2024 Northeast 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!
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Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Northeast 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.
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Bergen County
Abma's Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, Turkeys, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, porta-potties, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Phone: (201) 891-0278. Email: abmasfarm@abmasfarm.com. Open: See website for current PYO dates. Directions: We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, WIC Vouchers, ATM onsite. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, WIC Vouchers, ATM onsite. Abma's Farm Facebook page. Fax: 2018489721 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe typically offer strawberry picking in June, potato picking in late July and August, and tomato picking in August. Dates and times may change as each picking event gets closer due to the growing season and weather. Abma's family farm says "everything homegrown is raised with love, picked or cooked daily, and served fresh". We've been part of the Wyckoff landscape for over 85 years as Bergen County's only produce and poultry farm. We provide the community with the highest quality fresh produce, poultry and eggs from our own chickens, daily baked goods from our "scratch" bakery, homemade specialties from our kitchen, and artfully grown plants from our greenhouses. Our 30 acre farm dates back to the 1790s; the homestead and out-buildings are well preserved and kept in their original state. Our largest Dutch style barn, one of the few 200+ year old barns still standing in Bergen County, has been converted into a thriving retail market with a "scratch" bakery and a gourmet kitchen. (ADDED: March 18, 2021)
Morris County
Alstede Farms - apples, apricots, beans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), eggplant, flowers, gooseberries, herbs or spices, melons, nectarines, onions, other berries, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930. Phone: 908-879-7189. Email: info@alstedefarms.com. Open: PYO Hours: Spring & Summer: 9 am to 6 pm, Fall: 9 am to 5 pm check website to see when hours change Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Alstede Farms Facebook page. PYO Hours: Spring & Summer: 9 am to 6 pm, Fall: 9 am to 5 pm (check website to see when hours change) Picking updates: Click here for picking updates We are also a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The basic idea of CSA farming is a cooperative relationship between the farmer and his customers. Based on an annual commitment to one another, community members provide a pre-season payment to purchase a share of the harvest . The member then receives a weekly box of a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit through the growing season, harvested at the peak of ripeness and flavor. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets for all Pick Your Own (PYO) activities in advance, online, utilizing our website. We can not guarantee PYO entry for walk in guests. Any (PYO) entry ticket that is purchased at the PYO sheds will incur a $5.00 per ticket convenience fee.Click here to view our updated Pick Your Own policies.Click here to purchase advance tickets.(UPDATED: September 7, 2021, JBS) (UPDATED: April 23, 2018) Comments from a visitor on July 19, 2019: "Blueberries and raspberries are $6.99/lb, which is high, but Peaches are $2.79/lb is is a good price." Comments from a visitor on August 12, 2012: "No longer is the price $3.00 (and optional $2.00 hayride). It is $5.00 each to enter farm with $3.00 credit per person. I said I did not need hayride to bring me to the apples and peaches that i could walk myself, but price is still $5.00. Taking hayride to fruits/ veggies OR NOT it is still $5.00 (with the $3.00 credit). Pretty expensive though, spent close to $100.00 on apples and peaches.." Comments from a visitor on September 22, 2010: "In reply to the post from Sept 11th 2010. I agree that at first it was a little unsettling to have to pay up front for the privilege of picking my own stuff. They charge $3.00 per person for admission to the fields and an additional $2.00 per person if you want to take the hayride. The hayride is completely optional, as the orchards/berry fields are easily within walking distance of the main areas and they actually give you back the $3.00 per person as credit towards paying for whatever you picked, you just need to hand over your ticket stubs to the cashier. My $30.00 worth of apples (My 3 yr old son had to pick an apple from every tree, lol) was reduced to only $12.00 after the credit. All in all, my family and I have a great time here and we come back every year for apples and pumpkins. We highly recommend it!" Comments from a visitor on September 11, 2010: "We visited today to pick our own fruit, something I've done multiple times per year with my daughters since we moved here 9 years ago. Sadly we were greeted with the new policy of paying $5 per person just to go out to the fields to pick..then you pay for the lbs of fruit on top of that. Can you imagine paying $20 for some raspberries?? That's what it would have cost us if just me and my 8 year old went out to the field and filled a basket! OUCH We didn't pick fruit and we didn't stay. What you used to be a fun simple low cost place to take your children has become a money hungry pit and almost commercial like. I can understand when they want to charge for the kids to play on the blow up rentals they have or ride the ponies but WHY would you charge a customer $5 to go out to the field and pick the berries FOR YOU and then pay for them? I know there are plenty other farms that don't do that and that's a shame. Shame Shame Shame" Comments from a visitor on June 27, 2009: "We love this farm!" Comments from a visitor, May 30, 2008: "They are open all year and have a fabulous store (if you don't want to get out in the brambles and pick your own) They are kid friendly with hayrides, horse rides, festivals, corn maze. They take credit cards and have restrooms. They make their own homemade ice cream (oh boy is it good!). They have farm markets in local communities throughout central NJ. You can even cut your very own wildflowers to take home in a bouquet! :D They are a great farm in a great little town (which also has a Sally Lunn's Tea Room and many wonderful little antique stores and old fashioned privately owned boutique stores."
