Kar-Dean Fruit Farms

Peaches! Peaches! Peaches!

2011-08-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

With the hot weather and intermittent rain we have been having, we couldn't ask for better peaches! They are sweet and oh, so juicy.

This week, in addition to the peaches, we will be bringing yellow sugar plums, raspberries, blueberries, local strawberries (they are from my neighbour and they are spectacular!!) and sugar pears.

When you purchase your fruit from us at the market- you can be confident in knowing you are buying directly from the grower. The only way it could be fresher is if you came to the farm yourself! That is also why, we will not be selling cherries and anything else out of season - as we do not hold the in storage. We want to bring you the best and the freshest product possible!

See you soon!

Karen :)

P Y O Sweet Cherries - done for another year!

2011-07-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Pick your Own Sweet Cherries is completed for another year. Thank you to all our loyal customers for making this another successful season. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Karen

Pick Your Own Sweet Cherries

2011-07-03T08:12:00.001-07:00

The first weekend we will be opening our farm up for pick your own sweet cherries is Saturday, July 9th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will also be open the 16th and 17th as well. As in the past, we are open weekends only. The sweet cherries should be sweet, juicy and just perfect for picking!

For those of you who are new to Kar-Dean Farms, there is a minimum purchase of
$4/adult and $2/ child. This cost is to cover damage to the trees and loss to customers. The cost is $1.90/lb.

At the farm we have baskets available. However, if you would like, you may bring your own baskets. Please present them at the "check in" area so we can weigh the baskets. The weight of your basket will then be deducted from the cost of the cherries.

See you at the farm!

Karen :)

Welcome Back Old Friends!

2011-06-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last wrote to you, but believe me, we have been extremely busy preparing for the upcoming season. The asparagus we planted last year is looking awesome. We were only able to harvest a little bit this year, but hopefully, will have some for sell next year.

The raspberries and blackberries we planted last year look as if we are going to have a terrific crop.

Sweet cherries are sizing up nicely. We are expecting our Pick Your Own to be open the weekend of July 9 and 10th - but please phone or check my blog the week before.

This year we are also attending the following markets:
Wednesday Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Thursday Metro Hall, Toronto
Caledon Market, Bolton
Saturday Guelph Market

See you soon!

Karen :)

Last Week At the Guelph Farmer's Market

2010-09-08T19:35:00.001-07:00

It has be an awesome year for our tender fruit! We are just finishing up with our delicious peaches, nectarines and plums.

We have had an amazing time at the Guelph market. Unfortunately, the season is winding down, and so is our time at the market. Thank you to all our loyal customers! We hope you have enjoyed eating the fruits of our labour! I know Carolynne, Tanya, Thalia and myself have enjoyed chatting with everyone this summer. We hope we have shared some of our knowledge and love of the delicious produce to you.

Take care. We hope to see you back at the market next summer.

Karen

What a Ride it Has Been!

2010-08-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that September is just days away! It has been quite the summer!!! The peaches are simply wonderful - sweet and juicy. One note of surprise, is my Heirloom tomatoes! WOW - I can't believe how delicious they taste- even my brother-in-law loves them! In addition to the peaches and tomatoes, we have Victory plums on, as well as nectarines and Barlett pears.

We are now only at the Guelph farmers market on Saturday. We had to say good-bye to all our loyal customers and newly acquired friends at the Metro Hall market in Toronto. We really enjoyed ourselves there.

That is it for now.

Karen

What's Happening Down on the Farm

2010-07-18T19:18:00.001-07:00

It is hard to believe that Sweet Cherries are over for another year! However, with all the hot weather we have been having, it is no wonder!

We are now picking apricots, Early Golden plums, and yes......peaches!!! Our apricot crop is fantastic. I hate to admit it, but I went out to pick apricots for the very first time and what an experience it was! The trees were peppered with fruit! It was truly an experience I'll never forget!

The peaches are incredible! I cut a peach open for one of my customers on Saturday at the Guelph market and was delighted by how sweet and juicy they were. So, you can only imagine how great they are going to taste as the seaon progresses!

Just a reminder that we are at the Metro Market in Toronto on Thursdays 7 a.m. - 2 pm and at the Guelph market on Saturdays from 7 until noon.

See you then!

Karen

The Latest Buzz!

2010-07-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that we are just about out of sweet cherries. So enjoy them while you can get them. We have unbelievably awesome apricots! They are the size of small peaches! Soon we will be featuring early golden plums, raspberries, strawberries and red currants.

Be sure to visit us:

Saturdays Guelph Farmer's Market
Thursdays Metro Hall Farmer's Market

Hope to see you there.

