Neal's Berry Farm
  • Home
  • UPDATES
  • LOCATION
  • FAQ'S & LINKS
  • GALLERY
  • Contact Us
  • SITE MAP
PictureCheck this page often to see what's new on the farm! SCROLL DOWN for latest post.

preview of week 6/1/22-6/5/22. peak berry season is happening now!

5/31/2022

 
Open Wed. 6/1/22 7:30am-1:00pm, and the same hours this week Thurs. thru Sunday, unless picked out or rained out. Blackberries and vegs have had a day and a half to ripen since last picking, so quite a bit will be ready again for picking. Peaches close to ripe, but still not ready, so orchard is closed to everyone. Please bring clippers for cutting sunflowers, zinnias and some vegs. Pickers must check in before 12:30pm and weigh/pay by our 1:00pm sharp closing time.
 

Closed Tues 5/31/22, back open Wed. 6/1/22

5/30/2022

 
Great crowd we had for picking today! Thank you all for supporting this family-owned and operated farm. Due to the high volume of picking over the last 3 days (holiday weekend), we must CLOSE TOMORROW, TUESDAY 5/31/22, TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR BLACKBERRIES, FLOWERS AND VEGS TO RIPEN. This is a one-time Tuesday closure due to being open on Memorial Day, and next week we resume our normal schedule of being closed on Monday, open the other days of the week. So this week our hours are: Open daily Wednesday (6/1/22) through Sunday, (6/8/22) 7:30am-1:00pm unless picked out or rained out.

Picture
Picture

what's available for memorial day 5/30/22

5/29/2022

 
Open Memorial Day 5/30/22 7:30am-1:00pm. Please take a moment to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy our freedom. It has been a busy weekend and, as you can see on the yellow sign here, we are picked out of a few things. But we still have LOTS of thornless blackberries to pick, lots of some vegs and not so many of others. Come early for best availability, and don't forget to bring your shears/clippers to cut sunflowers and some of the veggies. Sorry we have to ask everyone to keep out of the orchard, but peaches will be ripe soon and will be lots to pick if we keep the unripe ones from being picked too soon. Tomatoes can be picked if they have a bit of red on them, but please leave the large green tomatoes for our farmer to pick and have for sale in the market. Eggplants were picked too small this morning, so we need to give them a few days to mature again. Sorry, no zinnia picking either--need a few days to catch up. But there are lots of radishes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, yellow squash, green zucchini, yellow heirloom zucchini, beets, green onions, chard, turnips, and a few cucumbers. And two patches of sunflowers, both Mammoth and multi-bloom. Visit our market for peach BBQ wood and oak firewood for your Memorial Day cookouts. Pickers must check in before 12:30 pm and weigh/pay by our 1:00 sharp closing time. Sorry, no picnic area, and no pets please.

Picture

Memorial weekend hours and info

5/26/2022

 
MEMORIAL WEEKEND HOURS: open Fri., Sat., Sun., & Mon. (May 27, 28, 29, 30, 2022) 7:30am-1:00pm. Lots of U-Pick thornless blackberries, flowers and veggies. Right now is a great time to pick blackberries--just entering peak season and blackberries are ripening quickly--get them now while the pickin' is easy! Please see yellow sign pictured here for what is available. Pickers must check in at market before 12:30pm and weigh/pay before our 1:00pm sharp closing time. Sorry, no pets, no picnic area. Bring your clippers for sunflowers, zinnias and some of the veggies. Blackberries are the ONLY fruit available for picking, so please keep out of the orchard. Peach season coming soon, but none for picking yet. We are your local source for peach BBQ wood, oak firewood, homemade pickles and various jar products.

Picture
Picture

Awesome picking today! good weather, abundant blackberries/vegs/flowers

5/25/2022

 
5/25/22 Last nite 1.5" rain. Few puddles. Cool temps, TONS of ripe blackberries. Awesome day to pick! Bring shears for flowers/some vegs.

Schedule for this week & Memorial Day

5/24/2022

 
If you were waiting for the easy-picking time to get your thornless blackberries, now is the time! You can practically stand in one spot and fill your box, as shown in the pictures taken today. Temperatures in the 60's and 70's tomorrow! Open 7:30am-1:00pm the rest of this week, Wed. thru Sunday (May 25-29, 2022), and Memorial Day (Monday, May 30, 2022), weather permitting. Pickers must check in before 12:30pm and weigh/pay by our 1:00pm sharp closing time. Bring your clippers for the zinnias, sunflowers and some of the veggies. Shop our market for Peach BBQ wood and Oak firewood for your cookouts/bonfires.
Picture
Picture

weather update-rain missed us

5/24/2022

 
As of 6:33am 5/24/22 rain has totally missed us. Open with lots of blackberries to pick with temps in the 70's today!

