Despite the heat, heavy rains and flooding that defined summer 2023, at least 12 farms across Massachusetts have weathered the rough season with their usual sunflowers to show for it.
The sunflower fields have bloomed in waves despite the weather since July. Some farms have had to postpone their field openings for walkthroughs and PYO, or “pick your own” sunflowers after losing their first seedlings, according to multiple farms’ postings on their Facebook pages and websites.
However, more late batches of yellow heads are on the way Labor Day weekend, and many of the farms’ sunflower fields will be ready this week for visitors.
A word of advice collected from the below listed farms: wear proper footwear (i.e., sneakers) due to mud or potential terrain erosion; bring sunscreen, bug spray and a hat, and take allergy medication beforehand due to the pollen, if needed.
Here’s a list of 12 farms across the state that are open or will be open soon to pick and walk through the spots of sunshine. Be sure to check dates and times with each farm when planning your visit, as conditions can change rapidly due to weather and other circumstances.
Colby Farm in Newbury, at 50 Scotland Road — opening date, late September TBD
“Sunflower field coming late September 2023!! Due to the rain in July, we lost our first planting,” Colby Farm’s site said. “Second planting is looking good. We expect them to boom late September this year.”
As the “the originator of the New England sunflower experience,” Colby Farm offers a walkthrough experience of its highly-Instagrammable fields, and the farm boasts its visitors have called it “surreal” as the “perfect destination for families, photographers, and to take that somebody special.”
COST: TBD for 2023 season; TBD parking fee, free entry in past years.
Elliot Farm in Lakeville, at 202 Main St. — open July through September TBD
With more than just sunflowers available for picking, Elliot Farm has been open since July and regularly updates its site with flower-picking availability. Other sun-loving blooms ready to be picked at the farm, besides the big yellow heads, include zinnias, celosia, snapdragons and cosmos.
“The number of flowers in bloom, at any given time, is subject to the weather and how many guests have visited the field recently. No reservation required,” its site states.
COST: $2 per sunflower, mason jar not included. There is no field entry fee, but there is a minimum purchase of one flower per guest. The farm offers a mason jar special for $12.99 to pick your own variety bouquet, mason jar provided.
Felix Family Farms at School Street Sunflowers in Ipswich, at 20 Lowes Lane — open Sept. 1 through Sept. 15
Recently renamed from just School Street Sunflowers to an all-encompassing Felix Family Farms to better incorporate all of its offerings — including alpaca yoga, live music and more — some sunflower picking at School Street Sunflowers at Felix Family Farms will begin Sept. 1.
“From leisurely strolls through sun-kissed fields to capturing unforgettable memories, Felix’s Farm provides an idyllic escape into nature’s vibrant embrace. Come and experience the sheer splendor of School Street Sunflowers, where each visit promises a kaleidoscope of golden memories and endless summer dreams,” the farm’s site stated.
COST: $12 entry fee to field for two hours for adults, $5 for children aged 4 through 17 (children 3 and under free). Booking available online; PYO availability minimal, according to farm.
Ferjulian Farm in Hudson, at 7 Lewis St. — open July 10 through Oct. 15, or the first frost TBD
This farm features a curated 2-acre hillside cutting garden with an expansive variety of blooms, featuring specialty flowers such as lilies and gladiolus — but sunflowers are the spotlight of the fields, and can start being included in bouquets as of September, or as standalone bunches of yellow.
“It’s our hope that all who visit and walk the long rows of flowers would have a few peaceful moments away from the hustle of life to enjoy the beautiful complexity of nature and bring home a gorgeous bouquet of hand-picked, locally grown, flowers to enjoy for the week to come,” Ferjulian’s stated.
COST: $16 per mason jar; $60 per basket. There is a three-sunflower limit to be picked per mason jar, and six-sunflower limit per basket.
Our Family Legacy Farm in Montague, at 442 Turners Falls Road — final weekend on Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3
As one of the farms that faced severe losses due to the summer storms, Our Family Legacy Farm stated it will be open Labor Day weekend for its final sunflower maze visitations. The farm picks a different theme each year to decorate its sunflower maze, and chose “Alice in Wonderland” for the 2023 season complete with lawn games, “Mad Hatter” hat decorations, and a tea party.
