2024 Southeast New Jersey Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Southeast New Jersey in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have strawberries farms 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Atlantic County

• B & B Farms - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peppers, African crops
  250 S. Mannheim Avenue, Egg Harbor, NJ 08215. Phone: 609-965-5558. Email: jlamonaca@gmail.com. Open: Daily Monday thru Sunday, berries and weather permitting 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Call first; thew blueberry season is usually mid-June through July. Directions: We are located 1 14 miles off Route 30 \(White Horse Pike\) on Mannheim Avenue in Pomona, NJ - cross one intersection \(Duerer Street\)- we are the second driveway on right. We have B & B Farms sign at intersection and at driveway. Turn in driveway and proceed past blueberries. Turn left at house and follow signs for parking. Walk over to the house garage and someone will assist you here. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  B & B Farms Facebook page. . Daily Monday thru Sunday, (berries and weather permitting) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Call first; thew blueberry season is usually mid-June through JulyWe are located 1 1/4 miles off Route 30 (White Horse Pike) on Mannheim Avenue in Pomona, NJ - cross one intersection (Duerer Street)- we are the second driveway on right. We have sign at intersection and at driveway. Turn in driveway and proceed past blueberries. Turn left at house and follow signs for parking. Walk over to the house garage and someone will assist you hereBlueberries: June 15 to August 1; Visit our Facebook page for additional updates. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. We also have U-pick African and ethnic crops through November, PICK-YOUR-OWN: HOT PEPPER, BITTERBALL, KITTLEY, SWEET POTATO LEAVES, JUTE LEAVES, SPINACH (MALABAR), OKRA AND MOREEnjoy picking AND eating right from the fields! STRAWBERRIES OPEN SATURDAY in late May! Note: PARK AT 228 S MANNHEIM AVE (not 250 as usual - this is a new field, and she is a beauty!) Weather permitting, please check our social media for updates. Typical harvest dates are:Strawberries (end of May-June).Blueberries (mid June-July)Raspberries - July, AugustWe have containers or bring your own. Discount for CSA members.
• Surf and Turf Farm - Strawberries, peas, spinach, lettuce, pumpkins
  251 South Odessa Ave., Pomona, NJ . Phone: (609) 965-4607. Open: Daily, 8 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Please call ahead

Cape May County

• Rea's Farm Market - strawberries, pumpkins, Roadside Market
  400 Stevens St., West Cape May, NJ . Phone: (609) 884-4522. Open: May 1 - Oct 31, Sun - Thur 9am to 5 pm; Fri & Sat 8am to 6pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, check, WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted. Fax: (609) 884-3364 South of Cape May Canal on Seashore Rd to 4th Ave (on right) turn right onto 4th Ave go to Bayshore Rd (stop sign) Market across the road., Farm fresh vegetables and fruit, home-made breads, pies, etc; home-canned items; home-made jelly & jams; bedding plants; drinks; and more(UPDATED: March 13, 2013, from NJAG)

Cumberland County

• Ingraldi Farms - Pick Your Own: Strawberries; pumpkins
  1319 Cedar Avenue, Millville, NJ . Phone: (856) 451-1019. Email: queen1024@comcast.net. Click here for a map and directions. Ingraldi FarmsUPDATE for 2021, Their website is gone and there's nothing else about them that is current on the internet - I presume they have closed. Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me.Daily, May - October, 10 am to 6 pm1/4 mile on Cedarville Road, from Millville Airport, Across from Reick Ave. We also have Hay rides to pumpkin patch
• Nate Bisconte Farm - Pick Your Own: Strawberries
  Morton Ave. & Lebanon Road, Rosenhayn, NJ . Phone: (856) 455-3405. Open: Sunrise - 2 pm; call before you come. Click here for a map and directions.
• Sparacio's Strawberry Farm & Farm Market - strawberries,
  670 Landis Avenue, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Phone: 856-451-4142. Email: glsparacio@comcast.net. Open: 6 am to 1 pm daily, weather permitting; Call to verify availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, WIC Vouchers. Sparacio Farms is our pick your own strawberry field! Customers come from all over the tri-state area to select and pick their own Jersey Fresh strawberries from our fields. While our strawberries are always available at the stand, for some there's nothing better than getting their hands a little dirty and picking their own.. A visitor writes on May 12, 2021: "Sparacio Farm is NOT opening this year. You currently have them listed as a place for you-pick berries, but Mr. Sparacio announced last week that they will not be opening their farm stand or you pick fields at all this year. Sad, but hopefully they will be back next year."
  Comments from a visitor on May 25, 2009: "They have a nice farm market, picnic tables, and ice cream stand .This is the first year I have picked my own berries here, and I liked it very much. Price per pound was $1.40. Bring your own buckets and baskets or buy them there. Staff was very helpful and friendly."
• Woodbridge Farm - Pick Your Own: Strawberries
  100 Back Road, Newport, NJ . Phone: (856) 447-4724. Open: May & June, Sunrise to Sunset. Click here for a map and directions. Also has a roadside market with strawberries

