Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in Manawatu-Wanganui and Taranaki areas of New Zealand? Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in Manawatu-Wanganui and Taranaki areas of New Zealand,
sorted by county. Those that offer organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name
(see "What does Organic mean?").
The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for
a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this
page" function) If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined;
click on it and it will open their website. If you find anything outdated or
inaccurate, see the customer and farmer menus (as appropriate) at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!
New! As inflation remains high, see this page for cost-saving measures for
getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
If you are having a hard time
finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.
New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive
family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best
camping weather. See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks,
guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.
New! We just went live with our latest website,
FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings,
Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas
Note: Beware the copycat websites like the one that stole
our name and uses .farm extension: they copied my work and do NOT even update
the info! I make updates EVERY day. They use tech tricks to get higher rankings,
but have many more inaccuracies and out-dated info. Obviously, I cannot check
every farm every day, but I do check as many as I can every day, and respond to
all requests. They don't. Don't support the scammers!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook
page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or
Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally
overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with
the farm directly before you go!
And if you know of any farms I missed and want to
add a farm, please let me know!
I'm making updates for this year as fast as I can - if you find
anything out-of-date, wrong or not working -
please let me know! This website is supported by purchases you make
through the links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn
from qualifying purchases. This allows me to continue to maintain the
website and make improvements!
What's in season in May 2024, and
other timely information:
Notes for May 2024:Apples are usually January to May; Blueberries are ready in December to mid January in MOST areas of Australia. Strawberries can have a long season, November to April - depending on the variety. See your
area's
crop availability calendar for more specific dates of upcoming crops.
The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this page" function)
If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website.
Home canning and freezing directions. You can access it from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search.
If you have any questions or suggestions,
feel free to write me!
Manawatu-Wanganui and Taranaki areas of New Zealand U-Pick Farms and Orchards, by
area
Remember: ALWAYS call (or follow the link to the farm's own website, if the name
is a blue link) to confirm the information before you go! They may close,
run out or change events, times, etc. without notifying me!
This page provide listings and links to pick- your- own (PYO, U-pick,
upickem, pick-it-yourself) farms in New Zealand, organised by Region and
District. Or
click here for Farm Markets in New
Zealand.
If you have any to suggest or have any feedback about any you have
visited, or want to suggest a farm, please email me via the
feedback
form or suggest a farm form! And if you own a farm and want to add it or
correct the information,
please let
me know!
And if you want
simple illustrated, instructions on making and canning (preserving,
bottling, freezing, etc.) many common items, like how to make jam,
applesauce, apple butter, spaghetti sauce, salsa, fruit pies, freezing
vegetables, putting up peaches, green beans, etc., just click here. For
tips on picking
click here!
Harvest time calendar (tells when crops are available)
If you want to start your own food business, at home or otherwise, see this page.
North Island
Taranaki (New Plymouth, South Taranaki, Stratford)
Manawatu-Wanganui (Horowhenua, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Rangitikei,
Ruapehu, Tararua, Wanganui)
-
Blue Acres - blueberries - blueberries,
201 Pohangina
Valley East Road, Ashhurst, Palmerston North, North Island 4884 Open: 7 Days a week when crop allows; December 10 am to Late January.
Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: From
Palmerston North, drive through Ashhurst up Pohangina Valley Road for
8kms. Turn right into Pohangina Valley East Road which is sign posted
with 'blueberry' signs indicating where to go.
Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
Click here for our Facebook page. Pick Your Own, Spray Free,
Blueberries. Locally grown blueberries in Pohangina. We offer pick your own as well as shop sales of fresh and frozen. We are a CASH ONLY business so
please remember to bring plenty of cash and also remember to bring your own container for PYO. (UPDATED: 18 November 2020 JBS) (UPDATED: October 05, 2016)
- Delta Gardens - raspberries, potatoes, peas, broad beans, carrots
151 Walkers Road, Palmerston North, New Zealand 4414. Phone: 64 6-357
1382. Open: Daily, until Christmas; from 8am to 2pm. Come on out and
enjoy the experience of PYO. New potatoes (jersey benne, Nadine).
Fresh peas (last patch) Peas $5kg, new potatoes $3kg. Payment: CASH
ONLY. Delta Gardens are primarily Flower Growers, with Seasonal Self
Harvesting.