Ort Farms - strawberries, flowers, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853. Phone: 908-876-3351. Email: nicole@ortfarmsnj.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 7 pm, Sunday 9 am to 6 pm; strawberries from late May through June, possibly early July. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Ort Farms Facebook page. We are located in scenic Long Valley, NJ where we farm nearly 400 acres. For over 100 years, we have been farming this land, growing high quality produce and raising homegrown beef and pork. We focus on natural and sustainable agricultural practices, and seek to bring you high quality, local products! We are proud grow fresh produce for you, from our field to your table through our farmstand, community farmers markets, our CSA program. We also offer family fun through our summer storytime program, fall corn maze and pumpkin picking festival, and birthday parties and events. We have two farm stand locations in Long Valley and we also participate in several farmers markets throughout Northern NJ. We are known as a place for all seasons, visit our farmstand page to see what we have to offer each season.Our Farm Market is open Mon-Sat 8-7 Sunday 8-6 and has Local and Homegrown Produce, Local Honey, Local ice cream, cheese, milk, butter and eggs, Jams and Jellies and Flowers.
Stony Hill Farm Market & Gardens - apples, pumpkins, strawberries, 15 North Road 8 Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930. Phone: 908-879-2908. Email: stonyhillgardens@gmail.com. Open: 10 am to 4 pm, starting in late May. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers. Stony Hill Farm Market & Gardens Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 908-879-2696Fax: 908-879-5876 pick your own apples, strawberries, and pumpkins! Enjoy an adventure with your family or friends in the country! Take a scenic hayride to the fields to pick the freshest of New Jersey produce, then take the hayride back to our Garden Center to make your final purchases and/or browse from our wide array of plants, floral arrangement, and more. Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins, Pick-Your-Own Apples, Pick-Your-Own Strawberries, Hayrides. PYO opens on or around June 9th for berry picking. Then in the Fall; Corn Mazes, New Barnyard Boardgame, Rope Maze, Tile Maze, Gemstone Mining and Noah's Ark Playground. Stony Hill Farm Market and Gardens Facebook page. Visit Stony Hill to pick your own apples, strawberries, and pumpkins! Enjoy an adventure with your family or friends in the country! Take a walk out to our fields to pick the freshest of New Jersey produce, then stop at our Farm Market or Maze Fun Park. IMPORTANT: Please call (908) 879-2908 or check our U-Pick News for the most updated information before planning your trip.
Wightman's Farms - peaches, kale, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins; apples, spring onions 1111 Mount Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ . Phone: (973) 425-9819. Email: wightmansfarms@yahoo.com. Open: picking on Saturdays and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm; Call 973 425-9819 to confirm picking availability; the Market: Daily, year-round except Christmas, 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: I-287 to Exit 30B, right at light, 13 miles on left; S on Route 202 from Morristown; N on Route 202 from Bernardsville. We also have a roadside market farm stand with Apples: all varieties; fruits; vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, StaymanWinesap. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; apples - weekends only after Labor Day thru Oct.; hay rides & pumpkins - weekends only S - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: (973) 425-0840 Hotline. picking on Saturdays and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm; Call to confirm picking availability; the Market: Daily, year-round except Christmas, 8 am to 6 pm. No PYO During the WeekI-287 to Exit 30B, right at light, 1/3 miles on left; S on Route 202 from Morristown; N on Route 202 from Bernardsville. We also have a roadside market / farm stand with Apples: all varieties; fruits; vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; apples - weekends only after Labor Day thru Oct.; hay rides & pumpkins - weekends only September 14 thru Oct.; group tours on weekdays by appt.; corn maze; picnic area; gourds; Indian corn; corn stalks; bedding plants; hanging baskets; Christmas trees; wreaths; roping; decorations; hardy mums; perennials; Easter flowers; dried flowers, fresh bouquets; apple cider; gourmet foods; honey; maple syrup; birdhouses & feeders; bird seed; hickory-smoked meats; cheeses; deli meats; home-made salads; bakery (pies, donuts, muffins, cookies, brownies) . Every person over the age of 3 years old should have a membership card to enter the fields and orchard. Then you pay for what you pick and enjoy your local harvest! 