Don't forget to think green - bring your recyclable bags!

Come Celebrate CANADA DAY with us!!!!

2010-06-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

Well we kicked off our first weekend of Pick Your Own Sweet Cherries! Thanks to all our die hard customers, a little rain didn't scare them away!!!

Since Canada Day, July 1st, falls on Thursday this year, we thought we would open up for PYO on Thursday and Friday (since many of you are making this a "long" weekend!).
So, why not come out, we are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. You could even bring a picnic, go visit Charles Daley Park and watch the fireworks there. They are fantastic!!!!

Hope to see you soon!

Karen

PS
Remember: because of the July 1st holiday, we are opening the farm up for PYO on:
Thursday, July 1st 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, July 2nd 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - as per usual - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thanks!!!

Opening this Weekend for PYO!!!!

2010-06-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Well, it is finally here!!! June 26 and 27th will be the first weekend we are open for pick your own sweet cherries. As in the past, we will be open both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We will have baskets available at a minimal charge, but if your old baskets from last year are in good shape, why not use them again. We are all about being good stewards of our environment.

Also, before going into the orchard our customers leave us a "deposit" - $4 for adults and $2 per children. We write the amount you leave us on a slip of paper and give it to you. When you return from the orchard, we deduct this amount(depost) from the cost of your cherries. Please remember you have to pick at least your deposit amount, as you do not get any money back. Our loyal customers respect our system and understand that we have this system in place to "weed" out those few that only come to "feast" on the orchard.

Directions:
From Toronto:
Take the QEW to Niagara. You will pass the Grimsby and Beamsville exits.
Take EXIT 57 Vineland (Victoria Avenue).
When you come off the QEW you will turn RIGHT onto the Service Road.
At the lights, which are at Victoria Ave., you will turn LEFT.
You will only have to drive about 2 minutes and turn LEFT onto First Avenue.
Our farm sign : Kar-Dean Fruit Farms is on the corner - along with our yellow PYO sign.
We are the first farm on the right.

See you at the farm!

Karen

New this Year!

2010-06-15T20:05:00.001-07:00

Remember the old apple orchard in front of the barn? Well,when you visit our farm this year, you will immediately notice that it is no longer there. Althoug Dean grew fabulous apples, there simply wasn't a market for them. So, this year, Dean and I have been kept busy by planting raspberries and asparagus. It will take about 3 years before we are able to get a full crop from the asparagus, so when you return to the farm each year, you will be able to notice the growth and development of both our raspberries and our asparagus.

Take care.

Karen

Cherry Season is just around the corner!

2010-06-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hi there,
I have to say, it is a beautiful sight to see the trees dripping with cherries. I can almost taste them!

As in the past, we are asking our customers to read my blogs, or to call us at 905 562 4394 to find out when we will be open for Pick Your Own sweet cherries. We will only open when we know the fruit is at its best for you!

For our new friends, we have a couple of picnic tables where you can have your lunch, or we have Charles Daly Park which is only a 4 minute drive from us. At the Park they have swings for the kids, lots of picnic tables and a great view of Lake Ontario.

Just a reminder, we do charge an entrance fee into the field. However, we deduct this from the cost of the cherries you pick. If you have your own containers you make pick in them. Just be sure the girls at the "check in" weigh them for you, as we don't want to charge you for the container.

Our hours of operation for the Pick Your Own is 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. - Saturday and Sundays.

If you have any other questions, please write to me.

See you soon!

Karen

Welcome Back Old Friend!!!!

2010-05-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are in the middle of May. The season is really moving fast - about 18 days earlier! This year, we have pulled out our apple trees on the farm, and will be growing raspberries in their place. We have a patch of raspberries on another part of the farm, so this certainly will be handy.

We look forward to returning to the Guelph Market this summer. Unfortunately, they only gave us one stall for July, but 2 for August. Again we are in our usual spot, tucked in the corner. However, I trust our loyal patrons will look for us no matter where they place us.

As for Eastlynn Market in Beaches area. We have not heard yet whether or not we will be back at this market. We certainly hope so, as we made a lot of great friends there.

That is it for now. I'll talk to you soon!

Karen

Guelph Market update!

2009-08-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend we will be coming to the market with our well-known and respected, tree-ripened peaches! Of course, we will also be featuring nectarines, blue plums, Bartlett pears, Red Clapp pears, as well as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

Looking forward to seeing you there - rain or shine.

By the way, September 19th will be our last day to attend the market - so let's make out last few weekends the best ones yet!!!

