FAQ

WHAT’S AVAILABLE?
Asparagus: 

• Is picked fresh every other day and cut for tenderness rather than length. 
• We do not use elastic bands, but package our asparagus in 1 lb. amounts loose in bags because the cut stalk length varies.

Raspberries (Red and Black): 

• We sell raspberries by the 4 litre pail (an ice cream pail) when you are u-picking.   We also pre-pick by the pail and pint. 
• We package our raspberries for freezing in 500g. ziplock bags.  This works out to about 4 cups of fruit… just right for a pie recipe.

Tart Cherries:  

• We sell cherries by the 4 litre pail (an ice cream pail) when you are u-picking.   We also pre-pick by the pail and quart. 
• We package our cherries (pitted) in 600g. ziplock bags.  This works out to about 4 cups of fruit… just right for a pie recipe.
  
  

Pumpkins: 

• We grow ornamental, small kid size, pie, and jack-o-lantern pumpkins.
• Pumpkins are available at our stand in Carman in front of Toews Printing and at the Carman Co-op.

FROZEN FRUIT / OTHER PRODUCTS:
We do have some supply of frozen fruit and pumpkin available. 
We are building a supply of our new product, cherry raisins - Cherraisins      

WHERE ARE WE LOCATED?
Please refer to the map on our home page to find our farm.   We set up our farm stand in Carman in front of Toews Printing (21 1st St. SW) as produce is available.  Raspberry and cherry tomato pints are also available in the Carman Co-op.

CAN YOU PRE-ORDER?
We ask you to pre-order asparagus, raspberries, and cherries at least 24 hours ahead of when you are planning to pick up your order.   We fill orders on a first come first served basis.  Many of our previous customers put in their orders for the next year when they pick up their pails for the current year.  Please use the contact page or phone us to place your order.   If we are out in the field, please leave a message with your name, phone number, your order, and when you are planning to come.

DO WE DELIVER?
We will deliver larger quantity orders in Carman on a limited basis, and have a special service for our less mobile senior residents.  Please call us to arrange.

ARE CHILDREN AND PETS WELCOME?
Children are more than welcome.  We have a small play structure for the younger ones.  We also usually have a few kittens which become a center of attraction.  We ask that you monitor and supervise the kids.  For health and safety reasons, we ask that if you have a pet with you that you leave it in your vehicle.  Our farm dog is tied up and is very friendly, but we don’t want any animals in the fruit area.

OUT IN THE FIELD?
You will be out in the sun for at least an hour, please come prepared for sun and mosquitoes.  We do have ice cream pails available, but if you have your own, please bring them as our supply diminishes quickly.  If you wish to pick smaller quantities or have smaller containers, we will supply a measured pail which you can transfer your picked fruit from.
As a member of the On-Farm Food Safety program, we have a hand washing station set up and encourage you wash your hands before going out to pick.   We require our employees to do the same.  We also have outhouse facilities on the yard site.
If you have peanut allergies, we have a segregated area that only we pick to ensure that there is no peanut contamination.

ARE THERE CHEMICALS AND BUGS?
We have been forced due to weather conditions of the last 2 or 3 years, to introduce a fungicide spray in the raspberries.  We want to assure you that this is applied several weeks before there is any fruit on the plants, so there is no chemical on any of the fruit.   We do not use chemicals on any of the other produce.  We do NOT use insecticides, so be prepared for mosquitoes, flies and the other usual pests of the outdoors.
We follow all the guidelines of the Food Safety Program and are audited to ensure that we have not overlooked anything that could affect the safety and quality of the produce we provide.  We try to provide a safe environment and hope that you feel free to ask us about the orchard.

STORAGE AND PROCESSING?
Raspberries in a pail will keep in the fridge approximately 3 days, and cherries while they will keep slightly longer will become tarter after a few days.  Cool all fruit as soon as possible after picking.  Do not wash raspberries… they are a soft fruit, and because there is no chemical on them are safe to eat straight from the field.  Cherries should be washed in cold water before storing, stored for a couple of hours before using.  Do not pit until you are ready to use them.
Asparagus should be washed once or twice to remove any dirt or grit.  We do give the asparagus 1 wash to remove obvious dirt before packing it.  It should be used within 3 or 4 days at the latest to retain freshness.
Freezing fruit:  Spread raspberries or pitted cherries out on a jelly roll pan to freeze.  Once frozen, move the fruit into zip lock bags of convenient size for you.  This will make it easier to use, as the berries remain individually loose to use whatever portion you need at a time.
Lightly blanch asparagus, and lay out on paper towels to dry and cool before freezing. 
Please see the recipe page for other processing ideas.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to ask us on the contact page and we’ll post an answer or find a link for you.

WEATHER and FIELD CONDITIONS?
We cannot pick raspberries in the rain, but if you come prepared, all other produce can be u-picked.  We will not open if there are weather warnings or watches of severe weather.
The raspberry orchard has grass lanes, and is easily accessible.  The other orchard and garden areas can be muddy after rain.  Please bring appropriate footwear.

CAN WE COME EARLIER IN THE DAY?

PAYMENTS:
We only accept cash or cheques.  Sorry, we cannot process debit or credit cards.

DISCOUNTS?
Sorry.  We do not offer discounts.  We do have pre-paid certificates available to purchase for you to give or use.