New Jersey’s Best Pick-Your-Own Farms

With its huge shopping malls and bustling freeways, it’s sometimes easy to forget that New Jersey is dubbed “The Garden State,” but it holds the title for a good reason! Take a day trip to almost any corner of our state and you’ll find family-friendly farms brimming with bountiful produce and dozens of kid-friendly activities, such as hay rides and petting zoos. Check out these New Jersey farms and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors this summer as you PYO (pick your own) fresh fruits and vegetables. Note: Crops vary seasonally and are weather-dependent so always call ahead to check availability before you head out.

 

Alstede Farms

Address: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
Details: Alstede is the granddaddy of NJ farms and in addition to hosting festivals year-round with a petting zoo, pony rides and corn maze, they also offer an impressive array of juicy summer fruit to pick. Fill your baskets with sweet strawberries, blueberries, cherries and both red and black raspberries.
More info: www.alstedefarms.com or call 908-879-7189

Battleview Orchards

Address: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold
Details: Battleview Orchards has been family-owned and operated since 1908, providing a classic farm experience for local Jersey families. Gather up some delicious summer fruit such as sour cherries, peaches and nectarines. Be sure and stop by their well-stocked country store for homemade fruit pies, cider donuts and their popular gift baskets and sweet stacks.
More info: www.battlevieworchards.com or call 732-462-0756

Demarest Farms

Address: 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
Details: This Bergen County farm is popular for its apples and pumpkins in the fall, but come summertime, peach picking is in full swing! After you pick some of the juicy stone fruit, stop by their farm store for more fresh produce, homemade soups and cheesecakes or visit the garden center to choose from a beautiful array of flowering annuals, perennials and more.
More info: www.demarestfarms.com or call 201-666-0472

Donaldson Farms

Address: 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown
Details: Donaldson Farms is bursting with summer family fun, such as pony rides, farm animals, special events with live music and hundreds of sunflowers in bloom. Bring the whole gang during May and June to pick juicy berries fresh from the field, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
More info: www.donaldsonfarms.net or call 908-852-9122

Hallock’s U-Pick Farm

Address: 38 Fischer Road, New Egypt
Details: Hallock’s boasts 265 acres of cropland and there’s no shortage of PYO summer produce. Fill your baskets with peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, strawberries and more. The farm is also home to a huge greenhouse where you can browse (and purchase) an impressive assortment of potted plants, vegetable plants, hanging flower baskets, mums and shrubs.
More info: www.hallocksupick.com or call 609-758-8847

Melick’s Town Farm

Address: 472 County Road 513, Califon
Details: PYO sweet strawberries in late spring at Melick’s Califon location or visit the overflowing peach trees during the summertime. With over 5,000 peach trees (including 30 varieties of white and yellow peaches), you won’t go home empty handed! Also be sure and check out Melick’s farm stands in Bridgewater and Oldwick and their Cider Mill & Orchard in Oldwick for an old-fashioned day on the farm.
More info: www.melickstownfarm.com or call 908-832-2905

Phillips Farms

Address: 290 Church Road, Millford
Details: Phillips Farm is a berry lover’s dream with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries ripe for picking at different times throughout the summer. Their well-known farm stand is bursting with delicious summer goodies including fresh preserves and fruit spreads, Jersey-grown tomatoes, ciders, fruit butters and more.
More info: www.phillipsfarms.com or call 908-995-0022

Terhune Orchards

Address: 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
Details: Located just outside the beautiful town of Princeton, Terhune Orchards is one part farm, one part fruit orchard and one part winery. Guests can pick berries including strawberries and cherries throughout the summer and hand-pick fresh flowers too. Check out their bountiful farm store, brimming with organic produce including beets, collard greens and heirloom tomatoes.
More info: www.terhuneorchards.com or call 609-924-2310

Hero (Top) Feature Image courtesy: © Shestakoff/Adobe Stock
Additional Body Images (in order) Courtesy:
Alstede Farms
Battleview Orchards
Demarest Farms
Donaldson Farms
Hallock’s U-Pick Farm
Melick’s Town Farm
Phillips Farms
Terhune Orchards