2024 Northwest New Jersey Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Northwest New Jersey in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards for pears that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have pears orchards 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.

Hunterdon County

• Melick's Town Farm Califon Orchards - Pick Your Own: Apples; peaches; pears, flowers; pumpkins
  472 Route 513, Califon, NJ . Phone: (908) 832-2905. Open: July to October, 7 days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm. Directions: From Route 80. S to Route 24 in Chester, W on Route 24 \(Route 513\) for approx. 9 miles, the Stand is on the left. Also has a roadside market with Apples. Our apple varieties are Empire; Gala; Golden Delicious; Jonagold; Macoun; McIntosh; Red Delicious; StaymanWinesap; Crispen; Rome. We also have Cider; cider donuts; bakery items; jamsjellies; Indian corn; corn stalks; gourds; Halloween decorations; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted. At the Califon Orchards, you can Pick Your Own Peaches, Pears, Apples, Pumpkins, Pre-Picked Too!Our own Apple Cider. There is now a $5.00 fee plus tax per person, in addition to the cost of the apples and pumpkins. The admission is slightly less if you pay online. In 2019 prices were $1.19 a pound for pick your own. One visitor points out that Best Market sells apples for 79 cents to 99 cents a pound; but obviously when you pick your own, they are fresher and you get exactly what you want. . Click here for a map and directions. . From Route 80. S to Route 24 in Chester, W on Route 24 (Route 513) for approx. 9 miles, the Stand is on the left. Also has a roadside market with Apples. Our apple varieties are Empire; Gala; Golden Delicious; Jonagold; Macoun; McIntosh; Red Delicious; Stayman/Winesap; Crispen; Rome. We also have Cider; cider donuts; bakery items; jams/jellies; Indian corn; corn stalks; gourds; Halloween decorations; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted. At the Califon Orchards, you can Pick Your Own Peaches, Pears, Apples, Pumpkins, Pre-Picked Too!Our own Apple Cider. There is now a $5.00 fee plus tax per person, in addition to the cost of the apples and pumpkins. The admission is slightly less if you pay online. In 2019 prices were $1.19 a pound for pick your own. One visitor points out that Best Market sells apples for 79 cents to 99 cents a pound; but obviously when you pick your own, they are fresher and you get exactly what you want.
• Phillips Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, Asian pears, blackberries, blueberries, sweet cherries, pie or sour cherries, red currants, black currants, white currants, elderberries, gooseberries, Seedless table grapes, table grapes with seeds, wine grapes, nectarines, pears, Asian pears, peaches, plums, red raspberries red, Spring red raspberries, Autumn red raspberries, Black raspberries, Spring black raspberries, Other fruit, eggplant, hot peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers, zinnias, Local honey from within 50 miles, bakery, porta-potties, Cell service cell phones work here, No dogs allowed except for service animals
  564 Milford Warren Glen Road, Milford, NJ 08848. Phone: (908) 628-9251. Alternate Phone: (908) 995-0022. Email: farmer@phillipsfarms.com. Open: season is from late May through late October; summer months open everyday except Tuesdays from 9 am to 5:30 pm; please visit our website or Facebook page for Spring and Fall hours. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: Tucked away in scenic Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Phillips Farms lies directly across the Delaware River from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They are a little over an hour away from New York City and Philadelphia, 30 minutes from the Lehigh Valley, and 40 minutes from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Lambertville, New Jersey. Click here for a map and directions. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, All credit cards, ApplePay.
  Click here for our Facebook page.
  Click here for our Instagram page.
  Phillips Farms grows and sell their own herb plants, perennials flowers, annual flowers, bedding plants and hanging baskets at its local Farm Market in Milford as well as at the farmers markets they attend.
  (UPDATED: April 08, 2024)
  A visitor writes in June 2006: "The summer would not be complete without at least 6 visits to the Phillips Farm. My 3 children including 3 year old twins love to pick at the farm We start the season with strawberries and end in the fall with apples. The farm is quiet, plentiful and not busy at all. We feel we have the place to ourselves. Mr. Phillips has done a wonderful job raising his crops. Thank you to the Phillips Farm for great family fun and for the fabulous fruit for my pies and jams."

