Strawberry mojitos, blueberry jam,strawberry ice cream, blueberry pie ...
That's right, it's berry-pickin' season!
From late April to June, hit u-pick farms in and around the Shore for fresh-picked strawberries, and from late June to early August for blueberries.
Take note: While berry-picking is the perfect family outing, picking times can vary, so be sure to check online or call ahead.
Here are a few spots to pick-your-own in and around the Jersey Shore:
Battleview Orchards, Freehold Township
This fourth-generation family farm, operated by the Applegate family since 1908, offers a variety of u-pick fruit options throughout the year, includingstrawberries, sour cherries,peaches, nectarines, apples and pumpkins.
The farm and country store are open daily (except Tuesdays), with hours for u-pick updated daily on Facebook and their website. The country store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Strawberry picking is cash only, with no pets allowed on the farm, nor large bags or reusable food containers. Cost of admission is $5, including entry and a container, which will be credited towardyour final purchase. The price of strawberries for this season was not available as of press time.
Go:91 Wemrock Road, Freehold Township; 732-462-0756,battlevieworchards.com, facebook.com/bvorchards.
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Blueberry Bill Farms, Hammonton
Why is Blueberry Bill's worth the trip? Just ask owner "Blueberry Bill" Mortellite. He saysthis is “the best pick-your-own place in the world.”
Blueberries cost $3 per pound, or if you're looking to make a big haul, you can purchase 12-pint crates for $30. The farm also sells frozen blueberries all year round, at $20 per 10 pounds, and $60 per 30 pounds.
Blueberry Bill loves when people come to pick, but he also wants to give people access to blueberries in their own backyards, so he sells two- to four-year-old Duke, Blue Crop and Elliot plants that you can take home for $15 a bush.
Go: 914 11th St., Hammonton; 609-839-4306,blueberrybillfarms.com.
Champion U-Pick Blueberry Farm, Manchester
This family-run farm keeps it simple at $2 per pound of blueberries, with no limit on how many you can pick.
The farm is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, sometimes closing early for extreme weather or temperatures. The fields offer a less common variety of blueberry, known as the Elliot, for its unique color and tangy, sweet taste.
Go: 60 Cherry St., Whiting section of Manchester; 732-350-4467, facebook.com/ChampionBlueberries.
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Emery's Farm, Plumsted
This preserved, family-run farm has been serving fresh produce to the community for the last 80 years, and while it has operated under three different ownerships,the mission and name remain the same. The 60-acre farm (with 20 acres dedicated solely to blueberries) is owned and occupied by John and Jill Marchese, theirchildren Jack and Emma, and GrandmotherSusan.
The farmers market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (except holidays). Blueberry fields are open for u-pick from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but are closed some days to allow fruit to ripen so be sure to call ahead. Availableblueberry varieties include Duke, Blueray, Bluecrop, Darrow and Chandler. Entry is $2 per person and u-pick is $3 per pound.
Go: 346 Long Swamp Road, New Egypt section of Plumsted; 609-758-8514, emerysfarm.com/blueberries.
Hallock's U-Pick Farm, Plumsted
The original 90 acres of this preserved farmland were bought by Charles W. Hallock in 1949, and have been run and operated by his family ever since.
Since starting their u-pick operation in the 1970s, Hallock's offers a large array of produce to pick, includingstrawberries, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins and more.
The farm is usually open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. U-pick hours vary. Checkto ensure the field isopen. Picking closeshalf an hour before the farm.The price of strawberries for this season was not available as of press time, but containers are provided.
Go:8 Fischer Road,New Egypt section of Plumsted; 609-758-8847,hallocksupick.com, facebook.com/hallocksupickfarm.
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Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
This cash-only farm will open its blueberry fields from June 24 to Aug. 12, with picking hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. Admission costs $4 per person, with children 1 and younger admitted free.
Happy Day grows eight different varieties of blueberries, ranging from large and tart to sweet and juicy, in four different container sizes. Visitors can pick a half-pound for $4, 1 pound for $6, or 3 pounds for $17.
The farm is also known for its lush, u-pick lavender fields, which open in mid-June and close mid-July, and for raspberry picking June 10 to July 1.
Go: 106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan; 732-977-3607, happydayfarmnj.com.
Sahl's Father Son Farm, Egg Harbor City
Known for fall festivities like hayrides, farm animal viewingand pumpkin picking,Sahl's Father Son Farm also boasts strawberry fields for picking.
Although u-pick hours vary, fields are generally open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Saturdays, and 2 to 5 p.m.Sundays.Check on Facebook for the latest updates. The price of strawberries for the season was not available as of press time.
Go:420 West Pestalozzi Ave., Egg Harbor City;609-965-9300,fathersonfarm.com, Facebook.
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Specca Farms, Bordentown
This farm is run by the Specca family, which hasbeen farming in Burlington County since the 1950s. The farm, which grows plenty of strawberries, is also known for its u-pickspinach,broccoli rabe,eggplant,green beansandtomatoes.
The prices of strawberries and admission for this season were not available as of press time, but admission is credited to your purchase. Containers are available for purchase, but customers are welcome to bring reusable containers that must be weighed prior to picking.
"If you are overcome with excitement and some berries happen to end up in your stomach while picking, do not worry, we don’t charge for taste testing," their website states. "We just ask that you do not over-indulge."
The farm is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. U-pick hours vary depending on availability; check online or call before visiting.
Go:870 Jacksonville-Mt. Holly Road,Bordentown; 609-267-4445,speccafarms.com/strawberries, facebook.com/SpeccaFarmsPickYourOwn.
Stiles Farm and Nursery, Cape May Court House
Stiles Farm and Nursey has different kinds of berries, as well as pome and pit fruits.
There is no fee for admission. The prices of strawberries and blueberries for this season were not available as of press time. The owners of the farm, which is cash only, scout their fields each morning and takepictures to share on Facebook to showwhat's ripe for the day.
Go:172 South Delsea Drive,Cape May Court House; 609-600-7939, facebook.com/stilesupickblueberries.
Von Thun Farms, Monmouth Junction
A drive to Middlesex County is worth it for this plentiful spot.
With another location in Washington (Warren County), Von Thun Farms specializes in strawberries, blueberries, snap peas, apples, blackberries, pumpkins and more.
Strawberry picking is available from late May through early June, and blueberries will be available mid-June through mid-July. Picking fields are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and admission is $3.
Strawberries cost $5 per pint, $7 per quart and $25 per bucket, while blueberries cost $6 per pint, $11 per quart and $35 per bucket. There is no blueberry picking on Mondays to allow fruit to ripe after busy weekends.
Both locations are also known for their summer strawberry festivals, with hayrides, face painting and more.
Go: 505 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction; 732-329-8656, vonthunfarms.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
