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U-pick, We Love.
Lockbriar Farms in Chestertown. “Do you have any that are already picked?” I feel my eyes rolling toward heaven.
Oh, for crying out loud. Here we stand, with rows and rows of perfectly manicured, heavily laden bushes — engorged red raspberries literally falling off the bush into our hands — the bushes conveniently at waist height. And this is what I hear, as I return to the weighing stand after a few minutes with my flat of perfect berries. From some lady with a gargantuan white SUV and a blonde helmet of hair, checkbook poised hopefully in hand. People consistently perplex me. Although yes, is the short answer. They often do have some that are already picked.
The foibles of humanity aside, I hit the keyboard today for something far more important —
to sing the praises of a beautiful, beautiful u-pick farm, just a couple miles north of Chestertown. Lockbriar Farms is a
tapestry of fruit and abundance that makes a gatherer’s heart leap in joy. Wayne and Marcella Lockwood began the farm a couple of years ago and it’s pristine: rows of strawberries, red
raspberries, black raspberries, blackberries (they’re different) with yet more fruits and trees coming on. The plants
are drip-irrigated, and the varieties are specially chosen to ripen at different times for a longer season.
On our first visit, Wayne was at a sweet cherry conference, and Marcella gave me the tour. In the beginning,
the farm supplied family produce stands and various farmers markets around the area (they’re at the Chestertown market
on Saturdays). The u-pick idea began later as the Lockwoods began contemplating how to expand production without having to
incur the extra cost of labor. The answer: do it yourself. So here’s
how u-pick at Lockbriar Farm works: Fruits are weighed by the pound (they deduct for the weight of the basket). At 1.85 a
pound, strawberries are roughly 3.00 a quart, and superb. At 4.85 a lb., red raspberries are a little over 2.00 for a rounded
half-pint (the kind of container you’re used to buying in the store). Jaqueline and James, the Lockwood kids, will show
you where to head to pick and weigh up your bounty afterward.
Because you pick the fruit yourself, it’s perfect and perfectly fresh. And furthermore, there’s no charge for all the berries you stuff in yourself. Even Marcella says “the eating’s half the fun.” Wincing at the pesticides? I didn’t. While not organic, the Lockwoods try to use safe and friendly practices.
The raspberries especially seem like little gems; they’re such a luxury at a grocery store, even
in season. The berries are fragile, and so you’re handed a flat to use when picking; you don’t want to layer the
berries too deeply. When I returned the next weekend for a real berry pick, I made the mistake of not stopping myself. The
goal was a red raspberry pie. I picked enough for the pie, plus a freezer bag full of berries and two half-pints for friends,
toting up a bill of $20. So know when to say when.
By the way, the pie was fabulous. And my friend who received a half-pint rewarded me with this terrific recipe for an easy raspberry coffeecake. The sour cream makes it wonderful. Do yourself a favor and visit this place. You’ll feel virtuous for gathering your own treasure and the prices are great when you do. Plus, you can start dreaming of the future. Blueberries, peaches, cherries, plums, gooseberries and apricots — as well as heirloom tomatoes — are on the way.
Lockbriar Farms Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. 7 AM to 6 PM (or by appt.) 410-778-9112 10051 Worton Rd. Chestertown, MD 21620 www.lockbriarfarms.com Directions: 213 N from Chestertown, Left on 298, second farm on right. |
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