There are many pick-your-own local farm stands in Hunterdon County that are all ready to greet you with the best fall has to offer — pick-your-own apples, pumpkin picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, indian corn, gourds, fall vegetables and so much more! Take a look at the list and plan your visit today!

Box J Farm
523 Bellwood Park Road, Asbury (Bethlehem Twp.)
(908) 479-2268 or (908) 419-7149

Open: Weekends in May & June, June 25 – September 5, dawn – dusk

Roadside Market: All produce certified organic heirloom and hybrid varieties, eggplant, zucchini, bush beans, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, sweet basil, cilantro

Pick Your Own: Red raspberries, blueberries

Also Available: Free range and 100% organic brown and white eggs
Please call ahead for u-pick

_____________

Burjan’s Pumpkin Festival
524 Old York Rd
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-7654

Open: Weekends only starting the last weekend in September and through October. We are also open on Columbus day. We open at 10:00 AM and hayrides begin between 11:00 AM and 12 PM. The last hayride goes out around 5:30 pm.

Available: pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, face painting.

_____________

Chia-Sin Farms
215 Quakertown Rd., Quakertown
(908) 730-7123

Open: June – October, Daily, 8 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Vegetables

Pick Your Own: Chinese vegetables; tomatoes; peppers; hot peppers; squash; eggplant

_____________

Ercolano’s Nursery and Farm Market
1521 Rt 22 E
Annandale, NJ 08801
908 735 2575

Jersey Fresh Produce

Full line of highest quality nursery stock. Seasonal products: Spring Flowers, Annuals, Pumpkins, Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, etc.

Open: April – December, Daily 8am to 6pm

_____________

Grochowicz Farm Market
2401 Rt. 31 South, Glen Gardner
(908) 537-4332
www.grochowiczfarms.com

Open: April – December

Roadside Market: Tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, sweetcorn, pumpkins, gourds

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins

Also Available: Hand-dipped ice cream, baked goods, Indian corn, straw, fall decorations, fall haunted hay rides, school & group tours

_____________

Hillsboro Farm
219 Hillsborough Road
Hillsborough NJ
908-500-0803

Open: July-September, daily from 10-6; October, weekends only 10-6

Roadside Market: All produce is Jersey Fresh and will vary by season: sweet corn, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, zucchini, apples, pumpkins, squash, indian corn, gourds and more

Pick Your Own: pumpkins, squash and gourds via hayride to the picking field

_____________

Melick’s Orchards
472 Rt. 513, Califon
(908) 832-2905
www.melickstownfarm.com

Open: July – Oct., Daily, 9 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Apples, peaches, nectarines, melons, pears, plums, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, flowers

Pick Your Own: Apples, peaches, pumpkins

Also Available: Hay, honey, cider, cider donuts, jams/jellies, Indian corn, corn stalks, gourds, Halloween decorations, weekend hayrides mid-Sept. – Oct.

_____________

Melick’s Town Farm (at the Cider Mill)
19 King St., Oldwick
(908) 439-3888
www.melickstownfarm.com

Farm market: daily 9 am – 6 pm, April – December

PYO: September – mid-November, call or visit web site for harvest dates & hours

Roadside Market: Apples, blueberries, cherries, melons, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, winter squash, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, snap beans, yellow squash, tomatoes, zucchini

Pick Your Own: Strawberries, apples, pumpkins, flowers

Also Available: Cider, cider donuts, cider dogs, Indian corn, jams, jellies, Halloween decorations, hay, gourds, flowers, corn stalks, herbs, Christmas trees, wreaths, weekend hayrides mid-September – October; School tours available; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted

_____________

North Slope Farm
386 Rock Rd. East , Lambertville
(609) 466-8330

Open: May – October, Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Fresh vegetables

Pick Your Own: Flowers, cherry tomatoes

Also Available: Flowers

_____________

Peaceful Valley Orchards
150 Pittstown Rd.,
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Phone: (908)730-7748 or (908)713-1705
www.peacefulvalleyorchards.com

Open: April – December, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6:30pm, Sat. & Sun. 9 am – 5:30 pm

Roadside Market: Apples: all varieties, peaches, cherries, apricot, tomatoes (heirlooms included), peppers, zucchini, eggplant, winter squash, pumpkins, apple cider, baked goods.

Pick Your Own: Strawberries, apples, pumpkins, cut flowers

Also Available: Farm Camp (ages 7 – 10), Fall Craft Show, Fall Festival

_____________

Phillips Farms
290 Church Rd., Milford
(908) 995-0022
www.phillipsfarms.com

Open: June thru October, Daily

Roadside Market: Strawberries; asparagus; tomatoes; sweet corn; peaches; melons; apples; pumpkins

Pick Your Own: Red raspberries; strawberries; blueberries; apples; peaches; blackberries

_____________

Schaefer Farms
1051 County Road 523, Flemington
(908) 788-2982
www.schaeferfarms.com

Open: April 1 – November 1, Daily, 9 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, raspberries, thornless blackberries, zucchini, squash, Indian corn

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins, raspberries, thornless blackberries, flowers

Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, eggs, pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, haunted hayrides, honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours

_____________

Sun Meadow Farm
certified organic farm
615 Old York Road
Neshanic Station, NJ (Readington Twp. near Three Bridges)
908-782-2114
sunmeadowfarm@patmedia.net

OPEN: Sat. & Sun. Oct. 6&7 and 13&14 10am-5pm for pick-your-own organic pumpkins and decorative gourds, free hayrides and free pumpkin painting. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Also available at other times for groups by arrangement.

