall than with Pick-Your-Own Apples and Pumpkins! Enjoy pony rides, wagon rides, visit the Corn Stalk Maze, Hay Bale Maze and our barnyard of farm animals. Children can enjoy face painting and pumpkin painting. Don't worry about lunch, there's lots of food available - soup, chili, hot dogs, pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and more! features live music played by some of our best local talent, (between noon and 4pm). No admission fee to farm store, winery or pick-your-own apples. Parking is at the farm.Typical harvest dates: CROP AVAILABILITYAsparagus Late April ; Strawberries Late May-Early June -Cherries Sweet: JuneTart: June Blueberries Late June to late JulyBlackberries July-AugustFlowers Late June-October- Now pickingGourds (at Cold Soil Road) September to OctoberPumpkins (at Cold Soil Rd) September to OctoberApples (at the Van Kirk Road Orchard):Stayman Winesap OctoberGala SeptemberCameo OctoberJonathan SeptemberGranny Smith OctoberPink Lady OctoberEmpire SeptemberLiberty SeptemberGolden Delicious SeptemberRed Delicious SeptemberJonagold SeptemberFuji OctoberMacoun October
TindallarmsFarms - strawberries, vegetables, U-pick and already picked, restrooms 1201 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550. Phone: 609-631-8086. Email: tindallfarms@aol.com. Open: 9am to 6pm starting May 18th; Depending on weather. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. TindallarmsFarms
Village Farms - strawberries, raspberries, Plum tomatoes 3020 Main St. (Rt. 206 North), Lawrenceville, NJ . Phone: (609) 896-2257. Email: villfarm1@aol.com. Open: May- November, Daily 10 am- 6:30 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 2 mi. N of Rt. 95 on Rt. 206. We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Strawberries; asparagus, sweet corn, tomatoes (for slicing, plum, cherry, and grape), squash, cucumbers, melons, blackberries, raspberries, herbs, peaches, apples, pumpkins, plums, beans, peas. We also have Honey and flowers
Middlesex County
Giamarese Farm - apples, nectarines, peas, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, greens, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Phone: 732-821-9494. Email: GiamareseFarm@gmail.com. Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 10 am - 3 pm, Closed Mondays, Pick-Your-Own Apples & Pumpkins 7 Days a Week in October, 10am to 6pm; Farm Market and pick - you - own hours vary. Directions: Route 1 to Main Street Milltown, 3rd Traffic Light, Right onto Kulthauvenue bear right at fork onto Fresh Ponds Road. GPS: 40.429202-74.451783.Avenue bear right at fork onto Fresh Ponds Road. GPS: 40.429202-74.451783. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers. Giamarese Farm Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates We also have Free hay rides on weekends in Oct.; education farm tours (September & Oct.); corn maze; Indian corn, jams; jellies; milk; bread; Christmas trees (6 varieties); baked goods; Halloween & Christmas decorations
Indyks Farm - strawberries, snap peas 595 Spotswood Englishtown Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831. Phone: 732-763-0919. Email: indyksfarm@verizon.net. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday to Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: 2 miles W of Raceway Park, across from the Stone Museum Middlesex Co. Route 613. Or call for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Indyks Farm We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Watermelon; pumpkins; cabbage; cauliflower; tomatoes; collards; turnips; mustard; kale; strawberries. We also have Rye Straw. There is an article about the farm being perserved here Comments from a visitor on June 04, 2010: "They are picking strawberries now, as well as sugar snap peas. He also has lettuces for sale and other vegetables. happy patron of Indyk'sarm every year "Farm every year " Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2016: This farm is up and running. I was there yesterday to pick strawberries. they still have fields filled with other vegetables.
Von Thun's Country Farm Market - Pick Your Own: Strawberries; raspberries; pumpkins; peas (snap, pod), blackberries; apples; onions; cucumbers; yellow squash; green zucchini; and yellow zucchini. 519 Ridge Road (Route 522), Monmouth Junction, NJ . Phone: (732) 329-8656. Email: Cindy@VonThunFarms.com. Open: May through August, weekdays, 10am to 6 pm; Weekends 9am to 5:30pm U-pick fields close a half hour before the farm market closes. Directions: Located on Route 522, minutes from NJTPK, GSP, Route 1, Route 130, Route 18, Route 33, Route 27. We also have a roadside market farm stand with Sweet corn; tomatoes; peppers; strawberries; raspberries; string beans; melons; pumpkins; other assorted home-grown fruits & vegetables. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; cut flowers; mums; Indian corn; perennials; annuals; hanging baskets; vegetable plants; fall festival with pyo pumpkins & free hay rides; WIC and Senior FMNP checks acc - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Von Thun's Country Farm Market Facebook page. info@stultsfarm.comMay through August, weekdays, 10am to 6 pm; Weekends 9am to 5:30pm (U-pick fields close a half hour before the farm market closes)Located on Route 522, minutes from NJTPK, GSP, Route 1, Route 130, Route 18, Route 33, Route 27. We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Sweet corn; tomatoes; peppers; strawberries; raspberries; string beans; melons; pumpkins; other assorted home-grown fruits & vegetables. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; cut flowers; mums; Indian corn; perennials; annuals; hanging baskets; vegetable plants; fall festival with pyo pumpkins & free hay rides; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted. The availability of all crops depends on the weather and seasons are approximate. Always call for current crop availability before heading out to the farm. Facebook page. Strawberries: mid May thru mid JuneBlueberries: mid June thru mid JulyBlackberries: mid July thru mid AugustAssorted seasonal vegetables: early July through AugustPumpkins: mid September thru OctoberApples: mid September thru October. We have welcomed visitors to our scenic farm in central New Jersey for five generations. Open spring through fall, our South Brunswick location offers u-pick apples, berries, and pumpkins, educational farm field trips, spring greenhouse flowers, a farm market with homegrown angus beef and produce, and a CSA program. Our fall season offers a corn maze, fall harvest weekends, and old-fashioned fall fun!
