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JERSEY FRESH
Tips for pick-your-own farms and harvest dates
Harvest dates may vary depending upon weather conditions. | Fruits & Berries | Harvest most active | Late | | | Strawberries | June 1 - June 10 | June 25 | | | Cherries | June 10 - 25 | June 25 | | | Blueberries | July 5 - Aug. 10 | Aug. 15 | | | Red raspberries | July 5 - 21 | Aug. 1 | | | Blackberries | July 15 - 30 | Aug. 10 | | | Peaches, nectarines | July 20 - Sept. 1 | Sept. 15 | | | Pears | Aug. 10 - 31 | Sept. 10 | | | Apples | Sept. 1 - Oct. 25 | Oct. 31 | |
| Vegetables | Harvest most active | Late | | | Asparagus | May 1 - 30 | June 25 | | | Peas | June 15 -25 | July 5 | | | Squash | June 25 - Sept. 1 | Sept. 30 | | | Cucumbers | July 5 - Aug. 15 | Sept. 15 | | | Corn | July 5 - Aug. 31 | Sept. 25 | | | Tomatoes | July 10 - Sept. 15 | Oct. 15* | | | Peppers | July 15 - Oct. 31 | Nov. 5 | | | Pumpkins | Oct. 1 - 15 | Oct. 31 | | | * or killing frost | | | | | Source: N.J. Department of Agriculture | |
Tips for visiting a pick-your-own farm
- Respect the property. You
are a visitor to the farm; it is
both the family's home and
business.
- Read and obey all signs.
- Follow directions about
where and what to pick.
- Supervise children at all
times.
- Wear shoes and proper
clothing.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat.
- Leave pets at home.
- Throw away trash in the
proper trash receptacles.
- Keep head, arms, hands
and legs inside when riding
in farm wagons. Remain
seated until the wagon
stops.
Testing your soil
A standard test measures boron, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and zinc in the soil. The pH of the soil acidity is also measured.
The lab makes recommendations for lime and fertilizer based on soil nutrient levels and pH.
Soil test mailer kits are available from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County for a fee of $16 if the kit is picked up at the office or $16.75 if it is sent to you.
The kit includes a soil sample bag, a mailing envelope, a data sheet, and instructions. The report and recommendations will be mailed directly to you within two to three weeks.
Tick and insect samples should be dropped off to the office.
Other tests that can be run at an additional fee are plant identification, plant disease and insect problems, insect identification and mold identification.
Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension
of Monmouth County is located at 4000 Kozloski Road,
Box 5033, Freehold, NJ 07728.
www.visitmonmouth.com/07050coopext
or www.rcre.rutgers.edu
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