Peak Berry season starts 5-24-22

5/23/2022

 
PEAK BLACKBERRY SEASON BEGINS TUES. 5/24/22! All of the rows of berries are open for picking! The next several weeks will be the best picking times of the season, but come early and beat the heat. See yellow sign for what is available. We just added okra, eggplant, dill, tomato and zinnia picking to the list. PLEASE DO NOT PICK PEACHES--THEY ARE NOT RIPE YET!! Blackberries are the ONLY fruit available now. NECTARINE SEASON IS OVER FOR NOW. Very important that you bring clippers for flowers and some vegs. Cut sunflower stems with a pocket knife or your clippers (not with our kindergarten scissors please!) Eggplant must be cut--twisting the stem breaks the plant and many future eggplants are wasted. Zinnias also must be cut--do not twist stem off. Please get zinnia cutting directions before you pick so you don't cut the future blooms. Do you see a trend here? Properly harvested veggies and flowers will ensure a longer season, but improper harvesting severely impacts future production. We greatly appreciate you cooperation in properly harvesting the crops. Peak berry season is upon us now, so come out and fill your boxes while you can! Open Tues. thru Sunday, 7:30am-1:00 pm, weather permitting. Pickers must check in before 12:30pm and be weighed/paid by our 1:00pm sharp closing time. Some rain predicted this week, so if we will have to be closed for the day, a post will be made before 7:00am here and on Facebook.. If we open regular time, but close early due to rain, an update will be made as soon as possible.

Picture
Yellow sign on post shows what is available.
Picture
Over 3 miles of thornless blackberries just like this, ready to be picked and enjoyed!
Picture
Eggplant and okra season starts now! Please bring garden shears to harvest.
Picture
Sunflowers and zinnias to brighten your day! Please cut the zinnias above the first branches to preserve the future blooms.
Picture
Tomatoes of all sizes are ready to pick. If they have any red color on them, they are ready,but please leave the green ones for the farmers to harvest at the right time and have for sale in the market.
Picture
Radishes ready to harvest in field behind the market, on the kale row.

Weather update for 5/22/22=Open regular hours!

5/22/2022

 
5/22/22: Got 1/4" rain this morning, almost no puddles=soaked in. Storm clearing by 7:30am opening time. Come on out and pick today!

Sun. 5/22/22 Likely last day to pick nectarines. tons of blackberries ready to pick!

5/21/2022

 
Open Sunday 5/22/22 7:30am-1:00 pm. Yellow sign shown here lists what is available for picking on 5/22/22. Tons of ripe thornless blackberries ready to pick now! Very few nectarines left to pick, but some are for sale pre-picked in the market. Squash and zucchini is still doing well, but won’t last much longer in this heat, so hurry in before the squash season ends. Please remember to bring shears/clippers to cut sunflowers and some vegetables. Pickers must check in before 12:30pm and weigh/pay by our 1:00pm sharp closing time. .

Picture

last week for u-Pick nectarines, sliding into first week of peak blackberry season.

5/20/2022

 
Great weekend pickin’ coming up: Slightly cooler temps predicted -- enjoy it while it lasts! Small chance of rain so watch this page for any weather updates. We do allow picking in light rain, but not during lightning. Open (weather-permitting!) Saturday & Sunday (May 21 & 22, 2022) 7:30am-1:00pm. Pickers must check in before 12:30pm and check out by our 1:00pm sharp closing time. U-Pick vegs available: Kale, Dino Kale, Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Green Onions, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Cucumbers (a few cukes—picked pretty close today), and 3 kinds of squash: Yellow, Green Zucchini, and Heirloom Yellow Zucchini. The zucchinis are taking over the field, so now is perfect time to make zucchini bread! Check out the yellow sign pictured here for what is where in the fields. U-Pick fruit available: Thornless Blackberries (almost entering PEAK season) and Nectarines (nectarine season ending soon). No other FRUIT is ripe for picking except blackberries and nectarines. IMPORTANT INFO: Orange flagging tape is tied to the nectarine trees that have ripe fruit. PLEASE DO NOT PICK FRUIT FROM ANY TREES WITHOUT ORANGE FLAGGING TAPE ATTACHED. Also, please watch children closely at all times, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE ORCHARD. PLEASE DON’T ALLOW THEM TO CLIMB THE FRUIT TREES, HANG FROM THE LIMBS, TAKE BITES OF FRUIT AND/OR THROW FRUIT ON THE GROUND. This farm is our livelihood and we appreciate everyone giving the trees the respect they deserve so that we can continue allowing U-Pick orchard fruits. Always check page or Facebook "Neal's Berry Farm & Farmer's Market" before coming out to be sure we are open. Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables. Shop our market for oak firewood, peach BBQ wood, and homegrown jar products
Picture
Oodles of Thornless Blackberries, nectarines, yellow squash and zucchini picked today 5-20-22.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Blackberries, nectarines and vegs ready for picking

