Strawberry season has come and gone, but not to worry if you didn’t get your fill of luscious, locally grown berries. Blueberry season is upon us, and, thanks to the late spring rains, growers at U-Pick farms around the Catskills are reporting bumper crops of berries that are bigger and plumper than usual. Raspberries are also ripe for the picking at some farms. So grab a pail and get out your pie and cobbler recipes—and stay tuned for more updates on U-Pick offerings throughout the summer and fall.
DELAWARE COUNTY
Blue Sky Farm & Winery
779 Charcoal Road, Stamford
607-652-4712; blueskyfarmwinery.com
Blue Sky Farm & Winery had its first U-Pick day July 18, and owner Russ Betz says he’ll have blueberries for the next three or four weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The berries are $3 per pound—and you can pick up a bottle of blueberry wine while you’re at it.
Above: Blueberries at Blue Sky Farm & Winery. Photo by Jane Margolies.
Greenane Farms
196 County Road 10, Meridale
607-746-8878; greenanefarms.com
This farm’s three-and-a-half-acre patch is planted with red and black raspberries and blackberries, and owner Patrick Rider says they’ll last through the summer and into the fall (though it’s best to call ahead to check on supplies); $4 per half-pint. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Handsome Brook Farm
Warren Road, Treadwell
607-829-2587; www.hbfeggs.com
This two-and-a-half-acre blueberry patch is an offshoot of Handsome Brook Farm, best known for its eggs from pasture-raised hens. The blueberries are certified organic, according to owner Betsy Babcock; $5 per pint (buy four, the fifth one’s free). Weekdays; call for directions and to schedule a picking time.
Windy Knob Blueberry Farm
6517 Turnpike Road, Delhi
607-746-2991
August 3 is opening day for this farm’s 10 acres of blueberries, spread over upper and lower patches. Owner John Komosinski has what he says are the lowest prices around—$2.50 per pound. Daily sunrise to sunset.
Above: Blueberries at Handsome Brook Farm. Photo by Betsy Babcock, courtesy of Handsome Brook Farm.
SCHOHARIE COUNTY
Bohringer’s Fruit Farm
3992 Route 30, Middleburgh
518-827-5783
U-Pick blueberries on the farm’s two-acre berry patch started July 4, and will be available through the second week of August, according to owner Joe Fydenkevez; $2.99 per pound. Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Above: A sign directs blueberry pickers to Blue Sky Farm & Winery. Photo by Jane Margolies.
ULSTER COUNTY
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards
299 West and Yankee Folly Road, New Paltz
845-255-0999; jlorchards.com
U-Pick blueberries are going strong on the half-acre patch at the Jenkins-Leuken Orchards. Raspberries and blackberries are just starting and will be available until frost, says Lisa Dishek, an employee. All berries are $8 per quart, $4 per pint. Open weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kelder’s Farm
5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson
845-626-7137; kelderfarm.com
Berries cover an acre or so of this 100-acre U-Pick farm, according to Savannah Baker, an employee. Now available are blueberries ($2.50 per pint, $5 per quart), black and red raspberries ($3.50, $7), not to mention red currents ($3.50, $7) and plenty of herbs and vegetables as well. Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
