Forget the supermarket — 8 spots to pick your own in NJ

Battleview Orchards, a family owned and operated farm, located in Freehold, NJ, harvests locally grown fruits and invites the public to “Pick Your Own.” I try to make a trip to Battleview every year and I’m never disappointed. Plus, Battleview Orchards is the oldest Pick Your Own orchard in New Jersey! New Jersey strawberries, sour cherries, New Jersey peaches, nectarines, New Jersey apples, and pumpkins are just some of their offerings.

A virtual wonderland of fruits and veggies and the perfect family destination, Johnson’s has everything that you or the kids would love to do.
Strawberry picking, blueberry and bouquet picking and a unique discovery barnyard and animal farm. My favorite thing about Johnson’s farm are the little farmer classes so you can bring your 3 to 5-year-old budding farmer to learn how to grow! season passes are available.

Not every pick-your-own farm has the selection that Specca Farms does. Some just let you pick strawberries. Some focus more on apple picking. At Specca, fill your basket with handpicked strawberries, broccoli rabe, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, onions, fava Beans in the spring. And assorted veggies, beans, and greens in the winter.

A popular destination, especially for it’s convenient location, Lee’s Turkey Farm has been putting smiles on the faces of New Jersey families for years. You can pick a variety of the freshest fruits and vegetables. Their selection changes monthly.

Alstede Farms is open from 9-6 all week long, and you can expect plenty of strawberries as well as raspberries and blueberries throughout the summer. You have to purchase a ticket before entering the farm but after that feel free to explore and pick berries to your heart's desire.

If you like cherries or forgot they existed and now are craving one, head over to Stonyfield Orchards! They are known for their sour cherries, apples, peaches and pears all of which will be there all summer. If you are coming specifically for cherries, definitely consider going before July is over as they are best freshly grown.

If you are frustrated by supermarket blueberries go to Emery’s. There are fields and fields of blueberries to choose from making sure each and every one that lands in your fridge is perfect. The farm also grows 8 varieties of blueberries which until reading that fact I had no idea there even were 8 kinds of blueberries!