5/18/2022

 
Open the rest of this week, (Thurs. May 19 THROUGH Sun. May 22, unless picked out or rained out, which will be posted here if that happens) 7:30am-1:00 pm. Available this week ‘til picked out: Nectarines, thornless blackberries, yellow squash, green zucchini, yellow zucchini, carrots, beets, swiss chard, kale, cucumbers, turnips, green onions and sunflowers. No other FRUIT is ripe for picking except blackberries and nectarines. IMPORTANT INFO: Orange flagging tape is tied to the nectarine trees that have ripe fruit. PLEASE DO NOT PICK FRUIT FROM ANY TREES WITHOUT ORANGE FLAGGING TAPE ATTACHED. Closed Mondays. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this FB page or https://www.nealsberryfarm.com/updates-neals-berry-farm-blog before coming out to be sure we are open. Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables.
Picture
Nectarines and blackberries are able to be picked in the same box.
Picture
Look for orange flagging tape showing which nectarine trees have ripe fruit.

Fabulous Blackberry and Nectarine picking today!

5/17/2022

 
Blackberry and nectarine picking was fabulous today, and will be even better tomorrow and the rest of this week! Open Wed. 5/18/22 7:30am-1:00pm with lots of blackberry, nectarine, vegetable and sunflower picking. IMPORTANT INFO: Orange flagging tape is tied to the nectarine trees that have ripe fruit. PLEASE DO NOT PICK FRUIT FROM ANY TREES WITHOUT ORANGE FLAGGING TAPE ATTACHED. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this page or Facebook:"Neal's Berry Farm & Farmer's Market" before coming out to be sure we are open. Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables.

Picture

First nectarines of the season, more blackberries ready to pick!

5/16/2022

 
Open this week Tues.,May 17 THROUGH Sun. May 22, (unless picked out or rained out, which will be posted here if that happens) 7:30am-1:00 pm. Available this week ‘til picked out: Nectarines, thornless blackberries, veggies and sunflowers. No other FRUIT is ripe for picking except blackberries and nectarines. IMPORTANT INFO: Orange flagging tape is tied to the nectarine trees that have ripe fruit. PLEASE DO NOT PICK FRUIT FROM ANY TREES WITHOUT ORANGE FLAGGING TAPE ATTACHED. More blackberries are ripe so more rows to pick. Please see yellow sign picture here for what is available/UNavailable for U-Pick. Closed Mondays. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this page or Facebook "Neal's Berry Farm & Farmer's Market" before coming out to be sure we are open. Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables.

Picture
Only nectarine trees with orange flagging tape (shown here) have ripe fruit on them. Please do not pick from any trees without orange flagging tape.
Picture
Picture
Lots more blackberries ripe now! The first variety "Freedom" is still producing, but now the "Traveler" is open for picking too.
Picture
Pickling cucumbers and a sunflower head that is drying for seed.
Picture
Pickers enjoying the morning hours in the front field by Binford Rd.
Picture
Customer picked a colorful variety of vegetables 5-14-22.

open may 14-15, 2022 for veg and sunflower picking only--no ripe blackberries to pick!

5/13/2022

 
Open this weekend Saturday and Sunday, (May 14-15, 2022) 7:30am-1:00 pm FOR VEGGIE AND SUNFLOWER PICKING ONLY. BLACKBERRY PICKING IS CLOSED THIS WEEKEND because many red/green berries have been picked lately and VERY few will ripen tomorrow and Sunday. Blackberries picked when RED are very tart and will not ripen after picking. If you are coming for JUST BLACKBERRIES, wait another few days, but we have LOTS of veggies and sunflowers ready to pick this weekend. We should have TONS of ripe blackberries in another week or two. No other FRUIT is ripe for picking this weekend. Open daily (except Mondays) in season, 7:30am-1:00pm. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this page or Facebook before coming out to be sure we are not rained out/picked out, (which rarely happens). Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables.
Picture
Dill pickles made from produce grown here is for sale in the market. We also offer pre-picked homegrown dill in the market.
Picture
Cucumber patch just opened today (5-13-22) for picking. Combine with our fresh pre-picked dill for a tasty quick pickle, or treat yourself to a jar of our homemade Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles while they last.
Picture
Bring your garden shears to cut a whole stem of sunflowers for only $1.00.

