OPENING Friday,  MAY 1, 2020!   As an essential Harris County business, we look forward to a fabulous season, but social distancing requires some adaptations. Staff and visitors are expected to follow all Covid-19 procedures for Harris County.  Check-in & Check-out are now under the porch, and the number of shoppers inside the market is limited. Visitors must maintain 6’ distance between parties at all times. Recent cool weather has slowed the ripening of everything, and we anticipate more pickers that ever this year, so for the first few days, limits will be placed on some products. Vegetable and flower pickers are encouraged to bring their own scissors and clippers. We furnish use of round-nosed kindergarten scissors, but you may bring a more durable type and be responsible for your own.
Current status of harvest:
THORNLESS BLACKBERRIES: For first few days, each berry picker over the age of 2 years may be given ONE quart-size plastic bag to fill with up to 1 -1 ½ lbs. blackberries, which will be weighed and charged @ $5.00/lb.  When production increases, we will revert to our previous years’ system of requiring all berries to be picked in our handled box that is sold for $2.00 each. Three miles of thornless blackberries grow on 6-foot high trellis fences with 12-foot spacing between rows, so pickers may pass easily with 6’ (or more) spacing. Of our 5 varieties of thornless blackberries, the earliest producer has the fewest plants, so this year we must limit the amount that can be picked in the opening days to allow more friends of the farm to have the experience. Peak season usually runs from last week of May ’til mid-June, so pick then if you need a large volume.
U-PICK VEGETABLES: Due to cool spring, few veggies will be ripe for picking in the first couple of weeks. Large heavy-duty plastic bags will be sold for $.50 each to fill with U-Pick produce, which will be weighed and charged @$2.00/lb., except for kale, which is $3.00 to fill a plastic grocery-type bag. Some changes may be made as the season progresses.  
U-PICK FIGS: U-Pick figs available starting late June. 
U-PICK TOMATOES: The 700-ft long row won't be ripe for opening week, but it won't be long.
U-PICK ZINNIAS and SUNFLOWERS: Very few blooms yet, but won’t be long.
U-Pick flower pricing: fill a solo cup with Zinnias $3.00. Sunflowers $1.00/stem.
PEACHES and NECTARINES: Ripe soon, but none ready yet. Will only be sold pre-picked in the market.
Admission: $1.00/person entry into field (Cash Only). VISA/MC/DISCOVER or cash OK for other purchases.
 
 Hours for first part of season:  Monday: CLOSED
                                                      Tues. thru Sunday: OPEN 7:30 am-1:00 pm
 Pickers must arrive before 12:30 pm in order to pick and pay before 1:00 pm closing time.      
Hours are subject to change without notice, so please check website or Facebook for hours, map, and more info before you make the trip. Thank you for being a Friend of the Farm, and we look forward to seeing you soon!      The Neal Family      

There is a lot on uncertainty in the world right now, but one thing we know for sure is that blackberry season waits for no one! The current plan is to open the farm on Friday, May 1, 2020, and be open til early August. We expect the hours to be Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 am-1:00 pm, closed on Monday. As always, hours are subject to change without notice, so call or check this website or Facebook before you come out. Will confirm regular schedule as we get closer to opening date.

• Blackberry status: We grow 5 different varieties of thornless blackberries, and we will open when the first variety (Freedom) is ready for picking. The others will follow soon. We have THREE MILES of thornless blackberries on fences.
• Pick-Your-Own Vegetables: currently, we have planted beets, broccoli, eggplant, green beans, kale, okra, onions, squash, and tomatoes. Most will not be ready when we open, but will ripen as the season progresses.
• U-Pick Zinnias: probably won't be ready for opening day, but soon thereafter. We recommend you bring your own scissors or clippers, but for just $3 you can fill our Solo cup with a huge bouquet of gorgeous zinnias. See our gallery for last year's zinnia explosion!
• Peach status: Looking forward to a great peach season! Sorry, peaches are NOT AVAILABLE FOR U-PICK. The farmer hand-picks them at just the right time so you can have that fabulous peach flavor you crave, and they are for sale in the market.
  
• Nectarines: We should have some available when we open or soon thereafter. That last freeze got the most mature ones, but there are still plenty left on the trees to sell pre-picked since nectarines are NOT AVAILABLE FOR U-Pick.

COVID-19 NEWS: Social distancing is required, and with our blackberry rows 12' apart, pickers can stay a safe distance from each other. More info will be posted as becomes available.