Roundup: ‘Pick Your Own’ Farms

The supermarket may be convenient, but sometimes it’s more fun to pick your own produce. Plus, it’s usually cheaper than shopping at your local grocery store, and you’ll be supporting nearby farmers, not-to-mention helping the environment by purchasing locally. Strawberry and raspberry season is coming to a close, but blueberries and peaches are still in-season, as is zucchini. Apple and pumpkin season is just around the corner, so this roundup will keep you picking through the Fall.

Cider Hill Farm Image via Flickr/paul-w-locke.

Cider Hill Farm

This farm, located about 50 minutes outside of Boston, is known for its picturesque views, its renewable energy products, and its ample produce. During the summer months, you’ll find blueberries, raspberries, and peaches. Apple picking begins at the end of the summer and runs into the fall. Fresh vegetables, grown on the farm, are also available at the farm store. Consider this your weekly grocery shopping trip, and head home with a bag full of your favorite fruits and veggies.

Prices vary depending on produce picked; 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury; 978-388-5525; ciderhill.com

Brooksby Farm Image via flickr/aaronknox.

Brooksby Farm

At Brooksby Farm, which is about 30 minutes outside of Boston, you can pick apples, blueberries, cherries, flowers, nectarines, pears, peaches, pumpkins, rhubarb, or strawberries, depending on the season. During the fall, you’ll be able to taste cider donuts and apple cider, and during the summer months you can head out to the fields to pick your own berries or peaches. You’ll purchase a bag at the farm stand before heading out to the fields to search for the perfect produce.

54 Felton Street, Peabody; 978-531-7456; brooksbyfarm.org

Wheeler Brook Farm produce image via Wheeler Brook Farm Facebook.

Wheeler Brook Farm

This farm, located 45 minutes from Boston, is a farm that focuses on small fruits and vegetables, sweet corn, and freshly cut flowers. The farmers only sell what they produce on their ten acres of land, and they offer “pick your own” strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and rhubarb during the summer. You can also pick your own peas, beets, green and yellow beans, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach depending on the season. Don’t feel like trekking out into the fields? The farm stand is always stocked with some of the freshest produce you’ll ever eat, brought straight from the fields to the stand.

57 Jewett Street, Georgetown; 978-352-8289; wheelerbrookfarm.net

Connors Farm Image via flickr/anubisabyss.

Connors Farm

The fields at Connors Farm, about 30 minutes outside of Boston, are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples are all available for the picking during the summer months, and apples, blueberries, and peaches often continue into the fall. If you love pumpkin picking, head to this farm on October 1st for some pumpkins, cider, and a corn maze. At prices of $3.50 per pint of blueberries, and $5 per pint of raspberries, you’ll pay less than you would at your local grocery store, plus you’ll get the added benefit of a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

30 Valley Road, Route 35, Danvers; 978-777-1245; connorsfarm.com

Green Meadows Farm image via flickr/wickedboy007.

Green Meadows Farm

Located 40 minutes outside of Boston in Hamilton, this certified organic farm was founded by Major General George Patton in 1982. Since then, the owners have raised vegetables, fruits, and livestock. This small farm has “you pick” options, allowing city dwellers to pick their own string beans, peas, herbs, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, and raspberries. They also have monthly events, like farm-to-table harvest dinners and tastings.

656 Asbury Street South, Hamilton; 978-468-2277; gmfarm.com

Marini Farm image via Marini Farm Facebook.

Marini Farm

This Ipswich farm, located 40 minutes from Boston, has been family-owned for three generations. You can pick your own strawberries, honey from hives, and fresh eggs yourself (with supervision), or you can simply grab some from the farm store. During the fall, fresh corn, pumpkins, apples, and a corn maze are available. During the summer, head to the farm to get your fill of fresh berries.

259 Linebrook Road, Ipswich; 978-356-0430; marinifarm.com