🍂 Fall Harvest in New Jersey: What to Pick, When to Pick, and Where to Go
You’re in prime harvest season, and the Garden State lives up to its name this time of year. Here’s a curated guide to help you make the most of it:
🧺 What to Pick (Late August through October)
Here’s what’s ripening now and into fall:
| Crop | Peak Picking Time |
|---|---|
| Apples | Sept 1 – Oct 25 |
| Pears | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Grapes | Sept 10 – Sept 20 |
| Fall Raspberries | Sept 1 – Sept 20 |
| Pumpkins | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Tomatoes | Until Oct 15 |
| Peppers | Until Nov 5 |
| Broccoli & Cabbage | Until Nov |
🌻 Where to Pick (Top Farms by Region)
North Jersey
- Alstede Farms (Chester): Apples, pumpkins, tomatoes, berries
- Demarest Farms (Hillsdale): Peaches, apples, pumpkins
- Ort Farms (Long Valley): Sunflowers, apples, pumpkins
Central Jersey
- Snyder’s Farm (Somerset): Pumpkins, berries, sunflowers
- Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm (Jobstown): 9 apple varieties, pumpkins, popping corn, sunflowers
South Jersey
- Hill Creek Farms (Mullica Hill): Apple orchard, cider tastings
- Duffield’s Farm (Sewell): Pumpkins, apples, hayrides
🍁 Tips for a Perfect Harvest Day
- 📞 Call ahead: Weather can shift ripening dates by 1–2 weeks.
- 🧺 Bring your own containers or check farm policies.
- 📸 Capture the moment: Many farms offer sunflower fields and scenic backdrops.
- 🎃 Plan for extras: Hayrides, corn mazes, cider tastings, and local folklore events often run alongside harvest weekends.