_____________

The Raspberry Field
452 County Road 579, Milford / Alexandria Twp.
(908) 479-6658

Open: Late June – July & September – October, Daily, sun-up to sun-down

Pick Your Own: Raspberries (red, black), black currants, gooseberries

_____________

Valley Brook Farm Market
Rt. 22 East, Lebanon
(908) 236-2959

Open: Daily Mar. – Dec., 8 AM – 7 PM

Roadside Market: Jersey Fresh Produce

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins

Also Available: Full line of Nursery Stock, Flowers, Unique Garden Decor, Fall Hay Rides (public, groups, schools), Christmas Decorations inc. The Freshest Christmas Trees, Live Christmas Nativity

_____________

Valley Crest Farm
14 Allerton Road, Lebanon
908-238-9696

Open: July – December, Sat. & Sun. 10am to 3pm

Roadside Market: Peaches; Apples; Berries

Pick Your Own: Peaches; Apples; Berries

Also Available: Christmas Trees; Wood Crafts; Preserves

_____________

West Portal Pumpkin Patch
274 Asbury West Portal Road
Asbury, NJ 08802
(908) 479-1487

Open: Opening day September 26, 2009 Saturday and Sunday 10am till 5pm Thursday and Friday from 2pm till 5pm, Open Columbus Day October 12, 2009 from 10am till 5pm.

Available: pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info).

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties run a free Garden Helpline service that runs from April through October. Residents can call with questions or bring in their samples of tree limbs, insects, flowers and all things horticultural.  The Helpline is staffed by Volunteer Master Gardeners and is open Monday thru Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m beginning March 30th.

Residents of Hunterdon County can make phone inquiries to 908-788-1339 or bring samples to the Helpline office at 4 Gauntt Place in Fleminton. For more information visit www.NJAES.Rutgers.edu

Stanton Learning Center Farmers Market (Stanton)
The Market runs every Thursday from 3:30-7:30 until September 24th, We are located at 1 Stanton Mountain Road, off of Rt. 629 in the parking lot of the Stanton Reformed Church.  We have 7 vendors supplying beef, chicken, seasonal produce (including organic), bread, cheese, excellent frozen pasta and crab cakes, bedding plants, mushrooms, all natural ice cream, pies, cakes, cookies and much more.  Our vendors include, Schaefer Farmes, Farview Farms, Millstone River Creamery, Highlands Gourmet, Green Gourmet, High Mountain Foods,and Beckage Farms. Stop by to support our local farmer’s and businesses.  Questions and interested vendors contact Andrea at 908-236-0917.  For diretions visit our website at www.stantonlearningcenter.com

Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market (Flemington – Dvoor Farm)
Farmers’ Market Open for the Season thru November 1st
Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm, buy local seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, meats, honey, flowers and more. Producers/Farmers interested in participating, please call Meg Metz: 908-625-8241 or call the Hunterdon Land Trust: 908-237-4582 or visit http://www.hlta.org/dvoor_market.php

Farmers’ Market (Flemington)
Sundays through the summer: Liberty Village Premium Outlets Market is held every Sunday, through November 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit the market for fresh vegetables, delicious fruits, herbs, fresh baked pies and cakes. 1 Church Street, Flemington, NJ. Call 908-782-8550.

Farmers’ Market (Washington)
Fridays through August: Shoppers will find vegetables, baked goods, homemade sausage, herbs and fresh picked flowers. Route 57, Washington, NJ. Call 908-689-4800 or visit www.washingtonbid.org.

High Bridge Open Air Market
June­ – October: The annual High Bridge Open Air Market takes place every Saturday morning from June through October between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It combines crafters, antique dealers and farmers in the outdoor setting of the Borough Commons on Main Street in picturesque High Bridge, NJ. Visit www.highbridge.org.

With the warm weather here, there is nothing better than hitting the yard sales, tag sales and some of the great Flea Markets we have in our area.  Here’s some ideas to get you started.  Leave a comment to let us know your favorite places to find those great bargains and treasures!

The kids will love visiting Bonnie the Bunny Lady’s Booth at Rice’s!

Rice’s Market
6326 Greenhill Road
New Hope, PA 18938
215-297-5993
www.ricesmarket.com

Open Year Round on Tuesdays
7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturdays (March-December)
7 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Tuesdays are the best days to go!

Golden Nugget Flea Market
1850 River Road / Route 29
Lambertville, NJ 08530 
609-397-0811
www.gnmarket.com

OPEN YEAR ROUND!
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
6:00AM to 4:00PM

Yes, the price of gas makes the idea of getting away for the summer a little more challenging, yet all the more deserved right?