Monmouth County
Battleview Orchards - Pick Your Own: Strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples, pumpkins 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ . Phone: (732) 462-0756. Open: see their website for current hours. Directions: Route 9 to Route 33 W, 1 mile , at 2nd light, make a right on to Wemrock Road, Battleview Orchards is 1500 feet on right, or NJTPK Exit 8, 10 miles E on Route 33, overpass on right, follow Freehold Business District signs, 1 mile left at traffic light. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, StaymanWinesap. Battleview Orchards, a family owned and operated farm, located in Freehold, New Jersey, harv - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Battleview Orchards Facebook page. Nectarines
Wemrock Orchards - Pick Your Own: Strawberries, pumpkins, gourds, Mums, cornstalks, Indian corn 300 Route 33 W., Freehold, NJ . Phone: (732) 431-2668. Directions: 1 mile w of Route 9 on Business Route 33 Across from Battleground Park. . Click here for a map and directions. Wemrock Orchards Facebook page. Year-round, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 5:30 pm We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Produce; fresh fruit. Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; fresh baked pies; cider; cider donuts; hay rides through the apple trees and haunted orchards; corn maze in fall; hot air balloon launches; beautiful scenery; winery & wine tasting; gift shop; fresh flowers; mums; bedding plants; Christmas wreaths & blankets; gourmet jellies; school tours; Morning on the Farm Summer Camp Tours. Click here for our Facebook page.hayride $4.00, corn maze $4.00, combination hayride and corn maze $7.00.Pick Your Own Strawberries! Drive on a dirt road through a forest and pop out onto our secluded strawberry field. Nestled away is our beautiful strawberry patch. Pick to your hearts content knowing you will soon be enjoying our delicious fresh strawberries
Westhaven Farm - CSA, Pumpkins, Christmas trees, strawberries; 725 Route 524, Allentown, NJ . Phone: (609) 259-2186. Email: ajkb2@verizon.net. Open: THEY ARE NOW A CSA, At our farm pickup you can gather your own veggies from our display. Directions: Exit 11on I-195. Hay rides available in fall for families & schools; farm animals; corn maze. Hayrides will begin in late September from 10:00 -3.00 for families and individuals to \stop in and enjoy the adventure and or the corn mazes. Saturdays. Click here for a map and directions. At the Fall Creek location we box it for you! Each week's share includes 7-10 items of freshly picked organic produce. In addition to your vegetable share, every member has access to our amazing you-pick garden, a gift to our membersExit 11on I-195. Hay rides available in fall for families & schools; farm animals; corn maze. Hayrides will begin in late September from 10:00 -3.00 for families and individuals to "stop" in and enjoy the adventure and /or the corn mazes. Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day are the only times listed as "OPEN HOURS" . Weekdays and weekends after 4:00 are reserved for groups and parties who make reservations in advance. Call (ask for Art) or e-mail us . The Flashlight Corn Maze is open every Friday and Saturday night for general admission as well as groups. You may enter the maze from 7:00 until 8:30 on these nights. Due to the fact that it may take 1 - 2 hours to complete the trip no admission will be allowed after 8:30. After exiting the flashlight maze you will be treated to a cold cider and doughnut to enjoy as you share your experience with your fellow adventurers and compare notes and strategies. (UPDATED: September 9, 2023, JBS)
Strawberry
Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas,
May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the
far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the
month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce
good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather
(both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are
in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL
first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed
for strawberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring
containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping
strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries.
Plastic
dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good
containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can
work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the
sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring
along if it has been rainy.
Tips on How to Pick Strawberries
Grasp the stem just above the berry between the
forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
With the stem broken about one-half inch from
the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
Repeat these operations using both hands until
each holds 3 or 4 berries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into
your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill your containers or try to pack
the berries down.
General Picking Tips
Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at
a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Be careful that your feet and knees do not
damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part
the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
To help the farmers, also remove from the plants
berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them
between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will
quickly spread to other berries.
Berries to be used immediately may be picked any
time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the
early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the
day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any
longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or
shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible
after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few
days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor
and tends to shrivel.
For interesting and fun strawberry facts and
trivia from the California Strawberry Commission,
click
here!
When you get home
DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing
makes them more prone to spoiling.
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting
berries
Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps
(green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make
jam right away) See this
page about how to freeze strawberries.
If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they
planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor
of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of
ripeness when picked.
Picking the best strawberries:
Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after
they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is
completely ripe.
Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you
can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most
commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake. To find out where and when there
is one near you, see this
page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
Strawberries measurements: government agriculture
websites tell us that 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the
same as 1 liter and 1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or
450 to 600 g).
Of course, the weight
varies on variety and weather conditions. 1 quart is normally
enough for 4
servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries =
approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing
the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or
about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought. Consumer
reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide
residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the
pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries
are reasonably plentiful
The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does
not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is
rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through
plastic mulch!
Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry
only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase
as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a
couple of days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just
wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much
air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of
this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was
'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
California is king of strawberry productions because: California
produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds
of strawberries each year. If all the strawberries produced in
California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around
the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry
production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with
a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.
More conversions
1 pint (2 cups) of fresh whole strawberries
= about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
= 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
= 1
cup pureed strawberries
= 12-14 large strawberries
2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie
A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced
fresh strawberries