Pick Your Own Raspberry Farm in CT

It's open season for raspberry picking at Lyman Orchards, voted CT's Best Pick Your Own Farm by Connecticut Magazine Reader's Poll! Nestled on 200 acres of orchards and fields overlooking the scenic Connecticut River Valley, Lyman's raspberry fields output an average of 10,000 pounds (5 tons!) of raspberries each year!  Now that's a lot of juicy raspberries ripe for the taking!

Family Fun in Connecticut

If you're looking for a fun way to spend a day with family or friends, a visit to the PYO raspberry field is the perfect destination for a wholesome, fun getaway! And because Lyman Orchards grows so many varieties of fruits, it's worth the trip!  Raspberry season traditionally overlaps the end of Strawberry season, and the beginning of Blueberry and Peach Seasons, and runs from late June until late July.   

Unlike most Connecticut orchards who grow fall raspberries, Lyman Orchards is one of the few PYO farms that offers summer raspberries at a significant level.  This year, the fields will be  growing 6 varieties of raspberries for your eating enjoyment! "Growing multiple varieties allows us to spread out the harvest window, ensuring an excellent supply of berries from late June through the end of July," says John Lyman III, Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President.

Working the Lyman Orchards land since 1741, the Lyman family has offered Pick-your-own (“PYO”) fruit since the 1960’s, inviting everyone to become “farmer for a day” and reap the rewards of the many harvest seasons, including strawberries, honeyberries, raspberries, blueberries, jostaberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, Asian pears, and pumpkins.

The rows of raspberry plants at Lyman Orchards cover approximately five acres of scenic farmland, offering breathtaking views for fruit pickers.     

Fun Raspberry Facts

Before you head into the fields, here's a few facts to take in:

• Raspberries are not technically berries, but instead an aggregate fruit of up to 100 drupelets around a central core. 
• The average raspberry contains 100 to 120 seeds.
• When a raspberry is picked, the cone-shaped core remains on the plant, resulting in the "hollowed-out" appearance of the fruit.   
• Red raspberries are the most widely known, but they also come in purple, gold, or black. Myth buster - there is no such thing as a blue raspberry!
• Look for raspberries that are firm and have a deep color - raspberries will not ripen after being picked.
• Raspberries are rich in nutrients, high in fiber and antioxidants, and low in sugar.

Raspberry Care  

After harvesting your raspberries, follow these simple tips:

• While mighty in the taste department, the raspberry is a bit weak from a structural standpoint.   The empty cupped-shaped interior and drupelet walls will collapse when buried underneath mounds of other raspberries.  Carefully spread out your raspberries as soon as you can using trays or other wider storage containers.
• Raspberries have a tendency to mold and turn mushy within two to three days after picking, so plan on using or freezing your freshly-picked raspberries right away.   
• Rinse raspberries gently with cool water just before you’re ready to eat them.

Raspberries are the perfect addition to smoothies, lemonade, salads, yogurt, cereal, ice cream, and salsas.  They're also outstanding for jellies, jams and pies!

So what are you waiting for - hightail it over to Lyman Orchards before the raspberries are gone!

Why not make a day of it?  Head over to the Apple Barrel Farm Market for a signature sundae from the Lyman Orchards Creamery window.  Also check out our Events page to see what else is happening at Lyman Orchards.  And since your freshly picked raspberries will only last a few days, we invite you to come back for more while they’re still available!