Spring 2018: Our 1/2 acre orchard is near full grown now and we should have fruit ready for picking this year! We recently added a few more acres to our orchard so we will have plenty of peaches to go around!
We have been growing flowers for a few years now as they are quite a big hit! We grow several varieties of sunflowers as well as many types of zinnias and marigolds. We sell them U-Pick by the mason jar, so fill them up!
Many folks remember the days growing up harvesting blackberries in fields and in the woods. Fighting through briars and always on the lookout for snakes. These berries were usually very small due to the "wildness" of the fruit and due to the fact that they ripen in May -a time of year without much rainfall- the fruit fails to size up properly and remains very seedy.
Our blackberries have been naturally bred through selection. Yes they are thornless, but this is not a GMO crop! These plants have naturally occurring genetics that prevent them from having thorns yet large and tasty fruit! The 3 varieties we currently produce are 'Natchez', 'Ouachita' and 'Osage'.
Our blackberries have been naturally bred through selection. Yes they are thornless, but this is not a GMO crop! These plants have naturally occurring genetics that prevent them from having thorns yet large and tasty fruit! The 3 varieties we currently produce are 'Natchez', 'Ouachita' and 'Osage'.
The Season.
The normal season for blackberries in North Central Florida is usually late May through early July, however this can change greatly from year to year. For example, our first date of harvest in 2013 was June 22nd (my wedding day, easy to remember) and 2014 harvest started around June 10. We update our Facebook page on a regular basis for timely and accurate forecasts for the crop, including weather and crop yields as well as operating hours. We are always open during the weekends at this time as well as limited weekday/night hours. (Nothing beats picking at dusk during the summers, the Whippoorwills and sunset are a nice treat!)
The normal season for blackberries in North Central Florida is usually late May through early July, however this can change greatly from year to year. For example, our first date of harvest in 2013 was June 22nd (my wedding day, easy to remember) and 2014 harvest started around June 10. We update our Facebook page on a regular basis for timely and accurate forecasts for the crop, including weather and crop yields as well as operating hours. We are always open during the weekends at this time as well as limited weekday/night hours. (Nothing beats picking at dusk during the summers, the Whippoorwills and sunset are a nice treat!)
General Information
Before you come
In the Field
- Please check our hours of operation, we post hours and days on Facebook as often as possible or you can call at 352-812-5462. If we pick out for the day we like to let folks know that as well.
- Arrive as early as possible. We are usually not open everyday, this is to allow time for more fruit to ripen. We tend to pick out relatively early in the day. We have planted more acreage due to this. Also, it gets really HOT in the middle of the day!
- Wear appropriate clothing for being outdoors. This includes hats, sunscreen and appropriate shoes for trampling around on a farm.
- Please leave your pets at home.
- Check the weather, even though its Florida and that really doesn't mean much in the summer, but we would hate for you to come out here and get washed out.
In the Field
- We provide you with buckets to pick into and bags to take the fruit home in, but you are more than welcome to bring your own container.
- Due to Generally Accepted Practices (GAPs) we ask that you wash your hand before entering the fields. We have a hand washing station.
- We will be there to explain how and what exactly to pick, depending on the fruit. It might seem obvious but that's not always the case and we're professionals.
- We have many shaded areas and picnic tables, you are more than welcome to have a family picnic and enjoy mother nature!
- A full restroom facility is not available, however we do have portipotties and hand washing stations.
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