2018 Strawberries are $3.99 a pound. Pick Your Own only on Saturdays & Sundays beginning the first weekend in Mid June through October. A current years Pick Your Own Club Membership is required for entry into the orchard and you must have your membership card with you for access to the orchard in future trips. Wrightman Farms Facebook page. (UPDATED: August 8, 2022, JBS)2022 Price update: there is a One-time "membership" Entry fee * of $10.00/Person Ages 3 & Up. this is good for the entire season (Pay once & pick often)! the entry fee grants you access to the picking areas based on seasonality. sign up early!the one-time "membership fee" offer ends on august 31st. after august 31st it's $10.00 per visit (If you bought the membership then you do not have to pay again). the membership is good for entry for the entire season. Comments from a visitor on August 28, 2010: "We went to this farm to pick apples with our children. I looked at the website before visiting to get an idea but there was no information on pricing. Before you go you should know the first thing they ask you to do is join as a member $11 for a family of 5. You can't pick fruit unless you are a member. At first this was very disturbing but my husband convinced me to just join because we were already here with the kids. What I realized was that the $11 was to enter the fields to pick apples and peaches and also where they have several areas set up for children to play, ie mazes, slides, corn pit, tunnels and picnic area. The apples and peaches are still priced by the pound but you don't have to wait on long lines and purchase tickets for the kids, everything is included. I ended up spending $35 total and got 18 pounds of fruit and a nice day out with the family. And the membership is a card that allows you to return to pick your own fruit any weekend, so my family will probably go back. One problem that I see for families with little kids in strollers it to get to the peach trees you have to hike up 1/2 a mile up a steep gravel washed out road. I was glad to have my hiking boots on and ended up carrying my 2 year old up and down the steep hill. I saw a lady wearing high heels pushing a stroller trying (but could not) get up the hill and that looked painful. Do not wear flip-flops either.. you need boots or sneakers."
Passaic County
Farms View Stand - strawberries, pumpkins. 945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne, NJ 07440. Phone: 973-839-1212. Open: Pick your own strawberries from our strawberry patches mid-late May through mid-late June; Weather Permitting on Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm . Click here for a map and directions. Strawberry season may vary due to weather. To ensure they are in season, call or check out our produce availability page. No public restrooms but they do have picnic tables and animals to look at (no petting or feeding allowed). You may pick your own strawberries from our strawberry patches mid-late May through mid-late June. Strawberry season may vary due to weather. To ensure they are in season, call or check out our produce availability page. Sign up for our Email mailing list to receive updates of what is in season. Farms View offers pick-your-own pumpkins in the fall. Enjoy a hayride to the pumpkin field where they are grown to pick your own pumpkin. If you prefer, you may also select your pumpkins from our yard at the side of the store. Big Mac pumpkins weighing up to 200 lbs are also available. IMPORTANT: Please call before you visit to make sure are u-pick fields are open. U-pick hours are dependent on weather conditions (such as rain and extreme heat), strawberry supply, and other factors. Farms View Roadstand Facebook pageA visitor writes: "They take credit cards and host many school pumpkin picking events in the fall. They grow their own corn, lettuce, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, green beans and squash. They also offer fresh mozzarella, fruit, flowers and jams. Hours vary by season but in spring and summer open 7 days a week. I like it a lot as it is close and their corn, lettuce and fresh basil are fantastic!"
Somerset County
Snyder's Farm - blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, sunflower maze, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, trike track, pony rides, petting zoo, birthday parties, group reservations 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873. Phone: 732-496-0441. Email: info@snyders-farm.com. Open: Please see our website for current hours; When in season, U-Pick is open weekends only Saturday & Sunday depending on crop availability 9am to 4pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Snyder's Farm Facebook page. Fax: 732-297-1835. Please see our website for current hours; When in season, U-Pick is open weekends only (Saturday & Sunday depending on crop availability) 9am to 4pm Our blueberries and strawberries are pesticide free Check out our website for updates on our annual fall festival During our fall festival we offer a ATM machine for your convenienceStrawberry season starts in late May and is usually over by mid-June. Blueberry season usually starts in late June is over in late July. Both depend on crop availability. Always call before you visit to check on crop availability, as we update our message daily to keep our customers informed. We do not have an entry or picking fee, you just pay for what you pick. We have everything you need to pick, so there is no need to bring your own baskets, but you are welcome to do so. (UPDATED: October 1, 2021, JBS) (ADDED: February 18, 2015)
Sunhaven Farms - Strawberries, sweet peas, peppers; green beans, eggplant, tomatoes; plum tomatoes , broccoli, cauliflower, garden mums 1018 Orchard Drive, Hillsborough, NJ . Phone: (908) 369-6504. Email: njberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: Pick-your-own strawberries in June, fresh produce and plum tomatoes all summer long. Directions: New Center Road to Orchard Drive. . Click here for a map and directions. 79415/tiSunhaven Farms Comments from a visitor on June 17, 2007: "We went to on Friday, and picked strawberries. The strawberries were really good! She had flowers to buy and hothouse tomatoes."
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