Thank you Eastlynn Market friends!

2009-08-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that our time at the Eastlynn market has come to an end. We have truly enjoyed our time at this market. It was such a pleasure to serve customers who appreciated all the hard work that goes into producing good, healthy fruit from the land.

Thanks so much. We hope to see each and everyone of you next year!

Karen

Demand Ontario Fruit at your Local Stores!

2009-08-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

HI there!

OK - I cannot stand it any more. Here we are in the middle of fruit season and I go to my local grocery store to see not ONE basket of Ontario peaches! ! ! ! In the past, I have left the store to feel not only betrayed by my local grocer, but saddened that the customers of this store is not enjoying the bounty of the fruit harvest. Well .... no .... more. Yes, I have had enough of it! Please join me in asking the produce people of your grocery store, for local, ONTARIO fruit. Our fruit is awesome and the Ontario government has uncompromising standards that all Ontario growers have to abide by. Do you know how the fruit from Mexico or some other place has been grown? What has been sprayed on it??? It is important to know where your fruit comes from.

We are the ones spending our good hard earned money in their stores, so isn't it time they started listening to us??? Please help me in making a concerted effort in eating more Ontario produce.

Thanks.

Sweet n Juicy Peaches!

2009-08-10T17:24:00.001-07:00

We are in full swing going to Eastlynn Market on Thursdays and the Guelph Farmer's Market on Saturdays with our peaches. Of course, we also have some great yellow plums, tasty local blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Be sure to stop by and say hello when visiting the markets!

Hello Toronto Customers!!!!

2009-07-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

We only open our farm up for PYO Cherries, but that doesn't mean we have to say good-bye! We are at the EASTLYNN Market (on the Danforth, near Woodbine) on Thursdays from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. So if you aren't doing anything, please pop by and say hello. We will be there with all our produce that we grow right here on the farm!

See you there!

Cherry PYO Season is coming to a close! ! !

2009-07-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it - it seems we just get going, and then we are done. The reason for this is - because farming is so weather- dependent. It has been a tough season with all the rain we have had. Therefore, we will be open Saturday, July 18th for sure, but depending on how busy we are, we are not sure whether we will be open for Sunday the 19th. So, please call us at 905 562 4394 as we will have a message on the machine for more instructions.

Coming soon. . . . . .P Y O Sweet Cherries!! ! !

2009-06-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

We are hoping to be open for pick your own sweet cherries Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th. We have a great crop of cherries, but just need the sun to ripen the fruit.

Eastlynn market here we come!

2009-05-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

We are excited and thrilled to be part of the Eastlynn Market this year. We have heard nothing but great reviews about this market! We will be starting in July with our sweet and juicy sweet cherries.

Be sure to look us up at the market and say hello.

Spring has sprung!

2009-05-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!

Blossom season is over, but it is still too early to tell how heavy our sweet cherry crop will be for this year. Everything is pointing towards a great season - so let's keep our fingers crossed that mother nature will cooperate with us.

Please keep watching our blogs as we keep you posted with how our season is progressing.

Last Time for the Guelph Farmers Market

2008-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 20th will be our last trip to the market. To all of our customers - we do say a heartfelt thank you from Cassie, Carolynne and myself, (Karen) for making our early morning jaunts to Guelph so much fun. We really have enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. We hope to return to the market next July, with our awesome sweet cherries!!!!

As for Saturday - we are going to make this one our best one yet!!!! We are going to bringing the infamous Baby Gold peach for all of you die-hard canners. So come early to make sure you get what you need.

Until Saturday........

The End is Near!!

2008-09-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

The end of fruit season that is!!!! Eventhough fall is just around the corner, we still have lots of good, homegrown fruits for everyone to enjoy.

Still available: peaches, pears, purple plums, Farmer Dean's awesome Fantasia nectarines, and even pumpkins.

Guelph Farmer's Market

2008-08-17T20:40:00.001-07:00

For our valued customers all over, but particularly in the Guelph area, we are now bringing our fruit to the Guelph Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. If you should come to the market, please drop by and say hello. We are in stall number 24. See you there!

Pears are now ready!

2008-08-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

Clapp pears are now available.

Bushels of Fun

2008-08-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

By the way, for all of our customers who like to can and preserve. Baby Gold peaches will be available later on in the month - so be sure to call ahead to get the quantity that you need. Remember we will need to know if you want number ones or number two's and the quantity.

Everything is getting f u z z y ! ! ! !

2008-08-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

We are just starting to pick Red Haven peaches. So if you are looking for a sweet and juicy peach - we've got them!