Strawberry field is sweet destination

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Get Outta Here, a joint effort by the News and Advance in Lynchburg and The Daily Progress, in which we take readers to getaways in their own back yards. The idea is to explore a sight or activity that might offer a real change of scene without having to travel far to get there. We hope you enjoy.

Certain early summer mornings our family would pile into the van, drive out to fields in the far reaches of Virginia Beach and spend hours picking sweet red berries that peeked out from under bushy vines. Being children, we sometimes ate more than filled our buckets. One doesn’t easily forget such fresh produce and, even today when most of our food comes off warehouse like shelves, you can still experience the freshness and the satisfaction of gathering food yourself.

One such place to visit is just a few minutes from quaint but quickly expanding Crozet — Chiles Peach Orchard. It’s surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains on picturesque Jarman Gap Road.

The family business started offering pick-your-own fruit in 1974 after a particularly freezing winter left little fruit for them to sell. Such a concept was new at the time and, much to the family’s surprise, the locals flocked to the orchard and picked their peaches.

Over the years, Chiles expanded its picking season, and currently visitors will find two strawberry patches across the street full of juicy sweet red berries. According to Cynthia Chiles, a fourth generation member of the family operating the farm, the strawberry season lasts until about mid-June.

Also in June, folks can pick sweet cherries. From there we go to peach season, which runs from late June through

August, thanks to all the different varieties planted in the orchard. Apples are picked in late August through October and pumpkins in September and October.

According to Chiles, the family operated a roadside market for 30 years, where folks could go and pick their own peaches. Then the family decided to expand the season with strawberries and apples.

They were careful in planning and building their new farm market building, which opened last September, so that it fits into the community. Here, they sell fruit that already is picked, as well as local jams and jellies and crafts such as bird houses and baskets.

The new building offers a deck overlooking the peach orchard, complete with picnic tables. Chiles said they welcome visitors to savor ice cream or a picnic lunch on the deck and enjoy the view of the mountains and fields. The orchard has about 100 acres, though not all of it is open. However, everything that is fit for picking is “within walking distance from the parking lot,” Chiles said.

Chiles said besides families, school groups often visit and the kids enjoy the picking experience.

“Strawberries are very special for kids. They’re right at their level,” Chiles said. “The [children] get excited. We expose young kids to picking. It helps us explain about the growing process.”

She said the visitors are “very intergenerational” — that is, you will see grandparents, children, parents and even their dogs “come out and enjoy the day together.”

“There’s a lot of interest in people coming out for the farm experience and enjoying time with the family,” Chiles said. “Parents in their thirties bring their kids, because their parents brought them. We love being a part of family tradition.”

Speaking of family traditions, Chiles said her mother, Ruth Chiles, who had operated the stand for years and was known by many visitors, still comes out to the orchard, as do her father and brother and his children. Her sister from Fluvanna County comes to help out, too.

The ice cream parlor features treats made with the fresh fruit, including sundaes and milkshakes. Chiles Peach Orchard is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May through November.

Chiles said they are busiest on sunny days and during the weekends. Memorial Day weekend is usually the peak for strawberries. Pick your own strawberries are $2.29 per pound, and ready picked strawberries are $4.49 per quart.

DETAILS:

For more information, call (434) 823-1583. You also can go to the Web site at www.chilespeachorchard.com.