All Over Albany

Blueberry season 2012

Blueberry season at Capital Region farms is starting. July is usually prime time for blueberries in this area, but it appears the season is getting a little bit of an early start. One farm we talked with today said blues are about two weeks ahead of their normal schedule -- and "everything is coming in fast."

Here are a handful of places where you can pick your own (as well as other types of berries)...

Important: you should call ahead the day you're heading out to get the conditions.

Albany County

Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont Rd, Altamont, NY (map)
(866)640-7425
Monday-Friday 9 am-1 pm / weekends 9 am-4 pm

According to the Indian Ladder's PYO hotline, there are just a few blueberries now -- but "more on the way." Blueberries are $3.50/quart.

Also: Raspberries and black raspberries (both good right now) -- they're $4.25/pound.

Columbia County

Samascott Orchards
5 Sunset Ave, Kinderhook, NY (map)
(518) 758-7224
Everyday 8 am-6 pm

PYO blueberries just started this week (they look beautiful). They're $2/pound. (There's a $5 minimum for PYO.)

Also: Samascott also grows raspberries ($4/pound) and they're now available, too.

The Berry Farm
2309 Route 203, Chatham, NY (map)
(518) 392-4609
Every day 9 am-6 pm

Pick your own blueberries aren't quite ready, yet, but the person we talked with on the phone today (June 28) said they should be in a few weeks. Notable: The Berry Farm's blueberries are no spray.

Rensselaer County

Hay Berry Farm
1276 Babcock Lake Road, Hoosick Falls, NY (map)
(518) 285-9039
Wednesday-Sundy 8 am-6 pm

Blueberries aren't quite ready yet. The person we talked with on the phone today says they expect them in the next week or so (watch their website for updates). Notable: Hay Berry is no spray -- and only uses organic products on the crops.

Saratoga County

Bowman Orchards
141 Sugar Hill Rd, Rexford, NY (map)
(518) 371-2042
Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm / Sunday noon-5 pm

PYO blueberries just started this week and the crop looks "good." They're $4.29/pound.

Also: Bowman grows five different types of raspberries -- and some of them are now available for PYO. They also grow blackberries, but those won't be ready until later in the season.

Eagle's View Farm
2089 Route 29, Galway, NY (map)
(518) 882-9199
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 8-11 am

Blueberry picking just opened this week, according to the website -- they're $1.85/pound. Noted: cash only, no bathrooms, no pets.

Winney's Farm
113 Winney Dr Schuylerville, NY (map)
(518) 695-5547
Every day 8 am-6 pm

PYO blueberries opened last week -- they're about two weeks ahead of schedule. The very nice woman we talked with there today says they grow about 19 different varieties of blueberries. The varieties are supposed to have staggered harvest times -- but "everything's coming in fast." Blueberries are $2.25/pound.

Here are two accounts of picking at Winney's: Malta Mama and Adirondack Baker.

Washington County

Hand Melon Farm
533 Wilbur Avenue, Greenwich, NY -- between Schuylerville and Greenwich (map)
(518) 692-2376
Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am-5 pm

PYO blueberries start this Saturday (June 30). They're $2.25/pound. The crop is just starting to ripen, but the person we talked with on the phone today said the berries are coming in fast.

Stuberry Acres
1483 County Route 49, Argyle, NY (map)
(518) 638-8926
Every day 8 am-8 pm

Blueberries aren't in just yet, but the person we talked with on the phone today (June 28) expected them next week. They're $2/pound.

Also: Stuberry also has red raspberries, which are currently ready, and later in the season black raspberries.
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Know of a good place not on this list? Please share!

Strawberries: We're coming to the end of strawberry season, but farms probably still have a few -- here's a list of local pick your own farms.

Elsewhere: The website PickYourOwn.org can be a good resource for finding PYO farms. Always make sure to double check before heading out.