Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Dutchess County in Southeast NY in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blueberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have blueberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Dutchess County

• Fishkill Farms - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apples, apricots, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, currants (red and black), eggplant, flowers, lavender, melons, nectarines, pears, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Fresh eggs, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. Phone: (845) 897-4377. Email: info@fishkillfarms.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: Fishkill Farms is located in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley, just over an hour north of New York City. Take the Taconic Parkway to I-84 East and get off at Exit 15. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Fishkill Farms Facebook page. . Early June - Late October Everyday* 9am to 5pm *while supplies lasts. Click here for current open Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. For a map to our farm, Early June: Strawberries and sugar snap peas June-Late September: Vegetables July-August: Flowers Mid July: Cherries July: Raspberries and Blackberries August: Peaches and Nectarines, Tomatoes and Eggplant Mid August-Late October: Apples Early September: Sunflowers September-October: Pumpkins. All vegetables, berries, eggs and 1/3rd of our orchard are certified organic by NOFA NY. is a historic 270-acre farm located in the beautiful Hudson Valley region. Our mission is to grow fresh and flavorful produce for our local community, using holistic farming practices. Our produce is available through pick-your-own, farmers markets, our CSA program, and restaurants. Our farm store is open year-round, 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm offering apple cider donuts, fresh-baked pies, artisanal meats & cheeses, locally produced wines beers, liquors and hard cider.Fishkill Farms is one of the oldest and most historic orchards in the Hudson Valley. Varieties of New York Apples: Macintosh, Red Delicious, Spartan, Empire, Macoun, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Rome. We charge a $5 admission fee for fruit and vegetable picking for adults and children over the age of 12.
• Greig Farm - apples, asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, peas, raspberries, blackberries
  223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY . Phone: 845-758-1234. Open: seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm for picking blueberries and strawberries, in their seasons Call. Directions: NYS THRUWAY: to Exit 19, follow signs for the Rhinecliff Bridge \(Route 209199\), cross the bridge, at 2nd traffic light,make left onto Route 9G, go North 2.8 miles to Kelly Road \(2nd light\) make a right onto Kelly Road, go to stop sign and make left onto Budds Corners Road then make right onto Pitcher Lane. Also a market, bakery, nursery, garden shop, educational program including farm tours and Catskill Mountain scenery. 15 varieties of apples in 120 acres of orchards. The Greig Farm has - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Greig Farm Facebook page. . seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm for picking blueberries and strawberries, in their seasons (Call). NYS THRUWAY: to Exit 19, follow signs for the Rhinecliff Bridge (Route 209/199), cross the bridge, at 2nd traffic light,make left onto Route 9G, go North 2.8 miles to Kelly Road (2nd light) make a right onto Kelly Road, go to stop sign and make left onto Budds Corners Road then make right onto Pitcher Lane. Also a market, bakery, nursery, garden shop, educational program including farm tours and Catskill Mountain scenery. 15 varieties of apples in 120 acres of orchards. The has been open to the public for pick your own fruits and vegetables for more than 60 years. We have always planted varieties that feature the best flavor. Nothing compares to the flavor in the field with the heat of the harvest sun on the fruit. The has been open to the public for pick your own fruits and vegetables for more than 60 years. We have always planted varieties that feature the best flavor. Nothing compares to the flavor in the field with the heat of the harvest sun on the fruit.
• Mead Orchards - apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, picnic area
