Summer is just about the only time of year when you can get out and pick berries. And there’s really not much else like it -- a perfect summer activity. In this day and age where we get so infrequently the chance to go out and collect food ourselves, it’s fun to return to our “hunter and gatherer” roots.
Selecting the ripe and delicious fruit and veg, while tasting and nibbling as you go, is a great activity to do with the kids or can simply be a means of ensuring you get only the best blueberries for your homemade pie!
Whatever your motives or intentions, a trip to an orchard or farm ensures that you’re getting good, fresh and locally grown produce. Moreover, these places are renowned for their good value and fair pricing. Some are even run on an honor basis; just adding to the good-natured and honest feel of the activity.
So if you’re sitting there wondering where your nearest patches or farms are: fear not! There are plenty nearby and we’ve found the best.
Our Hamptons favorite has to be Patty’s Berries and Bunches. They have all sorts of berries, cherries, flowers, peaches, and various other fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, they offer both a wide array of pre-picked produce as well as many patches and orchards to go fetch the fruit yourself. They’re open from 9am to 6pm seven days a week rain or shine and you can confer with their website’s Berry Chart to check what’s ripe and ready for the picking. So make sure you and the family get a chance to pick up some fresh fruit from this sweet spot located on 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck, NY 11951. Call (631) 655-7996 or (631) 298-4679 or email pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com with any questions you may have! Also, they accept all forms of payment, so you don’t have to worry about getting cash out.
Davis Peach Farm is just too delicious to pass up! You have the option to pick your own peaches, plums and apples or choose from their wide pre-picked selection. Moreover, consider heading over on a Sunday afternoon as they feature live banjo music. The orchards are located on Hulse Landing Road, Wading River. Call (631) 929-1115 for directions and availability or email dtdfarms@aol.com.
Doug Cooper’s Farm is simply a must this summer, being one of the rare places that allows you to pick your own vegetables. They offer a wide range from tomatoes, peppers and eggplants to melons, cucumbers, beans, and okra. This system means you’ll get fresh and healthy food as well as ensuring high quality and good value. So head on over to Breakwater Road, Mattituck, NY 11952 and feel free to call (631) 298-5195 with any questions.
Milk Pail is home to both apple orchards and pumpkin patches, making it a great spot to pick your produce! However, even though these u-pick sections don’t open until after Labor Day, there’s still plenty of pre-picked produce for sale that make this farm worth a visit this summer. What’s more, they’re also known for their delicious pies, donuts and cider! So plan a trip over to 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill, NY 11976. They’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 10am to 5:30pm and you can reach them on (631) 537-2565.