Ocean County

• Beach View Farms - strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
  178 Beachview Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050. Phone: -3510. Email: beachviewfarms@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2019, There are reports they have closed; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were Saturday 12:0 pm to 4 pm. Click here for a map and directions. , the only farm in Manahawkin! Come pick your own organic produce(ADDED: May 12, 2015, JBS)
• Dewolf's U Pick Farm - beans, beets, blackberries, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplants, flowers, herbs or spices, melons, onions, peppers, plums, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  58 W. Colliers Mill Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Phone: 609-758-6288. Email: site@dewolfsupick.com. Open: UPDATE for 2023: A visitor tells me they are closed indefinitely - if you find out when they re-open, please write me! Call for hours. Directions: Off Route 539. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, WIC Vouchers. U-pick crops include: Tomatoes, Bell peppers, Fryer pepper , Jalapeno, Long hots, Cherry hots, Wax hots, Ancho, Thai chili, Thai eggplant, Bitter balls , Round beans , Romano flat beans, Beets, Golden beets, Cabbage, 3 types of kale, Dill and cilantro , Italian parsley, Basil, Tomatillos , Popaloo, White potatoes, Pickles, Cucumbers, Onions, Long squash, Red beans, Lima beansA visitor writes on August 06, 2013: "Friendly service. Blackberries $2 per pound. Blackberries were plentiful. Goats on site. You can drive your car to the specific field you want to pick. Pull up at their covered "drive through" to weigh and pay for your produce when you are done. You can walk to the blackberry fields from the farmshop parking lot. Bulk discounts available. There is a farmshop where you can purchase pre-picked produce and canning supplies. They provide containers to hold what you pick."
• Hallock's U-Pick Farm - Strawberries; tomatoes; peas (sweet, black-eyed, field); beans (green, flat, wax, butter, Lima); peas; potatoes (white, sweet), okra; onions; cabbage; broccoli; collards; eggplant; peppers (bells, fryers, assorted hots; greens (mustard, turnip); bitter balls; jute leaves; sweet potato leaves; other vegetables
  38 Fischer Road, New Egypt, NJ . Phone: (609) 758-8847. Email: hallocksfarm@gmail.com. Open: Apr. Click here for a map and directions. to November, 7 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday, Sun., holidays 7 am to 5:30 pmOff Route 528. In addition to u-pick, there is pre-picked: Fruits & vegetables inc.: sweet corn; cantaloupes; watermelons; apples; cauliflower; pumpkins; winter squash; kohlrabi; okra; potatoes; strawberries; beans (string, wax, flat, Lima, butter); broccoli; cabbage; tomatoes; cucumbers; peppers (bell, fryer, hot); eggplant; spinach; pumpkins. We also have Corn stalks; honey; jams; jellies; canning supplies
  Comments from a visitor on June 28, 2009: "I just wanted to say how much i love your site. I was looking for a "new" place to U-Pick strawberries, as the place I used to go has become rather regimented, and has way too many rules.. Decided on Hallick farm and had the best time, great strawberries, great staff, GREAT prices!!! WE called in between the rain storms and they always gave a good update, (it rained a lot and I called a lot) and honest as to conditions and amount of berries. She has jars and pectin too, saved me a trip to the store twice. CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK FOR SWEET CORN!!! But I really wanted to write and thank you for your site, (I have so far only canned fruit jams, but am ready to move on to more.) You really have a knack for those links-- they are great for anyone who is not to sure how to do something. Your explanations are so clear, and your writing style so "normal" that I feel like I'm talking to a friend. I'm not the most computer savvy person and you have it all set-up so EASY!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! "
• Silverton Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, Strawberries, Raspberries, Pumpkins, Green Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Flowers
  1520 Silverton Road, Toms River, NJ . Phone: (732) 244-2621. Email: silvertonfarms@gmail.com. Open: may-october: tuesday-saturday, 9-5 and sunday 9-4; november: weekends only. Directions: Route 70 to New Hampshire Ave. S 2 miles left on Silverton Road 14 mile on left. We also have Our own Honey & Eggs. Class trips; hay rides; call for reservations. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Silverton Farm Facebook page. Route 70 to New Hampshire Ave. S 2 miles left on Silverton Road 1/4 mile on left. We also have Our own Honey & Eggs. Class trips; hay rides; call for reservations

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that 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 strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for strawberries, 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 strawberries 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.
4. 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.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine 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. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers