Homeschooling Charlie has led to many adventures for our family. Including Field Trips, we might never have attended if we weren’t Homeschooling. I was putting together an upcoming Field Trip list for next year. I let David and Charlie know I would like to visit a Bluebonnet Field and also go to a Tulip Picking Field.
As were talking I also let David and Charlie know I would like to visit a true Christmas Tree Farm. Then as I was online this morning a friend shared her experiences when she went to pick Strawberries with her granddaughter. Through movies I’ve watched on Hallmark I’ve seen Apple Orchards and Blueberry picking.
As I was talking to Charlie and David about Field Trips, we could go on I let them know I thought it would be fun to visit a Farm and pick Fruit which we can use or Pies to give as Gifts during the Holidays. As I talked to Charlie and David about the ideal both of them said that sounded like a lot of fun.
Here are some places I found around our home that would make a fun day trip If these were Cities you haven’t visited before visiting contact their Visitors Center or Chamber of Commerce and ask for a list of must-see attractions when visiting their Cities. Don’t forget to ask where to go for breakfast and lunch as well. Let them know your Homeschooling as they may know hidden places you should visit.
What you can pick: Blueberries and Pumpkins
About: Here they provide mini buckets for the little children, but you’re able to bring your own bucket if you prefer. The farm follows Organic practices and is equipped with shaded picnic tables for a perfect day of outdoor picking and snacking.
While you’re getting your cookbooks out for all the delicious Blueberry recipes, take a page from Jill Blase, owner of Blase Family Farm. She makes Blueberry Popsicles from scratch that are available for purchase. We also hear the farm has a beautiful path to the Blueberries.
Don’t forget to bring your camera for all the photos you’ll want to frame. Depending on Spring Weather, the Season usually runs for six weeks, starting at the end of May through the beginning of July, and September through October for Pumpkins.
Address: 1232 East Fork Drive, Rockwall; 972/772-3645
About: Begin the day by picking fill of berries. Once you’ve finished you’ve got to visit Lavon Farms family-owned Dairy farm. Which is home to a small group of top-of-the-line Cows providing Grade “A” Raw Milk on a daily basis. If you can plan on making an appointment then stope in at 5:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for a walking tour of the farm. ‘
The 30-minute Walking Tour consists of photo ops with the Heifers and a demonstration in the milking parlor, with the milking process explained. The tour costs $3 per person. Once you’ve finished the tour and are preparing to leave don’t forget to stop by the Farm Store to stock up on Dairy products including Lavon Farms’ Raw Milk which is sold by the gallon for $10. There is various Cheeses, Unsalted Butter, Yogurt, and Eggs along with treats from local vendors.
Be sure to have your credit card on hand, because Lavon Farms no longer accepts cash. Lavon Farm is open year-round 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday.
Address: 3721 Jupiter Road, Plano; 972/423-8080
I my family is able to visit here and pick Blueberries and bring the Blueberries home we would need to bring extra because my father-in-law loves Blueberries. Then we would need to see if we could find a recipe for a Sugar Free Blueberry Pie or Cobbler for David Sr. Which would be perfect for Charlie to prepare in his Homeschool Cooking Class.
What you can pick: Organic Blueberries and Blackberries
About: In Edom, about 20 miles West of Tyler, which if we went at the right time of the year, we could visit Tyler Roses. Here families can fill picking buckets which are provided with organically grown Blueberries and Blackberries. Which would allow Charlie to make a Mixed Berry Cobble for David Sr.
Blueberries cost $2.95 per pound; Blackberries run $3 per pound. Once you’ve worked up a sweat cool off with a Blueberry ’n Cream Pie or Blueberry Lemonade from the Bakery or Blueberry Frozen Yogurt from there store. Take your blueberries home and whip up treats.
If you are stuck on what to make check Blueberry Hill Farm website for Blueberry recipes including the Blueberry Pound Cake. Their Season begins Memorial Day weekend and lasts through July. Blueberry Hill Farm is open seven days a week, 7am–5pm including Father’s Day and the Fourth of July. This farm offers curbside pickup. Just fill out the form on their website and bring it with you.