  15 Scism Road, Tivoli, NY 12583. Phone: 845-756-5641. Email: info@meadorchards.com. Open: hours, days and dates. Directions: From Westchester County and New York City Metro Area: Take Taconic Parkway north to the Pine PlainsRed Hook exit. Go west onto Route 199 to Red Hook -- go 8 miles. Turn North \(right\) at the Red Hook Village traffic light onto Route 9 -- go 4 miles. Turn west \(left\) onto County Route 78 -- go 14 mile. Right onto Scism Road -- go less than 100 yards and you will see our big red barn on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 845-756-4008. . Strawberries /June - Monday through Friday, 3 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6pm; All other fruit son weekends only from Mid - June through October - Weekends 10 am to 6 pm. Click here for current open From Westchester County and New York City Metro Area: Take Taconic Parkway north to the Pine Plains/Red Hook exit. Go west onto Route 199 to Red Hook -- go 8 miles. Turn North (right) at the Red Hook Village traffic light onto Route 9 -- go 4 miles. Turn west (left) onto County Route 78 -- go 1/4 mile. Right onto Scism Road -- go less than 100 yards and you will see our big red barn on the left. Strawberries - June; Cherries - End of June through middle of July; Blueberries - July through August; Peaches - July through September; Apples - August through October; Pumpkins - October. Open in October on Weekends Only, 10 am- 6 pm; plus Labor Day - Monday Sept 2 and Columbus Day -Monday Oct 14. IMPORTANT NOTICE: (Oct 9) The apple varieties available to pick this weekend may have changed from our published schedule. When we set up our picking schedule, we use our past experience, and our best educated guess (weeks ahead of their expected harvest time) to judge which varieties will most likely be ripe on which weekend. Usually we're pretty close.. not so much this year. It's nature, folks! We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding. If you're expecting to pick a specific variety the weekend you're coming, PLEASE CALL toward the end of the week to verify if it's available. There is no entrance fee for Pick-Your-Own. Strawberry, Blueberry, and Cherry pickers will find containers and will pay at the tents in the orchards. For Peaches and Apples, pickers will stop at our farm stand near the barn to pick up containers and get directions, and then drive up into the orchards. You will pay for your U-Pick items at the farm stand. You may also park and walk -- just keep in mind there are some hills, and fruit can be heavy to carry. A visitor writes on October 13, 2013: "Regular visit every year. Few bells and whistles. My kids still love it, always fun to find the wooly caterpillar and no crowds or traffic jams. Excellent quality of produce. about a dozen varieties. Red Delicious, stayman winesap, Mutsu (Crispin), Fuji, Cameo, Golden delicious, CrimsonCrisp, Jonathan and a couple others., "
• Rose Hill Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand
  19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571. Phone: 845-758-4215. Email: info@pickrosehillfarm.com. Open: Late June through Late August, Thursday through Sunday from 8am to 1pm; Late August through October, Friday through Sunday from 9am to 6pm; Please check our website for updated opening dates and hours; Please contact us to make special arrangements or with any questions!. Directions: from NYC: Take Taconic State Parkway N to NY-199 W in Milan \(toward Pine PlainsRed Hook\). Turn left onto NY-199 W. Turn right onto Echo Valley Road Turn right onto Fraleigh Lane Turn left into Rose Hill Farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Rose Hill Farm Facebook page. . from NYC: Take Taconic State Parkway N to NY-199 W in Milan (toward Pine Plains/Red Hook). Turn left onto NY-199 W. Turn right onto Echo Valley Road Turn right onto Fraleigh Lane Turn left into. Please contact us for special inquires including weddings, school visits and other group events!. . Located in the Hudson Valley village of Red Hook, NY, is a historic family owned Pick Your Own fruit orchard established in 1798. As of 2016, farm is under new ownership and management. This farm has been in the same family for over 200 years, Peter Fraleigh having purchased in 1798. David and Karen Fraleigh are the sixth generation of their family to operate. A.K.A, Fraleigh's. Annual Ripening Schedule (approximate): Late June - Early July: Over Twenty Varieties Of Sweet And Tart Cherries.Early July - Mid August: Five Varieties Of Blueberries.August - Early Sept: Peaches And Plums.Late August: Gingergold And Paula Red ApplesEarly Sept: Honeycrisp, Gala, Macintosh, Jonamac, SpartanMid Sept: Honeycrisp, Gala, Macintosh, Jonamac, Spartan, Empire, Jonagold, Cortland, FujiLate Sept: Gala, Jonagold, Empire, Red Delicious, Shizuka, Twenty OzEarly Oct: Empire, Red Delicious, Macoun, Shizuka, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Ny 428Mid Oct: Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Cameo, Rome, Fortune, Northern SpyLate Oct: Fuji, Rome, Grannysmith, Gold Rush, Lady Apple (UPDATED: June 28, 2016)