Squash of all sizes recipe-ready!

5/12/2022

 
As shown in these pictures, Monster-size zucchini now ready for picking—both traditional green and heirloom yellow. These make a great Keto-friendly pizza: Slice into 3/8" to ½” rounds, sprinkle w/salt, & let set for 30 min. to draw out moisture. Rinse off salt, pat dry. Lay flat on cookie sheet. Brush w/olive oil & garlic, then bake 350 ° for 10-15 min. Remove from oven, top with tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese or toppings of your choice. Bake again @ 350° for another 10-15 min or ‘til cheese melts. Enjoy! Tomorrow (Fri, 5/13/22) we have lots of vegs ready, but FEW ripe blackberries. A lot of RED berries were picked today, so not many ripe tomorrow. If you are coming for JUST BLACKBERRIES, better to wait a few more days. Blackberries picked when RED will be very tart and will not sweeten after picking. Open daily (except Mondays) in season, 7:30am-1:00pm. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this page or our Facebook page before coming out to be sure we are not rained out/picked out, (which rarely happens). Please bring garden clippers for cutting sunflowers and some vegetables.

Picture
These yellow heirloom zucchini will be even larger tomorrow! Photo: 5-12-22
Picture
Green zucchini ready for your Keto-friendly pizza! photo: 5-12-22
Picture
Mixed bag of veggies picked 5-12-22
Picture
Blackberries picked 5-12-22. Berries that are picked with Any RED color will be very tart and will NOT ripen after picking. Shown here with our peach preserves, LSU Purple Fig Jam and Pickled Heirloom Green Velvet Okra! Yum!
Picture
Sunflowers only $1.00 per stem, no matter how many flowers on the stem. Bring your clippers to cut the thick stem.

blackberries, vegs & sunflowers to pick now!

5/11/2022

 
Lots of vegetables and sunflowers available now, and more HUGE Freedom and Traveler thornless blackberries are ripening every day. First cherry and grape tomatoes ripening now. Open daily (except Mondays) during the season, 7:30am-1:00pm. Pickers must check in with cashier before 12:30pm and be finished picking by our 1:00pm closing time. Always check this page or Facebook before coming out to be sure we are not rained out/picked out, which hardly ever happens.  Please bring garden clippers for cutting flowers and some vegs. Shop our market for peach BBQ wood, firewood, and a large assortment of pickles, jellies and preserves, all made here from products grown here. The Spicy Garlic Dills are a crowd favorite, so get them before they are gone for the year.
 

Picture
HUGE Freedom and Traveler thornless blackberries picked 5-11-22.
Picture
Grape tomato picking season just starting. 5-11-22
Picture
Nice assortment picked today 5-11-22.

May 09th, 2022

5/9/2022

 
No rain is forecast for this entire week, so we plan to be OPEN every day this week --Tues. May 10, through Sunday, May 15, 2022. Hours 7:30am-1:00pm (pickers must check in before 12:30 and weigh/pay by 1:00pm). See yellow sign here listing what will be available to pick this week while supplies last. Available: LOTS of yellow squash, green zucchini, heirloom yellow zucchini, carrots, beets, turnips, green onions, and Swiss chard. Still only a few ripe, thornless blackberries, but a larger yield ripening each passing day. Bring your shears to cut beautiful sunflowers, only $1/stem no matter how many blooms. Lots more jar products than ever before—made from our homegrown produce. Pick up a few bundles of our Peach BBQ Wood, made from our tree trimmings. Makes a great flavor for anything you can grill! For pricing, hours and other information, please visit this page or our Facebook page, "Neal's Berry Farm & Farmer's Market." See the updated farm map on this website to help you navigate the farm when you come out!
Picture
Picture
Photo 5/9/22: Few ripe blackberries but lots more ripening soon.
Picture
Customer picked bag 5/8/22--Heirloom yellow zucchini, green zucchini, beets, yellow squash and more.
Picture
Customer-picked bag 5/8/22--carrots, yellow squash, green zucchini.