Sussex County

• Pochuck Valley Farm - Peaches, plums, tomatoes, sweet corn, pears, apples, pumpkins, gourds, hay
  962 Route 517, Glenwood Road, Glenwood, NJ . Phone: (973) 764-4732. Email: pochuckvalley@yahoo.com. Open: Through October 31, 9-4 Daily for Pick Your Own, Store hours 6 - 5 on weekends, 6 - 6 weekdays. Directions: Route 23 N to Route 94 N to Route 517 N. In addition to u-pick, there is pre-picked: Apples, pumpkins, peaches, plums, pears, vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Greenings, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Northern Spies, Red Delicious, Quince, Rome Beauty, StaymanWinesap. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, baked goods, jams, jellies, deli, ice cream, maple & honey products, mums, cider, donuts, gift shop, bakery, wreaths. Our Farm is home to over 2,000 trees which hold a varieties of fruits and vegetables. The fruit trees on our farm include Apple, Cherry, Peach, Pear, and Plum. The fruits all have their own season where they are the best for picking. All of these dates are listed below or under the Pick Your Own. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Pochuck Valley Farm Facebook page. . . Route 23 N to Route 94 N to Route 517 N. In addition to u-pick, there is pre-picked: Apples, pumpkins, peaches, plums, pears, vegetables. Our apple varieties are Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Greenings, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Northern Spies, Red Delicious, Quince, Rome Beauty, Stayman/Winesap. We also have Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, baked goods, jams, jellies, deli, ice cream, maple & honey products, mums, cider, donuts, gift shop, bakery, wreaths. Our Farm is home to over 2,000 trees which hold a varieties of fruits and vegetables. The fruit trees on our farm include Apple, Cherry, Peach, Pear, and Plum. The fruits all have their own season where they are the best for picking. All of these dates are listed below or under the Pick Your Own. Facebook page. This year another 600 trees are being planted to grow more Apples, peaches and plums. Apples that you can pick are Red Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Rhode Island Greening, Macoun, Jonathan, Mutsu, Winesap, Rome, Golden Delicious and more.Come visit our 108 year old country farm, Pick Apple's and Pears, visit our deli farm market and bakery for homemade donuts and pies, and specialty items.

Warren County

• Stoneyfield Orchards - Strawberries, Sour cherries, peaches, plums, apples, pears
  5 Orchard Street, Belvidere, NJ . Phone: (908) 475-5209. Email: info@stoneyfieldorchard.com. Open: Retail stand: daily, year round; pick your own available only June - October, 9 am to 5:30 pm. Directions: From Route 80, Exit 12, S on Route 521 to Hope, Route 519 to Route 46, turn right, go west on Route 46 to Belvidere sign, left on Route 620, go S to first left \(Orchard St.\), on left side. In addition to u-pick, there is pre-picked: Strawberries, sweet & sour cherries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, nectarines, pears, tomatoes, potatoes. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Checks, WIC and Senior FMNP.
  Stoneyfield Orchards Facebook page. Call ahead for appointment. . From Route 80, Exit 12, S on Route 521 to Hope, Route 519 to Route 46, turn right, go west on Route 46 to Belvidere sign, left on Route 620, go S to first left (Orchard St.), on left side. In addition to u-pick, there is pre-picked: Strawberries, sweet & sour cherries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, nectarines, pears, tomatoes, potatoes. Stoneyfield Orchard Facebook page. Our apple varieties are Baldwin, Britemac, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Ida Red, Jersey Mac, Jersey Red, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Rome, Stayman/Winesap. We also have Eggs, cheeses, jellies, maple syrup, apples and cider available until March, Vermont cheese, preserves, relishes, salad dressings. No Credit Cards. Pick-Your-Own ScheduleJune - StrawberriesJune / July - Sour CherriesJuly / August - Peaches & PlumsAugust / September / October - Apples & Pears

 

pear Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

pears, also known as serviceberries or Juneberries, are delicious and nutritious berries native to North America, mostly in the western Canada and northwestern U.S. . These small blue-purple berries grow on shrubs or small trees and have a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and almonds. Here's what you need to know about pears, how to use them, when to harvest them, and how to do it:

Flavor and Uses:

pears have a pleasantly sweet and slightly tart taste, making them a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to fruit salads, used in baked goods such as pies, muffins, and tarts, or even incorporated into jams, jellies, and sauces. pear berries also freeze well. They can be substituted for blueberries in recipes.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jam, jelly, freeze or make pear pie from Saksatoons / Juneberries, see these pages:

• How to make pear jam
• How to freeze pears
• World's best and easiest pear pie
• How to Can pears
• How to make pear jelly
• How to make and can pear syrup
• How to make home-canned pear pie filling to use later
• pear buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping pear coffee cake

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of pear berry harvest can vary depending on your location and climate, but it generally occurs in the summer months. In most regions, you can expect to start harvesting pears from late June to early August. Keep an eye on the berries as they ripen to determine the best time for harvesting.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe pear berries are plump, firm, and have a deep purple-blue color. They should come off the plant easily when gently pulled or twisted. Look for berries that have a uniform color and avoid those that are still green or red. Taste a few berries to ensure they have reached the desired sweetness before harvesting the entire crop.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest pear berries, simply hold the branch beneath the cluster of ripe berries and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch the berries as they fall.

The easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers.  The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

Be careful not to squeeze or crush the berries while harvesting to maintain their shape and quality.

Handling and Storage:

Handle pear berries with care as they are delicate and can bruise easily. After harvesting, sort through the berries and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store the freshly picked berries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate the berries and consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing the berries for longer-term storage.

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked pears will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening.  Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed pears freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

 

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers