Washington County, NY is home to some of the best pick your own farms in Upstate New York. Trust us; if you’ve never spent a June morning in a strawberry field or a September afternoon wandering an apple orchard here, you’re in for a treat. The morning air, the rows of berry bushes heavy with fruit, the satisfaction of coming home with a basket you filled yourself…it’s one of those simple pleasures that never gets old.

From June strawberries and July blueberries to fall apple orchards, pick-your-own potato fields, and even a vineyard where you can harvest your own grapes for wine or jelly, there’s something to pick here in almost every season.

Whether you’re planning a day trip from Saratoga Springs or Albany, or building a longer getaway, this is your complete guide. Let’s dig in!

Washington County sits in the Upper Hudson Valley, tucked between Lake George to the west and the Vermont border to the east. It’s a short, scenic drive from Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls. But once you’re here, you’ll feel a world away.

Agriculture has shaped this land for hundreds of years. Our county is home to hundreds of working farms, from small family operations to sprawling multi-generation orchards. That depth and variety is what sets Washington County apart from other agritourism destinations in Upstate NY: you’ll find u-pick orchards, berry farms, flower fields, vegetable patches, potato fields, and a pick-your-own vineyard, all within one county’s borders.

Best of all, a pick your own visit in Washington County rarely stops at just picking! Many farms pair well with nearby farm stands, cafés, tasting rooms and artisan markets. Come for the berries; stay for everything else.

Peak season: early to late June

The pick your own produce season in Washington County kicks off in June with strawberries, and it’s a glorious way to start the summer. There’s really nothing quite like biting into a sweet, sun-warmed strawberry picked fresh from the vine.

Hand Melon Farm in Greenwich is one of the best places to start. This 400+ acre working farm opens its u-pick fields for strawberries in early June, and they also invite visitors to pick their own vegetables when in season. Plus, you can browse their two farm stands (one in Greenwich and one in Eagle Bridge) to pick up other wholesale fruits and vegetables to bring home!

Strawberry Acres in Buskirk is another local favorite, being a farm that takes real pride in producing the finest berries around. It’s a classic experience: come with a bucket and leave with more than you planned! After the strawberry season ends in early July, this farm reopens in September as a pumpkin patch!

Peak season: July through early September; cherries in late June, blueberries from July to August, and raspberries and blackberries July to September.

Strawberry season flows right into a full summer of berry picking. Whatever your tastebuds are calling for, Washington County has you covered with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries throughout the season.

For years, Taste + See Refuge at Gardenworks Farm in Salem has been a beloved destination for pick your own blueberries and raspberries on their scenic 300-acre property. But berries are just one part of a much larger u-pick operation; flowers, tea, and vegetables round out the season from July through October. See the full Gardenworks entry below.

Stu-Berry Acres in Argyle is another summer standout, offering black and red raspberries, blueberries and peaches all in one place. Perfect for those who like variety. Also, be sure to check their Facebook ahead of time to see what’s growing!

Hicks Orchard in Granville rounds out berry season beautifully, with cherries and berries available before apple season arrives. As the oldest pick your own orchard in New York State, Hicks has been welcoming visitors for generations. After picking, grab some fresh-made donuts and sample a hard cider from on-site Slyboro Ciderhouse, made with fruit grown right on the farm.

Peak season: flowers start as early as May at some farms, with lavender July to August and sunflowers late July through August

Of course, Washington County’s pick your own scene extends well beyond the edible. The pick your own  flower season starts earlier than most people expect. Local flower fields open as early as May, with sweet peas, larkspur, lupine, and bachelor buttons among the first blooms of the year. By midsummer the fields crescendo into zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, and more.

Pick Your Own Sunflowers

Herrington’s sunflower fields are a true late-summer spectacle. Few things make for better photos (or a better afternoon). Pick a bouquet and take in the kind of wide-open beauty, rolling hills and blue skies that define Washington County in winter. Don’t delay your visit, because the sunflower season lasts only a few short weeks each August.

Pick Your Own Lavender and Peonies

Between Whitehall and Granville you’ll find the picturesque Lavenlair Farm. Around late May and early June, the farm opens for peony picking, a stunning summer opener that makes Lavenlair a worthy destination well before lavender season arrives. Then come July, nearly 5,000 lavender plants hit full bloom across the fields, ready for you to cut your own fragrant bunches and wander the farm’s meditative lavender labyrinth at your own pace. Then, stop into the well-stocked on-site farm stand, which is reason enough to visit even on a non-picking day!

In addition to their farm stand and other forms of PYO produce mentioned before, Hand Melon Farm also offers u-pick peonies around early June.

These flower-picking farms are increasingly popular with visitors looking for something a little different. Whether you’re looking for fantastic places for photos, gifts, or simply slowing down for an afternoon, Washington County offers a variety of choices.

Pick Your Own Seasonal Flowers, Tea & More

For sheer variety, nothing in the county compares to what Taste + See Refuge at Gardenworks Farm has grown in its garden.

Over the past three years, the farm has expanded its u-pick flower offerings to more than 50 varieties, with the season running July through October. Within, ten varieties of specialty zinnias, hundreds of dahlias, and a full herbal flower section are all available for cutting, as well as dried and herbal specimens for purchase. It’s a serious flower farm, and their stunning, deliciously-scented fields show it.

Want a special, romantic experience amongst the flowers? Sign up for the monthly Date Night: Golden House in the Flower Fields event at Gardenworks! Space is very limited, so book ahead.

Peak season: September through October

When summer fades and the leaves begin to turn, Washington County apple picking steps into the spotlight. Our orchards offer an impressive range of apple varieties, from old-fashioned standbys to heirloom favorites, and many are open well into October.

Fairview Orchard in Whitehall offers classic apple-picking experiences with scenic views of the county’s northern landscape. Stop into their farm stand afterward to warm up with some delicious cider donuts.

And of course, Hicks Orchard in Granville deserves another mention here; the berries section covered its summer offerings, but the apple selection in fall is equally impressive. The combination of fall foliage, fresh donuts, fun gifts and Slyboro hard cider makes it one of the most complete pick your own experiences in the county, any time of year.

Ready to make a day (or a weekend) of it? The official Apple & Berry Trail on washingtoncounty.fun is your best starting point; it lists every pick your own farm and orchard across the county in one place, with locations, contact details, and current availability.

Check the Apple & Berry Trail listings before you head out, as picking seasons can shift with the weather.

Open May through October, with flowers starting in May, berries mid-July through September, vegetables and herbs throughout 

One of the most distinctive pick your own experiences in Washington County (and arguably in all of Upstate New York) is Taste + See Refuge at Gardenworks Farm in Salem. The flower fields and berry patches mentioned above are reason enough to visit, but the farm operates on a larger idea: that freshly harvested food is its own form of healthcare.

Tea & Vegetables

Throughout the summer and fall season, eight varieties of tea are available for harvest, including lemon balm, chamomile and echinacea. Visitors can also pick their own fresh vegetables from the garden, from cherry tomatoes to sweet potatoes.

Every row in the “Pick Your Own Healthcare” field is chosen for flavor, nutrition, and seasonal vitality. So you’re not just picking produce; you’re picking with intention.

Experiences on the Farm

In addition, Gardenworks runs a full calendar of events that deepens the visit well beyond u-pick. Date Nights in the Flower Fields put guests inside the blooms at golden hour. The Guided Bouquet and Flower Field Tour teaches stem-by-stem selection from the ground up. The Grow Well Farm Health Tour walks visitors through the vegetable fields with a focus on plant nutrition and recipes. And the free monthly Plant-Powered Community Potluck, held the last Saturday of each month, opens the farm to everyone.

Stay on the Farm

Want to get the full Gardenworks experience? Two accommodations are available to extend your stay: the off-grid Respite Cabin available May through October, and a year-round Beam & Bloom Suite. Both are designed for guests who want to wake up inside the farm experience. Visit tasteandseerefuge.com to check availability and book.

Watch our video on the healthy living destination that is Gardenworks Farm >

Read the Edible Capital District article about Gardenworks >

Peak season: select weekends in September and October

Here’s something you won’t find on most pick your own guides: Washington County is potato country. Seriously. The county has a deep agricultural history rooted in potato farming, and it shows in the landscape. At one farm in particular, you can get your hands right in the dirt.

Goose Island Potatoes in Argyle is a 500-acre potato and dairy farm that has been in the McKernon family for generations. They grow round white varieties (Eva, Reba, and Superior) as well as fingerling potatoes (Austrian Crescent Red and White). Every fall, they open their fields for a weekend U-Pick potato event. While it typically runs across a handful of weekends in September and October, it’s well worth it. After all, while you can find potatoes year-round at local supermarkets, digging them yourself is a different experience entirely.

Where else in Upstate New York can you harvest your own potatoes from a working field? It’s earthy, hands-on fun that kids especially love, and it makes for a genuinely great story to bring home alongside your bushel. Follow Goose Island Potatoes on Facebook for seasonal dates as they’re announced each year.

Peak season: September through early October

Fall in Washington County doesn’t stop at apples and potatoes. Ives Hollow Vineyard is a family-owned, pick your own vineyard offering a variety of cold-hardy grapes, which are perfect for making your own jellies, juice, or wine at home.

Located in Valley Falls, Ives Hollow typically opens for U-Pick across several weekends in September and into early October, with varieties including St. Croix, Brianna, Petite Pearl, and Frontenac Gris. In 2025 they also added pick your own cut flowers to the mix, which are a lovely pairing for a fall afternoon in the vineyard. On occasion, weekend events also feature horse-drawn wagon rides, an activity beloved by those of all ages.

Whether you’re an aspiring home winemaker, a jam enthusiast, or just looking for a beautiful and unusual fall outing, strolling the vine rows at Ives Hollow is one of the more memorable pick your own experiences in the county.

Looking for more of a wine-tasting experience? Explore the Washington County vineyards featured on the Upper Hudson Wine Trail, including Victory View Vineyard, South Dominion Vineyard, Northern Cross Vineyard and Autumn’s Harvest Vineyard!

Washington County’s pick your own farms are wonderful for a day trip from Saratoga or Albany. But they’re even better when you slow down and stay awhile.

The county is home to a growing collection of farm stays that pair overnight lodging with authentic farm experiences. So you’ll be perfectly positioned for a true Washington County experience. This means waking up to roosters crowing, collecting fresh eggs before breakfast, and heading out to the berry patch before the day-trippers arrive.

Here, you’ll find farm stays ranging from classic B&B-style rooms in historic farmhouses to glamping yurts with lakeside views, giving options for every type of traveler.

Pairing a farm stay with pick your own visits makes for one of the most memorable weekend trips in the entire Upper Hudson Valley. And honestly? It’s hard to go back to a regular hotel after that.

Seasons vary year to year depending on weather. Always check with individual farms before visiting.

Just 45 minutes north of Albany and 30 minutes east of Saratoga Springs, Washington County is the Capital Region’s premiere agritourism destination. Plus, with our location a short distance from Lake George, ours is an easy addition to any Adirondack itinerary.

Explore the full Apple & Berry Trail, browse our agritourism guide, and check out all the ways to See, Taste & Explore while you’re here.

Washington County is ready for you. All you need to bring is an empty bucket and a healthy appetite.