Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, huckleberry, squashberry ...okay, I’m kidding on the last one. The point is, there are many different types of berries. And, lucky for us, we live in an area where most varieties grow in abundance. In the fall, we're all about our cranberries. But right now we're knee deep in the summer months and it's the blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries that are all harvest-ready and have a multitude of uses.
Berries pack a punch in jams, ice creams, pancakes, scones, muffins and pies. You can even put them in a cocktail! Breweries and wineries, like Hermit Woods Winery, in Meredith, NH, are also using fresh, local berries to make their wine, beer and mead. Or just enjoy them straight off the bush. (We sure do.) No matter what you choose, now is the time to pick your berries—they're chock full of flavor!
We've curated a list of some of our favorite picking locations below, along with prime picking times courtesy of pickyourown.org.
MAINE
Due to its season starting a little later, it may be 'slim pickings' with the strawberries at Spiller Farm. However, their raspberry crops are bountiful and, weather permitting, open for the rest of July. There's a general store on the farm property, as well as a picturesque pond surrounded by geese. The perfect setting for an afternoon of berry picking.
6067, 85 Spiller Farm Ln., Wells, ME, spillerfarm.com
Prime picking times:
- Strawberries: late June – early July
- Raspberries: mid July – late August
- Blackberries: mid July – late August
- Blueberries: August
- Boysenberries: early June – late August
Some of our other favorite u-pick locations in Maine:
Berry Best Farm
33 Colburn Way, Lebanon, ME,
berrybestfarm.com
Blueberry Hill Farm
231 Blueberry Hill Farm Rd., Acton, ME,
blueberryhillfarm.us
Patten's Berry Farm
76 North St., Kennebunkport, ME,
pattensberryfarm.com
MASSACHUSETTS
Pick-your-own containers come in two sizes at Brooksby Farm in Peabody. And you'll have your choice of which berries to pick when you arrive (we opted for the cherries and raspberries.) The staff is full of smiles and the farm is kid-friendly, with a play area on the premises.
54 Felton St., Peabody, MA, brooksbyfarm.org
Prime picking times:
- Strawberries: mid-late June
- Raspberries: early-late July
- Blackberries: mid-late July
- Blueberries: mid July – early August
Some of our other favorite u-pick locations in Massachusetts:
Cider Hill Farm
45 Fern Ave., Amesbury, MA,
ciderhillfarm.com
Verrill Farm
11 Wheeler Rd., Concord, MA,
verillfarm.com
Wards Berry Farm
614 S. Main St., Sharon, MA,
wardsberryfarm.com
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The air smells like strawberries when you step out of the car at Butternut Farm in Farmington, wafting out to greet you from plenty of rows of berries ready to be picked. The farm serves a variety of treats including ice cream, whoopie pies and their own cider and jams. And everything they sell is made and grown on the premises. The parking lot will make it look crowded, but rest assured there's enough room for everyone to spread out. Have fun!
195 Meaderboro Rd., Farmington, NH, butternutfarm.net
Prime picking times:
- Strawberries: early June – early July
- Raspberries: late August – late September
- Blackberries: late August – late September
- Blueberries: late July – late August
- Boysenberries: early June – late July
Some of our other favorite u-pick locations in New Hampshire:
Blueberry Bay Farm
38 Depot Rd., Stratham, NH,
blueberrybayfarm.com
Apple Hill Farm
580 Mountain Rd., Concord, NH,
applehillfarmnh.com
Moulton Farm
18 Quarry Rd., Meredith, NH,
moultonfarm.com
