Pick Your Own Farms
Pick Your Own Farms in Connecticut invite people to help themselves!
Pick Your Own season at Connecticut farms can run from strawberries and blueberries in May and June through apples and pumpkins in mid-fall. If you are able, check the farm website or call ahead before visiting a pick-your-own farm. Weather and climate conditions, rainfall, and other factors can cause normal harvest dates to shift. Farmers (or their websites) can tell you in in advance about picking conditions so you pick what you came to get! If you love fresh produce but are not up to the harvesting process, visit one of the many farmers markets in CT for fresh-grown fruits and vegetables. Many restaurants, wineries, and farming communities hold fun food events like tastings and cooking lessons.
21 places to visit
Middlefield, CT
Lyman Orchards
Named Connecticut's Best Pick-Your-Own Farm for 2024 by Connecticut Magazine
Lyman Orchards offers nearly 100 varieties of fruits from mid-June to late October including Honeyberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Jostaberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Squash, Apples and Pears. We take pride in growing top-quality, eco-certified apples and peaches using sustainable practices. Located just 30 minutes from Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven, CT, Lyman Orchards offers more than fruit picking. Visit the Apple Barrel Farm Market for handmade desserts and sandwiches, explore our seasonal Sunflower or Corn Maze, dine at the 1741 Pub & Grill, or enjoy one of our award-winning golf courses!32 Reeds Gap Road 860-349-1793
Broad Brook, CT
Gilson Farm
Nestled in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, Gilson Farm is a testament to four generations of dedication and agricultural expertise since the 1890s. Spanning acres of beautifully groomed fields, this family-owned farm invites you to experience blueberries at their best. Whether you enjoy them fresh or frozen for later use (or both!), these blueberries are not only delicious, but also packed with nutrients. These juicy gems are rich in antioxidants and nutrients known to support heart health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. While at the farm, be sure to grab the 2024 brochure, packed with delicious recipes to make the most of your berry bounty. Gilson Farm has a loyal following of families who return each year and always look forward to the new recipes suggested. Head there during blueberry season and discover why their blueberries are a cherished part of local tradition.
Hours: 8 a.m.-noon and 3:30-7:20 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday57 Wapping Road 508-380-0499Shelton, CT
Beardsley's Cider Mill and Orchard
Crops:Apples, from mid-September to mid-October.
Season and Hours: PYO weekdays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call for phone updates. Cider mill retail store is open every day, mid-September through Christmas, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cash or check only are accepted.
Also: Watch as apples are pressed into cider. Farm store features farm-baked products, cider donuts, maple syrup, local honey, fruit butter, jams and jellies, plums, peaches.278 Leavenworth Road / Route 110 203-926-1098Shelton, CT
Jones Family Farms at Valley Farm
PYO Crops: Strawberries (June); blueberries (early July to mid-August, you need a reservation); Christmas trees (starts weekend before Thanksgiving.
Season and Hours: Call ahead for picking hours to Farmer Jones crop line at 203-929-8425. Customers also should check out the farm's Facebook page for hours and availability. Closed Thanksgiving Day and at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Also: Farm has a winery, with tastings and seasonal events on the patio.606 Walnut Tree Hill Road 203-929-8425Easton, CT
Silverman's Farm
Five-acre animal park, pumpkin patch, cornstalks, gourds, greenhouse and gifts, county market, fresh-baked pies, local honey, New England jams, sweet cider, apple dumplings, pumpkins and Christmas trees. PYO Crops: PYO raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples (change season to late August to early November)
Season and Hours: PYO hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in season. Market and animal farm open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., early spring to December 31.
Also: When PYO apple harvest ends in later fall, weekend scenic tractor rides will begin. Enjoy a 50-mile view of the countryside from one of the highest points in southern Connecticut.
