RIPE FOR THE PICKING

SA'S BEST FRUIT PICKING FARMS TO VISIT

Remember summer and climbing the mulberry tree to eat the fruit? The berries you picked yourself just tasted better, didn’t they? Not only can fruit picking be a fun summertime activity but it’s also a great way to show the kids just what goes into putting fruit on supermarket shelves. So get ready for sticky ngers and a full belly. Here’s a list of where you can pick and eat to your heart’s content.

HOOGWATER FARM

For Fig’s Sake Wander through the fig tree orchard at HOOGWATER FARM in Ceres, and pick as many figs as you like. The farm also has a pop-up deli, homemade croissants, cheeseboards—and a little wine tasting, too, to wash down the figs. The figs you don’t manage to eat, you take home at R5 per punnet. Time: Saturdays 8am-1pm, from 13 January until 3 February. Cost: R45pp and R20 per child and R5 per take home punnet.

Mooiberg Farm

STRAWBERRIES OF STELLENBOSCH MOOIBERG FARM STALL (sandwiched between Stellenbosch and Somerset West) is all about the humble strawberry. Enjoy the sunshine (and don’t forget a hat and the sunscreen) as you pick as many strawberries as you can carry. Remember to stop at their famous farm stall for strawberry inspired treats to take home. Time: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm, between November and January Cost: Charge per kilogram picked

Tangaroa Strawberry Farm

MAGALIESBERG MAGIC At the foot of the Magaliesberg mountains near Hartbeespoort Dam, you’ll find TANGAROA STRAWBERRY FARM. Come and eat as many strawberries as your belly can hold while strolling around the strawberry fields. If you have space left, enjoy a light lunch at Fraise Restaurant or a picnic hamper under the trees. Time: Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30am-4pm, now to December. Cost: R50 for under 10, and R70 for over 10.

WILDEBRAAM BERRY ESTATE

BERRY NICE Enjoy a morning of berry picking at WILDEBRAAM BERRY ESTATE in Swellendam, followed by a visit to their tasting room. Sip on some berry liqueurs produced in the private cellar and learn how each is made. Bring reusable bags to carry all jams, syrups, chutneys and relishes made in Wildebraam’s farm kitchen and that you will be taking home with you. Time: Monday to Friday 8am-5pm, Saturdays 9am-4pm and Sundays 9am-2pm, 15 November till late December. Cost: R15pp entrance fee. Self-picked blackberries are charged at R28 per kilogram and younberries at R38 per kilogram.

BLUEBERRY HEIGHTS

LIMPOPO’S FINEST BLUEBERRIES Treat yourself and well-behaved family members to delicious certied organic blueberries at BLUEBERRY HEIGHTS in Limpopo. Aer you’ve stained your ngers and lips purple, pop down to the Mountain Cafe for something more substantial to eat. Time: Wednesday to Sunday 9am-5pm, beginning of December until the end of February. Cost: R60pp and R40 per child entrance fee.

LITCHI FARM

For Litchi Lovers, and that Includes You: Take a tractor trip up to a beautiful orchard laden with litchis at the LITCHI FARM in Salt Rock, KZN. Sample and taste as you pick, and collect fruit to take home too. The Litchi Farm also has a not-to-be-missed annual festival full of family fun and activities from 15 December to 1 January. Time: Daily 9am-3pm, 10 December to 5 January. Cost: R130pp covers entrance and picking or eating. Buckets are 1,6kg and are included in the entrance fee.

KLONDYKE FARM

CHERRY PICK A little further away, at KLONDYKE FARM in Ceres, pick all the ripest, juiciest cherries you can find. You can also make a weekend of it and spend a night or two at one of the quaint cottages on the farm. Cherries for breakfast then too? Time: Daily from 8:30 am-4pm, from 23 November. Cost: R30pp and R15 for children under 10, R5 for children under ve.

BONAF BERRY FARM

ALL KINDS OF BERRIES If you prefer variety, about 95km from Johannesburg you’ll nd the beautiful BONAF BERRY FARM. Take a guided tour through the orchard and tuck into blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and gooseberries. Containers are provided to take berries home and you can also purchase frozen berries out of season. Time: Daily from 8am-5pm, end of November to end of March. Cost: R40pp for picking, and R20pp if you have just come to taste.