If your summer plans include Jersey Fresh blueberries you need to stay alert. The season is expected to be fast and short, and the last thing you want to do is miss out on one of the Jersey Shore’s most beloved, natural treats because you weren’t paying attention.
Unlike previous years, when the blueberry season would sometimes stretch from early June into the first days of August, this year is different. That’s because in early 2026 Mother Nature sent a fluke April weather anomaly our way whose impact continues to be felt.
Experts say this year’s prime blueberry picking activity will start later and end sooner than normal because an unusual early April “whiplash” warm-up, followed by a two-day deep freeze, damaged a significant portion of New Jersey’s blueberry and other fruit crops.
The critical weather sequence took place between April 19 and April 22. Temperatures first climbed above 90 degrees, prompting early blooming, then plummeted into the 20s, destroying blossoms and young fruit, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
“Those two nights are the ones that really hammered us,” said Denny Doyle, chairman of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Council. “They are the ones that got us.”
Rutgers University Agricultural Agent Gary Pavlis, who for decades has been South Jersey’s guru when it comes to teaching farmers how to optimize their crops, said the result was significant. Some farmers lost up to 50% of their crop.
“I’ve been in a lot of fields and there are berries out there,” Pavlis said. “Some fields are hurt maybe 20% and there are fields with 50% loss. So there’s going to be berries, but there’s just not going to be as many.
“If it’s been a tradition in the family to go out and pick, I would jump on it,” said Pavlis.
That means consumers — whether buying them up at ShopRite, stopping by a roadside stand, or picking them themselves at a pick-your-own farm — need to be prepared for something less than what they’re used to, Doyle said. And depending upon whom you speak to, higher prices are a possibility.
He estimated that this year’s picking season will begin four to six days later than normal. Usually commercial picking gets started by June 10; this year it’s going to be more like June 15-18 for the earlier varieties, he said.
“Normally you see it go into the mid or latter part of July; I don’t predict that this year,” Doyle said.
Doyle said farmers will do their best to keep supplies up by diverting fewer berries to the frozen fruit side of the business which normally count for a significant percentage of the total harvest.
The loss has put local farmers to the test, many of whom were not insured for loss according to one local farmer.
“Most farmers didn’t have crop insurance because the crop insurance premiums are very expensive and claims are very difficult to successfully process,” said Anthony DiMeo, III, a fourth-generation blueberry farmer at DiMeo Farms and Blueberry Plants Nursery in Hammonton. The operation is also a popular pick-your-own spot.
Meanwhile, the state government has stepped forward to offer help. Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order May 20 declaring a state of emergency seeking up to $300 million in federal disaster relief to compensate farmers for their catastrophic losses.
So what does this all mean for people who make blueberries an important part of their summer tradition?
In short, get out there and visit your favorite farms as soon as you can. Support local farmers who need your patronage now more than ever, DiMeo said. That includes fruit stands, farmers markets, pick-your-own and family farms. Doyle said when you would normally buy one pint, by two.
DiMeo is urging people to support “small local family farms to pick what limited blueberries and other fruit there will be available this year. Hopefully, people can do what they can this summer to support their local South Jersey farmers.”
Fortunately there are numerous farms in our area where you can show your blueberry love.
To start, check with your favorite picking places. Pick-your-own activity has just started, or is about to start, depending on the location.
Before you go, here are a couple of tips: Always contact the farm ahead of time as the 2026 season is expected to be very short. Hours vary and so does availability. Some places are cash only, others require appointments.
Ask the right questions: DiMeo urges pickers to inquire about potential entrance fees, parking costs, required picking minimums and whether the farm is pet-friendly.
Use shallow containers: Pick blueberries using shallow crates or lugs that are no deeper than 2½ inches
Avoid deep containers: Do not use large coffee cans or deep buckets. Hot summer sun raises the internal temperature of the berries to about 86 degrees and the weight of deep piles will crush the warm fruit at the bottom, significantly shortening its shelf life.
With a couple of helpful hints under your belt, here is a list of locations compiled by geography north to south.
Atlantic County
McCay Blueberry Farm
176 Middle Road, Hammonton
609-204-7680
Email: mccayblueberries@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100076974894984
Packaged blueberries and pick-your-own.
DiMeo Farms & Blueberry Plants Nursery
3101 Nesco Road, Hammonton
609-561-5905
Email: dimeofarms@gmail.com
Website: https://www.dimeofarms.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dimeofarms
Instagram: @dimeofarms
Hundred-year-old family farm, pick-your-own and blueberry plants shipped nationwide.
Blueberry Bill Farms
914 11th St., Hammonton
609-839-4306
Email: blueberrybillfarms@gmail.com
Website: https://blueberrybillfarms.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueberrybillfarms
Instagram: @blueberrybillfarms
Family-run farm for 55+ years; pick-your-own, fresh and frozen blueberries, plus blueberry and blackberry bushes.
Walking Bird Farm
250 S Mannheim Ave., Galloway
609-808-4420
Email: jen@walkingbirdfarm.com or ryan@walkingbirdfarm.com
Website: https://www.walkingbirdfarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkingbirdfarm
Instagram: @walkingbirdfarm
Forty-acre family farm, pick-your-own produce and flowers, farm store, CSA memberships and events.
Legendary Blueberries
511 W Duerer St., Egg Harbor City
609-703-3355
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Legendary-Blueberry-Farm/458676697478771
Instagram: @legendaryblueberries
Pick-your-own blueberries.
Cape May County
Allen Family Farm
26 Tarkiln Road, Woodbine
609-861-3778
Email: blueberrykids@verizon.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/328172467037366
Family-friendly, pick-your-own blueberries, natural growing practices, no herbicides or pesticides.
Littleworth Tree Farm
1957 Tuckahoe Road, Petersburg
609-628-3346
Email: tuckahoe1@comcast.net
Website: https://littleworthfarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleworthtreefarm
Instagram: @littleworthfarm
Choose-and-cut Christmas trees, pick-your-own, blueberries and strawberries in summer.
Stiles Farm & Nursery
172 S Delsea Drive/Route 47 S., Cape May Court House
609-600-7939
Email: stilesfarmandnursery@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stilesupickblueberries
Instagram: @stilesfarmandnursery
Pick-your-own fruit farm, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and tree fruits.
The ultimate way to show your blueberry solidarity would be to take a ride to Hammonton – the self proclaimed “Blueberry Capital of the World” on Sunday, June 28. That’s when the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce hosts its 40th Annual Red White and Blueberry Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hammonton High School.
With 70 crafters and 25 food vendors, “fans of the official New Jersey State fruit can find it in every form imaginable – pies, cannoli, turnovers, ices, crisp, ice cream, syrups and simply freshly picked in crates,” said John Runfolo, executive director of the chamber.
Celebrating blueberries in the town where upwards of 40 million pounds of blueberries are harvested every summer makes it a truly authentic experience.
Copy editor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.
