Strawberries in the Garden State are readying for their short-lived closeup.
Though the strawberry season is only from late-May to June, there are plenty of Central Jersey fields to fill a basket or two.
Here are some tips:
- If unsure where to pick, just ask − staff members can point you in the right direction for the best berries.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle because it gets hot in the field.
- Walk slowly through the fields to avoid damage to berries.
- Check under the leaves of plants as strawberries hide under leaves.
- Call or check the farm’s website before making a plan to go − it’s hard to target the exact date strawberries are ripe for the picking.
- And if you can't eat all the strawberries fresh, preserve them by making jam or sauce, or freeze them.
Bonacorsi Family Farm, Frenchtown
With two spots for strawberries, this third and fourth generation of family farmers do not charge an entrance fee and open for strawberry picking in early June.
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For pick-your-own strawberries, head to the Frenchtown location. There also is a self-serve stand in Flemington. This farm accepts cash or checks only and provides containers. Go: 662 Pittstown Road, Frenchtown; 1137 Croton Road, Flemington; facebook.com/bonacorsifamilyfarm,
Giamarese Farm and Orchards, East Brunswick
Strawberries make their appearance at Giamarese Farm and Orchards in late May. Typically, the farm offers strawberry varieties such as Cabot, Chandler, Daroyal, Darselect, Mayflower, Rutgers Scarlet, Sunset and Wendy.
The farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Arrive at least 90 minutes before closing.
Go: 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; 732-821-9494; giamaresefarm.com/pick-your-own.html.
Melick's Town Farm, Oldwick
Although it has several locations, Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick is where it's at for strawberries.
The pick-your-own season, which began mid-May, features the Chandler strawberry variety.
Reservations are open daily at 4 p.m. for the next day after the ripening berry supply is evaluated. The farm is open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday.
Go: 170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick; 908-439-2318; melickstownfarm.com/strawberries/.
Peterson Family Farm, Flemington
Peterson Family Farm will open the first week in June and offers strawberry varieties Earliglow, Jewel and All Star.
Strawberry picking trays and carriers are available for $1 or bring your own. Repeat customers who previously used the farm's picking trays can wipe them out and re-use them.
Pick-your-own strawberries are $4 per pound, and farm-picked berries are $8 per quart.
Go: 438 Quakertown Road, Flemington; 908-782-1682, petersonfarm.net/u-pick/.
Snyder’s Farm, Somerset
Many varieties of strawberries are available for picking at Snyder's Farm, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last car in at 3 p.m.) on weekends only. Or, check their Facebook and Instagram pages to find out about mid-week pop up dates. Strawberry-picking season begins May 25.
Admission is $5 pe person, which includes a wagon ride to the field. Pay for what you pick in cash-only, but there is an ATM on-site.
With free quarts containers that hold about one pound of strawberries, the farm also sells $2 flat boxes. Visitors can also bring their own containers. While here, try their homemade strawberry ice cream.
Go: 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset; 732-496-0441, snyders-farm.com.
VonThun Farms, South Brunswick
A five-generation working family farm, you-pick strawberry season will begin Memorial Day Weekend but call first as crop conditions can change. The season runs through the mid-June.
Picking hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with the last admission a half-hour before closing. Cost is $3 per person.
The farm will host a strawberry festival June 1-2 and 8-9 with hayrides, animals, food trucks, face painting and strawberry picking. The last admission to the strawberry festival will be sold at 4 p.m.
The farm market also features strawberry-themed items such as jams, jellies, preserves, salad dressings and more.
Go: 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction; 732-329-8656, vonthunfarms.com.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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