COST: Admission to the maze for its final weekend is $10 for adults, $5 for children (kids 5 and under are free).
Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough, at 95 Farwell Road — open Sept. 1 through early October TBD
With a PYO 2-acre field full of other local blooms, along with more than 15 types of filler flowers, Parlee Farms will help flower-pickers wrap their bouquet after they pick their own stems. Their Sunflower Garden is planted in multiple sections in another 2 acres, and the farm called it “stunning in the fall” and “perfect for photos and cutting.”
COST: $12.50/lb for all flowers picked; $3 field admission entry for wristband (children 5 and under free). Only small branching sunflowers available as of Sept. 1.
Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, at 455 Highland Ave. — open August through September TBD
Beyond the rows of apple trees is the opportunity to PYO sunflowers from three fields across the Red Apple Farm. Zinnias and Japanese Lantern flowers are also available for picking as of September, with PYO open daily at the farm’s field location.
COST: There are two PYO packages available for this farm. Package #1 includes six sunflowers, one peck of apples, two hayride tokens and one cup of animal feed for $45. Package #2 includes 12 sunflowers, one peck of apples, four hayride tokens and two cups of animal feed for $75 each.
There is a $5 group entry fee for those looking to just visit, not pick, in sunflower fields, and additional hayride tokens are $1 each.
Red Fire Farm in Granby, at 7 Carver St. — open July through late September TBD
Even though this farm generally keeps its produce to its CSA members, the general public is allowed to come and PYO sunflowers at one of the cheapest rates on this list. Enjoy “the hum of August cicadas over the Sunflower Spiral Garden” as you PYO flowers, and catch other Red Fire Farm products at several local Western Massachusetts farmstands over the fall
COST: $1.50 per sunflower stem.
Simcock Farm in Swansea, at 293 Marvel St. — open Aug. through late September TBD
The Sunflower Maze at this farm was created in memory of the owner’s parents, according to its site. The farm’s Facebook is updated frequently with openings for the maze and other sections, as it, too, was impacted by the summer rains. With PYO also available, this family-friendly maze features two large handmade wooden sunflowers greeting the entrance and encouraging quotes and signage throughout the maze.
COST: Admission into the field is $5 per person (children 3 and under free). PYO sunflowers $1 per stem.
Tangerini’s Farm in Millis, at 139 Spring St. — temporarily closed as of Sept. 1; opening TBD
With over 70 acres of fruits and vegetables at Tangerini’s, the farm boasts a large venue fit for visitors to explore. It has several PYO fields, and though sunflowers won’t be available as of Sept. 1, the farm updates its site frequently to let visitors know when produce is available. Be sure to check back on their site during the rest of the fall season.
COST: Three packages available — one stem for $3; three stems for $8; seven stems for $18.
Verrill Farm in Concord, at 11 Wheeler Road — open Sept. 1; second planting ready mid- to late September
Another farm that faced some destruction from the rains — but was “pleased to say that our field weathered this summer’s rain better than expected,” according to its site — Verrill Farm’s second planting will help keep the sunshine spots blooming throughout the fall. Additionally, on Sept. 23, the farm will host an Oktoberfest celebration at the farm to ring in the autumnal season.
COST: $10 per sunflower field pass for people ages 10 and up; includes 5 stems.
Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon, at 614 South Main St. — mid July through October
Last, but certainly not least, on the list, Ward’s Berry Farm has a selection of sunflowers that have seemed to uphold throughout the entire summer season. The farm gives daily updates on the conditions of its PYO sunflower fields, and stated it closes fields when the bands of flowers have run out. Along with sunflowers, a variety of fruits and vegetables like blueberries, tomatoes and beans are also PYO at this farm.
“Come out to our fields to immerse yourself in seas of sunshine, and take some of it home with you! Each flower is beautifully unique, just like all of our wonderful visitors! Please keep sending us your photos- we love them!” the farm stated on Facebook.
COST: Five sunflowers for $12.
