Collard Season Closed for the Season

 Thanks so much for a wonderful collard season!  Time now to plant that area in a winter cover crop to restore some nutrients to the soil in preparation for the next food crop.  We truly appreciate all the support you've given us throughout the year!

U-Pick Collards OPEN, 7AM - 5PM

 U-Pick Collards OPEN 7 Days a Week, 7AM - 5PM. We've had a fantastic opening week - thank you! As you can see in the pictures, most folks pick the collards that are in the first half of the first few rows. For a better selection of larger collards, walk past that section a little farther and down the rows. That's where the biggest ones are We have hand sanitizer, cutting tools, and bags available, but you're welcome to bring your own. Also, we have 30 more boxes of sweet potatoes available. They're in 40 lb. boxes for $30/box, while supplies last. The sweet potatoes are right near the gate where you park. Everything is sold on the honor system - we accept cash or checks only (made out to Browder's Fresh Pickins) - simply lift the flap on the black box that's just above the hand sanitizer and drop your money in. Have a fantastic weekend!

 

Open for Collards and Sweet Potatoes Saturday, Nov. 7th from 7AM - 5PM

Our u-pick collard patch will be OPEN this Saturday, November 7th from 7AM - 5PM.  The collards are $2/plant - simply cut off the entire plant at the base.  All collards are clean and grit free because they were grown on black plastic (same spot as the strawberries earlier this year).  We'll have hand sanitizer and some cutting tools and bags available.  You're welcome to bring your own cutting tools and/or bags, if you'd like.  It's on the honor system, which means you simply drop your cash/check made out to Browder's Fresh Pickins into the black box near the gate.  Starting on Saturday, Nov 7th, we'll be open for u-pick collards 7 days a week, 7AM - 5PM.  We're at 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA 23430.

 

 

We also grew some sweet potatoes, but we didn't have a bumper crop.  A good friend of ours grew a ton of sweet potatoes, so we bought some from him to supplement our crop.  We'll have sweet potatoes for sale on Saturday, 40 pounds for $30.  We only have 50 boxes of potatoes available, first come, first served.  Place the sweet potato money in the same black box as the collards by the gate.   

 

 

Sweet Potatoes & Collards - coming soon!

Fall Crops - coming soon! The sweet potatoes & collards will be ready once the first frost hits, which will likely be sometime in early November. We'll continue to update Facebook & our webpage prior to opening.

 

Farm Updates

Farm Updates:  First, thanks so much to all of you who showed us SO much support this year, especially during strawberry season.  It was by far our best season yet and we couldn’t have done it without you. 

The recent weather hasn’t been kind to our blackberries or apples.  Therefore, we’re closed for the season for both of those crops.

We’ve planted a half-acre of sweet potatoes and the crop is growing well so far.  Soon, we’ll be planting 10,000 collard plants where the strawberry plants were.  Having the collards on raised beds using plasticulture essentially eliminates sand/dirt on the leaves which leads to a decrease in prep time in the kitchen. We’ll offer pick-your-own collards in November and December.  Pictured below are last year's collards. 

Since we'll be closed for a while, we won't be checking this page as frequently, but if you'd like to get in touch with us before the fall, please feel free to email us at browdersfreshpickins@gmail.com  Thank you so much for your continued support!

Apple Picking in Smithfield OPEN Saturday July 25th 8AM - 3PM

Apple Picking in Smithfield: OPEN Saturday, July 25th 8AM - 3PM. Apples are $10/gallon container = 1/2 peck = 5-6 lbs. of apples. We'll provide the containers for apple picking.

The heat and lack of rainfall this past week has been rough on the blackberries. There are some blackberries on the vines, but the quality and quantity isn't what it once was. When you come to pick apples, you're welcome to pick the blackberries for free. Please bring your own containers to pick the blackberries. This will be the last picking opportunity for the blackberries this season.

Blackberry & Apple Picking OPEN Saturday, July 18th 8AM - 3PM

Blackberry & Apple Picking in Smithfield OPEN Saturday, July 18th from 8AM - 3PM. Our pick your own blackberries are $15/half gallon basket. We also have pick your own apples, 2 apples for $1. We provide the half gallon baskets for the blackberries and you can take them home. We'll also provide bags for the apples. We have two rows of dwarf apple trees, which means you don't need any ladders to pick. They're located on the last two rows of blackberries, well marked in the patch. Once you pick your blackberries & apples, you place your (exact change) cash or check in the black box above the hand sanitizer. Thanks for pickin' us :-)

U-Pick Blackberry Patch OPEN Tuesday, July 14th, 8AM - 11AM

Photo Credit: Jonathan Putnam 

OPEN Saturday, July 11th, 8AM - 4PM

Hello! We'll be OPEN tomorrow (Saturday, July 11th) from 8AM - 4PM. Our u-pick blackberries are $15/half gallon basket on the honor system, which means you drop your (exact change) cash/check in the black box above the hand sanitizer. We provide the rectangular half gallon baskets and you take them home with you. 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA. There are currently more ripe blackberries in the patch than there have been all season.

