The fields are open! Here is what is ripe and ready for picking today:
Strawberries: Excellent picking! Lots of ripe red berries.
Peonies: Limited availability.
Please remember that all harvest dates are estimates. Ripening relies entirely on the weather, and fields can be picked out quickly. Always check the “Currently Picking” status above before heading to the farm!
Crops are listed by ripening dates.
Asparagus: Mid-April through Early-May*
Picking Tips: For the most tender asparagus, look for spears that are 6 to 8 inches tall with tightly closed, compact tips. Avoid spears that are starting to open or “fern out,” as they can be tough and woody. To harvest, never pull or rip the plant; instead, gently snap the spear near the base where it naturally gives way, or cut it cleanly at ground level. Keep your harvest fresh at home by standing the trimmed stems upright in an inch of water in your fridge!
Peonies: Mid-May through Late May
Picking Tips: For the longest-lasting peonies, look for buds that feel soft like a marshmallow and are just beginning to show a peek of petal color. Avoid picking blooms that are already fully open or buds that feel hard like a marble, as the tight ones may never bloom and the fully open ones will drop their petals quickly. To harvest, use sharp shears to cut the stem at an angle, making sure to leave at least two or three sets of leaves behind on the plant to keep it healthy for next year. Keep your harvest fresh at home by stripping any foliage that sits below the water line and placing them in a vase with fresh, cool water!
Strawberries: Late May through Mid-June
Picking Tips: For the sweetest strawberries, look for berries that are fully red from the tip to the leafy green cap. Avoid berries with white or green tips, as they do not continue to ripen after being picked. To harvest, gently grasp the stem just above the berry, give a slight twist, and pinch it off without pulling the delicate plant. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in the refrigerator and only rinsing them right before eating!
Sugar Snap Peas: Early June through Late June
Picking Tips: For the crispest peas, look for pods that are bright green, plump, and feel firm to the touch. Avoid pods that look dull, yellowish, or overly bulging, as the peas inside may have become starchy and tough. To harvest, hold the vine securely with one hand and pinch the pod off with the other to avoid uprooting the delicate plant. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in a sealed container or crisper drawer in the refrigerator!
Blueberries: Mid-June through Late July
Picking Tips: For the most flavorful blueberries, look for berries that are plump, firm, and have a deep dusty blue color all the way around. Avoid berries with a reddish or purple ring near the stem, as they need more time on the bush to fully sweeten. To harvest, gently roll the berry between your thumb and fingers; ripe berries will fall effortlessly right into your palm. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them dry in the refrigerator and washing just before use!
Tart Cherries: Mid-June through Early July
Picking Tips: For the best tart cherries, look for fruit that is bright red, plump, and has a glossy shine. Avoid picking cherries that feel overly hard or show hints of yellow, as they have not reached their full flavor potential. To harvest, grasp the stem and twist gently to pull it from the branch; keeping the stem attached helps the delicate cherry last much longer. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in the refrigerator and pitting them right before baking!
Black Raspberries: Mid-June through Mid-July
Picking Tips: For the sweetest raspberries, look for berries with a rich, uniform color and a plump, soft appearance. Avoid berries that are pale or tightly cling to the plant, as they will be tart and lack full flavor. To harvest, gently hold the berry and pull with very little force; ripe raspberries will slide right off the white core, leaving the core on the bush. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in the fridge and consuming them within a few days!
Flower Garden: July through September
Picking Tips: For the longest-lasting bouquets, look for blooms that are just beginning to open or are showing bright, vibrant color depending on the variety. Avoid picking flowers with fading colors, drooping heads, or browning edges, as these have already passed their peak and won’t last long in a vase. To harvest, use clean, sharp shears to cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, making sure to cut just above a leaf node to encourage new growth. Keep your harvest fresh at home by stripping off any lower leaves that would sit below the water line and changing your vase water every couple of days!
