Above: Summer fruit tastes even sweeter when you pick it yourself.
(images cropped from Facebook clockwise from Tougas Farms, Lookout Farm, Nourse Farm and Hanson’s Farm)
If you like fresh blueberries, and enjoy doing the picking yourself, it’s time to look at the local options. And if that fruit’s not your jam, maybe another upcoming crop is.
There aren’t any pick-your-own fruit options available in Southborough. Fortunately, there are four-five farms just a stone’s throw away that offer u-pick fun over the summer.
For all of the following u-pick programs, you should check with the farm that day (or day prior) to ensure conditions are ripe and fruit is plentiful.
My family traditionally enjoyed fruit picking at Tougas Family Farm in Northborough. Of all the area orchards, they offer the most choices of fruits, and therefore the most consistent picking.
Their blueberry and blackberry seasons are already in full swing. Other crops will start ripening in the following overlapping order: peaches and nectarines, countless varieties of apples, and pumpkins. To check out what’s picking any given day, click here. You can also follow them on Facebook.
They also have a farm store and kitchen selling lunch, cider donuts, baked goods, jams, ice cream, etc. Adding to the entertainment (especially for little kids) are tractor rides to/from the fields/orchards, a great playground, and goats to feed.
Nourse Farms in Westborough also currently has blueberries and blackberries for picking. Plus, they offer PYO raspberries and red currants.
Coming up this summer are Cut-Your-Own flower bouquets. They’ll be selling peaches (but not PYO) later in the summer, followed by fall pumpkins.
The farm allows PYO customers to bring their own containers.
Click here for the latest picking report. You can also check out some gorgeous, inviting views of the farm (and cattle herd) on Facebook.
You can also enjoy an educational walking trail on the farm (covering the farm’s history) and on Fridays – Sundays order from their vegan food trailer.
Over in Berlin, Cordelia’s Farm is offering PYO blueberries and raspberries, with flowers starting later this month. They also have corn and vegetable crops (that aren’t u-pick but are farm fresh) for sale over the summer. Plus, they sell vegetable plants for your own gardens.
Hanson’s Farm on Nixon Road in Framingham is another option. They are currently between PYO seasons, but blueberries may be ready for picking as soon as tomorrow. They’ll also offer blackberries and flowers later this summer, followed by fall pumpkins. They ask visitors to call first, but you can also check their Facebook page for an update.
The farm also has a Sunflower Maze starting in August, followed by a Corn Maze and Hayrides in the fall. They also have barnyard animals, cider donuts, and a farm stand (including fruit from other local farms).
Lookout Farm in Framingham has changed over the years. They don’t offer summer berries, and don’t keep a PYO page on their website. But last year, they did promote a U-Pick program on social media in late July/August with peaches followed by late summer/early fall nectarines, apples, pears, and eventually pumpkins. No promos have been posted for that so far this year. To check if they do it again later this summer, follow them on Facebook or instagram for updates.
The farm also has a restaurant, its own hard cider, and lots of musical events.
If you have other favorites or suggestions, post a comment below.
If you’re looking for other fun things to do in Southborough and nearby with kids this summer, click here.
