The Cape is home to many fruit farms and orchards thanks to its climate. The heavy rains in winter and the long hours of sunshine during summer are just the right conditions for growing a variety of fruits, such as citrus fruits, berries, and stone fruits.
Fruit farms span across the Cape and offer a chance for the public to enjoy freshly picked fruit during the harvest season.
Also read: You can now harvest your own fruit and veg at Spier’s new food garden
Chart Farm
Chart Farm is best known for its many rows of fragrant and gorgeous roses, ready to pick. However, amongst the floral pinks and greens lie ripe fruits ready to be picked throughout the year.
With produce ranging from figs and cherries to chestnuts and grapes, this farm stall has it all. After all your hard work, take a seat at its charming little coffee shop with amazing rosy views. The country style restaurant uses fresh ingredients from its farm and good home cooking.
With all sorts of fruits and foods to encounter, this picking spot is definitely one worth visiting.
The details:
- Location: 1A Klaasens Rd, Wynberg,
- Contact: [email protected]
- Fruits on offer throughout the year:
- Cherries: January & December
- Figs: February
- Pears, Grapes and Chestnuts: March & April
- Apples: March, April, May
- Lemons: July
Polkadraai Strawberry Farm:
Rows of bright red berries and a bucket: all you need to pick some strawberries at the Polkadraai Strawberry Farm. The fresh berries are handpicked by you and ready to go home as soon as you’re done.
At an extra charge, you can choose to add a few activities to your strawberry-picking experience, such as tractor or pony rides and much more. With activities for everyone, it’s the perfect berry haven for the whole family.
The details:
- Location: Cnr. Vlaeberg & Polkadraai Rd. Stellenbosch
- Cost of strawberry picking: R50 – R220 depending on bucket size
- Strawberry picking season: September to January
Hoogwater Farm
During fruit harvest time, Hoogwater Farm is the perfect tranquil escape from the bustling city. With flavourful fruits like nectarines, peaches, and figs fit for the perfect cheese board, a visit to this beautiful farm should be a must on your calendar.
If you’d like to extend your stay over the weekend, the farm offers some luxurious accommodations for small or large families.
Fruits are seasonal, so plan accordingly.
The details:
- Location: R43, Hoogwater Farm, Wolseley
- Contact: 083 762 2803
- Fruits on offer throughout the year:
- Nectarines: 26 – 27 November & 10-11 December
- Peaches, Figs, Apples, Pears: 7 January to 5 February
Klondyke Cherry Farm
Among the picturesque orchards of Klondyke Farm are cherry trees ready to be picked. Delicious ruby-tinged or sun-kissed yellow cherries are the two types of berries on offer.
After a hard day of labour, you can choose to picnic amongst the pine trees with family and friends.
Picking is only available during cherry season.
The details:
- Location: Klondyke Farm, Bo Swaarmoed 6835, Ceres
- Contact: 023 312 1521
- Cherry picking season: 25 November to 1 January
Wildebram Berry Estate
Blackberries are tasty, healthy and a bit messy, what’s not to love? At the Wildebraam Berry Estate both blackberries and youngberries are available for the picking.
With bushes crowded with dark purple and red berries, there’s enough to go around for everyone, but try get there early to avoid the sun and spoilt berries.
The details
- Location: S4, Hermitage Valley, Bethel St, Swellendam
- Cost: Entrance fee is R15
- Buckets are R12 (medium) and R17 (large) to take home
- Blackberries R30 /kg
- Youngberries R43 /kg
- Berry picking season: November to December
- Contact: 028 514 3132
Also read:
Picture: Unsplash