OPEN Tuesday, July 7th, 8AM - Noon

Hello! Our u-pick blackberry patch will be OPEN tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7th, 8AM - Noon. Blackberries are $15/half gallon basket, on the honor system, which means you just drop your (exact change) cash or check in the black box above the hand sanitizer. We provide the rectangular, half gallon containers and you take them home with you. There are eight 300 foot long rows of blackberries. Some have more ripe berries than others. Usually the easiest pickin is within the first couple hours of opening. Thank you for your continued support! 

Blackberry Update

We've had a steady flow of pickers this morning, and the blackberry patch is getting close to being picked out. We'll leave the gate open until noon, but we'd recommend you wait for a different day to come when there are more ripe berries available. We'll be closed for the next several days to allow more ripening. I'll update Facebook as soon as we know the next day/time we'll be open. Thanks to everyone for your continued support! Enjoy 4th of July

OPEN Friday, July 3, 8AM - Noon

U-pick blackberry patch OPEN Friday, July 3, 8AM - Noon.
$15/half gallon container, on the honor system, which means you place your (exact change) cash/check in the black box above the hand sanitizer. We provide the containers and you can take them home with you. There are more ripe berries than the last time we were open, but several of our varieties have yet to become fully ripe, so the earlier you come, the easier it will be to pick. Tip: most folks start picking as soon as they get to the row - try starting in the middle or towards the ends of the rows for easier picking.

Blackberry Patch is OPEN Sunday June 28 9AM - Noon

Hello! We're opening the u-pick blackberry patch tomorrow, Sunday, June 28, 9AM - Noon. Blackberries are $15/half gallon. We provide the containers and you can keep them.
There are a very few strawberries left, and you're welcome to Mix & Match blackberries & strawberries in your half gallon container.
It's hard to predict how many half gallons of ripe blackberries are in the patch (maybe around 40). I'd definitely recommend coming early for easiest pickin. Rows 1 & 4 have all the ripe blackberries - they are well marked in the patch. More varieties will be coming ripe in the next couple of weeks. All of our varieties of blackberries are thornless :-)

14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA 23430
As always, it's on the honor system, so simply place your (exact change) cash/check in the black box above the hand sanitizer. Pick before you pay.
Thanks so much for your continued support!

OPEN Sunday, Fathers Day 10AM - 4 PM

Hello! We’ll OPEN Sunday, 10 AM - 4PM. Today will be one of the last days for u-pick strawberries (if not the last day, it’s hard to tell just yet). There are some ripe berries in the patch but not tons. Shout out to all the fathers out there, including my own, Steve Edwards who is the best dad anyone could ask for :-)

Closed Friday & Saturday

Hello! The patch is slowing down considerably, so we’ll be closed Friday & Saturday, June 19 & 20. Have a great day!

Open Thursday, June 18, 7AM - 5PM

It’s pretty nice today, so we decided to open the patch. Things are still a bit soggy, but at least it’s nicer weather today :-)

OPEN Tuesday, June 16, 7AM - 5PM BOGO

We'll be OPEN tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16, 7AM - 5PM. U-pick strawberries are $10/basket, Buy 1, Get 1 FREE! Cash or check only. We provide the baskets. Considering the rain, we'd recommend you wear boots or old shoes. Looking ahead, we'll be closed on Wednesday & Thursday this week, so come on out Tuesday & pick some berries :-) 

Closed Monday, June 15

Hello! Huge thank you to everyone who came out to the patch this weekend!! We'll be closed on Monday to allow more berries to ripen.

OPEN Sunday, June 14 9AM - 5PM

Wow what a beautiful day - tomorrow's going to be just as awesome! We'll be OPEN for U-pick strawberries Sunday, June 14 from 9AM - 5PM. Come on out to pick a couple baskets. $10/basket, cash or check. We provide the baskets & you can take them home with you. Plenty of room in the patch for social distancing.

