2010-11 Guide: Where To Pick Your Own Berries in Southeast New York and Long Island

SEE OUR MOST RECENT GUIDE TO BERRY PICKING IN THE NYC AREA

Looking for a great family outing before summer winds down? Check out our comprehensive 2010-11 guide to farms that offer pick-your-own berries in the Southeast New York and Long Island area, including a few easily accessible pick-your-own farms in Upstate New York.

*with additional research by Melanie Baker, Perry Martin, Corey Moser, Nicole Schreiber, and Sarah Wormser

Plump, ripe berries are making their way onto produce shelves right about now, but what could be sweeter than watching your kids scour a local sundrenched farm field for their own basket of fruit? Well, joining in the fun yourself! Stock up on the season's juicy raspberries, blueberries and peaches – picking your own is a great way for the family to pass a lazy afternoon and save a little money on your grocery bill – then head home and bake some fruit-filled goodies with your kids' help (peach pie or blueberry muffins, anyone?).

When you head to one of the farms below, keep in mind that all dates are projected, and produce availability is subject to change. Calling ahead before visiting any of these locations is highly recommended.

NEW YORK

Albany County

Goold Orchards
1297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton
518-732-7317; www.goold.com
Pick-your-own strawberries and raspberries in the summer, pick-your-own raspberries in the fall. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont Road, Altamont
518-765-2956; 866-640-PICK (berry picking hotline); www.indianladderfarms.com
Pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and cherries. Open 9am-5pm daily. Also offers a petting zoo, store and café with local produce, and hayrides.

Rulfs Orchard
531 Bear Swamp Road, Peru
518-643-8636; linda@rulfsorchard.com; www.rulfsorchard.com
Pick-your-own strawberries and blueberries beginning in mid-July. Open 7am-7pm. Also features a roadside stand and apple cider (after Labor Day), and bakery with open bread market.

Columbia County

Samascott Orchards
5 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook
518-758-7224; www.samascott.com
Pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Open 8am-6pm daily. On-site farm store with jams and soft-serve ice cream.

Dutchess County

Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Lane (County Route 7), Poughquag
845-227-2306; www.bartonorchards.com
Pick-your-own raspberries, blueberries, red and black currants, and gooseberries. Open 9am-5pm daily. On-site farm store with pre-picked produce, honey, jams and jellies, and more.

Dykeman Farm
Located on W. Dover Road across from 776 W. Dover Road, Pawling
845-832-6068; www.dykemanfarm.com
Pick-your-own raspberries from late August till the frost. On-site store with pre-picked veggies and local apples. Open 9am-6pm daily.

Green Horizons Organic Farm
6 South Dingle Road, Pawling
845-855-5555; www.greenhorizonsorganics.com
Pick-your-own raspberries by appointment.

McEnroe Organic Farm

5409 Route 22, Millerton

518-789-4191; www.mcenroeorganicfarm.com

Pick-your-own raspberries through October. Open 9am-6pm daily. On-site store with certified organic produce, dried goods, and more.

Greig Farm
227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook
845-758-1234; www.greigfarm.com
Pick-your-own blueberries through early August. Pick-your-own red and yellow raspberries through early October. Pick-your-own blackberries in August. Nursery and garden shop on site. Gigi's Market offers lunch and refreshments. Petting zoo for kids.

Secor Farms
63 Robinson Lane, LaGrange
845-452-6883
Pick-your-own blueberries. Open Monday-Friday 8am-6m; Saturday 8am-4pm.

Orange County

Apple Ridge Orchards

101 Jessup Road, Warwick

845-987-7717; www.appleridgeorchards.com

Pick your own white and yellow peaches from mid-August through mid-September. Monday through Thursday by reservation only, 9am-5pm; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and all holidays open to the public 9am-6pm.

Enjoy hay wagon rides, fresh-pressed cider and homemade doughnuts, friendly farm animals for petting, glass observation honey beehive, farm store, and bouncy house.

Hodgson's Farm & Garden Center
2290 Albany Post Road, Walden
845-778-1432; www.hodgsonfarm.com
Pick-your-own blueberries. On-site store with pre-picked produce. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.

Ochs Orchard
4 Ochs Lane (off Reservoir Road, Route 94), Warwick
845-986-1591; www.warwickinfo.net/ochs
Pick-your-own plums and peaches through August, 9am-5pm daily. Farm stand with pre-picked produce, open 9am-6pm.

Oswego County

Sage Creek Orchards
139 Minckler Road, Mexico
315-963-3486; www.sagecreekorchards.com
Pick-your-own blueberries through early August. Also offers pre-picked produce, refreshment stand, picnic area, tractor-pulled hayrides, and face painting. Open 9am-6pm daily through November 15.

Saratoga County

Bacon Hill Blueberries
113 Winney Drive, Schuylerville
518-695-5547
Pick-your-own blueberries through August; also offers red and black currants in July.

Bowman Orchards
141 Sugar Hill Road, Rexford
518-371-2042; kevin@bowmanorchards.com; www.bowmanorchards.com
Pick-your-own blackberries through mid-August. Pick-your-own peaches through September. Pick-your-own raspberries through the first frost. On-site farm market with fresh local produce.

Ulster County

Jenkins-Lueken Orchards
Route 299 West, New Paltz
845-255-0999; www.jlorchards.com
Pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries from mid-July through October. Open 9am-6pm daily. On-site store with pre-picked veggies, local maple syrup, and snacks.

Kelder's Farm & U-Pick
5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson
845-626-7137; www.kelderfarm.com
Pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, and a variety of vegetables through October. Open 10am-6pm daily. Petting zoo, mini-golf, hayrides, and picnicking available, as well as an on-site store with pre-picked produce, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, and more.

Long Island

Davis Peach Farm
561 Hulse Landing Rd, Wading River
631-929-1115; www.davispeachfarm.com
Pick-your-own peaches, plums and nectarines; 9am-5pm daily, beginning in July.

Fort Salonga Farm

30 Meadow Glen Road, Northport

631-269-9666; wacapple@optonline.net

Pick-your-own raspberries through October.

Lewin Farms
812 Sound Avenue, Calverton
631-929-4327; www.lewinfarms.com
Pick-your-own peaches. Closed Tuesdays (hours vary, call for availability). Pies are sold on weekends.

Patty's Berries and Bunches

410 Sound Avenue, Mattituck

631-298-4679; www.pattysberriesandbunches.com; pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com

Pick-your-own raspberries, blueberries and blackberries through August. Pick-your-own fall raspberries through September. Open 9am-6pm (U-pick closes at 5:30pm) daily.

Seven Ponds Orchard
65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill
631-726-8015
Pick-your-own raspberries, blueberries and blackberries; open July-November, 9am-6pm. On-site market with baked goods and jams; pick-your-own vegetables; children's play area; corn maze.

Wickham Farms
28700 Main Road (Route 25), Cutchogue
631-734-6441; www.wickhamsfruitfarm.com
Pick-your-own raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches through August; open 9am-4pm Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday. Tours available by appointment.