Fresh You-Pick at Parsons

At Parsons Farms Produce, we offer a diverse range of "You-Pick" crops throughout the year. Our season begins with ripe strawberries, followed by blueberries and peaches during the summer months. As autumn arrives in October, it's time for pumpkin picking, and we wrap up the year with an extensive collection of fresh Christmas trees.

Picking yourself provides a great opportunity for making memories with friends and family, and gives you the ability to personally select fruit.

*The availability for each of these crops may vary from year to year, especially due to weather. So, it's always a good idea to call ahead or check our calendar prior to your visit to check on picking conditions.

Discover ‘How it works’!

Upon your arrival at Parsons Farm for a "You-Pick" experience, we kindly ask that you use our main entrance located near the market. Parking is available in the grass lot to the right, adjacent to the greenhouse.

To get started with your "You-Pick" adventure, please inform a friendly Parsons's staff member inside our market. They will provide you with an appropriate picking container to make your experience even more enjoyable.

For your convenience, a hayride wagon will be readily available to transport you to our designated "You-Pick" area. The wagon operates continuously, so after you've finished picking, please wait for its return. This way, we can ensure a safe journey back to our market for you.

Please note that Parsons Farm is a working farm, and you may encounter heavy machinery outside of the "You-Pick" area. For the safety of all, we kindly request that you remain within the designated "You-Pick" area during your visit. Your safety and ours are of utmost importance to us.

 

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Important Notes & Tips

Restrooms

Restrooms are available inside the market for customer use.

Wear Comfortable Footwear

We recommend you wear comfortable close toed footwear when coming to pick your own produce. You will be in a field where there may be mud and uneven surfaces.

Sunscreen Recommended

Please remember to bring sunscreen with you as we do not sell it in our market.

Children Under 12

Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult at all times. We offer stroller transportation to the "You-Pick" area via the hayride wagon for your convenience.

No Smoking

Please no smoking in our you pick fields or hayrides.

Pet Policy

For the safety of all visitors and in compliance with food safety regulations, we kindly request that you leave your pets at home when visiting our farm, except for service animals.

Strawberries May 2024

Tips when picking fresh strawberries!

Here's a guide on how to pick strawberries effectively:
  1. Grasp and Twist: Begin by holding the stem just above the strawberry, between your forefinger and thumbnail. Then, gently pull while applying a slight twisting motion.
  2. Catch in Your Palm: As you pull, the stem will break about one-half inch from the berry. Allow the strawberry to roll into the palm of your hand.
  3. Repeat with Both Hands: Continue this process using both of your hands until each hand holds around 3 or 4 strawberries.
  4. Careful Placement: Be cautious when placing the strawberries into your containers. Carefully set them in, rather than tossing them in forcefully.
  5. Avoid Overfilling: Refrain from overfilling your containers or attempting to pack the berries tightly.
By following these steps, you can pick strawberries efficiently while ensuring the fruit remains in good condition.

Tips to Harvest your fresh picked strawberries!

Here are some tips for when you get home with your freshly picked strawberries:
  • Delay Washing: Hold off on washing the berries until you're ready to use them. Washing them prematurely can make them more susceptible to spoiling.
  • Inspect and Remove: Pour the strawberries into shallow pans and carefully inspect them. Remove any mushed, soft, or rotting berries to ensure you only use the best ones.
  • Prepare for Storage: Place a portion of the strawberries, enough for a couple of days' use, into the fridge. For the remaining berries, wash and remove the green caps (tops) before freezing them, unless you plan to make jam immediately. For instructions on freezing strawberries, refer to this page.
  • Variety Matters: If you enjoyed the flavor of the strawberries you picked, the Parsons Farms staff can tell you about the strawberry variety we planted. Keep in mind that the taste of strawberries is influenced by the variety, weather conditions, and the degree of ripeness when harvested.
Now, you're all set to enjoy your strawberries in various ways, from fresh snacking to jam-making adventures!

Blueberry June 2024

Tips when picking fresh blueberries!

Since blueberries grow in clusters on the bushes, similar to grapes, the quickest and easiest way to pick them is as follows:

  • Bucket Technique: Hold your bucket under the bunch of berries with one hand.
  • Gentle Rubbing: With your other hand, cup a ripe bunch of berries and gently rub them with your fingers.
  • Collect Ripe Berries: The ripe blueberries will easily detach from the bush and fall into your bucket.
  • Leave Unripe Ones: You'll notice that unripe berries will remain attached to the bush, so you can focus on collecting only the ripe ones.

