Pick Your
Own
Photo:
Rebecca MacTavish, Hutchinson Farm raspberry
patch, July 6, 2006
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Picking at Hutchinson Farm -
an authentic farm experience!
If commercialized farming, gift shops, or the
chaos of "farm entertainment" is not your cup of
tea, our farm may be just what you're looking
for! It's all about our crops, the goings on of
a real farm, a keen interest in food, plus the
peace and quiet of the country. Kids with
imaginations will not want to leave.
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Call 905-335-2515 for picking conditions
- What can
you pick?
Raspberries (usually late June and most of
July. Fall raspberries mid-Sept - frost)
Note: Raspberry patch is open mornings only, 9:00
- 12:00
Red Currants: usually mid-June - early July
Black Currants: usually July
Pumpkins: October.
All our other produce (strawberries, tomatoes,
etc.) is picked by us, and is for sale at our
store in season.
-
What does it cost?
If you want to pick your own, please
call ahead for picking conditions 905-335-2515.
Please note, raspberries are expensive to grow,
making them one of the most expensive fruits.
Every picker in your group pays $10 in advance for
their first 2 pints, $14.50/kg for amounts greater
than 2 pints.
Admission to the patch $10.00 per person, and your
first $10 of berries are free!
- Who can
pick?
Anyone! Children of all ages are
allowed in the patch. Only humans are allowed
in the patch.
- What do
I bring?
Containers: Any container will do:
baskets, pails, Tupperware, ice cream
containers, mixing bowls, etc. We do have
containers available, but you have to buy
them. Cardboard containers are very common,
but they're really not the best for picking if
it has rained -they get soggy! Raspberries
squish under their own weight, so it's best to
bring lots of containers and only fill them up
a bit (no more than 2 inches).
Insect repellent may be needed (primarily in
the morning in the raspberry patch).
Some refreshment (we do sell water, but feel
free to bring your own).
- What
should I wear?
High heels and white
pants....or wide brimmed hats, old
(pre-worn?) clothes, comfortable shoes.
When picking raspberries, you might want
to wear a long sleeved shirt to protect
your arms from being scratched by the
canes. Be prepared to get wet feet in the
raspberry patch in the morning (we can get
heavy dews).
- When
should we come?
Avoid the mid afternoon -it
can get very hot out in the patch. Come
first thing in the morning (we open at
9:00), when the berries are cool.
Raspberries shouldn't be picked when
they're wet, if they are, use them right
away. Please note, we keep strict hours.
Should you arrive early (before 9:00) you
will have to wait until 9:00 to start
picking. When we close, we really close!
-no stragglers allowed. In fact, we don't
allow access to the patch 1 hour prior to
closing.
- What
varieties do you grow?
Raspberries: Prelude, Nova
Currants: Stikine, Tahsis, Red Lake, Rovada,
Hron
- Any
other tips?
For fast picking, leave your
container on the ground and pick with two
hands!
Don't pick unripe raspberries...they do no
ripen...if you need to pull them off they
are not ripe!
- What
about pesticides?
See: How we
grow our crops
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