- Kaitieke Chestnut Farm - chestnuts,
Raurimu Kaitieke Road Kaitieke, Rd2 Owhango, North Island 3990. Phone:
07 866 5852. Email:
glenkimlochypippa@gmail.com. Open: Pick your own available from
9am until 3pm everyday from the 20th April 2014 until the 3rd May
2014 by arrangement with the owners via email prior to those dates.
Directions: The farm is located opposite Kaitieke School, Kaitieke.
Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Forms a
part of the Fishers Track Mountain Bike loop that circles back to
National Park. Fantastic rural New Zealand at its best! Plenty of
outstanding scenery with views of the mountains and National Park.
-
Marahua Blueberry Farm - Blueberries,
40 Owhango Road,
Owhango, NA 3990. Phone: (07) 895 4410. Open: UPDATE for 2020, Their website is gone; and
their Facebook page hasn't been updated in years. Does anyone have current information,
are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If
so,
please write me. Directions: See their website for directions.
Payment: Cash, only. Marahua Blueberry Orchard in New Zealand was
established in 1979, with the planting of five original American
blueberry varieties: Atlanta, Burlington, Concord, Dixie and Jersey. The
orchard has been organically run under the present ownership since 1993,
and boasts of the tastiest blueberries in the world, with the original
plantings still in place. It has become a community treasure. WHAT ELSE
HAS IT GOT TO OFFER? Set back from but close to Highway 4, and right
opposite a ski shop, Marahua has a quiet and peaceful small farm
atmosphere, comfortable accommodation close to the Mount Ruapehu
ski-fields, numerous walks, the Wanganui River adventures on the
doorstep, hunting, mountain biking, trout fishing in the local Whakapapa
River , the Wanganui River and Lake Taupo, 45 minutes away and much
more. Refer to local attractions. Pick your own berries in the season
(January to March) which can be chiller stored and/or frozen for your
convenience.
A
visitor writes on July 19, 2013: "the best farm stay in the whole
world, I mean it cause I have travelled. We have been there twice so far
planning a trip in Oct as well"
- Windermere - strawberries
313 State Highway 3, Wanganui, North Island, NZ.
Phone: (06) 345 8390. Email:
enquiries@windermerefarms.co.nz. Open: 7 days a week, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, from labour weekend in October to late-April or May. Directions: just
5 minutes north of Whanganui on the Whanganui - New Plymouth main highway. The farm is an all-in-one berry fruit/produce market, farm store and café
overlooking the strawberry patch. Visit our farm shop and cafe and be tempted by our tasty brunch and lunch selections, or cool off with a real berry
ice cream or sundae. We have a wonderful range of freshly picked berries, a range of frozen berries, as well as wines for sale in our shop. Or delight
the children and 'Pick Your Own'. So much fun. The strawberries are in raised chest-high beds. See the
Windermere Facebook page here. (ADDED: 18 December 2020, JBS)
Local
Honey Sources:
North Island
Bay of Plenty (Kawerau, Opotiki,Rotorua, Western Bay of Plenty,
Whakatane)
-
R n' Bees - Honey (retail), Raw honeys, Honey from hives on
the farm
132 Thornton Road, Whakatane, North Island 3192. Phone: 07
3080118. Email:
graham@rnbees.co.nz. Open: Monday to Sunday, 8am until 5:30pm during
Berry season (from mid October until end of February); Monday to
Saturday 8:30am until 5:30pm in off season. Directions: On the right,
1.3km from the Whakatane/Matata intersection heading towards Matata.
Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
Click here for our Facebook page. R n' Bees (formerly R & B Berry
Garden) is under new Ownership. We will bring you the same great tasting
and value berries that R & B's were loved for. EFTPOS payment available
during berry season. Home of 'Our Honey' - delicious spring Rewarewa
honey -- loaded with Anti Oxidants, and multi-floral bush blend main
crop from our bush sites, with Manuka. Our Honey is filtered, but not
heat treated, and full of goodness.
