Pick-your-own farms offer in-the-sun fun

Many Connecticut farms offer pick-your-own crops for everything from flowers and berries to apples and pears to pumpkins and Christmas trees. The weather is a determining factor on when crops are ready, so always check a farm’s website or social media, or call ahead, before visiting. Many farms have PYO hotlines that they update daily.

Belltown Hill Orchards, Glastonbury:

This fourth-generation working farm not only offers pick-your-own blueberries, cherries, apples and pumpkins, but also operates a farm stand, bakery and concession selling warm apple fritters. The picturesque property welcomes families, and when the apples come in, there are two dozen varieties. Don’t miss the fresh-made fruit pies and apple cider doughnuts. 483 Matson Hill Road, 860-633-2789

Bishop’s Orchards and Farm Market, Guilford:

A 140-year, five generation Guilford tradition, Bishop’s has evolved from a family farm to a destination for foodies and wine lovers, while retaining those family ties. The Little Red Barn offers wine tastings, an ice cream stand, food trucks, entertainment and trivia and movie nights. Local, seasonal produce, pre-made entrees, and baked goods (the pies!) fill the main market. The pick-your-own season (203-458-PICK) opens in June with strawberries, followed by blueberries in mid-July, peaches in mid-August, raspberries, pears and apples in late August, and pumpkins in mid-September. 1355 Boston Post Road, 203-453-2338.

Scott’s Yankee Farmer, East Lyme: There are not just berries, peaches and nectarines to pick here but also flowers, apples and pumpkins. For more than a century, Scott’s has been family owned and operated. Today, the operation includes a greenhouse selling plants, a cider mill and a doughnut room. 436 Boston Post Road, 860-739-5209

Jones Family Farms, Shelton: This massive farm boasts the finest PYO products “due to the highquality crops and the knowledgeable, friendly farmers and staff.” They also have a winery, so when you’re done picking your strawberries, blueberries or

Christmas tree, there is wine to celebrate the bounty. 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, 203-929-8425

Buell’s Orchard, Eastford: Have you ever tried a donut peach? (It’s a medium-size fruit with a round, flat shape and a dimpled center at each end.) They are grown at Buell’s and you can pick your own in late July to mid-September. You’ll also find strawberries, blueberries, apples and pumpkins. 108 Crystal Pond Road, 860974-1150

Lyman Orchards, Middlefield: “Be a farmer for an afternoon,” as the historic orchard says, and choose from nearly 100 varieties of fruit from June through October. Strawberries early on are followed by jostaberries, peaches, nectarines, Asian pears, apples, pumpkins and more. Nine generations of the same family have been stewards of this land overlooking the Connecticut River since 1741. 105 South St., 860-349-6015

Ellsworth Hill Orchard and Berry Farm, Sharon: In the fall it hosts a corn maze and hayrides but for pick-your-own crops it starts with strawberries and cherries in June and

through the growing season adds raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, pears, pumpkins and gourds. It also sells corn, tomatoes, vegetables, freshbaked pies, and cider doughnuts. 461 Cornwall Bridge Road, Sharon, 860364-0025

March Farm, Bethlehem: This fourthgeneration family farm offers seasonal PYO berries and fruit along with family activities. It grow cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins for visitors to harvest. In the farm stand, you will find all of that plus tomatoes, corn, farm-made cider, and bakery

items such as doughnuts, pies, cookies, jams, honey and maple syrup. 160 Munger Lane, 203-266-7721

Holmberg Orchards, Gales Ferry: Visit Holmberg’s mid-June to mid-July and you might witness the rolling fields of blooming lavender cresting the orchard. Fresh-cut lavender bunches and plants are available at the farm market, and you can also harvest blueberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, raspberries, pumpkins and cut flowers. In the fall there are gourds, Indian corn, hay bales, cornstalks and mums. 12 Orchard Lane,

860-464-7305

Averill Farm, Washington Depot: The Averills bought this farm from the holdings of Chief Waramaug in 1746, and the family has been running it ever since. A longtime dairy farm, it is currently operated by the 10th generation of the family, primarily as a fruit orchard. It offers pickyour-own apples and pears and sells apple cider doughnuts, flowers, jams and jellies, pies, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums and more. 250 Calhoun St., 860-868-2777

Drazen Orchards, Cheshire: Drazen grows quince, and you can pick your own after the first frost in October. Modernday quince is shaped like a hybrid of an apple and pear and must be cored, peeled and cooked. After that, it can be prepared in a variety of ways. In addition, Drazen grows blueberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, Asian plums, Italian prune plums and apples and has a farm stand loaded with all kinds of good things. 251 Walling ford Road, 203-2727985

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Pick-your-own strawberries at ¬ Lyman Orchards in Middlefield.