Tomatoes: Mid-July through Late September
Picking Tips: For the most flavorful tomatoes, look for fruit with a deep, even color and a very slight give when gently squeezed. Avoid tomatoes with hard green shoulders or dark spots, as they need more time on the vine to develop their sugars. To harvest, hold the tomato and gently twist it until the stem snaps, being careful not to pull and break the main branch. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them on the counter at room temperature, never in the fridge!
Herbs: Late June through Late September
Picking Tips: For the most aromatic and flavorful herbs, look for plants with vibrant, healthy leaves and pick them early in the day when their essential oils are at their peak. Avoid harvesting from stems that are yellowing, turning woody, or have already begun to flower, as the leaves often become bitter once the plant goes to seed. To harvest, use sharp shears to cleanly snip the stems just above a leaf node, being careful to never take more than a third of the plant at one time. Keep your harvest fresh at home by placing the stems upright in a glass of water on your counter, or loosely wrapping them in a damp paper towel in your refrigerator!
Peppers: Mid-July through Late September
Picking Tips: For the crispest peppers, look for fruit that is firm, glossy, and feels heavy for its size with vibrant, even coloring. Avoid peppers that have soft spots, wrinkled skin, or sunburn patches, as these will quickly spoil and lack a satisfying crunch. To harvest, use sharp shears to cleanly cut the stem about an inch above the fruit, being careful not to pull or tug, which can easily snap the plant’s brittle branches. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator until you are ready to slice them!
Blackberries: Late June through Early September
Picking Tips: For the juiciest blackberries, look for berries that are deep, dull black and feel slightly soft to the touch. Avoid berries that are shiny or have red drupelets, as these are still tart and not quite ripe. To harvest, gently grasp the berry and pull lightly; if it is completely ready, it will slip off the core without any resistance. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them in a single layer in the fridge and washing only when ready to eat!
Potatoes: Late July through Late August
Picking Tips: For the best potatoes, look for firm, smooth-skinned tubers that feel heavy for their size in the freshly loosened soil. Avoid potatoes with a greenish tint to the skin, deep cuts, or soft spots, as the green coloring indicates sun exposure and can cause a bitter taste. To harvest, gently sift through the dirt with your hands or a provided farm tool, being careful not to scrape or puncture the delicate skins as you unearth them. Keep your harvest fresh at home by brushing off excess dirt without washing them and storing them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space!
Red Raspberries: Late July through Mid-October
Picking Tips: For the sweetest raspberries, look for berries with a rich, uniform color and a plump, soft appearance. Avoid berries that are pale or tightly cling to the plant, as they will be tart and lack full flavor. To harvest, gently hold the berry and pull with very little force; ripe raspberries will slide right off the white core, leaving the core on the bush. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them unwashed in the fridge and consuming them within a few days!
Apples: Early September through Late October
Picking Tips: For the crispest apples, look for firm fruit with deep, vibrant color that matches the specific variety you are picking. Avoid apples with bruises or those that have already fallen to the ground, as they spoil much faster. To harvest, cup the apple in the palm of your hand, lift it slightly upward, and give it a gentle twist to snap the stem without shaking the branch. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator!
Pumpkins: Mid-September through Late October
Picking Tips: For the perfect carving pumpkin, look for one that is fully orange and feels heavy for its size with a hard, sturdy rind. Avoid pumpkins with soft spots, deep cuts, or missing stems, as these will rot quickly on your front porch. To harvest, use a pair of shears to cut the vine, making sure to leave at least three to four inches of stem attached. Keep your harvest fresh at home by storing it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight until carving!
Christmas Trees: Mid-November through Late December
Picking Tips: For the perfect Christmas tree, look for a tree with a straight trunk, vibrant green needles, and branches that feel flexible rather than dry or brittle. Avoid trees that are dropping an excessive amount of brown needles or have large, uneven gaps in their foliage, as they are likely already drying out and won’t hold ornaments well. To harvest, use a provided farm saw to cut the trunk straight across, staying as close to the ground as possible to give yourself a flat, even base for your tree stand. Keep your harvest fresh at home by making a fresh half-inch cut off the bottom before bringing it inside, placing it away from heat sources like vents or fireplaces, and ensuring the water reservoir is always full!
