If you’re a fan of cherries then you’ll know that there’s no better feeling than eating cherries that you picked yourself, whether you add them to a pie, make jam out of them, freeze them, or even just eat them raw, there’s absolutely no doubt that cherries are one of the best fruits out there.
If you ever find yourself in or around New Jersey craving some delicious cherries, then you’re probably wondering where exactly you’ll be able to pick some up. Of course, you could just go to the grocery store to pick some up, but where’s the fun in that?
So, if you’re looking for a guide to some of the best cherry picking spots in New Jersey, then we have you covered, as this guide will give you the details on some of the best cherry picking farms you can visit in the state.
Many of these farms will also have cafés and farm shops too, which are all worth checking out as well!
Located in Blairstown, New Jersey, Race Farm is a fourth generation family farm that allows visitors to come and pick a wide range of different vegetables and fruits, and there’s even a garden center and market on site too.
Race Farm is well regarded within the local area as being one of the best producers of delicious fruit and vegetables, especially since so much love goes into the labor.
The farm produces a wide range of fresh goods, including apples, pears, peaches, plums, blueberries, sweet corn, beans, eggplants, tomatoes, leafy greens, and of course, amazing cherries too.
This isn’t all though, as the farm also makes its own cider, in addition to the onsite bakery, which churns out some of the best cider donuts you will ever try.
You can also enjoy a wide variety of prepared food too, such as salads, soups, hummus, and dressings, with many of them utilizing the incredible ingredients found on the farm.
So, if you’re looking to pick some of your own cherries, then Race Farm is certainly a great place to do so, and you’ll even be able to treat yourself to some of their other goods too while you’re there!
Another great place for cherry picking in New Jersey is Stonyfield Orchard, which can be found in Belvidere.
This orchard is a particularly great spot if you plan on bringing your children along with you for the picking process, as they market themselves as being a kid-friendly location, and there are even plenty of cows and other assorted farm animals for them to see too.
Although you can have them pick for you, the fun is definitely in picking the cherries yourself, and aside from their expansive orchards, there’s a farm shop too, where you can buy a load of fresh goods no matter what time of year it is.
The farm store will usually carry a lot of the fresh produce found on the farm, including things such as strawberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, a range of fresh herbs, and cherries.
If you’re looking to pick some sour cherries for yourself though, you’ll need to make sure that you go to pick them during June and July when they’re in season!
Another great orchard that features an all year round farm shop is Terhune Orchards in Princeton.
The farm store there carries a wide variety of fresh produce no matter what time of year it is, and alongside this fresh produce, you can also expect to find a range of homemade baked goods, local gourmet creations, as well as honey and jams from the local area too.
There are also a number of wines made using grapes fresh from their vineyard too, which is definitely worth trying if you consider yourself something of a wine fan.
The best part about Terhune Orchards is their ‘Read and Pick’ program which is run for children, which is all about introducing children to farm life and providing them with hands-on experience on the farm, as well as some education too.
Cherry picking at Terhune Orchards typically takes place during June, with the sweet cherries mainly being picked during early June, and tart cherries being available right until the end of the month.
With such a great selection of fresh produce on offer, there is no surprise that Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford is such a popular spot for families to visit, especially with those with children who are eager to learn more about farm life in general.
The farm offers tours and hay-rides, and as part of the tour you’ll even get to select 2 different types of produce to pick and take home with you, so if you’re looking for some great fresh cherries during the summer months, then making your way to Johnson’s during June is definitely best.
The bakery and farmhouse café is loaded with a range of baked and cooked goods too, so you won’t have to worry about bringing a packed lunch with you either.
There are also animal feeding experiences and other activities for children to participate in too, which is exactly why it’s such a great farm to visit for both adults and kids!
The oldest “Pick your Own” orchard in all of New Jersey, Battleview Orchards in Freehold is another one of the great family owned and run farms in the area, and regularly invites visitors to come and pick their own produce during the summer months.
With fresh peaches, nectarines, apples, pumpkins, and of course, cherries, all on offer, it’s no surprise that so many people make a visit each year!
They also have their own farm shop named “The Country Store”, which features a range of products made using their own produce, including delicious cider and cider donuts, alongside plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well.
Cherry picking usually takes place between June 16th and 25th, but it’s always worth checking their website before you visit.
The final farm on this list, Phillips Farm in Milford is another great place to visit for an inexpensive trip with the whole family that is sure to provide a day of enjoyment and education, especially for the younger members of your family too.
Of course, as part of the experience on the farm, you can pick produce too, and if you’re after cherries, then you’ll need to make sure that you pay a visit to the farm during July!
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide to some of the best cherry picking spots in New Jersey is able to help you.
All of these farms have a wide variety of fresh produce and other local goods available aside from their cherries too, so you should be able to find a whole host of delicious treats for you to discover.
So, when cherry season comes around again, you now know where you need to go!
Hi, my name is Amelia Haslehurt and I am a food blogger. As you can guess, I am passionate about what I eat, but what is most important to me when reviewing is high quality, fresh, organic, delicious ingredients.
I wanted to create an online space where others could sample some of my favorite recipes, and share in my passion for home-grown produce.
Whether you are looking for vegan recipes, easy recipes, healthy recipes or your favorite yummy snacks to brighten your day, I can help you out here at LocallyGrownGardens.com
