Berry season is just about here! Ever since I was a kid, early-mid June marked the occasion when we’d pack the family in the car for a day out in the sun picking strawberries in the fields out east on Long Island. My face, hands and clothing were stained pink and at the end of the day, we’d gather in the kitchen piling fresh, juicy berries on a toasted waffle with homemade whipped cream and powdered sugar. YUM! And come July, it's time for blueberries... and peaches in August... and of course pumpkins in the fall.
I’ve been carrying on this tradition with my kids for the last several years, but picking berries on the Connecticut side of the LI Sound. Here is a list of some places to go if you're looking forward to a pint or two of sun-ripened, sweet strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and more! Many also offer a pick-your-own option for other kinds of fruit well into fall. And most of these farms have a wide selection of fresh produce available for sale at their market/farm stands.
We recommend that you call ahead to the farm to confirm crop availability and exact picking times. We're also hearing that some farms may require advance reservations to meet social distancing guidelines. Have fun!
Fort Hill Farm, New Milford (Strawberries) *ORGANIC*
Jones Family Farms, Shelton (Strawberries and Blueberries) *uses integrated pest management practices*
Lyman Orchards, Middlefield (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Apples, Pears, etc.)
March Farm, Bethlehem (Cherries, Blueberries, Peaches, Apples)
Deeply Rooted Farms, Harwington (Strawberries)
Silverman’s Farm, Easton (Raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples)
Maple Bank Farm, Roxbury (blueberries)
Ellsworth Hill Orchard and Berry Farm, Sharon (Strawberries, Cherries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Plums, Apples, Pears, etc..) *uses integrated pest management practices*
Evergreen Berry Farm, Watertown, CT (Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries) *ORGANIC*
Thompson-Finch Farm, Ancram, NY (Strawberries, Blueberries, Apples) *ORGANIC*
Bishop Orchards, Guilford, CT (Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Raspberries, Pears, Apples, Pumpkins)
Belltown Hill Orchards, South Glastonbury, CT (Blueberries, Cherries, Raspberries)
Dondero Orchards, South Glastonbury, CT (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries)
Roses Berry Farm, South Glastonbury, CT (Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries)
Glendale Farms, Milford, CT (Strawberries)
Norton Brothers Fruit Farm, Cheshire, CT (Blueberries)
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction, NY (Strawberries, Cherries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries)
Have a favorite pick-your-own farm that we missed? Please let us know!
