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.