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 :-)

Strawberry Patch Open Sunday, April 26 @ 1PM

Patch is Opening Saturday April 25 @ 6:30AM

Hello!  We'll be opening the patch on Saturday at 6:30 AM.  How long we'll be open will depend on picking conditions.  Due to the extreme increase in demand, we've only been able to be open for a few hours before getting picked out.  Please keep this in mind, especially if you are traveling from far away.  We estimate that the patch will be picked out by 9AM, based on the previous few days we've been open.  Therefore, we do not recommend you coming from more than an hour away, unless you're planning on getting here upon opening. Also, please note there are a few changes that we'll be implementing.  Beginning Saturday morning, limit 2 baskets per family.  Also, due to limits in the supply chain for our plastic baskets, we are asking that you pick into our baskets, then after you pick, we'll have a station with bags where you may transfer your picked berries into a bag and take the bag of berries home with you.  We'll keep the baskets, wash/sanitize them and re-use them at a later date.  If you happen to have baskets that you've used to pick from our farm this year, please bring those when you come and drop them off.  You'll pick in the new/sanitized containers (requirement of VA Dept. of Agriculture) and you'll drop off your old ones for us to sanitize and re-use at a later date.  Also, children should be with their caretakers at all times, and their behavior should be carefully monitored both in the patch and in the parking area. 
As always, here are a few other things to keep in mind while at the patch: use the hand sanitizer, provided.  Strawberries are $10/basket, exact change cash or check on the honor system, which means you simply place your money in the black box near the gate.  Checks should be made out to "Browder's Fresh Pickins" and we do not accept debit or credit cards.  Pick before you pay. Maintain social distancing at all times - at least 6 feet apart.  No more than 10 people/picking section.  There are multiple picking sections and they are well marked.  If you have masks & gloves, please bring them and wear them.  If you have any symptoms (fever, coughing, etc.), please do not come.  For the safety of everyone, once you've picked your berries, please vacate the premises - this allows for more folks to safety enter and exit the patch.  We appreciate your patience and flexibility, while we're all trying to navigate these unprecedented times. 

Patch has been Picked Hard - Closing at 11AM

The patch has reached capacity and upon arrival, you'll need to wait in your car to ensure social distancing.  We will be closing today at 11AM.

Patch Opens Today @ 9AM

Hello! We are opening at 9AM on Wednesday, April 22. If you arrive prior to 9AM, please stay in your car. This is in an effort to maintain social distancing. I will open the gate right at 9AM. How long we stay open will depend on picking conditions. I will continue to update Facebook in the morning to give you a better idea of when we'll be closing for the day. I would not encourage you to plan to arrive at the strawberry patch in the afternoon (especially if you are coming from far away), because we may be picked out by the time you arrive. The berries are $10/basket. We provide the baskets and the hand sanitizer. It's on the honor system, so be sure to have exact change (you drop it in the black box near where you pick up your baskets) or write a check, made out to Browder's Fresh Pickins. Here are a few reminders in light of COVID-19. Use hand sanitizer (provided) before entering the patch - it comes out fast, push slowly.
Only use the baskets provided (none from home).
Any baskets you use but don't end up filling/taking home, there will be a bin to place these 'dirty baskets.' Don't mix them with the new ones.
Practice social distancing at all times (at least 6 feet between people).
If you have gloves, bring them and use them.
If you have a mask, bring it and use it.
There can only be 10 people per picking section.
There are multiple picking sections and they are well marked. In the event that the number of people picking reaches the capacity of the patch, we will limit access to the patch to be sure that social distancing restrictions are maintained.
As always, thanks for your support!

Patch is Picked Out

Patch has been picked extremely hard this morning. We'll be closing today (Saturday 4/19) at 11AM, though we can't guarantee ripe berries until then. It is getting more challenging by the minute to find ripe berries because we've had a steady flow of pickers since 7AM. The patch will be closed Monday & Tuesday to allow more to ripen. We will open again on Wednesday (4/22) at 9AM.

Patch is PICKED OUT

Hello! We are completely picked out for the day. We will be closing the patch for the next several days to allow the patch to recover. We are experiencing unprecedented demand due to the current situation. Thank you for your continued patience and support. I'll continue to update to let you know when we'll be open again.

Patch is PICKED OUT

Patch is OPEN

Our pick-your-own strawberry patch in Smithfield is OPEN and there are TONS of ripe berries in the patch. Our farm is open 7AM - 7PM, 7 days a week at 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA 23430. Strawberries are $10/basket, on the honor system. We provide the baskets and hand sanitizer. There's plenty of room for proper social distancing. Current picking conditions = Excellent, easy pickin :-)

Patch has been Picked Hard but still open today, CLOSED Easter Sunday

Many thanks to all of you who have come out the past two days. The patch has been picked hard. It's early in the season, and many more berries will be ripening soon! Please note we'll be CLOSED on Easter Sunday.

Patch Procedures in Light of COVID-19

There are a few differences at our pick your own strawberry patch this year, in light of COVID-19, that we will be implementing to help keep everyone healthy. There are plenty of signs around the patch as reminders, but here are a few tips before you come out to pick:
Use hand sanitizer (provided) before entering the patch.
Only use the baskets provided (none from home).
Any baskets you use but don't end up filling/taking home, there will be a bin to place these 'dirty baskets.' Don't mix them with the new ones.
Practice social distancing at all times (at least 6 feet between people).
If you have gloves, bring them and use them.
If you have a mask, bring it and use it.
There can only be 10 people per picking section.
There are multiple picking sections and they are well marked.

As always, thanks for your support!

Patch is Now Open

Our pick your own strawberry patch is now open! We're open 7AM -7PM, 7 days a week 14489 Bethel Church Lane, Smithfield, VA. U-pick strawberries are $10/basket on the honor system - baskets are provided. There's a black box to drop your money near where you grab your baskets (at the gate).

Delicious!

This is a yummy way to teach about the properties of solids and liquids :-)

A few for Dinner

The first few berries are ripening up.  There aren't quite enough to open the patch yet, but just enough to have some for dinner :-)

Soon and very soon :-)

Check out # 4 on the list:

Stock Up on 9 Healthy Foods to Boost Immune System

Strawberry Update

We hope this message finds you and your family healthy and in good spirits.

Our strawberries are really growing well, and we anticipate our Sweet Charlies will be ripe within a week or two. We're growing Ruby Junes & Chandlers as well, and they'll be ripe in several more weeks.

Amid this pandemic, we have been diligently following the guidance put out by government officials. Recently, the VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released a statement providing guidance for Pick-Your-Own Farms. Because we are providing food to the public, we are allowed to continue operation, just with a few changes that we'll be implementing at our strawberry patch this season.

As always, once we open for the season, we'll be open 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. Strawberries are $10/basket, on the honor system, and we'll provide the new baskets for you to fill and take home with you. Please refrain from bringing your own containers. We'll have hand sanitizer for you to use prior to entering the patch.

We are growing 17,000 strawberry plants on 1.2 acres, the equivalent of 52,272 square feet - PLENTY of room to spread out. We'll have the patch roped off into multiple sections, and each section will be limited to 10 pickers per section. Please don't be discouraged by these limitations. Because we are open 84 hours/week, we rarely have a ton of pickers at any one time.

Once we're open, we hope that you'll come enjoy the experience of fresh air, sunshine, and delicious strawberries.

We'll keep you posted when the patch is open for the season. Have a great day!