Covid info.451 Sport Hill Road 203-261-3306Cheshire, CT
Drazen Orchards
Crops: Blueberries (late July to mid-September); peaches (August to mid-September); nectarines (mid-August); pears (August and September); quince (October, after first frost); Asian plums (August); Italian prune plums (Sept. 7); apples (mid-August to mid/late October)
Hours: for PYO, call or visit Facebook page for hours and availability. Farm stand is open August through November, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Also: Farm stand selling fruit, corn, tomatoes, cider, honey and jams. to list of what they sell: apple cider donuts, artisan pumpkin and apple pies, flowers, snacks251 Wallingford Road 203-272-7985Granby, CT
Bushy Hill Orchard
Crops: Apples, blueberries.
Seasons and Hours: Blueberries and peaches picking times are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Apple picking hours to be announced, but season starts in late August. Check conditions on the 24-hour information line at 860-653-4022 or email questions to: clarkfarm29@att.net.
Also: Cider mill, fresh cider, cider doughnuts, bakery with pies and tea breads, soul food dinners on Friday nights; farm-to-table breakfast/brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; ice cream, cafe,29 Bushy Hill Road 860-653-4022Southington, CT
Rogers Orchards
PYO Crops: McIntosh, Jonamac, Golden Delicious, Ida Reds, Cortland, Macoun, Empire, Red Delicious, and Mutsu.
Seasons and Hours: Pick-Your-Own season begins around Labor Day with McIntosh and Jonamac apples and continues through late October; Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting.
Also: Adjacent farm market sells fresh pies, apple cider, donuts, fresh picked apples, peaches, pears, and other native produce. - Harvest CalendarHome Farm, Long Bottom Road, and Sunnymount, Meriden-Waterbury Road 860-229-4240South Glastonbury, CT
Belltown Hill Orchards
Crops: Crops and seasons: apples (August through October); blueberries (July and August); sweet cherries (mid-June to early July); tart cherries (July); nectaries (mid-July to mid-September); peaches (mid-July to early September); pears (mid-July to mid-September); plums (July and early September); pumpkins (mid-September through October); raspberries (mid-August to mid-September).
Seasons and Hours: PYO, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it’s best to call; market, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Also: Farm market with vegetables, herbs, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, winter squashes, apple cider, milk and cheeses, bakery products, seasonal flowers, Christmas trees. In the fall, check out the hot apple fritters, chicken fingers, hot dogs, fries, bakery items, and much more.483 Matson Hill Road 860-633-2789Bethel, CT
Blue Jay Orchards
Crops: Apples
Seasons and Hours:PYO apples starts September 5. PLACE Check website and Facebook for info. Market opens end of August, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Also: Farm market opens in late August, offering apples, plums and peaches, cider, cider donuts, fresh baked pies, jams and jellies. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch; gift shop.125 Plumtrees Road 203-748-0119Sharon, CT
Ellsworth Hill Orchard and Berry Farm
Crops: Strawberries and cherries, June and July; raspberries, blueberries, plus, peaches (July and August); peaches, blueberries, (August and September); apples, peaches, blueberries, pears (September and October); apples, pumpkins, gourds, pears (October and November). Download a PYO brochure on the farm website.
Seasons and Hours: June to November, daily, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Cash payment only in picking fields.
Also: Pressed apple cider available for tasting. Corn, tomatoes, vegetables, fresh baked pies, and cider donuts. Hayrides and corn maze. Vintage Lionel Interactive Train Display (open every day, but the trains run 5 to 5:30 p.m.); large crossword puzzle corn maze (with clues); open Labor Day weekend until late November; Mother Nature’s Candy Store.461 Cornwall Bridge Road / Route 4 860-364-0025Watertown, CT
Evergreen Berry Farm
Crops: Blueberries (July to early August); black raspberries (early to mid-July); red raspberries (early July).
Seasons and Hours:No Sunday hours; call for current hours and picking conditions or check the farm’s Facebook page. Masks required at weigh station; social distancing in field.435 Bassett Road 860-274-0825Bethlehem, CT
March Farm
Crops: Cherries (mid-June to early July); blueberries (mid-July through August); peaches (mid-July through August); apples and pumpkins (September through October).
