2024 Northwest New Jersey Pea U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pea U-Pick Orchards in Northwest New Jersey 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 any state, nor even every state, have peas orchards 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.

Hunterdon County

• Bonacorsi Family Farm Pittstown Road - peas, strawberries, porta-potties are available
  662 Pittstown Road, Frenchtown\/pittstown, NJ 8825. Phone: . Email: info@bonacorsifamilyfarm.com. Open: 9am to 7pm daily, May through October. Directions: 8 miles south on Pittstown Road from route 78 Clinton exit. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Bonacorsi Family Farm Pittstown Road Facebook page.
• Schaefer Farms - blackberries, flowers, peas, pumpkins, raspberries, Honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  11051 County Route 523, Flemington, NJ 8822. Phone: 908-782-2705. Email: contact@schaeferfarms.com. Open: see our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
  Schaefer Farms Facebook page. . Fax: 908-788-8201. . Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November, December. thornless blackberries. Our blackberries are ripe and ready for "You Pick" approximately the third week in July, with our red raspberries following in August. If you wish to be notified when a crop is ready for "U Pick", contact us with your email address and we will drop you a line. Facebook page. Summer is the time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, from our own garden we harvest over 50 varieties of Heirloom and Hybrid Tomatoes. Our fresh produce is picked daily. Jersey Corn is available for the 4th of July weekend. You will be able to enjoy our own home grown Sweet Corn until the October frosts. The farm stand offers milk, butter, cheese and our own eggs. We have candy, chips, snacks, jellies, jams, local honey and ice cream. Enjoy over 100 scents of soy blend candles from our own candle company. Also we grow an extensive, exciting selection of beautiful flowering annuals and perennials for sun and shade. We are offering beautifully arranged patio planters, decorative bowls and hanging baskets.
  Comments from a visitor on September 20, 2011: "They raise most of their crops on the farm. they have friendly farm animals, and employees. they have FREE hayrides with a purchase of a pumpkin in the fall. they also have corn, feed, apples, Indian corn and some vegetables in the fall. they also have a haunted haywagon ride and cornmaze at night. my kids love the haunted haywagon rides at night. then in winter they have an amazing lightshow.and in the farm stand they sell wreaths and trees. they also sell ornaments and hot chocolate. all this and its still a real working farm! All of it is fresh. most of the produce there is picked that day in the morning. although the u-pick berries could be better its still a fun experience!"

 

Pea Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

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:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
2. 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.
3. 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 :

1. firm
2. Bright green (not yellowish!)
3. smooth, shiny pods, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out pea.
4. The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
5. 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
6. It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

1. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
2. Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
   • How to can Peas
   • How to freeze English peas, Crowder peas and other shelled peas
   • How to freeze snap peas and snow peas
3. Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas
    

1. 
2. The Peas in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
3. 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
4. It is best to shell English peas and either freeze them or use them promptly.

When you get home

1. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
2. Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra Peas - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.
   • How to can Peas
   • How to freeze English peas, Crowder peas and other shelled peas
   • How to freeze snap peas and snow peas
3. Pea shellers - simple inexpensive devices to quickly shell English peas
    

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers