The one thing the pandemic can't stop is the Hudson Valley growing season.
And that means U-pick farms should be open right about now. Some are, but others are remaining cautious as New York state emerges from the coronavirus pandemic in planned phases. Agriculture was included inPhase 1 reopenings across the state.
Call each farm before you go to see what's available and what their safety measures entail. Expect that all will require you to wear masks and some farms are now operating on an advanced reservation system.
Here's where to pick your own. We will update the list as information becomes available.
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Dutchess County
Fishkill Farms:Reservations and masks are required. A maximum of five people can be on one reservation, including kids age 2 and up. Pickers have an hour to pick. When you arrive on the farm, you must park in the main lot, leave all bagsand unnecessary personal items in the car, utilize their hand washing stations and check-in with employees. While in the field, pickers are asked to stay in their assigned section of the field and be mindful of those around them. The farm will be closed on Mondays for “cleaning, sanitizing and resetting.” Check the farm’s website for the full list of precautions.
Strawberries can be found throughout June. In July, expect to find cherries, blueberries and raspberries as well as summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, peas, beans, kale, chard, herbs and flowers; late July and August mark the harvest of tree-ripe peaches, plums and blackberries. 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The fields close at 5:45 p.m.845-897-4377,fishkillfarms.com.
Greig Farm:Pickers will be spread out over the fields allowing for one car at each picking area in which they must remain. Farm staff ask that pickers wear masks when checking in or out, or if they venture near fellow pickers. For the full list of precautions, as well as to keep an eye on what's in season, visit the farm's website.
Pick strawberries in June, blueberries through July into mid-August; add blackberries in August.Open 9a.m.-7p.m. daily when strawberry season begins. 227Pitcher Lane, Red Hook. Open May to October,845-758-1234,greigfarm.com.
Mead Orchards:Pickers are asked to maintain social distance while in the fields. Masks are to be worn at all times to ensure the safety of fellow pickers and the farm's employees. Hand washing stations will be available in the fields so visitors can sanitize before and after picking to reduce cross-contamination. The farm will provide quart baskets and cardboard flats.
Pick strawberries through June. Later in the summer, blueberries, sweet and tart cherries, peaches, plums and apples can be picked.Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 15 Scism Road, Tivoli. 845-756-5641,meadorchards.com.
Orange County
Halfway Acres:A small, friendly family-owned farmoffers just blueberries until they’re picked out, usually in late July. The farm's website says they will hopefully open by the end of June for picking in the family's expanded fields. They will also be selling blueberry bushes. Check back on the website for exact dates and new rules. 200 Purgatory Road, Campbell Hall. 845-239-1551,halfwayacres.com.
Lawrence Farms:Open for u-pick for more than 60 years, the farm will require face masks for all customers once it re-opens for u-pick later this month. Strawberries will be first, followed by peas and greens. Check the farm's social media accounts or call for updates on the opening. 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh. 845-562-4268,lawrencefarmsorchards.org.
Ochs Orchards:Will be open between June 15-17 for strawberry picking, followed by raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, corn, tomatoes and vegetables. Masks required, bags and backpacks must remain in your vehicle andcapacity limits may be enforced if the farm is too full. The farm will have sanitizing stations available and asks that pickers stick to one area of the farm to minimize contact among groups. 4 Ochs Lane,Warwick, 845-986-1591,ochsorchard.net.
Ulster County
Jenkins and Leuken Orchards:Usually, blueberry picking begins in late June or early July, followed by blackberriesand raspberries. Right now, the orchards have not announced when they will reopen, but suggestyou check the website or call.69 Yankee Folly Road, New Paltz. 845-255-0999,jlorchards.com.
Kelder’s Farm:Opened Friday for U-pick strawberries, followed by blueberries, flowers and vegetables as the summer progresses. To accommodate as many people as possible while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, advance reservations for specific time slots are encouraged; picking containers will be provided in advance. Walk-ins will be accepted, but if the farm reaches capacity you may be turned away. Masks are required, as is social distancing. Book a time slot on the website. 5755 Route209, Kerhonkson. 845-626-7137,keldersfarm.com.
Prospect Hill Orchards:You can pick sweet cherries when the farm opens June 25-28, followed by sour cherries July 2-5. Beyond that, the schedule has not yet been determined but there will be peaches later in the summer. Masks must be worn by all and the farm will enforce six feet of distance. Check back with the website as summer progresses for details of other u-pick dates. 340 Milton Turnpike, Milton. 845-795-2383,prospecthillorchards.com.
DuBois Farms: Open for u-pick strawberries, followed by nectarines, plums, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Due to the pandemic,everyone visiting the farm must bring and wear a mask and practice social distancing. There's also a farm market and tavern on-site. 209 Perkinsville Road, Highland,845-795-4037,duboisfarms.com
Saunderskill Farms:U-pick begins Friday for strawberries followed by blueberries and raspberries through August. There is an onsite greenhouse, farm market and bakery that are open. Masks will be required and social distancing protocols will be in place. Closed Monday. 5100 Route209, Accord. 845-626-2676,saunderskill.com.
Tantillo’s Farm Market:Most summers, families would be picking cherries in June at this family-owned market, but they have not yet decided when to reopen, preferring to be cautious. That said, the farm market is open and so is the ice cream window.The owners recommend you check back periodically to the website for updates on U-pick.730 Route208, Gardiner.845-256-9109,tantillosfarm.com.
Connecticut
Lyman Orchards: There will bepick your own strawberries, peaches, blueberries and raspberries at this 1,000-acre farm, just know the experience will be highly regulated. Only groups of 4 will be admitted and all will berequired to wear a face mask —including in the field — and to keep6 feet of social distancing between individuals. You'll have to wash and/or sanitize your hands prior to entering the field and follow one-way paths into andout of the fields. And if you're feeling sick, don't come. Strawberries are available in June, followed by blueberries and raspberries in July and August; peach picking begins in late July. Don't feel like picking? The Apple Barrel market has lots of produce. 32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield, Connecticut. Call the hotline for what's available to pick before you go: 860-349-6015;lymanorchards.com
Jones Family Farms:Strawberries are the main attraction, and they'll start picking in mid-June with additional safety guidelines in place, including additional spacing in the picking fields, online reservations for picking times, and pre-picked berries. Just as in a normal season, call ahead before you go to see if the fields are open and if any other restrictions are in place, at 203-929-8425.555 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, 203-929-8425.jonesfamilyfarms.com