OPEN Saturday, June 13th, 8AM - 5PM

Summertime is officially here! Come on out and celebrate the end of the school year with a trip to the strawberry patch. After two days of rest, the patch is full berries again. I picked this basket with ease this afternoon. We're OPEN Saturday, June 13th, 8AM - 5PM. U-pick strawberries are $10/basket, cash or check.

OPEN Saturday, June 13, 8AM - 5PM

We'll be closed on Thursday & Friday due to expected rain, but OPEN Saturday, June 13, 8AM - 5PM.

OPEN Wednesday, June 10: 7AM - 5PM

See you then!

OPEN Tuesday 7AM - 5PM

We'll be OPEN Tuesday 7AM - 5PM for pick your own strawberries. After a day of rest, tons of berries ripened in the fields. There are hundreds of pounds of fresh local berries ready to be picked. $10/basket, cash or check only on the honor system (which means you drop your money in the black box above the hand sanitizer). We provide the baskets. Plenty of room for social distancing. Children are welcome

Closed Monday, Open Tuesday June 9th 7AM - 5PM

Thank you to everyone who came out to pick berries this weekend!  We'll close tomorrow (Monday) to allow more to ripen and we'll be open Tuesday, June 9th, 7AM - 5PM :-) 

OPEN Sunday, June 7: 9AM - 5PM

Come on out to see us :-)

OPEN Saturday, June 6: 9AM - 5PM

OPEN Friday, June 5: 7AM - 5PM

OPEN June 4, 7AM - 5PM

With the warm weather, you can almost see the berries ripen on the vine. The Sweet Charlies (variety) are coming back. We'll be OPEN Thursday, June 4 from 7AM - 5PM so come by and pick a basket or two :-) 

OPEN, Wednesday, June 3, 7AM - 5PM

U-pick strawberry patch will be OPEN, Wednesday, June 3, 7AM - 5PM. $10/basket, cash or check, on the honor system, which means you just drop your money in the black box above the hand sanitizer. We provide the baskets. 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA 23430. PS: This combo of Breyers & Browder's is hard to beat :-)

Closed June 1, OPEN June 2, Noon - 5PM.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out today! The patch was picked hard today, so we'll give it a day to ripen back up. Therefore, we'll be closed Monday, June 1. We'll be opening on Tuesday, June 2: Noon - 5PM. Thank you for your support!

CLOSED Saturday, May 30. OPEN Sunday, May 31: 1PM to 5PM

Hello!  Thanks so much for everyone who came out to pick the past few days.  We were planning on being open tomorrow, but we're picked out.  Therefore, we will be closed Saturday.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  We will be OPEN, Sunday, May 31 from 1PM - 5PM.  We appreciate your support and your patience amongst these many days of rain.

BOGO, Open May 29: 7AM-5PM

Hello! Huge thank you for everyone who came out today :-) Friday, May 29th, we'll be OPEN 7AM - 5PM: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE. I'd encourage you to wear boots/old shoes because we got some rain today. The variety planted in picking sections 8-13 are currently in peak production. The sections are well labeled in the field. U-pick strawberries are $10/basket, cash or check on the honor system, which means you just drop your money in the black box above the hand sanitizer. Children are welcome

BOGO Alert! Thursday, May 28: 7AM - 5PM

Hello! We just walked the patch this morning and the sun/heat really ripened LOADS of berries yesterday. With the anticipated rain, we're having a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Sale today. We'll be open until 5PM today (Thursday). U-pick strawberries at 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA 23430. We provide the baskets. $10/basket, cash or check on the honor system, which means you drop your money in the black box above the hand sanitizer. We did get some rain last night, so I'd encourage you to wear old shoes/boots. There are no limits on the # of baskets you can pick. Children are welcome

OPEN May 28-30, 7AM to 5PM

Hello! The patch is bursting with ripe berries We'll be OPEN for the next two days (Thurs & Fri) from 7AM - 5PM. $10/basket, cash or check on the honor system (which means you just drop it in the black box above the hand sanitizer). There is no limit on the # of baskets/family. Children are welcome Thank you your support!

OPEN Tuesday, May 26th Noon - 5PM

Hello!  Plenty of berries to pick, especially in the back patch.  Picking sections 8-13 have loads of ripe berries.

