As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, our fields are bursting with the colors of the season. Red, white, and blue berry harvest season has officially arrived at Alstede Farms, and there’s no better time to experience summer on the farm.
Blueberries are now in season and ready for picking. Our highbush blueberry plants are loaded with large, plump berries known for their sweet flavor, juicy texture, and beautiful deep-blue color. Whether enjoyed fresh by the handful, baked into pies and muffins, blended into smoothies, or sprinkled over breakfast favorites, blueberries are one of summer’s most beloved fruits.
Did you know that the cultivated blueberry has New Jersey roots? In the early 1900s, New Jersey native Elizabeth Coleman White partnered with botanist Dr. Frederick Coville to successfully cultivate wild blueberries, creating the first commercial highbush blueberry varieties. Their groundbreaking work established New Jersey as the birthplace of the modern blueberry industry, and today the blueberry remains one of the Garden State’s signature crops.
Blueberry season also marks the beginning of an exciting stretch of berry picking on the farm. Alongside blueberries, visitors can harvest raspberries, gooseberries, and currants. Raspberries offer a delicate sweetness balanced by a bright, refreshing tartness. Gooseberries provide a unique flavor that ranges from pleasantly tart to sweet when fully ripe, making them excellent for jams, pies, sauces, and fresh eating. These specialty fruits are a treat for adventurous pickers and home cooks alike.
One of the greatest joys of summer is harvesting food at its peak ripeness and bringing it straight from the field to your table. There is something special about spending time outdoors, picking your own fruits and vegetables, then returning home to transform your harvest into a memorable meal, refreshing snack, or homemade dessert. It is a farm-to-table experience in its purest form.
A visit to Alstede Farms offers much more than picking produce. Families can enjoy friendly farm animals, relax in the hard cider garden, savor offerings from food trucks, and unwind on our porch swings while taking in the beautiful countryside. Children love climbing the giant Hay Pyramid for panoramic views of the farm and racing down the Tractor Tire Slide.
Guests can also enjoy scenic tractor-drawn wagon rides through our 378-acre farm. Along the route, you’ll experience rolling fields, orchards, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. One of the highlights is viewing the highest point in Chester Township, visible from our peach orchards near the cross overlooking the farm.
Summer is a season of abundance, and there has never been a better time to experience it firsthand. Come celebrate berry harvest season with us and discover the simple pleasure of picking fresh fruit, making family memories, and enjoying all that the farm has to offer.
