Celebrate Sunflowers At These North Jersey Farms
With photo ops, farm-fresh eats and beautiful blooms, these flower-filled day trips have it all.
What’s the most iconic flower of summer? There are a few strong contenders, but here’s a hint for our pick: It has “sun” in its name. At their peak in August, sunflowers are tall, bold and unmistakably cheerful. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to see them up close, here it is: This Saturday is National Sunflower Day.
You can find these beautiful blooms at popular Bergen gardens and nurseries, including these three:
Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff. Every Wednesday, this popular farm hosts a flower picking and arranging workshop, and sunflowers are among the blooms you’ll be working with.
Metropolitan Plant and Flower Exchange, Paramus. This garden center not only offers sunflowers to add to your garden, but also pre-made arrangements where they are the star of the show.
Secor Farms, Mahwah. Pick up fresh-cut sunflowers here, or container plants to last the rest of the season.
Fields of Flowers
Across North Jersey, dozens of farms spend months preparing vibrant fields and winding mazes for visitors to explore, admire—and, of course, photograph. The best part? Many are just an hour from Bergen County, making them perfect for a sunny weekend day trip. Check out:
Alstede Farms, Chester. Don’t miss this farm’s Blooming Giants Sunflower Trail, with its towering flowers and a festival atmosphere. Take a scenic, tractor-drawn wagon ride through the fields, enjoy ample photo ops and grab a few beautiful stems to take home—entrance to the trail is included with any pick-your-own ticket. You also can take part in pick-your-own peaches or stop by the farm store for even more fresh veggies and treats (farm-fresh peach ice cream, anyone?).
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan. This Monmouth County farm is filled with fruit and flowers that are ripe for the picking, but the sunflowers here are the star. Sunflower fields are now open for pick-your-own sessions and Instagram-worthy selfies. Stay a while and grab a lemonade or shaved ice as well as treats to feed the resident chickens and goats.
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge. Sunflowers are the main attraction of the 300-acre flower farm’s fall festival, which opens in mid-September. In addition to the gorgeous blooms, visitors also can enjoy an array of food trucks, a feeding zoo, horse and carriage rides, hayrides and more. Stay tuned to the farm’s website for more details.
Ort Farms, Long Valley. U-pick flower fields are open, and you’re free to wander the sunflower trail to your heart’s content. The farm’s Summer Saturdays always include ice cream, live music and barbecue, and this Saturday is the special “Flowerfest” to celebrate the blooms. Food Truck Fridays, meanwhile, are ideal for any foodie looking to sample something special. The farm market is open daily, filled with super-fresh produce and baked goods such as pies, cider donuts and crumb cake.
Stony Hill Farm, Chester. The Sunflower Festival at this spot kicks off this Saturday and Sunday, with additional dates on Aug. 8, 9 and 10. Take a wagon ride to the 2.5-acre flower field, filled with eight different types of sunflowers, pick your own bouquet (you also can add zinnias and wild flowers) and then listen to live music and stop by on-site winery Rebel Sheep Wine Co.’s tasting room. There are props set up for photos throughout the field (giant chairs and a tractor, for instance).
Von Thun Farms, Washington. The New Jersey Sunflower Trail at this Warren County locale is filled with expansive fields and beautiful photo ops. You also can pick peaches or berries, enjoy a hayride, visit adorable farm animals or shop a lineup of local artisanal vendors. Adult beverages are on sale for the 21-and-older crowd, and there’s a children’s activity area for the young ones.
Are you celebrating sunflowers here in Bergen County? Show off all your best photos on Instagram @bergenmagnj!
