Backyard adventures: Picking’s a berry good time

Certain early summer mornings, our family would pile into the van, drive out to fields near where we lived and spend hours picking sweet red berries that peeked out from under bushy vines.

Being children, we sometimes ate more than filled our buckets. One doesn’t easily forget such fresh produce and, even today when most of our food comes off warehouse-like shelves, you can still experience the freshness and the satisfaction of gathering food yourself.

One such place to visit is just a few minutes from quaint but quickly expanding Crozet: Chiles Peach Orchard. It’s surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains on picturesque Jarman Gap Road.

The family business started offering pick-your-own fruit in 1974 after a particularly freezing winter left little fruit for them to sell. Such a concept was new at the time and, much to the family’s surprise, the locals flocked to the orchard and picked their peaches.

Over the years, Chiles expanded its picking season, and currently visitors will find two strawberry patches across the street full of juicy sweet red berries. According to Cynthia Chiles, a fourth generation member of the family operating the farm, the strawberry season lasts until about mid-June.

Also in June, folks can pick sweet cherries. From there, we go into peach season, which runs from late June through August, thanks to all the different varieties planted in the orchard. Apples are picked in late August through October, and pumpkins in September and October.

According to Chiles, the family operated a roadside market for 30 years, where folks could go and pick their own peaches. Then the family decided to expand the season with strawberries and apples.
They were careful in planning and building their new farm market building, which opened last September, so that it fits into the community. Here, they sell fruit that already is picked, as well as local jams and jellies and crafts such as bird houses and baskets.

The new building offers a deck overlooking the peach orchard, complete with picnic tables. Chiles said they welcome visitors to savor ice cream (made with fresh fruit) or a picnic lunch on the deck and enjoy the view of the mountains and fields. The orchard has about 100 acres, though not all of it is open.

Besides families, school groups often visit.

“Strawberries are very special for kids. They’re right at their level,” Chiles said. “The (children) get excited. We expose young kids to picking. It helps us explain about the growing process.”

She described the clientele as “very intergenerational” — that is, you will see grandparents, children, parents and even their dogs.

“There’s a lot of interest in people coming out for the farm experience and enjoying time with the family.”

Chiles said they are busiest on sunny days and during the weekends. Memorial Day weekend is usually the peak for strawberries.

If you’re going
WHAT: Chiles Peach Orchard
WHERE: Jarman Gap Road, Crozet
WHEN:9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May through November.
COST: Pick-your-own strawberries, $2.29 per pound; ready-picked, $4.49 per quart
INFO: Call (434) 823-1583 or visit http://www.chilespeachorchard.com

Anne Causey is a correspondent for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.