Katie Wanders : Wicked Tulips Farm

Spring in New England always takes its sweet, sweet time. The weather warms up and the grass slowly comes back to life. The crocus pop up first and you are so excited for the sunshine and the daffodils follow along. And then, you look at the treeline and it's still gross ugly stick season. I am willing the trees to bloom, to brighten up the skyline and give me something to see from a scenic vista while I hike.

While I impatiently wait for the trees to bud and bloom, the tulips show up and offer a bit of eye candy and color back into our gardens. I planted 50 tulips in one of our tiered garden beds and seeing them as I leave the house or work around the yard always puts a smile on my face. Why didn't I plant them before? They are perennials, come back every year, require very little maintenance, and make amazing cut flowers. I was too smitten with my sweet little tulip collection to cut a stem but thankfully, a friend told me all about a tulip farm in the state covered in tulips with a "Pick Your Own" policy. A quick google search and a reservation was made and we were on our way, a 40-minute drive to the tulip farm.

Wicked Tulips is impressive. It's family-friendly, good ol' fashioned outdoor fun. There are rows upon rows of tulips in just about every color, shape, and size. You can walk among the cheerful rows, soaking in the deep reds and bright yellows, the soft pinks and creamy whites, all set against the backdrop of green leaves. Seeing all of those flowers in one place is dreamy and I loved walking through the rows, picking my favorites, and arranging them in the sweetest wicker basket to bring home in a bouquet. We made an afternoon of it and spent an hour on the farm enjoying the views, snacking on a cheese plate I made at home, picking our favorite flowers, and watching Whitney marvel at the other kids and colors.

This would make the perfect mother's day outing, family walk, or time amongst the flowers with girlfriends or significant others. While $20 per person may seem steep, it's a pretty fair deal when you consider the 10 fresh tulips you get to bring home. This flower farm is worth the hype and this post is everything you need to know before you go (buy your tickets online, it's the only way).

2023 update*

There are now three Wicked Tulips farms

EXETER, RHODE ISLAND

400 Hog House Hill Rd, Exeter, RI 02822

JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND

90 Brown Ave, Johnston, RI 02919

PRESTON, CONNECTICUT

382 Route 164, Preston, CT 06365

What:

U-Pick event. A chance to walk among the tulip fields and pick your own blooms to take home. You can also buy bulbs and take-home swag.

2023 update* There are now three Wicked Tulips farms

EXETER, RHODE ISLAND - 400 Hog House Hill Rd, Exeter, RI 02822
JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND - 90 Brown Ave, Johnston, RI 02919
PRESTON, CONNECTICUT - 382 Route 164, Preston, CT 06365

Weather:

The farm is open rain or shine. No bad weather refunds.

When:

Farm visits only happen for a few weeks each year—usually between late April through late May, but nature truly determines the dates! Check the bloom report on the website. The farm is open every day (in season) from 10 am - 7 pm (purchase online beforehand). Tickets are released in batches throughout the blooming season. If you see that date is sold out, try again or visit another location.

How:

Prior reservation/purchase of an admission ticket is required **Tickets are not available at the farm, you must pre-buy them online. Tickets are only valid only for the appointed date and location indicated on the ticket. You are allowed to stay as long as you like once you enter until we close at 7pm. Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to another party.

You reserve your time slot online, show up at the farm within your 30-minute window, show your proof of purchase and collect a token, grab a basket and head out into the fields. You can stay as long as you like as you pick your ten tulips (extra can be purchased at $1 a stem). You simply pull from the bottom of the tulip and if the bulb comes up as well, it can be deposited into a bucket at the wrapping station. You wrap your flowers, pay for any extras or hand in your token, (admission gets you 1 token, 1 token is 10 bulbs) and head on home.

Where:

Rhode Island Property: 400 Hog House Hill Rd, Exeter, RI 02822

Connecticut Property: 382 Route 164, Preston, CT 06365

Cost:

Tickets are released in batches throughout our blooming season.

Adult Admission: $20 weekdays $23 weekends and includes entrance and 10 u-pick tulips

Kids Admission: 5-17 years old are $5, do not include tulips, never sell out & can be used any day. **Children 4 and under enter FREE

Tulips can be purchased for $1/stem anytime

They provide self-serve wrapping stations for free, or you can wrap your tulips for a small fee (a portion goes to charity.)

The farm also offers Yoga in the Tulips ($35 includes yoga class, entry to fields and 10 U-pick stems).

What to bring:

The farm allows snacking and you may take a break at one of the picnic tables while you eat. There are benches and a few tables scattered around the farm. Please pack in/pack out your trash. Water is always allowed. You can also bring your own basket to collect your tulip and your own bucket to take them home. Shears may also be helpful when removing the blooms.

Red Tape:

The parking areas and walking paths are quite uneven as you traverse the property. Proper footwear is recommended. I wore my flats which worked thanks to the ground being so dry. It was quite uneven and you definitely have to watch your step.

The only bathrooms available are port-o-potties at the farm entrance.

You can bring a stroller but I definitely advise something a bit more rugged for the uneven terrain. A baby carrier is definitely the easier option. We brought our running stroller (with suspension).

Photography

The farm's visitor photography policy includes no drones, no props or lights in the fields, and going gently around guests and tulips. They require all professional photographers to schedule their shoots.