pick your own.....

EssexGirl

I think it's a bit early in the season for pick your own farms. My local one doesn't open until next month and will probably just be for strawberries.

It's almost always cheaper to pick your own than to buy it already picked.

Fruit and vegetable picking has always been a highlight of the summer season for me :j

Llefenni

I wonder if you could make jam from the frozen 'smoothie mix' fruits seen in many supermarkets' freezer aisles? As it's frozen it'll cost less than the fresh fruit and last you longer (you could then use the leftover fruit in puddings etc.)

Welcome to the UK though! Where are you from originally?

Egghi

I am from Italy.

I am still a bit confused about seasons... When strawberries are ready in Italy, I have to wait another month in the Uk he he.

Well, I don't mind as long as they are fresh and local.

Not sure about the jam from frozen fruit but thanks for the input:-)

count_rostov

My cousin has a soft fruit farm and farm shop and he always sells raspberries, strawberries, plums etc which have been damaged as jam fruit. They're much much cheaper than the dessert fruit. There aren't any pick-your-own where I live so I can't compare prices, but I think it's good value. Perhaps you could try that at local soft fruit farms if you can't find a pick-your-own?
Hope you're settling in well - welcome!

Pink.

Hi Egghi,

These websites may help you to see what's in season in the Uk at each month:

www.eattheseasons.co.uk

www.iminseason.com

There's an earlier thread on picking your own that may help to.

pick your own.....

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep all the advice together.

Pink

[Deleted User]

It certainly isn`t cheaper if it involves travelling. It is cheaper if the fruit farm is close by

betterlife

i always find picking your own cheaper, and the good thing is they only weigh the basket of fruit haha, this is great as my 3 young children love going and eating as they help me fill the baskets, and the staff always laugh as the leave with red strawberry stained faces. also dont forget end of aug / sept you can go blackberry picking for free, along with elderflower i made loads of jam last year. hope this helps.

scuzz

Try your local pick your own place. The one I go to is already advertising their strawberries are ready to be picked.

But generally I would say give it till next month.

Seakay

betterlife wrote: »

i always find picking your own cheaper, and the good thing is they only weigh the basket of fruit haha, this is great as my 3 young children love going and eating as they help me fill the baskets, and the staff always laugh as the leave with red strawberry stained faces. also dont forget end of aug / sept you can go blackberry picking for free, along with elderflower i made loads of jam last year. hope this helps.

My local fruit farm gave up on pick your own strawberries because they were making such losses because of people who picked and ate instead of picking and paying. Some whole families would picnic at the side of the field, stuff their faces with strawberries and then leave having paid for nothing or only for a small amount. (Not saying that your lot were like this, only that farmers have to make a living too)

jodie114

i wanted to go pyo for strawberries etc soon, and wondered if there was some sort of directory website that let you know where they are?

i am in essex/east london border if that helps?




thanks

jodie