Mason Beach Fruit Farm

How We Operate

The farm is open to all who come to pick fruit. Our hope is that you will enjoy our farm surroundings on Butchers Creek adjoining Chesapeake Bay waters. Family and supervised youth groups are most welcomed. Please be aware that water hazards exist and instruct your children accordingly. Refer to the <safe & enjoyable visit> and <farm layout> links on the main page that identifies the water hazard areas as well as other considerations to ensure you enjoy your visit. The farm layout will also be useful to you as it shows the approximate locations of the various fruit plantings.

The farm is now open Wednesday through Saturday and closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The farm operates in a "you-pick" or "pick-your-own" mode using the honor system with respect to payment. We have used the "you-pick"/ honor system for the past 13 seasons, and in the spirit of what the previous owner had done. Yes, a very few try to beat the system and not pay – they will be identified and told not to come back. The price for all berries or small fruit is 75¢/lb. For large fruit (such as apples, pears, peaches, apricots, etc.), the price was increased to 75¢/lb in 2008. Note -- the prices for blueberries and blackberries have been kept the same for the last eight seasons. The prices are not being increased because of the present economic conditions and rapid increase in gas prices.

New customers should come down the driveway to the Fruit Farm Office, the small white building on the right of the drive. Inside you will find information on what is currently ripe and its location. If possible, please bring your own picking containers. Some picking buckets are available in the office. Remember to pre-weigh your containers. When you have finished your picking, please come back to the office for final weighing and payment using the weighing scale in the office. Follow the weighing instructions and weight- price lookup tables as needed on the bulletin board. There are plastic bags for carrying your fruit home. Please leave our containers at the office. Also checks are acceptable as no change container is now available.

Please refer to the U-Pick schedule on main web page that summarizes when the various berries and fruits are expected to be ripening and the time span of harvest. Also, we keep Fruit Farm flyers with the latest fruit update and picking schedule printed on the back in the office and in a box on the bulletin board at the entrance to the farm. You are welcome to check with us regarding availability. Please call 757.442.7287 or email us at fosterjg@esva.net.

July 6, 2011