Where To Pick Your Own Fresh Flowers Right Off The Farm
Create your own bouquet at these flower farms across the Rural Intelligence region.
Not all of us can or want to grow our own flowers. Fortunately, these farms let you tiptoe through their pick-your-own flower fields and create a bouquet. Of course, the growing season depends on temperatures and moisture, so be sure to check each farm’s social media for updates before heading out.
Second Drop Farm
Lanesborough, MA
“It's about the memories made, the laughter shared, and the connections forged amidst the rows of vibrant berries and fragrant blooms,” say Second Drop Farm’s owners, Samantha and Patrick Elliott. Their English lavender is the first flower to bloom in June (small bundle, $15; 2-inch bundle, $15). At the beginning of July, the zinnias, dahlias and strawflowers make their appearance ($1 per flower) and keep popping up until the first frost. Mid to late-July, the farm offers sunflowers in a variety of center and leaf colors, $2 per stem. They’ll bloom until early fall. Buckets, scissors—and instruction—are provided.
Brittany Hollow Farm Flowers
Rhinebeck, NY
Beginning the last week in June or the early July, Brittany Hollow Farm opens up for the annual picking of, well, annuals. Among the flowers they grow are zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers, and marigolds, plus greenery to enhance your bouquet. Upon arrival, you’ll be given a one-gallon bucket which you can fill up for $25. Bring the bucket back another day and it’s $20 to refill it. Note: This farm accepts cash and checks only, no Venmo.
Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils (and Sunflowers)
Pleasant Valley, NY
Imagine a 75-acre field of sunflowers. Better yet, go visit it. Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils came to growing sunflowers as a pick-your-own venture after harvesting them to create cold-pressed sunflower oil. The company, run by several generations of the Haight family, has grown and now produces not just oil but also flour, muffin and pancake mixes, sugar scrubs and other products made from sunflower oil. So many people would pass by the fields and stop to admire them that the family decided to make their sunflowers available to the public. The flowers are ready for picking between the last week of July and Labor Day Ten flowers or fewer, $3 per flower. More than 10, $30 for the bunch. They’ll provide the buckets; you bring your own clippers. (Interested in their other products? Check out the tent on site.)
Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm
Hillsdale, NY
The first time we visited Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm four years ago, the initial crop of lavender was just coming up. The farm has expanded and now includes zinnias, sunflowers, Amaranthus celosia, dahlias, marigolds, peonies, snapdragons, and even more varieties. The lavender season kicks off around the third week of June and runs through early August, while the other flowers are available for your picking pleasure most of the summer until early October. The lavender is $8 for a bunch or two bunches for $15. The other flowers are $10 per bucket.
