Peach Picking Season Is Here. Get To These Great Central Jersey Farms

I went peach picking with my wife this past weekend and we found some amazing fruits at the farm we stopped at. According to Rutgers University, (and the sign in the orchard), the variety of peaches we picked was one of the most popular NJ peaches.

The Loring - A large to very large, ovate to globose, 40-60% scarlet red over yellow ground color yellow-fleshed, freestone peach ripening August 7-10. The flesh is firm and of very good flavor. The tree is very vigorous and moderately productive, with medium susceptibility to bacterial spots.

I actually saw some of those spots on a few of the peaches, and now I know what it was. Science! Did you know there are over SEVENTY different varieties of yellow and white peaches grown in New Jersey?  You can find out more at the Rutgers University Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1201/

Firstly, we decided to forgo two of the more popular places in Monmouth County, which we've enjoyed for years. Instead, we made a day trip out of it and drove about an hour west and hit a small farm called Strawberry Hill, out past New Egypt. It was a pretty cool trip, with a lot of farmland scenery and winding country roads.

Meanwhile, I knew from scoping the place out on social media and their website, that they didn't have a lot of the bells and whistles that our favorite places have. However, they had plenty of peach trees and a very low price of just $1.50 per pound! That's better than just about any grocery store I've seen this year.

We pulled up to the front of the farm, where we were greeted by a gentleman who handed us a round plastic laundry basket with a clear plastic bag inside. Then, we drove down a dirt road to the orchard, grabbed a wagon, and were on our way!

Moreover, the peaches were easy to grab. Some low, some high, all just a few days from being totally ripe! However, we were lucky enough to find a few trees with fully ripe peaches. My wife, a total peach monster, wolfed one down right off the tree! Incidentally, the State suggests you wash your peaches before consuming them.

By the time we were through, we had an overflowing basket! The farmer weighed our take, and I totally nailed my guess, as to how much our bounty was! 30 pounds! He was nice enough to round the price off to 40 bucks, and 2 twenties later we were on our way through the countryside with 65 friggin' peaches!

One of the more popular places, not only for peaches but apples, pumpkins, and more. Plus, it's situated around the corner from Delicious Orchards Market, and near the Lairds Applejack distillery! https://eastmontorchards.com/

Another staple of Monmouth County picking, this place is huge. Don't forget to stop at the Country Store for fruit, veggies, cider, and some amazing baked goods! https://www.battlevieworchards.com/

Not just peaches and apples. This place has a ton of stuff to pick on your own! Plus it's been in operation since 1868. https://leeturkeyfarm.com/pick-your-own/

As I mentioned in the article, this is the place we traveled to. It's not hard to imagine you're not even in Jersey, but you are!  They also have strawberries in season, and a big beehive to process their own honey. However, these are some of the best NJ peaches I've tasted! https://www.strawberryhillfarm.org/

Very popular Central Jersey U Pick Orchards. Made even more desirable by the fact they make and sell their own wine! What a day out! https://www.terhuneorchards.com/winery/