Farm Venues for Weddings, Events, Activities, Parties and Meetings:
Waikato (Hamilton, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Otorohanga, southern Rotorua,
South Waikato, Taupo, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato,Waipa, Waitomo)
-
Monavale Blueberries Limited & Cafe Irresistiblue - Wedding
Reception, Banquets / Dinners, Birthday parties, Business meetings, Classes,
lectures or Speakers, School and educational groups, Other Private Parties,
Restaurant onsite, Tables and chairs are Provided, Linens and table
silverware are provided, Wine, Champagne, & Beer Only, Peach/Nectarine,
Apricot, etc. Orchard, CD Player, Free Onsite Lot parking lot, children
welcome, No smoking allowed, Vegetarian meals available, handicap
accessible, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, school tours
Corner Turkington & Wallace Roads, Monavale, Cambridge, North Island,
New Zealand 3495.
Phone: 07 827 9456. Fax: 07 827 9485. Email:
info@monavaleblueberries.co.nz. Open: Wednesday to Sunday, from 9am to
4;30pm Closed Monday and Tuesday Contact us if you would like to book your
function for hours outside the standard.
Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Monavale
Blueberries orchard and cafe is signposted off the Cambridge-Te Awamutu
Road.
Click here for a map and directions. Our organic blueberries are
available October through to the end of March;. Payment: Cash, Debit cards,
Visa, MasterCard. Monavale Blueberries is a BioGro certifed organic orchard
(BioGro number 511). Monavale Blueberries is the largest BioGro certified
organic blueberry orchard in New Zealand with 50 acres of certified crop. We
are a family owned and operated orchard and offer orchard tours from October
through to March, and Pick Your Own from late December through to mid March.
During our season we are at the Cambridge and Hamilton Farmers Markets as
well. We have also recently opened an orchard cafe and shop - Cafe
Irresistiblue.
Farm
Bed and Breakfasts (Farm Stays)
North Island
Manawatu-Wanganui (Horowhenua, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Rangitikei,
Ruapehu, Tararua, Wanganui)
-
Marahua Blueberry Farm -
40 Owhango Road, Owhango, NA
3990. Phone: (07) 895 4410. Open: See their website for for hours and
availability. Directions: See their website for directions. Payment:
Cash, only. Marahua Blueberry Orchard in New Zealand was established in
1979, with the planting of five original American blueberry varieties:
Atlanta, Burlington, Concord, Dixie and Jersey. The orchard has been
organically run under the present ownership since 1993, and boasts of
the tastiest blueberries in the world, with the original plantings still
in place. It has become a community treasure. WHAT ELSE HAS IT GOT TO
OFFER? Set back from but close to Highway 4, and right opposite a ski
shop, Marahua has a quiet and peaceful small farm atmosphere,
comfortable accommodation close to the Mount Ruapehu ski-fields,
numerous walks, the Wanganui River adventures on the doorstep, hunting,
mountain biking, trout fishing in the local Whakapapa River , the
Wanganui River and Lake Taupo, 45 minutes away and much more. Refer to
local attractions. Pick your own berries in the season (January to
March) which can be chiller stored and/or frozen for your convenience.
A visitor writes on
July 19, 2013: "the best farm stay in the whole world, I mean it
cause I have travelled. We have been there twice so far planning a trip
in Oct as well"
New Zealand Pick-your-own calendar
|
October
|
|
November
|
|
December
|
Raspberries, Strawberries |
January
|
Apples (early, starting mid-Jan), Blueberries, Melons, Raspberries,
Strawberries, Sweet corn |
February
|
Apples
(early), Blueberries,
Melons, Sweet corn |
March
|
Apples, Some Blueberries (early March), Grapefruit, Lemons, Melons,
Raspberries (Fall crop), Sweet corn |
April
|
Apples, Grapefruit, Lemons, Melons, Oranges, Raspberries (Fall crop),
Sweet corn |
May
|
Apples, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mandarins, Oranges, Raspberries (Fall crop) |
June
|
Apples, Mandarins, Oranges, Raspberries (Fall crop) |
July
|
|
August
|
|
September
|
|
- Picking Tips!
- Recipes
- Simple instructions:
- Canning and Freezing
Picking Tips
[General picking tips and a guide to each fruit and vegetable] [How
much do I need to pick?
(Yields - how much raw makes how much cooked or frozen)] [Selecting
the right varieties to pick] [All
about apple varieties - which to pick and why!] [Picking tips for Vegetables]
[ Strawberry picking tips]
[ Blueberries picking tips]
Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam
Instructions and Recipes
[ Easy Home Canning Directions] [FAQs - Answers to
common questions and problems] [Recommended
books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!] [Free
canning publications
to download and print]