It’s pick your own fruit and veg season, and we have some other ideas to pick through too!
You’ve seen the roadside signs, and nowadays the websites too. But those three simple letters - PYO - spell out so much more than you think.
Picking your own fruit makes sense of course. It’s a very cheap way of buying the freshest possible crops. It’s more than that though. It’s a fun day out, for all the family. It’s great outdoor exercise. And, importantly for the young ones, it’s brilliant to see where our food actually comes from. As in a field, not the supermarket. Eating local, seasonal produce is better for the planet and for human health too.
Top tips for pick your own
PYO is fun but you can get more out of it with a bit of planning.
Don’t forget your suncream and antihistamines - UV and pollen count is high this time of year.
Take a hat to shield you from the heat.
Take something to kneel on for maximum comfort.
Take wet wipes - things can get a bit muddy and sticky!
Take antiseptic cream and some plasters. You never know which creepy crawlies you’ll be competing for food with.
Take your card and some cash.
Norfolk and Suffolk are favourite holiday home locations and, aside from their wonderful seaside and countryside these counties are where so much of the nation’s fruit and vegetables are grown.
What to look for right now are the crops that are in season. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries are all ready in June. Look out for vegetables too, and apples won’t be far behind when June is out.
An important point is to always check before you go. Call or go online to see if your chosen farm is fully open, and what crops are available for picking. It’s good to check other details too, like opening hours, and if they are dog friendly. Being prepared makes for a better day out.
PYO in Norfolk
The Tacons, Rollesby
In Norfolk, near Great Yarmouth and just a short drive from Caldecott Hall Country Park, you’ll find The Tacons in Rollesby. This arable farm has strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries and red currants in the summer, as well as pumpkins to pick in October. There’s a great farm shop too, where they sell their own produce (don’t miss out on their asparagus in season!) and a variety of local treats, fish and meats. You can also find a variety of organic, gluten free and vegan treats, and a refill store for a variety of household items and dried goods.
Hillfield Nursery & Farm Shop, Haddiscoe
Just a 15 minute drive from Waveney River Centre at Haddiscoe, you’ll find Hillfield Nursery Farm and Shop. From May to October, Hillfield boasts possibly the largest range of fruit in East Anglia. This is great PYO strawberry territory, plus a wonderful apple orchard available from August. Look out for interesting and rare species of fruit to pick too, like quinces and medlars. There’s a fantastic shop, and the staff are on hand to help - even giving gardening advice. It’s a really popular family day out.
A G Meale & Sons, Stalham
A. G. Meale & Sons at Wayford Nurseries is a family run farm shop, plant centre and pick your own location close to Stalham. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, runner beans, plums and even sunflowers are all available at different times of the year. As well as PYO Pumpkins in the spooky season, alongside lots of fun halloween activities. Don’t miss out on their relicious homegrown tomatoes in the farm shop!
PYO Flowers!
And whilst you’re picking your own fruit and veg, why not consider picking your own flowers? Several places offer this delightful opportunity.
Brunstead Blooms, Norwich
For flowers you must see Brunstead Blooms. Look out for their social media updates around June, as they announce another year of welcoming visitors to see their sustainable growing in harmony with the natural environment.
Old Buckenham Gardening Retreat
And Old Buckenham Gardening Retreat is scheduled to be open by June. It heralds the return of their pick your own bouquet garden, base at Old Buckenham Country Park.
PYO in Suffolk
High House Fruit Farm, Woodbridge
Near to Woodbridge in Suffolk, there’s High House Fruit Farm. Soft fruit like gooseberries, raspberries, loganberries and blackberries start the season, and then it’s sometimes cherries and plums. If you’re around in the autumn it’s apple time. Head to the farm shop for their homemade jams and juices too.
Friday Street Farm Shop, Saxmundham
Friday Street Farm Shop near Saxmundham is one to watch on social media. Get their updates because you won’t want to miss the chance to pick strawberries and raspberries here from July. They have 10 poly tunnels growing 5 varieties of strawberries alone, all for you to pick and take away. They also make jams from their own produce, as well as supplying a variety of other fruits and vegetables in their farm shop - check out their seasonal produce guide to see which tasty homegrown produce you can get at which time of year.
Undley Pumpkin Patch, Lakenheath
And as we’ve previously mentioned, why not pick a pumpkin? Founded over 20 years ago, Undley Pumpkin Patch near Lakenheath is hugely popular in October. You can pick pumpkins directly from the vine, and also enjoy a variety of other family friendly activities from a Halloween Maiz Maze, Pumpkin Carving demos, stalls and refreshments.
THE SOUTHWOLD Flower Company
Over the border, so to speak, Southwold Flower Company have perfected the pick your own flower idea. No need to book - and they even provide the snippers!
Pick Your Own isn’t of course exclusive to East Anglia. From North Yorkshire, to the East Riding to Lincolnshire, there are farms and orchards offering first class fruit and vegetable picking. Check out Pick Your Own Farm Directory for locations by county.
And those other ideas to pick through?
The great thing about fresh fruit is that it’s great to eat straightaway. But, of course, there are so many more things you can do.
Strawberries and Cream
Not exactly a demanding recipe, but can you beat it?! Good fresh cream whipped up and on top of fresh strawberries. Summer on a plate, and whispers of Wimbledon.
Why stop there - you can make all sorts of desserts with summer fruits. Stawberry tarts, Eton Mess, smoothies, and even salads.
Jams & Preserves
What is the difference between a jam and a preserve, you ask? Well, jams are usually made with crushed fruit, whereas a preserve is larger pieces or chopped fruit. But either way, they’re added to sugars for sweetness and pectins for consistency, and kept for much longer than the fruit would keep naturally! Add it to scones, toast, porridge and sandwiches for a tasty, locally produced treat.
Chutneys
Cutneys are a fantastic use of fruit and vegatables. A savoury condiment made from that slow cooked produce, adding spices and vinegar to preserve the fruit and create the tang! Onion chutneys, apply chutneys, tomato chutneys, mango chutneys - add it to savoury or sweet dishes and enjoy some sensational flavours.
Freezing your fruits
Yes, it’s important that children - and adults - know that food comes from the fields and orchards. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with freezing some of your PYO haul for future use. Think about gooseberries for instance. You can’t always buy them, so pick some and freeze them. Just top and tail them with scissors, cook them in water and sugar until they’re soft and freeze them in bags.
Berries like blueberries and strawberries can easily be frozen, but take care to wash them and spread them out on a tray first, and then store in airtight containers.
And don’t forget - a whole frozen berry can be great when dropped into a grown up drink. Much better than a boring ice cube. Just a thought…
So there you go - Pick Your Own is almost a tradition in itself now. It’s certainly something to consider when you’re on holiday in the British countryside. As more and more of us holiday in our own UK holiday homes it’s becoming a real holiday activity. Wherever you are, check out where to pick your own - and make a day of it.