Open mother's day for veg & sunflower picking only--no fruit ready to pick

5/7/2022

 
Huge thanks to everyone who came out and picked today! Y'all were awesome! We WILL be open tomorrow (Sunday, May 8, 2022), but ONLY FOR VEGETABLE AND SUNFLOWER PICKING. Blackberry picking resumes on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 when more have had time to ripen. This yellow sign shows what will be available to pick (and not pick) tomorrow. Hours on Sunday, May 8 are 7:30am-1:00pm. As always, pickers must check in BEFORE 12:30pm, and weigh/pay by our 1:00pm closing time. Please bring shears/clippers to cut the sunflowers--ONLY $1.00/stem, no matter how many blooms are on the stalk. We had some "sunflower trees" come out of the fields today, and there's plenty more left to pick tomorrow-- Perfect for Mother's Day! So come out and enjoy the morning tomorrow, and pick up some of our delicious jar products (pickles, peppers, preserves, jelly), Peach BBQ wood, or firewood. See y'all then!

Picture

2022 Season opens tomorrow!

5/6/2022

 
Saturday, MAY 7, 2022 is first day of the new season! Hours 7:30am-1:00pm (pickers must check in before 12:30pm and weigh/pay by 1:00pm). See yellow sign here listing what will be available to pick while supplies last. Now is a great time to pick LOTS of yellow squash, green zucchini, and heirloom yellow zucchini. Please note that there are VERY few blackberries ripe now, but TONS of red and green ripening soon. Lots more jar products than ever before—made from our homegrown produce. Pick up a few bundles of our Peach BBQ Wood, made from our tree trimmings. Makes a great flavor for anything you can grill! Bring your garden shears to cut beautiful sunflowers, only $1.00/stem.  On this website, see the updated farm map on the "Site Map" tab to help you navigate the farm when you come out. We plan to be open Sunday, May 8, unless we get picked out Saturday. See the FB page or this website “Updates” page Saturday afternoon where we will list if we will be open or closed on Sunday, May 8. It's looking like we will have the best season ever, so come out and enjoy the morning!

Picture
Picture
Picture

SEASON OpenING SATURDAY MAY 7, 2022

5/5/2022

 
SEASON OPENS SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022. As promised, here is what you can pick May 5, while supplies last: TONS of Keto-friendly yellow squash, TONS of zucchini and yellow heirloom zucchini, beets, green onions, chard, carrots, turnips, sunflowers, a bit of kale and A FEW BLACKBERRIES. Picture here shows a heavy crop of GREEN BERRIES, A FEW RED BERRIES AND ONE BLACK ONE. If you are coming to pick blackberries, wait a few more days so it is worth the trip. Nectarines: may be ripe next week. Peaches: likely ready 3rd or 4th week of May. Tomatoes: A VERY few cherry tomatoes ripe now, main crop ready in about 3 weeks. Zinnias: No blooms yet, need 2 weeks or more to start picking. Bring garden shears for cutting sunflowers. PRICES: Entry $3/person age 2 and up. Reusable fruit-picking box: $2. U-Pick Fruit: $5.50/lb. U-Pick Vegs: $2.50/lb. Sunflowers $1.00/stem. Regular hours are Tues. thru Sunday, 7:30am-1:00pm. Pickers must check-in before 12:30pm and weigh/pay by 1:00pm closing time. CASH/MC/VISA/AMEX. No checks please. It’s looking to be our best season ever, but many crops just need a bit more time to be ready for picking. WE EXPECT TO BE OPEN SUNDAY, MAY 8, UNLESS PICKED OUT. Check here or Facebook "Neal's Berry Farm & Farmer's Market"  before coming to be sure we will be open.

Picture
Carrots, Swiss Chard, Beets, Zucchini (Green & Yellow), and Yellow squash in the field by Binford Rd
Picture
9 Rows of (Thornless) Freedom Blackberries (our earliest producer) look just like this. A scattered ripe berry here and there. Another week or so and there will be many more ripe berries for picking.
Picture
First section of sunflowers ready for picking opening day. Lots more blooming very soon. Price is $1.00 per stem, so these with many blooms per stem are a real bargain! Please bring garden shears to cut sunflowers.

    Author

    WRITTEN BY THE FARMER'S WIFE

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Thank you for visiting our site! Return often to see what's new on the farm.

  • Home
  • UPDATES
  • LOCATION
  • FAQ'S & LINKS
  • GALLERY
  • Contact Us
  • SITE MAP