14 Strawberry Picking Farms in New Jersey

new jersey strawberry picking farms

14 Strawberry Picking Farms in New Jersey

Mary Sparago

As summer fast approaches, strawberry picking farms in New Jersey are now in full bloom. If you’re looking for a sunny, outdoor activity this season, these 14 New Jersey farms and orchards offer pick-your-own strawberry events through mid-to-late June. Whether it’s by enjoying the sun or making the freshest strawberry jam, the Garden State offers a variety of fruitful places.

The season is short and sweet, so go ahead and pick your patch! 

1. Alstede Farms – Chester, NJ

When it comes to creating a fun, family-friendly environment for strawberry picking, Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey knows a thing or two. With an emphasis on stewardship and community involvement, this local, family-owned farm offers a variety of activities throughout its 600 acres. The entire Alstede family working together, from grandpa to children, contributes to the success of their locally grown, organic produce. They offer festivals and events throughout the year, including hayrides, pony rides, corn mazes, and more.

Alstede Farms opens daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Strawberries are currently in good condition at this farm, ripe for picking. Alstede Farms is open for pick-your-own strawberries from May to early June. 

For further information and booking, tap here.

2. Bonacorsi Family Farm – Frenchtown, NJ

If you’re looking for a farm rich with history, Bonacorsi Family Farm is an excellent destination. In the 1920s, the Bonacorsi family (then spelled “Bonaccorsi”) arrived at Ellis Island from Giarre, Sicily, establishing a farm in Oswego County, New York. Since then, the family has long engaged in agriculture, leading to the eventual founding of Bonacorsi Family Farm. With roughly 50 acres of land, this farm is deeply rooted in a history and passion for creating locally grown, quality crops.

Bonacorsi Family Farm in Frenchtown, New Jersey is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they also offer twilight strawberry picking from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bonacorsi Family Farm updates their strawberry picking availability through their Facebook page, so be sure to check it before going for the most up-to-date information.

See also: 7 New Jersey Lavender Farms to Visit During Summer

3. Donaldson Farms – Hackettstown, NJ

With a commitment to community and annual traditions, Donaldson Farms has remained an important neighboring business in Hackettstown for over 100 years. Since 1906, the Donaldson family has worked to grow their farm, expanding from a small operation to 500+ acres of carefully cultivated crops and healthy livestock. Today, the family’s fifth generation continues maintaining the farm, including the seasonal pick-your-owns. 

Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Donaldson Farms offers pick-your-own strawberries through the end of June. 

To request information on their current strawberry picking conditions, you can call 908-852-9122 or check their Facebook page.

Strawberries

4. Farms View – Wayne, NJ

Originating as a roadside stand in 1894, Farms View in Wayne, New Jersey, has moved from displaying produce on a picnic table to developing a greenhouse, barnyard, beautiful Farm Market and acres of land. In 1996, the farm earned The Century Farm Award by the New Jersey Agricultural Society, which indicates the business has been family-run for at least a century. With nine greenhouses and beautiful pick-your-own fields, Farms View is the perfect Garden State destination. 

Farms View is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Strawberry picking occurs from late May through mid-June.

In preparation for your visit, and to ensure the strawberries are ripe, contact Farms View at (973) 839-1212.

5. Johnson’s Corner Farm – Medford, NJ

From pick-your-own crops to holiday celebrations, Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford offers a variety of activities throughout the seasons. Should you come hungry, the Bakery and Farmhouse include everything from pies to take-home dinners, providing the full experience of their freshest produce. For kids, the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm offer pedal go-karts, space nets, and areas to feed the animals. Visit Johnson’s Corner Farm for a complete, agricultural experience. 

Their hours of operation for strawberry picking hayrides are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This farm also hosts Fun After 4 events in the Discovery Barn from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., where kids can enjoy activities like climbing rocks, racing on the pedal go-kart track, cooling off in the splash pads and exploring the pretend farm.

Johnson’s Corner Farm requires reservations in advance. To schedule a pick-your-own day, visit their site here

tractor

6. Lee Turkey Farm – East Windsor, NJ

For businesses, generations of commitment are a priority. At Lee Turkey Farm, the owners celebrate seven generations of the same family cultivating the 54-acre farm. First purchased in 1868, the property has been handed down through the years, ensuring a long-lasting relationship between the community and farm. Interestingly enough, the brown house on site was one of the first buildings in East Windsor to have a telephone–all the more reason to give them a call!

