In the Hudson Valley, harvest changes week by week. Weather, the season’s pace, and conditions in individual fields all affect when a crop is ready. A calendar can help you know what to look forward to, but it cannot promise that a particular fruit or vegetable will be available on a given day.
At Hollow Creek Farm, strawberries are a June pick-your-own crop, blueberries arrive in July, and apples and pumpkins are part of the fall season. For a weekend visit, check the farm’s picking report, which the owners post every morning. It gives you a more useful answer to “What’s ripe right now?” than a general calendar can.
Late spring and June
Early in the growing season, Hudson Valley farms often begin harvesting tender greens and other cool-weather vegetables. As June progresses, the local season brings Hollow Creek Farm’s pick-your-own strawberries. The exact start and finish of strawberry picking can shift with weather and field conditions, so check the daily report before setting out. If you are visiting to pick, confirm whether picking is open that day rather than assuming the crop is available throughout the month.
July and the height of summer
July is blueberry season at Hollow Creek Farm. Summer is also when the region’s vegetable harvest tends to broaden. Depending on what a farm grows and what is ready, farm stands across the valley may feature items such as beans, squash, tomatoes, or cucumbers. That regional pattern is a guide, not a list of guaranteed Hollow Creek Farm offerings. The farm stand is open Thursday to Sunday and sells the harvest alongside eggs from the pastured flock, bread from a neighboring baker, and preserves made in the farm kitchen.
Late summer through fall
As summer turns toward fall, the vegetable selection continues to change with the fields. Hollow Creek Farm’s apples and pumpkins are fall highlights. Their timing varies from year to year, and different apple varieties can ripen at different points in the season. For picking plans, use the morning report to learn whether the farm is open for picking and which crop is available.
Fall visits can be a good time to bring layers and allow room for a slower walk through the farm. If you are planning around a particular fruit, check again on the day you travel. A warm stretch, rain, or other field conditions can affect picking plans.
How to plan a visit around the harvest
- Use the calendar to decide roughly when you’d like to visit.
- Read Hollow Creek Farm’s morning picking report for the day’s update.
- Confirm that picking is open before traveling, especially for a specific crop.
- Check the farm’s current visitor information for hours and parking guidance.
If you are unsure whether a crop is ready or picking is open, get in touch with the farm before your visit.