Calveton, NY (North Fork Long Island)
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer Fall
Price: $8 per bag, everyone needs one to enter. Upick begins at 10.
Hours of Operation: 8am-6pm (always ask on facebook page before you go as it is different on weekdays)
631-727-4554
Gallery
This is a family run farm (there is a lot of child labor here...you will see when you get there) that offers a variety of u-pic fruits and vegetables. Check the facebook page above for what's in season. They are very responsive to your questions.
Although I haven't been to many pick your own farms (this adventure makes my total a whopping two), I can say with certainty that if you live in Nassau County, Brooklyn or Queens, this should be the closest U-Pic farm to you that also has other amenities (playground, corn maze, hay ride, animals, etc.) On top of this, not many farms have apples and vegetables and other fruits. I came here the first week of September when: 1) the weather is still warm and crisp and 2) you can get apples, peaches, nectarines, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, zucchini which you can't get every weekend because they are no longer in season.
In addition, they sell roasted corn on weekends (not all that). And hot dogs, churros, pretzels, apple cider, donuts (all that), affordable pies (all that), cookies, french fries, and more.
People have claimed that this is one of the more affordable farms, and I trust their judgement.
For a list of other farms to try out, click here.
Things to know before you go: If it is raining, message them on their facebook page before you go. If there is a little sprinkle, they stay open. They also have port a potties. They also offer free wagons but they are limited.
Kill a few birds with one stone: Go to the Tanger Outlet in Riverhead for some shopping, even though the prices aren't so discounted. If you go here during the summer for berry picking, an hour should be enough and then you can either head to Splish Splash next door or drive a few minutes north (follow your navigation) and you'll be sure to hit the Long Island Sound. There is a local private beach here worth just going and taking a few shots of the kids afterwards (or if you have the guts, trespass and enjoy your day!.
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