Lee Turkey Farm operates strawberry picking Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

7. Ort Farms – Long Valley, NJ

The Ort Family first settled in Long Valley in the 1800s, beginning a primarily grain and cow farming operation. For years, including through the Great Depression, the family relied on their income from dairy produce and grain. In the 1980s, Ort Farms expanded enough to operate one of the first pick-your-own events in the area. A success, the business continued growing. Today, six generations have worked to grow local, carefully crafted produce, creating a farm loved by its community. 

Ort Farms’ pick-your-own patch is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For information on their strawberries’ picking conditions, you can view their Facebook page.

Ort Farm

8. Peterson Farm – Flemington, NJ

Owned and operated since 1955, Esther and John Peterson originally purchased Peterson Farm as a dairy farm. As time progressed, the farm expanded, later growing Christmas trees, sweet corn and other produce. The family now hopes to include cut vegetables and fruit, among other things, as they continue to expand their farm. 

Peterson Farm, located in Flemington, New Jersey, features strawberry picking Wednesdays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Their Facebook page, with additional information on their pick-your-own strawberry fields, can be found here

9. Phillips Farm – Milford, NJ

If you’re searching to embrace the outdoors, the picturesque Phillips Farm offers ripened fruit, farmers’ markets, and seasonal pick-your-owns. Home to six generations of Phillips family members, the farm has rapidly grown. As many as 13 farmers’ markets feature their fresh produce, ensuring the community has plenty of access to their goods. 

Found in Milford, New Jersey, Phillips Farm operates their pick-your-own strawberry fields every day, except Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

For the most up-to-date information on their strawberry picking events, call Phillips Farm at (908) 995-0022.

First Ripe Strawberry

10. Stony Hill Farms – Chester, NJ

With approximately 500 acres of land and 20 acres of orchards, Stony Hill Farms in Chester, New Jersey originated as a 40-acre cut orchid business in 1988. Since then, the farm has adopted hundreds of acres, which includes flowers, crops, corn mazes and a Farm Market. As a result of one owner studying horticulture in 2002, the business was able to grow fruit and vegetables, ultimately leading to its expansion. 

Stony Hill Farms is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For the most updated information, visitors can consult their Facebook page.

11. Terhune Orchards – Princeton, NJ  

When it comes to local farms, produce and fun activities are a must. At Terhune Orchards, the farm offers everything from pick-your-own events to farm activities, including barnyard animals and summer camps. Throughout the seasons, the Orchard also offers a variety of wines, with their Farm Store open all year round. This area is an excellent place to enjoy seasonal, family fun.

Terhune Orchards in Princeton, New Jersey offers strawberry picking for visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through early June.

Memorial Day Weekend: Terhune Orchards

12. Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm – Jobstown, NJ

South Jersey families love the “Park & Pick” format of Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, which allows visitors to pick their own strawberries directly. The Johnson farm boasts fields of juicy and sweet strawberries that are ready for picking. Historically, the land has been used as a farm for a century prior to the 13 original US colonies even being defined. The farm was passed down for generations by the Black Family. In 2013, the Johnsons bought the farm and honored it the best way they could: by keeping the traditions alive.

Pick-your-own strawberries are available Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get your tickets here.

13. Von Thun Farms – Washington, NJ and South Brunswick, NJ

Von Thun’s has been a family-run farm for five generations, offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables since 1913. Over the years, the farm has expanded to include greenhouses, u-pick berries and flowers, two apple orchards, and acres of pumpkins, providing plenty for visitors to enjoy. The strawberry fields are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The farm will also host its annual Strawberry Festival on June 7 and 8, featuring hayrides, strawberry picking, farm animals, food vendors, and more than 20 family-friendly activities.

Check their Facebook page or call to confirm crop availability.

14. Battleview Orchards – Freehold, NJ

Strawberry season is in full swing at Battleview Orchards in Freehold, New Jersey. They’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the orchard offers rows of ripe, juicy strawberries ready for harvesting. As the oldest pick-your-own orchard in the state, Battleview has been welcoming visitors since 1908. Today, the Applegate family continues to run the farm, now in its fifth generation.

For updates on crop conditions and picking guidelines, check Battleview Orchards’ website or call ahead before your visit.

Strawberry Picking 2016

Which of the New Jersey strawberry farms will you be picking from this year? Let us know in the comments below.  

Main photo by @richwilliamsmith

Mary Sparago is 22-year-old creative writing and policy enthusiast who's always looking for new dogs to pet. In her spare time, Mary enjoys listening to K-pop and playing video games.