The Top 10 Spots to Go Berry Picking in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

The best places to go blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry picking in NY, NJ, and CT.

By Alison Leighton June 3, 2021

2.  Johnson's Corner Farm 

133 Church Road, Medford, NJ
609-654-8643
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Hours: Pick Your Own: Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm; Evening U Pick: Wednesday and Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $5 Monday-Friday; $6 Saturday-Sunday; free for children younger than 1. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Additionally, all picked farm produce will be weighed and paid for by count or weight as you exit the u-pick experience. 

“Planting Seeds, Harvesting Memories.” With a cute motto like that, how can you resist checking it out? Johnson’s Corner Farm has seasonal fruit picking, such as strawberries from mid-May to mid-June (estimated dates), along with cherries, blueberries, snap peas, string beans, and radishes in other seasons. Visitors are advised to check out the farm’s Facebook page to find out what’s currently available. Plus, kids will enjoy the hayrides, ice cream and other family fun activities (at an additional cost) such as the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm, which includes a fun splash pad for children and the opportunity to feed some farm animals. 

3. Von Thun’s Country Farm Market

519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ
732-329-8656
438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ
732-986-6816
Admission: $3; free for children ages 2 and younger, plus picking containers: $5 pint; $7 quart; $25 bucket
Hours: daily, 9am-5pm; reservations required on weekends.
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Von Thun’s has two farms in NJ, each with “u-pick” activities and on-site farm markets that sell its delicious varieties of produce. During the summer months, the South Brunswick location lets you pick strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, while the Washington location offers strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and peaches. It also hosts Strawberry Festivals and Fall Festivals. The farm suggests always calling for current availability before heading out.

4. Terhune Orchards

330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton NJ
609-924-2310
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Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm (blueberries not available for picking Mondays throughout the season)
Admission: Call before you visit to find out the latest pricing for the season. Strawberries: $4 minimum charge per person ages 3 and older paid before you enter the patch. This will get credited to the final amount picked at the end.

This farm has seasonal you-pick fruits and veggies, call ahead to confirm availability. Ripe strawberries are available late May through early June, cherries (sweet and sour) and blueberries are ready mid-June, and blackberries are available in July. Call the farm store or check the Pick-Your-Own Schedule to check availability—each season brings a slightly different timing. Families can visit the farm animals in the barnyard and enjoy the children’s play area. The orchards also have a winery, family activities, and a full calendar of events like a winery music series, Kite Day, and “Read & Pick” events for children. You can also find fresh pressed cider, pies, and other homemade goodies at their country-style Farm Store.

Berry Picking in CT

1. Jones Family Farms

606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, CT
203-929-8425
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Hours: Strawberry season: Monday-Saturday, 8am-5:30pm; Sunday, 8am-12pm. Blueberry season: Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-5:30pm  
Admission: Admission to the farm is free, and berries are purchased by the pound. If you recycle your old Jones Family Farm berry boxes, you’ll receive a discount per pound. 

The strawberry picking season starts mid-June at this Farm and winery, and lasts into the end of June, sometimes early July. Blueberries are typically available in early to mid-July and usually last until mid-August. The Jones Family has owned the farm for more than 150 years and claims to have one of the finest harvest-your-own picking experiences due to its high-quality crops and the knowledgeable, friendly farmers. The website warns that hours can change during the season due to weather and picking conditions. Visitors are asked to always call the Crop Report at 203-929-8425 before you come to verify the hours, picking conditions, and picking location. The farm has some safety recommendations for picking fruit, which you’ll want to check out before you go; it suggests the proper footwear, a hat, sunscreen, bringing your own water bottle, and more.

2. Silverman’s Farm

451 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT
203-261-3306
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Hours: Pick Your Own: daily, 9am-4:30pm (when fruits are in season). Farm Market and Animal Farm: daily 9am-5pm. 
Admission: Pre-purchased bags are required before entering the orchard.

This farm has fruit picking, an Animal Farm, and a County Market with jellies, cheeses, pies, and more. The beginning of July is the kick off to the berry picking season. Raspberries and blueberries will be ready at that time, and peach picking begins in mid-July. While the farm doesn’t offer strawberry and blackberry picking, it does sell Silverman’s home-grown strawberries and blackberries at the Farm stand.Plus, children can visit the Animal Farm to feed and pet buffalo, llamas, alpacas, deer, and more (there is an admission fee), and during the summer the Animal Farm hosts story and craft times (free with paid admission). 

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Evergreen Berry Farm 

435 Bassett Road, Watertown, CT
860-274-0825
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Hours: Daily, 8am-8pm during peak season (typically July-August). Call or Facebook for current hours and berry updates!
Admission: Blueberries: $5.99 per pound; $3.99 per pound over 9 pounds. Raspberries: $7.99 per pound. Containers are provided or bring your own.

Evergreen Berry Farm is organically managed with special attention to soil biology and nutrition—a real ecological gem! Use this as an educational lesson for your children while you visit. Pick-your-own berry seasons run July-August for blueberries and early to mid-July for Black raspberries. When you visit, be sure to check out their fresh seltzers and iced teas made with the farm’s very own berries, herbs, and flowers.