New York City, known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, also has charming locales where residents and visitors can immerse themselves in nature by picking their own flowers. From sprawling fields to quaint urban gardens, here are ten delightful spots across the city where you can indulge in the experience of selecting your own blossoms.
1. The Flower Hill Institute
Location: 193 E Flower Hill Rd, Flower Hill, NY 11030
Contact: (516) 500-8000
Website: www.flowerhillinstitute.org
This picturesque institute is nestled in the North Shore of Long Island. It specializes in teaching regenerative farming practices and is passionate about community development. Visitors can stroll through its vast fields of wildflowers, herbs, and ornamental plants. Beyond just flower picking, the institute offers workshops and events that celebrate sustainable gardening.
2. Gill Farm
Location: 1300 Route 518, Skillman, NJ 08558 (note: just across the border in New Jersey)
Contact: (609) 683-0682
Website: www.gillfarm.com
With a stunning selection of seasonal flowers, including sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias, Gill Farm invites flower enthusiasts to enjoy a lovely day in the fields. The farm prides itself on its organic growing practices and ensures a welcoming environment for families. Advancing the experience, they also host events like flower-arranging workshops that enhance your picking adventure.
3. Prospect Park Flower Garden
Location: 455 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Contact: (718) 965-8951
Website: www.prospectpark.org
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, the Prospect Park Flower Garden is a hidden gem. This curated landscape offers a serene setting with a kaleidoscope of blooms throughout the seasons. While the garden itself does not allow flower picking, it provides educational programs for visitors to learn about the botanical variety available. Enjoy a peaceful stroll and soak in the vibrancy of urban nature.
4. Sweet Pea Farm
Location: 3380 W. Vaugn Ave, Conklin, NY 13748 (upstate New York)
Contact: (607) 775-1544
Website: www.sweetpeafarm.com
Set against the backdrop of serene countryside, Sweet Pea Farm is dedicated to providing visitors with a hands-on flower-picking experience. The farm offers a variety of flowers, from peonies to lilies, ensuring there’s something blooming throughout the growing season. In addition to flower picking, Sweet Pea Farm features pick-your-own berry options for an all-rounded farm outing.
5. U-Pick Flower Field
Location: 1451 Hartland Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589 (a short drive from NYC)
Contact: (845) 895-2949
Website: www.upickflowers.com
West of the city and easily accessed, U-Pick Flower Field invites flower lovers to create their own bouquets amidst vast flower beds. This farm features a rich variety of blooms such as cosmos, snapdragons, and sunflowers. With a no-frills approach, visitors are encouraged to cut their flowers and embrace the simplicity of nature. It’s an excellent site for family outings or a date in nature.
6. Blooms at the Farm
Location: 1465 Otis Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901 (on Long Island)
Contact: (631) 727-7278
Website: www.bloomsatthefarm.com
Basking in the sunlight of the East End, Blooms at the Farm is a dreamscape for flower enthusiasts. Boasting an array of varieties, including heirloom and modern cultivars, it offers hands-on learning experiences. Along with flower picking, visitors can join guided tours to delve deeper into the floral world and understand the ecology surrounding their favorites.
7. The Flowering Tree
Location: 237 Greenbough Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481 (just over the border in New Jersey)
Contact: (201) 848-0990
Website: www.thefloweringtree.com
This quaint farm specializes in an extensive selection of seasonal flowers. Customers can enjoy the experience of picking their own blooms, alongside option to shop for sundry gardening supplies. The Flowering Tree also organizes events and classes where budding gardeners can learn how to cultivate their flower gardens.
8. Ardsley Acres Farm
Location: 143 W 237th St, Bronx, NY 10463
Contact: (718) 601-1335
Website: www.ardsleyacresfarm.com
As one of the few places within the Bronx that offers a pick-your-own flower experience, Ardsley Acres Farm provides a blend of floral variety right in the urban landscape. With fields of vibrant annuals and perennials, it provides exposure to the simple joys of gardening and connections to urban agriculture.
9. The New York Botanical Garden
Location: 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458
Contact: (718) 817-8700
Website: www.nybg.org
While not traditionally a pick-your-own flower venue, the New York Botanical Garden offers numerous horticultural events, including exclusive flower picking days. Visitors can explore breathtaking collections of flowers, peruse guided tours, and enjoy seasonal flower shows, making every visit a vibrant affair. The educational resources available enhance the experience further.
10. Urban Garden Center
Location: 123 East 115th St, New York, NY 10029
Contact: (212) 410-2270
Website: www.urbangardencenter.com
Located in East Harlem, the Urban Garden Center serves as a green oasis amidst the urban sprawl. Offering a selection of potted flowers and seasonal blooms, this garden center emphasizes the importance of urban gardening. Classes and workshops further enhance community engagement, inspiring local residents to embrace gardening in their own spaces.
Whether you’re a flower aficionado or simply seeking a soothing activity, these ten locations offer a diverse array of floral experiences that celebrate the beauty and serenity of nature right at your fingertips.