OPEN Memorial Day, May 25, Noon - 5PM

Hello! Thanks to everyone who came out to pick today :-) We'll be closed Sunday, May 24 to allow the patch to ripen. We'll be OPEN on Monday, May 25, Memorial Day Noon - 5PM. Thanks for your support 

OPEN Saturday May 23 @ 10AM

Hello! Yay for a day of warm sunshine! We'll be open Saturday, May 23 at 10AM. We plan to be open until 3PM. As always, the earlier you come, the easier the pickin. The majority of the ripe berries are in the back patch. With all the recent rain, we encourage you to wear old shoes/boots. Strawberries are $10/basket, exact change cash/check (on the honor system - which means you just drop it in the black box above the hand sanitizer). There is no limit on # of baskets/family. We provide the baskets. Masks/gloves encouraged, but not required. Children are welcome. Thank you for your support :-)

BOGO on Wedesday, May 19 10AM - 3PM

Hello! We'll be opening tomorrow, Wednesday May 20 from 10AM - 3PM. We know it's not ideal weather conditions for picking, so we're having a one day SALE - Buy 1 basket, Get 1 FREE! It'll be wet, so wear some old shoes/boots. Due to rain/wind, we will not be putting the bags into the baskets, you may simply take the baskets home with you. There is no limit on the # of baskets you pick...for example, you can pick 10 baskets, and only pay for 5. This would be a great opportunity to stock up on berries to freeze, make ice cream, jam, etc. It's also a great time to pick a basket for a friend, family member, or neighbor :-) We appreciate your support!

Picked Out, Closed Now, OPENING Sunday Noon - 5PM

Thank you to everyone who came out to pick the last several days.  We're currently picked out and will be closed, Saturday May 16 to allow the patch to recover.  We'll be open Sunday Noon - 5 PM

OPEN Friday, May 15 from 9AM - 1PM

Thanks to everyone who came out to pick today! We'll be open tomorrow, Friday, May 15 from 9AM to 1PM. Several folks have asked about our hours this weekend. We plan to be open at some point on Saturday and/or Sunday, but we have to see how Friday's picking goes before we can determine when we'll be open this weekend. I'll continue to update Facebook & this website. We appreciate your support!

OPEN Thursday, May 14: 1PM - 6PM

We'll be open Thursday, May 14 from 1PM - 6PM.  Plenty of berries!

OPEN Wednesday, May 13 8AM - Noon

U-pick strawberry patch OPEN Wednesday, May 13 8AM - Noon. $10/basket, cash or check only. We appreciate you!

Picked out for Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Weekend! Huge thank you to everyone who came out today! We're currently picked out so we'll be CLOSED Sunday, Mother's Day. We'll be opening at 1PM - 6PM on Tuesday.

Open Saturday, May 9 at NOON

Hello! Thanks to everyone who came out the past couple of days.  We'll be closed Friday, May 8th to allow the patch to ripen. We'll be OPEN Saturday, May 9th @ NOON. We plan to be open until 5PM or until we get picked out. I know a lot of folks have asked about our hours for Mother's Day. There is a possibility that we'll be able to open on Sunday. We'll just have to see how Saturday's picking goes. I'll continue to update Facebook & this website. We appreciate your support!

Open Thursday, May 7th, 7AM - 2PM

There are plenty of berries in the field :-)

OPEN Wednesday, 10AM - 5 PM on May 6

U-Pick Strawberry Patch in Smithfield OPEN 10AM - 5PM Wednesday, May 6. $10/basket

Open Monday, May 4, 7AM - Noon

Good morning! There are currently loads of berries in the patch. We're extending our hours - we'll be OPEN UNTIL NOON today. The weather is perfect (and it's doesn't look like ideal weather for the next couple of days). It's a great morning to come pick berries :-) As always, the sooner you come, the easier the pickins. $10/basket, cash or check. Thank you for your support!

Strawberry Patch Picked Out for the Weekend

We'll be opening on Monday from 7AM - 10 AM.  Thank you for your support!

Strawberry Patch is OPEN Saturday, May 2, 8AM - 11AM

We look forward to seeing you then :-)

$10/basket, cash or check

U-Pick Strawberries

Strawberry Patch will be Open on Wednesday, April 29 @ 7AM

There are LOADS of berries in the patch!  It's rivaling, if not exceeding the most berries we've ever had in the patch.  The warmer weather has allowed the strawberries in the back of the patch to ripen.  If you've been waiting for a day when the pickin' is easy, Wednesday morning is the time :-)

Due to limitations in the supply chain, we are not currently able to allow customers to take the baskets home.  Instead, we'll wash/sanitize them and re-use them until the next shipment arrives.  Here's the process: 

Please keep the bag in the basket until you walk back to the green tables near the gate.

Only 10 people allowed per picking section.  
There are multiple picking sections and they are well marked.  

 Plenty of berries in the field :-)