From snapdragons to sunflowers, here are 4 flower farms to pick from in Central Jersey

April showers bring May flower farms.

Living up to its Garden State nickname, there is an abundance of New Jersey flower farms that blossom every spring. Besides opportunities for pick-your-own blooms, many have added attractions, activities and photo opp spots.

Here are Central Jersey flower farms to stroll this spring.

Duchess Farms, South Brunswick

A flower and honey farm, five-year-old Duchess Farms is owned by floral designer Candice Howard and Tom Brys. The farm uses pesticide-free and herbicide-free sustainable practices.

In the spring, Duchess Farms is filled with allium, calendula, hellebores, larkspur, peonies and snapdragons while astrantia, celosia, dahlias, hydrangea, lisianthus, lavender, rudbekia and a variety of sunflowers bloom in the summer.

Duchess Farms also offers CSAs with pickup locations at the farm and in Highland Park. The spring session is sold out, but there are openings for both the summer and fall sessions.

Duchess Farms became a preserved farm last year, which ensures that the land cannot be developed for anything other than agricultural purposes.

More: Middlesex County preserves Duchess Farm in South Brunswick

This year, Duchess Farms is adding a farm stand which will be opening in late May from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. ​

Farm visits are open to CSA bouquet subscription members or during special events, such as yoga classes in the lavender fields on July 6 and 13.

Duchess Farms will be at Rutgers Cook's Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. mid-May through late October, and a few pop-up shops will occur at Penstock Coffee Roasters during the growing season.

Go: 81 Davidson Mill Road; 908-420-4694, duchess-farms.com.

Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm, Montgomery

Rival only to milk and cookies, the combination of lavender and alpacas is the bounty at this Montgomery farm.

With 15 varieties, lavender blooms from mid-June to mid-July and is harvested at the end of July.

Here, visitors can tour the fields, watch lavender distilling, meet, walk and feed alpacas, and purchase farm-made goodies like culinary and aromatherapy items, sachets, pillows, flower arrangements, wreaths, gift baskets and more. All of the farm's products are made with 100% pure lavender essential oil and lavender grown on site.

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Run by husband-and-wife Steven and Marie Voorhees, the first lavender fields were planted nearly 16 years ago.

The farm is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though picking flowers is not permitted, they are available to purchase.

Go: 890 Route 601, Montgomery; 609-558-7034, hiddenspringlavender.com.

Melick's Town Farm, Oldwick

At its Oldwick location, Melick's Town Farm invites visitors to come stroll their fields of flowers and pick their own stems. From July through September, the farm has a variety of flowers growing.

There also is a gift and garden shop with garden supplies, bedding plants, jams and jellies, baked goods, gifts, home decor and locally-grown farm fresh fruits and vegetables.

Melick's Town Farm is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. No reservations are required, but visitors must come with their own clippers. Charges for flowers are by the stem. Pre-picked bouquets also are available at the market.

Go: 170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick; 908-439-2955, melickstownfarm.com/califon-orchards.

Von Thun Farms, South Brunswick and Washington

Von Thun Farms is home to a six-acre sunflower trail at its Washington location where visitors can pick their own stems and pose at the more-than 10 spots for photos.

More pick-your-own blooms such as zinnias, marigolds, celosia, ageratum, lisianthus and statice can be found at both locations. Sunflower festivals are planned for July and August.

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The more-than 100-year-old farms − and five generations of Von Thuns − also have an abundant supply of summer berries, fruits and vegetables, a petting zoo and gift shop. Online reservations are available for the sunflower trail.

Season passes for 2024 are available for both locations. Sunflowers are expected to begin blooming in summer. Operating hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Go: 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick; 732-329-8656. 438 Route 57 West, Washington; 908-689-3761. vonthunfarms.com.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: 4 flower farms to visit in Central Jersey this spring