It’s Strawberry Picking Time


N


ew Jersey’s strawberry season is short, generally arriving in late May/early June and lasting for


two or three weeks at most. But if you are looking for a fun—and delicious—way to get the whole family outside in the sum- mer sun, there is still time to get in on the berry season. Tere are plenty of strawberry pick-


ing farms around, so you have no short- age of options. Te farms listed below are a few of those in easy reach, about an hour’s drive from Hudson County. But that’s too far to go to find that a farm has been picked out, so always call ahead and know before you go. Also, picking sched- ules are weather dependent and fields close frequently to allow berries to ripen.


ALSTEDE FARMS 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester AlstedeFarms.com


Tis pick your own strawberry farm al- lows you to pick from 9 am to 6 pm with no closed days. Admission is either free or on the weekends for around $7 per per- son. Although you may not want to pay an admissions fee, they also offer live en- tertainment and hayrides, a bit more than just picking the berries.


GIAMARESE FARM AND ORCHARDS 155 Fresh Pond Rd, East Brunswick GiamareseFarm.com


Tis family owned and operated strawber- ry farm is open every day 10 am - 6 pm, except for Mondays. Tey have many dif- ferent strawberry varieties, which include: Cabot, Chandler, Daroyal, Darselect, Mayflower, Rutgers Scarlet, Sunset and Wendy, which makes it really fun for the family to taste test each variety of straw- berry to compare and decide which kinds are liked best.


In fact, it’s a good idea to visit a


farm’s website not only for picking infor- mation, but to learn what other activities are offered, and to research the local area for events, playgrounds, or restaurants in case you want to hang out and refuel aſter a day of picking. Another suggestion is to bring cash.


Most farms do not accept credit cards, so having some paper bills will avoid being disappointed at checkout. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. It gets hot out there. Leave the pets at home. Tey won’t


be allowed in u-pick areas. And a picking tip: Be sure to look


under the leaves of the plants; strawber- ries like to hide there!


LEE TURKEY FARM 201 Hickory Corner Rd, East Windsor LeeTurkeyFarm.com


More than just a place to get farm fresh turkeys, Lee Turkey Farm has pick-your- own fruits and veggies, which include de- licious and juicy strawberries. Strawber- ries are only available to pick during the month of June, so make sure you get there this month to take full advantage of their fresh berries. Tere are no set hours until picking season begins.


PETERSON FARM 438 Quakertown Rd., Flemington PetersonFarm.net


Just opening now for the season, Peterson Farm is offering pick-your-own strawber- ries Tuesday-Sunday from 9am to 6pm. Tey offer affordable picking prices at only $2.80 per pound so you can let the kids load their baskets full of these juicy berries. Tey only take cash or check, so make sure you have before you head out to this farm with the family.


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MELICK’S TOWN FARM 170 Oldwick Rd, Oldwick MelicksTownFarm.com


Melick’s Town Farm offers some of the best strawberry picking in New Jersey. Tere is no entry fee and you pay by the pound. Tis family-owned farm has been operating for 300 years, so they know a thing or two about growing some deli- cious fruits and veggies.


VON THUN’S COUNTRY FARM MARKET 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, VonTunFarms.com


June 8-9 and 15-16 are Strawberry Fes- tival weekends at Von Tuns. Open 10am to 5pm. Beyond berry picking, the festive weekend includes an activity area complete with a straw maze, rubber duck races, hayrides, flower pot bowling, spring checkers and corn hole. Te combo admission ticket gives you access to the activity area and strawberry fields, plus a pound of fresh strawberries.


DONALDSON FARM 358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown DonaldsonFarms.net


Tis strawberry-picking farm, open from 8am to 7pm, has pick-your-own strawber- ries, raspberries and blackberries too. Tis is an option for larger families because there are no entry fees and prices are cal- culated by the pound, although for exact pricing you need to check their website.


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