Here are some helpful links to get you started in planning your vacation with the kids this summer!

• All About Travelling Internationally with Your Kids
• Family.com Travel
• Tiny Travelers

Right In Our Own Backyard!  Find The Best Jersey Shore Links Here to Start Planning Your Vacation!

• A New Jersey guide for the Jersey Shore & Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
• Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center
• Jenkinson’s Beach, Boardwalk & Aquarium
  in Pt. Pleasant, NJ – Recommended by a Hunterdon Moms Online Visitor!

Check out these additional sites of interest to you when planning trips in NJ this summer.

• NJ Field Trips Online
• Camping & RV’ing in NJ
• NJ Travel & Tourism

Close Encounter with Bears? Don’t panic: Remember, they are not grizzlies. Our local bears have an 80% Veggies, 10% insect, 10% easy meat (usually dead) diet.

If you don’t mind them being in your yard then enjoy!

If you do mind them being in your yard then treat them like a bad dog in your yard: yell at them and act silly scaring them away. Go ahead, have fun with this at least you will have an excuse. Use pots and pans, garbage can lids, air horns, your kid’s trumpet, and don’t forget that shiny, noisy rain slicker. Let your imagination run wild.

Stop feeding birds during the summer. Most bird experts advise this anyway. If you can’t (won’t) stop feeding the birds then bring your bird feeders inside at night. This works! You can also suspend your feeders from a wire at least 8′ off the ground.

Bring inside any other food sources.

Put your garbage out the day of pick-up instead of the night before.

How Dangerous are Black Bears?

Black bears can injure or kill people, but they rarely do. When pressed, they usually retreat, even with cubs. Attacking to defend cubs is more a grizzly bear trait. (Grizzlies live only in Alaska, northern and western Canada, and the Rocky Mountains south to Yellowstone.) Black bear mothers often leave their cubs and flee from people, and those that remain are more likely to bluff-charge than attack. Still, it is prudent to use extra caution with groups that allow close approaches because mothers are generally more nervous than other bears. Nevertheless, chances of being attacked by any black bear are small.

Unprovoked, predatory attacks by black bears are rare but highly publicized. There have been only 23 deaths by non captive black bears across North America this century. Most occurred in remote areas where the bears had little or no previous contact with people, rather than in and around established campsites or rural areas.

By comparison, a person is about 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee than by a black bear and 160,060 times more likely to die in a traffic accident. Each year there are many thousands of encounters between black bears and people, often unknown to the people because the bears slip away so quietly.

Dozens of minor injuries, some requiring stitches, have occurred across North America when people petted or crowded black bears they were feeding or photographing. Under those circumstances, black bears may react to people as they do to bears with bad manners, by nipping or cuffing with little or no warning. Also, people who tease bears with food have been accidentally injured when the bear quickly tried to take it. Fortunately, black bears usually use at least as much restraint with people as they do with each other. Unlike domestic dogs, which often are territorial and aggressive toward strangers, black bears typically behave as the subordinate toward people when escape is possible.

Black bears that want our food sometimes use threats or bluffs to get it, as has been reported by campers, picnickers, and backpackers. The most common behavior of this sort is blowing, which may be accompanied by clacking teeth, lunging, laid back ears, slapping the ground or trees, and/or a short rush. The same behavior is used to scare other bears from feeding areas. The sounds and actions are all done explosively, with effective results. However, it is rare for a black bear to attack a person during or after such a demonstration. A less common sound is the resonant “voice” of a bear. This is used to express intense emotions (fear, pain, and pleasure), including strong threats. Black bears with ready escape routes seldom use this threat toward people. For more information on what to do if you see a bear or some other wild animal in your backyard, visit the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Web Site. They are in Clinton, NJ.

All information reprinted with permission from the County Website and The Woodlands Wildlife Refuge.

What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus which can cause West Nile encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Although this virus is commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East, it is believed that the virus appeared in the eastern United States sometime in the summer of 1999. It is closely related to the St. Louis encephalitis virus commonly found in the southeastern and mid-western U.S., and only rarely in the northeast.

Over the last several years, public health and mosquito control professionals have heightened surveillance efforts to determine the most effective methods of mosquito control.

For more information, link to the County Website Page on West Nile Virus.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is an infection caused by a spirochete [spy'-ro-keet], which is a type of bacteria. The disease is carried primarily by “Black-Legged Ticks” (also commonly known as “deer ticks”), and can be transmitted to both animals and humans through tick bites. In New Jersey, this tick is primarily responsible for the spread of Lyme disease.

Hunterdon County continues to have one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the country, most likely due to its heavily-wooded environment and high deer population.

Because of these facts, it is important that county residents be particularly aware of the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, and that we learn to follow a few simple precautions to help protect ourselves and our families.

• To get a printable tick identification card, click here [pdf file - Adobe Acrobat Reader Required]
• For more information and to get a Lyme Prevention fact sheet for parents, link to the County Website Page on Lyme Disease
• Also on the web visit, The Lyme Disease Network