Seasons and Hours: Farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
Also: Farm stand offers apples, peaches, tomatoes, corn, blueberries and cider from our own cider mill. On-site bakery for cider donuts, pies, and cookies. Jams, jellies, honey and maple syrup.160 Munger Lane 203-266-7721East Lyme, CT
Scott's Yankee Farmer
Crops: Strawberries (early June to early July); raspberries (July); blueberries and blackberries (July and early August); cut flowers (July and August); peaches (August); sunflowers (mid-August to early September); apples (September and October); pumpkins (October)
Seasons and Hours:PYO Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (these hours may change so call ahead) Store Hours: daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also: Farm store open mid-April to December 31, daily, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Selling maple products, pumpkins, jams, honey, pies, apple cider. Homemade donuts weekends in the fall.436 Boston Post Road / Route 1 860-739-5209Eastford, CT
Buell's Orchard
Crops: Strawberries in June, blueberries from mid-July to late August; peaches from early August to early September; apples from Labor Day through late October; pumpkins from late September through Halloween.
Seasons and Hours: See website for picking hours.
Also: Annual Fall Festival on Columbus Day weekend.108 Crystal Pond Road 860-974-1150Ledyard, CT
Allyn's Red Barn
Crops: Apples. Varieties include Cortland, McIntosh, Mutsu, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macoun, Northern Spy, Spygold, and Spartan.
Season and Hours: PYO starts in September; call or email allynsredbarn@hotmail.com for updates.
Also: Farm store sells apples, pies, cider.610 Colonel Ledyard Highway 860-464-7245Gales Ferry, CT
Holmberg Orchards
Crops: Blueberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, raspberries, pumpkins, cut flowers.
Seasons: Blueberries in early July; peaches, raspberries, and grape tomatoes begin August 1; summer apples and pears start in mid-August; nectarines in late August; pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn, hay bales, cornstalks and mums in late September.
Hours:Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon. (Call ahead; hours may change.) Pick Your Own phone information line is 860-464-7107.
Also: Gourds, hay bales, corn stalks, winter squash, sweet cider, and dried flowers are also available in the fall. Donuts, slushies. And, wine and cider barn open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. for outside tastings12 Orchard Drive, Route 12 860-464-7305Preston, CT
Maple Lane Farms
Crops: Cut your own Christmas tree starting the day after Thanksgiving. Call 24-hour info line at 860-887-8855 for up-to-date information
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.57 N.W. Corner Road 860-889-3766
Newtown, CT
Castle Hill Farm
PYO: Pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Cut your own Christmas trees opens the weekend after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. Main tree farm is at 5 Hattertown Road, Newtown; satellite location on corner of Sugar Lane, right after greenhouse entrance.
Also: Corn mazes, a tree farm, and private bonfires available. Farm stand, farm animal exhibit, farm-to-table dinners.
Dates & Hours: Farm Stand open July thru October, Weekends 10am - 5pm. Christmas tree farm is open Weekends starting November 26, 9am - 4:30pm. Event venue tours by appointment. Please check the website for upcoming events.1 Sugar Lane 203-426-5487Bethany, CT
Clover Nook Farm
PYO: Pumpkins.
Season: Fall, weekends only
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Also: Fresh fruits and vegetables are picked daily and sold from the roadside farm stand at the farm, May through October. The farm stand also has flowers, local honey, fresh eggs, maple syrup, sweet corn, lamb, pork, beef, tomato sauces and salsas. In the fall, you can buy corn stalk bundles, mums, apple cider.50 Fairwood Road 203-393-2929Washington Depot, CT
Averill Farm
PYO: Apples and pears (also picked and sold by the farm)
Season: Mid-August-Thanksgiving
Hours: PYO Hours: August 15 to Thanksgiving, daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; November 1-25, daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Also: Farm stand with cider, apple cider donuts, cut flowers, jams and jellies, pies, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums, maple syrup, honey, cheddar cheese, garlic, potatoes, some tomatoes, and gifts. After Thanksgiving, Christmas trees are sold until December 24. Any remaining apples are sold from cold storage.
Covid info.250 Calhoun Street 860-868-2777