The North Fork Trail spotlights U-Pick Farms
It’s high summer on the North Fork, and the U-pick season is in full swing. If you enjoy the act of picking produce and flowers straight from the fields, the North Fork is the place to do it with bucolic farms aplenty. This month’s edition of The North Fork Trail spotlights 12 farms to pick your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. And don’t freak out that apples are on this list. While we are very much summer-forever folk, many farms open for apple picking right around Labor Day, so dog-ear this trail map for those dog days.
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1. Lewin Farms
812 Sound Ave., Calverton
Lewin Farms offers plenty of u-pick options, including peaches, tomatoes, peppers, apples, and more. Call before you visit for u-pick availability. U-Pick fields are typically open daily except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. U-pick rates vary, and don’t forget to bring cash!
2. Windy Acres Orchard and Farm
3810 Middle Country Rd., Calverton
Windy Acres Orchard and Farm may have wrapped up “Peach Picking Palooza” (though peaches and nectarines may become available again soon). However, there’s still plenty to pick at this Calverton farm, and best of all, pickers are welcome to mix their u-pick varieties for a flat fee. Right now, blackberries, blueberries and nearly 15 kinds of vegetables are ready for picking. U-pick is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3642 Middle Country Rd., Calverton
With strawberry season behind us, Sujecki Farms is now open for u-pick vegetables. Choose from tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and beans, with wide varieties of each. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 pm.
4. Schmitt’s Farmstand on Sound
3355 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Apple season is taken seriously for this 150-year-old farming family. The u-pick apple season will be open at the farm’s Sound Avenue location towards the beginning of September. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closes on Sundays at 4 p.m.
988 Doctors Path, Riverhead
It’s blueberry picking season at Holzman’s Family Farm. The kid- and pet-friendly farm features organic blueberry picking for $6/pint and $4/half pint. They also currently offer u-pick sunflowers, too! Open weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead
This Riverhead orchard is your one-stop shop for all things apples and fun — from apple picking to corn mazes, to live music (weekends), to food and treats. This orchard is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in season. Look out for their opening date announcement.
116 Manor Ln., Jamesport & 729 Main Rd., Aquebogue
Featuring two locations — one behind their Aquebogue tasting room, which typically offers apple picking on weekdays only, and a larger, more remote orchard in Jamesport on Manor Lane that’s usually open weekends and holiday Mondays. Visit woodsideorchards.com for updates.
8. Patty’s Berries and Bunches
410 Sound Ave., Mattituck
U-pick blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are available at this Mattituck berry farm that’s open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy the views of the flower fields and top off your u-pick experience with the farm’s own ice cream.
9. Cooper Farms
2200 Breakwater Rd., Mattituck
Tucked off the beaten path, this farm features u-pick eggplant, string beans, chard, beets, cukes, onions, watermelon, peppers, and the best tomatoes you’ve ever tasted. Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call for details and availability: 631-276-6215.
6900 Wickham Ave., Mattituck
A different kind of u-pick in the most serene setting. This u-pick flower farm offers rows and rows of hundreds of varieties of vibrant flowers available for bespoke cut bouquets by you! Open weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family-friendly.
28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue
Pick your own at this historic fruit farm. Currently offering blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, with a possible return of peaches, and a definite offering of apples come September. U-pick hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
12. Breeze Hill Farm
31215 County Rd. 48, Peconic
After wandering through 30 acres of apples and picking the perfect peck, head into the market for the farm’s own apple cider and doughnuts, then sit by the fire pit and enjoy. Follow @themarketatbreezehillfarm on Instagram for complete details, variety availability, and more once the U-pick apple season opens.