Northwest New Jersey Elderberry U-Pick Orchards in !

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Elderberry U-Pick Orchards in Northwest New Jersey in 2024, by county

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

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Hunterdon County

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. 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. 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. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, All credit cards, ApplePay.
Phillips Farms Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (908) 995-0022. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We use integrated pest management practices. Click here for our Instagram page. 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

Rockywood Farm LLC - Certified Organic, blueberries, elderberries, herbs or spices, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), Raspberries (purple), Garlic, Hand washing station and Restroom available
77 Madison Street, Newton, NJ 07860. Phone: (860) 961-2231. Email: RockywoodFarm@gmail.com. Open: Typical season is late June through August; Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm, Thursday 8am to 2pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm; If you prefer private picking, call for appointment. Directions: In the heart of Newton on the one-way section of Madison Street. Accessible off Route 206 via Maple Avenue and Elm Street or Spring Street in downtown Newton. Farm is located on the left hand side of the one-way section of Madison Street. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Venmo.
Rockywood Farm LLC Facebook page. . . Blueberry season is late June through August Raspberry season is late June through August Elderberry flower season is June through mid July Elderberry season - please call or email Garlic season is August through the fall. Certified Organic by NJ Dept of Agriculture Sept 2019.Baystate Organic Certifiers May 2022. Click here for a link to the Rockywood Farm Facebook page. (UPDATED: June 10, 2022) (ADDED: July 08, 2019)

Elderberry

Elderberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. Elderberries typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. Crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local Elderberries, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions. See this page for a list of elderberry festivals around the U.S.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

Always call before you go to the farm - And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked out!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Elderberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Elderberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

When

Elderberries are best picked when they are fully ripe, the harvest season is usually in late summer to early fall.
Look for clusters of berries that are dark purple or black in color. Avoid picking unripe green berries.

Picking wild elderberries

If there isn't a farm near you, they may be growing wild in your area. Old-timers and county extension agents may know where.

Elderberry bushes can be found in various habitats, including roadsides, fields, and forest edges.
Ensure you are picking from an area free of pollutants, pesticides, and contaminants.
Familiarize yourself with the appearance of elderberry bushes, characterized by their opposite leaf arrangement and distinctive compound leaves. Remember that proper identification and responsible harvesting practices are crucial when foraging for any wild plants. If you're uncertain about the plants you're picking, it's best to consult with a knowledgeable local expert before consuming or using them.
Make sure you can distinguish elderberries from similar-looking plants, such as red elderberries, which are toxic.
Only pick berries from abundant stands, leaving enough for local wildlife and for the plant to reproduce.
Be mindful of the surrounding ecosystem and avoid damaging plants or disturbing wildlife.

Preparation

Wear Proper Gear: Wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves to protect your skin from potential irritations caused by leaves and stems.
Bring a pair of pruning shears or scissors for easier berry removal.

How to pick

Choose plump, fully ripe berries that are free from mold, insects, and damage.
Berries should be firm and evenly colored.
Gently hold the berry cluster and snip the stem with your pruning shears or scissors.
Be careful not to shake the cluster excessively, as overripe berries can fall off easily.

After harvesting

Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.
Store freshly picked elderberries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing.
Keep them refrigerated and use within a few days, or freeze them for longer storage.
Before using elderberries, remove them from their stems using a fork or by gently combing through with your fingers.
Elderberries can be used for making jams, jellies, syrups, wines, and more.
Safety Note: Elderberries should not be consumed raw in large quantities as they contain compounds that can cause digestive discomfort. Cooking or properly preparing them eliminates these concerns.

Elderberry Recipes, Freezing and Jam directions

If you'd like to make some elderberry foods, see these pages for directions:

2024 Northwest New Jersey Elderberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!