New Jersey is known for its bountiful farmland, and the pick-your-own farms dotting the state offer opportunities for many hours of family fun. These New Jersey farms are overflowing with acres of beautiful flowers, including camera-ready zinnia and lavender fields.
Sunflower fields in New Jersey offer a particular treat for fans of the long-stemmed plants during their long growing season, which typically lasts from mid-July through October. In the fall, some farms even host sunflower mazes, sunflower trails, and sunflower festivals. Read on for everything you need to know about spending a day of flower picking in New Jersey and bringing home a fragrant assortment of blooms.
If your family also gets excited about picking your own produce, check out our Pick Your Own Guide to Farms in New Jersey, which includes our stories on picking strawberries in late spring, peaches in the summertime, and apples in the fall.
NJ Pick-Your-Own Flower Farms, At-a-Glance
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Many farms require a refundable deposit for the use of flower cutters; save some time and bring your own, along with a large vase!
The fields are bursting with color at Holland Ridge Farms.
Which NJ Farms Are Best for Pick-Your-Own Flowers?
There are numerous farms to choose from throughout the state, with a wide variety of blooms available for the picking.
What you can pick: Tulips, sunflowersPicking season: April through May (tulips); September through October (sunflowers)This flower farm has 300+ acres, making for a picture-perfect picking adventure. Its pick-your-own tulip event, which usually runs for a few weeks starting in mid-April, stands out among flower farms in New Jersey for its focus on tulips. Rows upon rows of tulips bloom during the event, and individual stems can be cut and assembled into heaping bouquets. If you miss this magic season, take note: Sunflower picking happens in the fall, too. Winter time brings flowers of a different variety—it hosts an after-dark Winter Wonderland illuminated walk-through during the Christmas season.
What you can pick: Tulips and mixed bouquetsPicking season: April (tulips); late-June through October (mixed stems)You might know Terhune for its pick-your-own produce, but it also has an abundant field of flowers to choose from. Tulips bloom in the spring, while the rest of the blossoms come to life in summer and fall. Celebrate the season with a new-in-2026 Flower Festival on Saturday, July 18. Enjoy tons of activities in addition to bouquet building.
What you can pick: Gladiolus, sunflowers, and assorted other bloomsPicking season: Midsummer into fallPut together a fantastic summer bouquet at Melick's, thanks to its colorful variety of flowers, including sunflowers for $1.50/stem. Most other stems go for about 75 cents. Open seven days a week, no reservations are required, but bring your own clippers and a bucket of water.
What you can pick: Mixed bouquetsPicking season: June through late October (or first frost)This family-owned organic farm has been around for more than two decades. The eight-acre farm offers tons of freshly picked produce and pick-your-own flowers in the summer months, such as cosmos and dahlias. Prices depend on the bouquet.
Bask in glorious fields of sunflowers at Happy Day Farm.
What you can pick: Lavender, sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmosPicking season: June and July (lavender); July through October (sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos)Bring the whole tribe to Manalapan’s Happy Day Farm to pick a big bunch of stems. Flower picking at Happy Day goes far beyond the bouquets. Its fields are decorated with tons of props for photo-ops. Bring cash to pay your admission fee and pay for your stems! After enjoying the fields, cool down with a shaved ice or fresh lemonade.
What you can pick: LavenderPicking season: Mid-June through mid-JulyMake time to stop and smell the lavender at this farm. If you prefer to avoid the bugs and the bees, a picked-for-you option is available.
What you can pick: Tulips, zinnias, and sunflowersPicking season: April (tulips); September and October (zinnias and sunflowers)If tulips are what you're after, head to the tulip festival in April, then come back in the fall (September and October roughly) for a festival reprise, this time an ode to the bright sunflower. Admission is charged, but plenty of activities await for all ages.