Address: 10268 FM 314, Edom; 903/852-6175 Driving Directions
There is a new Winery five miles from Blueberry Hill Farm, they are OPEN Fridays & Saturday 12:00 pm till 8:00 pm. They offer Wine tasting and sell bottles and cases of Wine. Their Blueberry and Blackberry Wines are made with the Farms Berries!
Click to visit their website:
Pure Land Farm
What you can pick: Carrots and Cucumbers, Blackberries and Sunflowers
About: This is a Father-daughter duo, Jack and Megan, are the primary farmers of Pure Land Farm, where you and your children will find food favorites including Carrots, Lettuce, Kale, Radishes, Onions and Green Garlic.
Pure Land Farm is just 10 minutes from Historic Downtown McKinney. Which can lead to a whole lot of adventures if your like me and love visiting small one of a kind Towns and stopping for breakfast, lunch or diner.
They’re picking Season is open May through the end of July. During the month of June, you’ll find favorites including Thornless Blackberries, Green Beans, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and more. Think of all the delicious recipes you could create.
Crops are charged per pound and buckets will be provided. Visitors must reserve a spot online before heading over. Open slots are regularly announced on Facebook, Instagram or the Website. The farm is open every Wednesday and Sunday through the end of July from 9am–noon. The entrance fee is $2 per person.
Address: 7505 County Road 201, McKinney; 469/795-8585
Check out the information for Field Trips
This would be the Farm for David who loves Strawberries and being open the first weekend in June would be a wonderful Birthday Present or David. We could bring the Strawberries home and Charlie could make his dad a Birthday Cake or Strawberry Cheesecake for his Birthday on June 26th.
What you can pick: Strawberries and Pumpkins
About: This Farm is open from mid-to-late April until the first weekend in June which is Strawberry picking in its prime time. Here you pay by the pound, and it’s $10 per pound. Around the same time as Strawberry Season, you can pick Tulips until the first weekend in May for only $2 a stem. Which is where you would find me.
In the heat of the summer, Watermelons are available at $3 for a five-pounder or $7 for a family-sized one. I wonder if they have Yellow Meted Watermelons which was my mom’s favorite Watermelon while my dad preferred Red with Seed.s. Although I think I would prefer Seedless if I were to eat a Watermelon which isn’t happening.
Once the warm Weather goes away, there are fall Gourds and Pumpkins for sale from the last weekend in September until Halloween. The prices range from 50 cents for a baby Pumpkin up to $100 for a giant Pumpkin the Pumpkin that takes two people to carry. For the regular-sized Pumpkins and Gourds, expect to pay around $7–10. Hours vary by Season; check the “current events” tab on the website when you plan to visit.
Address: 3010 S. Bowen Road, Arlington; 817/602-0668
What you can pick: Blueberries and Blackberries
About: When making plans to visit this Farm you can make the visit for a day or longer.The Greer Farm in Daingerfield, is just shy of a three-hour drive east of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Spend a few hours picking Blueberries and Thornless Blackberries for $3.25 per pound.
If you can’t get enough of the rural life, reserve a private overnight Cabin to experience the life of a farmer. You can bottle-feed lambs, gather Chicken Eggs and pick Vegetables by day, then roast S’mores at night. They also offer Cooking Classes which would be perfect for Charlie’s Homeschool Home Economics Class. There are private group offerings.
The Greer Farm offers Meats, Jams and Sauces, Honey and Eggs for order in person or online. The Farm is open daily from 7:30am–5:30pm.
Address: 1444 CR 1125, Daingerfield; 903/645-3232
What you can pick: Strawberries, Blackberries, Tomatoes, Potatoes and more
About: Just northwest of Denton, WOW U-Pick Farms is full of fresh produce. No sprays or pesticides on these foods. Creating Organic foods. The produce is grown through Hydroponics, which puts the plants in a water-based and nutrient-rich solution.
Near mid- to late-March, the farm has Strawberries for picking. Come Summer late May to June. you will find Tomatoes, Red Bell Peppers, Garlic, Potatoes, Okra, Yellow and Green Squash. Along with other foods to fill up our pantry. Plans for Blackberries and other produce will come in a couple of years.
The Farm is open 9am–noon Monday–Saturday during off Season; hours increase as picking Season ramps up.
Address: 7271 Donald Road, Krum; 940/312-9889
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
