This New Jersey Farm Offers the Sweetest Berry Picking Experience

When spring rolls around, it always means one thing for those of us who love farms: berry picking in New Jersey! It's pretty common for farms in the Garden State to take a hiatus between pumpkin season and spring, unless they open for a special holiday event that doesn't involve crop picking. But once May rolls around, the fields come alive with a bounty of crops—perfect to pick your own berries in NJ.

Fruit season usually lasts from early May through fall, and one of the best spots to see it in action? My pick for the best spring farm in New Jersey: Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in tiny Jobstown. This charming event venue and farmers' market is always worth a visit, but when the season begins in early summer, it's the perfect time to get a huge basket of some of New Jersey's freshest strawberries—and so much more.

What to Expect at This New Jersey Berry Farm

Johnson's Locust Hall Farm is an institution not too far from the Trenton area, but it feels like a rural paradise. After a scenic drive through New Jersey, you'll end up at the farm, which is best known as a gorgeous event and wedding venue. But, each spring, it serves a very different purpose. The fields at Locust Hall are booming with produce, which means it's the start of our favorite season: U-pick season.

In May, the star attraction of this family-owned, 315-acre farm is certainly the fresh strawberries. The 100-plus-year-old berry farm grows several juicy red varieties that can be picked straight off the vine. It's easily one of the best strawberry-picking experiences in the state.

After picking the most beautiful berries, you'll have them weighed and walk away with the perfect snack for a warm day. Make sure to visit the sprawling farm market before you leave, featuring antiques, jams, and even fresh donuts. You can even get wine from Tomasello Winery for a party at home.

But strawberries are just the start of the U-pick season: Make sure to come back for peaches, blackberries, and cherry tomatoes by the end of June, and apples in the fall. You can even come with the kiddos for a fun wagon ride tour through the largest pumpkin patch in New Jersey.

The Best Time to Visit for Berry Picking

Peak strawberry season in New Jersey is mid-May through June, which is also the best time to go berry picking at this charming farm. The best time to go is in the morning, so you'll have first pick in the fields. The farm is open Thursday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but stay tuned to the farm's website and Facebook page for Farmer Johnson's weekly updates on U-pick conditions and more.

If you're hoping to get fresh blackberries, visit later in the summer, from June to August. This is also around the time when you can get the ripest peaches and the most vibrant, beautiful wildflowers.

Tips for Planning Your Trip to Johnson's Locust Hall Farm

Before planning your trip to this must-do New Jersey experience, double-check the farm's hours of operation and whether the weather will be clear. Sometimes, the farm will close if storms roll in. If you hope to visit the farm during one of its special events, like the Barnyard Buddies day for kids, or the Berry Bash Festival at the end of May, make sure you reserve tickets in advance.

Bring water, sturdy shoes, a hat, and sunglasses for U-pick so you'll stay cool and hydrated. Have extra containers on hand to bring your treasures home, and bring extra cash or credit cards to purchase souvenirs at the shop or a snack and drink from the winery.

After a day spent on the farm, head out to other fun New Jersey attractions nearby. Jobstown has plenty of outdoor activities (like parks and hiking trails) to explore. You could even visit the famous New Egypt Flea Market close by for antiquing.

Have you visited Johnson's Locust Hall Farm yet? If not, plan your early summer visit today. Or, visit the pumpkin patch in October—one of the best fall activities in New Jersey. You'll love getting out into the fresh air, learning about the history of this influential farm, and taking in the sights and sweet smells of the strawberry fields.