During the peak season, experienced pickers can gather up to 2 gallons of blueberries per hour, provided there are no distractions, and the weather isn't too hot. If you're new to blueberry picking, you might average around 1 gallon per hour. Keep in mind that at the beginning or end of the season, it may take more time, as the berries are not as abundant and may not be as concentrated in clusters.

Happy picking!

Tips to Store your fresh picked blueberries!

  1. Open Picking Basket: After picking, avoid placing the still-warm berries directly into a sealed bag or container. Instead, leave the container open to prevent moisture buildup.
  2. Delayed Washing: To prevent the berries from turning mushy, it's best to refrain from washing them until just before you intend to use them.
  3. Chilling: To extend their shelf life, promptly chill the freshly picked blueberries. Place them in the refrigerator as soon as you arrive home, without washing, and store them in a covered bowl or container. If properly refrigerated, you can expect your fresh blueberries to remain in good condition for 10 to 14 days.
  4. Freezing: If you plan to freeze your blueberries, do so without washing to avoid toughening the skins. Arrange the berries in a single layer and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer them into freezer containers. Since unwashed blueberries freeze individually, you can easily pour out the desired amount when needed. Before serving, remember to rinse and drain both frozen and fresh berries in cold water.

Peaches July 2024

Tips when picking fresh peaches!

  • Handling peaches requires a gentle touch due to their softness. To pick a peach with care, use minimal pressure and the sides of your fingers, rather than your fingertips. This approach helps prevent bruising. Grasp the peach firmly, then pull it gently and directly off the branch. Instead of dropping the peach into your basket, place it in gently to ensure it remains undamaged.

Tips to Store your fresh picked peaches!

  1. Ripe peaches exhibit a creamy or golden undertone and emit a delightful "peachy-sweet" fragrance.
  2. To maintain their freshness, peaches should be refrigerated and consumed within a few days.
  3. While placing peaches in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature for a day or two can help soften firm fruit, it's essential to note that they won't become sweeter or ripen further at this stage, as their ripening process halted once they were plucked from the tree.
  4. For the most exceptional flavor, it's advisable to allow the fruit to fully ripen while still on the tree.

  5. Store your peaches at a temperature between 33°F to 40°F and maintain high humidity levels, which can be achieved by storing them in a vegetable drawer within the refrigerator.

Pumpkins October 2023

Embrace the essence of autumn by visiting Parsons Farm's pumpkin patch and personally selecting your pumpkins.

This heartwarming tradition of hand-picking pumpkins is deeply rooted in Delaware's culture and eagerly awaited by families as the crisp fall weather approaches.

After you've carefully chosen your ideal pumpkins, you'll have the joy of bringing them home, where they can serve a multitude of purposes, be it for decoration, baking, or carving.

In addition to the pumpkin picking experience, Parsons Farms hosts a series of weekend events throughout the month of October, offering even more opportunities for seasonal enjoyment.

Flowers (June-September)

In addition to the opportunity to pick your own fruit, Parsons Farms also invites you to indulge in the delightful experience of cutting your own flowers!

From July through September, our fields burst into full bloom, showcasing a diverse array of flowers in a kaleidoscope of colors. This abundance grants you the creative freedom to craft your perfect bouquet.

Our friendly staff will happily provide you with scissors at the register. You can then proceed to the flower fields to handpick your fresh blooms. After you've finished selecting your flowers, please return to the register to count the stems for your purchase.

To ensure the longevity of your freshly picked blooms, here are some tips:

  1. Swift Water Immersion: Once you've picked your flowers, promptly place the stems into a container of water.
  2. Shelter from the Sun: After picking, it's crucial to shield your flowers from direct sunlight. Keeping them in a cool, shaded spot will extend their shelf life.
  3. Underwater Stem Cutting: Upon returning home, consider re-cutting the stems while they are submerged in water. This practice facilitates better water uptake and prevents the formation of vapor locks, helping your flowers stay fresh for longer.

Christmas Trees (November-December)

Selecting a live Christmas tree is a timeless holiday tradition, eagerly anticipated each year.

This experience becomes a cherished memory lasting for generations. This holiday season, why settle for a diminutive, sparse Charlie Brown tree?

Allow us to guide you in choosing the perfect real Christmas tree that will grace your home with beauty throughout the festive season!

Additionally, we're sharing invaluable tips on how to care for your live Christmas tree to ensure it remains vibrant and cheerful from the moment you bring it into your home until the day the ornaments are lovingly stored away.

And, when the holiday season concludes, remember to recycle your real Christmas tree, contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly celebration.