What you can pick: Lavender, zinnias, wildflowers, cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowersPicking season: June and July (lavender); August-September (other varieties)The main draw at Stony Hill Farms might be its sunflowers, but that's far from the only plant to pick. Visit during its annual summer Sunflower Festival and enjoy live music, food, and wagon rides. One field is reserved for walking through the stalks, while the other is open for picking. The farm also offers pick-your-own wildflowers and lavender.
You can pick the sunflowers and so much more at the family-friendly Alstede Farms in Chester.
What Are the Best Pick-Your-Own Sunflower Fields in New Jersey
The Garden State truly shines when it comes to sunflower fields. Put these fields on your list for the next time you and your family decide to gather a beautiful bouquet.
Picking season: Mid-July through mid-SeptemberAlstede Farms is a family-friendly farm with various seasonal attractions starting in late spring. It has an annual sunflower maze, with entry included in pick-your-own admission. You can also pick berries, peaches, and other produce or enjoy the barnyard animals. Let the farm’s handy "what can I pick today" page be your guide. In addition to sunflowers, you'll find zinnias and more beautiful blossoms ready to pick.
Picking season: August and SeptemberThis South Jersey farm—and sister farm to Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in Jobstown—has a stunning sunflower field that's open to the public starting around August 1. In September, an evening sunflower stroll involves a wagon ride and the opportunity to pick flowers at the end. Zinnias and tulips are also available depending on the season. Other activities Johnson’s offers include fruit picking, an animal barnyard, homemade ice cream, and more.
Picking season: July through SeptemberWalk the New Jersey Sunflower Trail at Von Thun Farms' six-acre field for a chilled-out summer vibe. The Warren County farm has one of the largest sunflower fields in New Jersey, and online reservations are available. The farm also offers summer berry picking, plus pick-your-own summer bouquets with zinnias, marigolds, and more bright blooms.
Picking season: July through SeptemberPick-your-own flowers or hit the sunflower fields in New Jersey’s beloved Long Valley farm every summer. Daily picking options for sunflowers range from $1-$2 a stem. Weekends bring a host of other family-friendly activities, including pony rides, train rides, apple cannons, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Pick-your-own tulips are available in springtime, and wildflowers add to the fun in summer.
Picking season: June through OctoberJohnson’s Locust Hall Farm invites you to visit starting in June to pick your own sunflowers. Choose from more than 20 different varieties of sunflowers. You'll need hayride tickets to access the fields. Beyond the blooms, enjoy photo-ops, farm animals, and an enchanting market.
Picking season: OctoberIn the fall, Snyder's invites guests to its Fall Festival with tons of activities—including sunflower picking. The farm suggests saving the sunflower fields for the end of your visit to ensure you've got the freshest blooms to bring home!
Stop by the flower field at Silverton Farms in Toms River.
FAQs for New Jersey's Pick-Your-Own Flower Farms
When is the best time for flower picking in New Jersey? In short, the best season for flower picking in New Jersey depends on what you want to pick. Tulips peak in April and early May. Sunflower season runs through the fall, and many farms offer enough variety of blooms that you can pick a mixed bouquet during the prime summer months.
Do I need a reservation to pick flowers at these NJ farms?Some farms require reservations or tickets to season-specific festivals. It's best to click through to the farm you're hoping to visit to confirm details and reservation requirements before you head out.
What should I bring to a flower-picking farm? Dress for a day in the great outdoors. We recommend basics like sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and refillable water bottles. For ease, it's also a good idea to bring your own flower clippers and a big vase or bucket to bring your blossoms home.
Are these New Jersey flower farms stroller-friendly?For the most part, it's best to leave the stroller at home. These are all working farms, and uneven ground makes it hard to navigate with a stroller. You're better off wearing your baby or toddler. If you must bring a stroller, check with the farm in advance to see if they're allowed.
Can I bring my dog to these flower-picking farms?As most of these farms are working farms with their own animals, it's best to leave your best friend at home.
A version of this article was first published in 2015 and has since been revised.
Photos courtesy of the farms and orchards.
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