 

Blueberry

Blueberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. They have few natural pests, (other than birds), so pesticides are generally unnecessary! This year's crop is fantastic (see related news story), thanks both to the weather and to more farms planting more blueberry bushes due to increased consumer demand over the past few years as more studies proclaim the anti-oxidant and other health properties of blueberries.

Click here to find a local Blueberry Festival (usually held between April and July).

If you are looking for information about a similar berry, the saskatoon (also called the June berry or Serviceberry) see this page about saskatoons.

Picking tips:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened.

Ripening AFTER picking?

First, it is key to know that once picked, blueberries will NOT become any sweeter, nor will the flavor improve. The only change that occurs is the color. They will APPEAR to ripen, but it is only a color change, from white to green to rose to red to pale blue to fully blue. So, white and green colored blueberries will not "ripen" after they are picked; while blueberries that have already turned purple, red or blue-ish usually DO change color after they are picked (if they are kept at room temperature to "ripen").

As the blueberries ripen ON THE BUSH, the flavor goes from tastless to bitter to tasteless tart to tart blueberry flavor to sweet blueberry flavor.

Grocery stores sell blueberries that are tart, not sweet because they had them picked unripe by machine so they are very firm and can handled being bumped around in shipping. They may look good, but are not as tasty as those picked when actually ripe.

So, the key is, PICK ONLY RIPE BERRIES!

How to pick blueberries

Since blueberries hang on the bushes in bunches a but like grapes do, the easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers. The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

When the bushes are at peak, I can easily pick 2 gallons per hour (if I'm not being distracted by the kids and the sun isn't too hot!). A newbie might do 1 gallon per hour.and at the beginning or end of the season it takes more time as the berries are not as plentiful nor concentrated in clusters.

Tips for storing blueberries after harvesting:

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Blueberry Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that blueberries vary considerably in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• 1 gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 lbs or (4 liters of blueberries is about 3.5 kg)

• 1 pint of fresh blueberries weights about 3/4 of a pound. (1 liter of blueberries is about 700 grams)

• 1 pound of fresh blueberries is usually between about 2 and 3 cups of berries.

• It takes about 4 cups (about of blueberries to make a blueberry pie (see this fantastic and easy blueberry pie recipe)

• A normal batch of blueberry preserves, jam or jelly requires 5 pints of berries.

• Blueberries do come in a variety of sizes from small (190-250 berries per cup) to extra large (<90 berries per cup).

Blueberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Blueberries

Recipes

• The world's best Blueberry pie, recipe and directions and illustrated!
• Blueberry buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping blueberry coffee cake
• Other easy directions to make blueberry desserts: cobblers, etc.

Canning, freezing and other blueberry recipes:

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Blueberries
• How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam
• How to make blueberry jelly
• How to make and can blueberry syrup (it works for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, too)
• blueberry pie filling to use later,
• blueberry butter

Baking tips

If you have trouble with blueberries settling to the bottom of muffins and blueberry breads, try one or more of these tips:

• Coat them with flour before adding to the batter. Just gently shake the blueberries in a bag (plastic or paper) with 1/2 cup of flour, then dump them mix in a sieve to remove excess flour.
• It may just be that your batter is too thin. try making the batter a little thicker!
• Fill the muffin cups or baking pan up to 1/4 full with batter (which hasn't had blueberries added to it yet); then stir the blueberries into the remaining batter, and continue to fill the muffin cups or bread pan. The blueberries will start off higher in the mix!

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers