It's pick-your-own blueberry time
Summer desserts start here.
We're right in the middle of the local blueberry season. Here are a handful of places you can pick your own blueberries (and maybe raspberries, too).
If you're heading out to any of these places, make sure to call ahead to check on conditions and availability.
Indian Ladder Farms
Altamont, NY (map)
(866) 640-PICK
Everyday 9-5 (have to start PYO by 4)
According to the Indian Ladder's hotline, blueberries are currently "good" ($2.95/quart) and raspberries are "slim" ($3.95). Pick your own tomatoes, which we've never seen, starts later this summer.
Said @veryveryred this week via Twitter: "Just went & the bushes are loaded"
Samascott Orchards
Kinderhook, NY (map)
(518) 758-7224
Everyday 8-6
According to Samascott's web site (updated July 28), blueberries ($2/pound) and raspberries ($4/pound) are available. There's a $5 minimum for PYO.
Hicks Orchard
Granville, NY (map)
(518) 642-1788
Mon-Fri 8-6 and Sat/Sun 8-5
Hicks has blueberries in now and according to its web site, "With all this rain we've had, the blueberries are all a good size, sweet and juicy!" PYO blues are $2/pound.
recommended by @andrewbadera
Bowman Orchards
Rexford, NY (map)
Mon-Sat 9-5 and Sun 12-5
(518) 371-2042
They grow five varieties of raspberries that are available over the course of the summer -- and we checked on Thursday that they do currently have razzies available for PYO.
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Comments
I picked 12 lbs. at Samascott Orchards 2 weeks ago, it took only 1.5 hours by myself. Picking was very good and it has soft ice cream as a nice treat when you're finished. It's about a 50 min drive from downtown Albany... and they have lots of veggies to pick as well. It makes for a fun outing.
I picked another few pounds at Indian Ladder just this last week-end. Picking was also good and thy have a section of bushes that is tall... more like blueberry trees.
Happy Picking.
... said LilBoyBlue on Jul 30, 2009 at 10:51 PM | link
I hope the blueberries at these farms are riper than the ones you show in your photo. Those things made my mouth pucker just looking at them!
... said Amy on Jul 31, 2009 at 8:45 AM | link
Up Saratoga way, Winney's Farm on Rt 32 in Schuylerville has a good batch of blueberries @ 2.25/lb. The label the different varieties too. They also sell their own honey.
And once you're done you can shoot over to the Ice Cream Man on rt. 29 past the fairgrounds.
OK, picking blueberries was really just an excuse to go to the Ice Cream Man.
... said fiveoneeight on Jul 31, 2009 at 10:05 AM | link
i'm going soon -- not today, tho, with this weather. :-/
... said Kim D. on Jul 31, 2009 at 10:29 AM | link
@Amy - I picked those berries last year. Despite the way they look in the photo, I assure you they were positively delicious.
... said jess on Jul 31, 2009 at 11:07 AM | link
Also The Berry Farm in Chatham -- as far as I can tell, they're the only ones with no-spray berries (which was a priority for me, so my little one could climb through the bushes and eat while she picked). We were there a couple of weeks ago and the bushes were positively dripping with berries -- if they can grow so many without pesticides, it makes me wonder why the other farms say they need to spray! They do cost more per pound, but still far less than buying them in a store or farmer's market.
... said Dorian on Aug 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM | link
I went to Winney's farm two weeks ago and spent 4 lovely hours picking almost 20 lbs of berries. They are all frozen in ziplock bags (quart size) and when I use them on cereal thru the fall and winter - I think of the wonderful sunny day I picked them! I even had the company of a fawn during my time there!
... said The Mother on Aug 2, 2009 at 10:04 PM | link
I'm definitely excited for pick-your-own tomato season, because my tomato plant pooped out on me.
... said Summer on Aug 3, 2009 at 10:22 AM | link
We went picking at Indian Ladder this weekend. Awesome berries. Made blueberry cobbler afterwards and ate till our mouths were stained a nice shade of blue.
... said Slacker on Aug 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM | link
looking for hours for the rte 29 galway blueberry farm
... said carol on Aug 6, 2009 at 4:52 AM | link
name of the blueberry farm in galway, rt 29. also need hrs.
thank you
... said joann on Aug 15, 2009 at 10:32 AM | link