Eastern Connecticut Pea U-Pick Orchards in !

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Pea U-Pick Orchards in Eastern Connecticut in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for peas that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have peas farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

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! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

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New London County

Terra Firma Farm (CSA) - Flowers, strawberries, beans, and sugar snap peas
330 Al Harvey Road, Stonington, CT 06378. Phone: 860-535-8171. Email: info@terrafirmafarm.org. Click here for a map and directions.
Terra Firma Farm (CSA) Facebook page. . This is a "CSA", which means you must join ($400 per year in 2007) to be able to pick - you may be able to visit the animals for an admission fee. They harvest most of what's contained within a share, members are encouraged to get their hands dirty, with a variety of "u-pick" itemsare just some of the examples of u-pick items that they offer. Terra Firma Farm was created to establish a working farm and educational academy for the communities of Southeastern Connecticut. Terra Firma Farm Facebook page. We hope to provide a unique opportunity for educational, personal, and physical development in order to enrich classroom curriculum, enhance awareness, foster an informed compassion, and evoke the desire to become an agent of change in our troubled and chaotic society. The farm includes Dexter cows; laying hens & their roosters; goats & their kids; a breeding pair of turkeys; miniature donkeys and Tamworth pigs. Aside from the animals we have vegetable, community and children's gardens; and exceptional year-round educational programs. Whether participating in educational programs or volunteer farm days, or simply stopping by, everyone is welcome to take part in the life of Terra Firma Farm and learn the importance of the local agriculture & community.

Pea

Pea Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Peas, English peas Peas (English, Snap peas, Snow Peas, Crowder Peas, etc.) are very easy to grow. They thrive even in poor soil. In fact, as a legume, pea plants are able to take nitrogen from the air and fix it in nodules in their roots with bacteria to enrich the soil. Whether you grow them yourself or pick them at a PYO farm, or buy them at the market, they're available fresh almost everywhere.

Here's what to look for!

English peas

Pick English Peas when the pod is full and green and the peas are still tender and sweet. Test for maturity frequently by picking a couple of pods and examining them for firmness. Harvest the Chinese and snow peas, which are eaten pod and all, when the pods are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long and the peas are about the size of BB's. The pods are usually picked 5 to 7 days after flowering.

Snap Peas - aka, edible-podded peas

Similar to English peas, except the pod itself is also sweet and tender, like the peas inside.

Snow peas, aka Chinese peas

Like snap peas, the pod is edible, except you want to pick them while they are still flat, before the pod starts to swell with peas inside. Harvest Chinese and snow peas, which are eaten pod and all, when the pods are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long and the peas are about the size of BB's.

Specialty Peas

There are many varieties, like purple hulled peas, crowder peas, black-eyed- peas. Each has their followers!

When are peas available?

Peas are a cool, even cold weather crop, and can tolerate frost and cold soil. In the U.S. Peas typically peak during February (in the Deep South) through October in the North. Peak season is February through June before the weather gets hot. Some farms plant a Fall crop too, as they only take 45 to 60 days from the time the seed is planted!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Peas, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem while the weather is still cool, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick Peas from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Look for Peas that are :

firm
Bright green (not yellowish!)
smooth, shiny pods, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out pea.
The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
- old and yellowing,
- overripe and lumpy; and
- dried out and damaged.
Avoid placing the picked Peas in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Peas may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days
It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas

The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
- old and yellowing,
- overripe and lumpy; and
- dried out and damaged.
Avoid placing the picked Peas in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Peas may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days
It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas

2024 Eastern Connecticut Pea U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!