Every summer I like to take at least one trip to a nearby farm to pick my own SOMETHING DELICIOUS. At local farms, you can pick blueberries, strawberries, peas, raspberries, peaches, sour cherries, and, in the fall, apples. PYO, it's called. I know it sounds very Tom Sawyer, and I can just imagine the farmers chuckling and saying to each other, "Here come those city folk! After they pick all the blueberries let's see if they'll whitewash Aunt Polly's fence." Sign me up, I say. I know it's hard work, but sometimes being a farm hand for a day sounds way better than inhaling freon in my office.
Picking your own gets you outside in the warm sun, and is a lot cheaper than buying fruit at Whole Foods. Last year I went blueberry picking and then made blueberry muffins that would have knocked the pants off Violet Beauregarde. My PYO blueberries were $1.99 a pound compared to $3.99 in the store. Economist would argue that I need to factor in opportunity costs, but I say their assumptions are erroneous unless they quantify the fun factor.
This year I'm obsessed with peas, and pea season is right around the corner.
There are numerous PYO farms in the area. I like Butler's Orchard in Maryland. At Butler's there's a farm market where you can buy canning materials and other tasty treats (caramel, jam, relish, cheese), which is open 10-5 daily, and it's only a short drive from DC to Germantown.
Here's an approximate picking schedule. You should call ahead because strawberries come when they are good and ready, not when you want them, unfortunately.
Strawberries - Soon! Check the website, Butler's thinks they will be ready 5/22.
Peas - Around June 10th
Blueberries - About June 20th
The Washington Post has a great pick your own guide. Check it out.
Thanks to Flickr user adwriter for the scrumptious photograph.
If you would like to receive an email every time I post, sign up here!
