Hay Farmily! I keep this Farm Update Timeline page up to date so you know what’s next.
- When ready to book a visit, click through to the Visit Page.
- To book for blueberry picking during the month of June, click through to this page, and scroll down.
8/15/25: The farm is under new ownership today. I look forward to being a supportive neighbor friend. Stay tuned for what’s next! Leela Robinson
7/31/25: The 10 acre farm is under sales contract to a kind and motivated couple. Expected closing 8/15/25. Thank you for your interest and support.
7/28/25: Looking for a farmer with tractor local to Alachua/High Springs to mow about 9 acres in exchange for the Bahia grass hay. You bale, you trailer, you keep. Potential for the arrangement to become a regular gig. Need it done now, but not when wet. This is a small lot, but it could be worth it if you are close by. Thanks for your referrals.
7/15/25: Blueberry harvest is complete for 2025. Thank you Farmily for bringing home the berries. Subscribe to the email list to be notified about the future of the farm, including muscadine grape harvest in August 2025. Thank *You* so much!
7/7/25: Blueberry season keeps rolling through this Saturday July 12. There are still lots of ripe berries, and a good number ripening up. The DSF Farmily joined in the blueberry harvest for six full weeks now, with this week being the seventh. If there are to be any additional picking days, I will update the website.
We are nearing the close of the season and feelings of gratitude, sorrow, and hope are present. Given the interesting people who have looked at the farm through potential buyer eyes, we can expect good things to happen for the farm going forward. No new owner yet, but I am feeling the emotions of letting go. I visited my Dad in Deland yesterday, and it could be the last time I see him due to cancer. My many siblings are coming to Florida to support him and help my Mom. Thank you for your empathy and compassion.
Look forward to muscadine grape harvest season at the beginning of August. I will email subscribers. You can scroll back in the timeline to August 2024 to know what to expect from muscadine season.
Haile and Alachua 441 farmers market shoppers will recognize my neighbor Joelle in the image below. Joelle and Will bring joy to locals and their pets with The Old Fashioned Farmstead food.
6/30/25: Oh Honey, won’t you pick me sweet blueberries and figs? Generously speaking, there is no overstating how big and abundant the blueberry crop is this year. Every row has bookoodles of ripe berries ready to pick now. When circumstances change, I will post, and until then, be confident you can pick your honey as many blueberries and figs as you want. Pick a complementary cup of figs with your gallon or more of blueberries. Pick more figs for $15 per gallon. Many experienced pickers are picking more than one gallon of blueberries per visit. Many new pickers are sharing a gallon between themselves. However you wish to pick, I invite you to book now, the patch is closing at noon on Saturday July 12. Open the 4th of July morning!
6/23/25: Many picky guests have commented on how tasty the blueberries are this year. For us, summer solstice tastes like Deep Spring blueberries. Every Monday I walk the entire patch to assess supply: the supply is incredibly abundant now! Many plants are loaded with berries ready to pick. Due to berry abundance, the picking season is extended until Saturday July 12. Pick a gallon of blueberries for $30 and then, if you wish, pick a complimentary cup of figs (tree on south side of barn). Open the 4th of July! If you are a returning experienced picker and want to pick outside of business hours, let me know and we will make it happen.
6/16/25: Cluster picking is here! Clusters of blueberries are all ripe and ready to roll into your cup. This is the most abundant, fastest picking. Pick this week if you can. I anticipate picking to be excellent through the end of month. June rain exacts a toll on the ripe and ripening berries. It is the blueberry lover’s objective to pick the fruit before the rain does. Thank you picky friends!
6/12/25: Blueberry picking is awesome, book now! As of mid afternoon today, the booking system is not working. Noticed because other online platforms are not working, online forums are blaming it on a massive Google Cloud (host for major websites) outage. Email me via the contact page to reserve a time if the booking page is still down. Thanks!
6/5/25: I am excited for blueberry picking this Friday and Saturday. Many plants are loaded with ripe berries, way more than enough for all my picky farm friends. Don’t wait!
6/2/25: Blueberry picking is abundant! Big, bouncy berries ready to be tickled and rolled into your cup. I encourage you to pick now.
5/29/25: I am writing to recommend blueberry picking Friday and Saturday mornings May 30th and 31st. The sunny days and rain have produced gorgeous berries that won’t wait until next week. There is space in the patch and abundant berries for a lot of people to pick!
Usually, I have recommended June picking. What can I say? June is early this year! If you were waiting for the best berries, no need to wait, come on now. The berries will keep ripening, so there will be plenty in June, too.
5/27/25: The first day of blueberry picking was a sweet success. Returning Guests, you are my MVPs: Most Valued Pickers…Thank you for your patronage! You know the routine from 2024: from how to book online, to where we meet at the barn, to the $30 price, same same. If you are not able to make it this year, please let me know by email, I am wondering how you are doing.
New to blueberry picking at the farm? Allow me to welcome you, solo or with friends and family, to share the joy of slowing down and catching up in the organic blueberry patch. Read through the Blueberry Booking page and book a session at the bottom.
I am eager for your return and to meet new picky friends, too. It has been encouraging to meet land seekers visiting the 10 acre farm to see if it is the one for them. Everyone has been full of inspiration and vision. Whoever becomes the new owner of Deep Spring Farm will be a wonderful neighbor.
5/12/25: Blueberry Picking season is scheduled to open Tuesday May 27, given ripe berries and good weather. The booking system will open the week before the 27th. I look forward to your visits.
3/28/25: The 10 acre farm is for sale by owner. Price is listed in the first line of sale page. Realtors have called this property a unicorn, given no comparable parcels. The natural beauty with springfed pond is outstanding, and the farming infrastructure is extensive. Move a tiny house on for immediate housing and prepare to build a dream home.
I am excited to meet the new owners. It could be someone we already know. Interested potential buyers are welcome to visit for a self guided tour at their convenience with notice. If there is continued interest, I will meet for a guided tour on the second visit.
The farm will open for blueberry U pick in May/June unless ownership changes hands. I will be available to assist in the transition, coaching how the U pick has been managed. I anticipate that my co owner will be available for horticulture coaching.
Thank you for your kindness in this time of transition. You won’t find many exclamation points and smiley faces in this post, but gratitude prevails. I have been privileged to work and dream and align with the forces that be to bring the farm to you over the past 10 years. My co-owner is moving out of state. I will continue to be a part of the Alachua community. I am open to new opportunities to serve, and a new place to live. Let’s breathe deep as a spring, create something wonderful, and stay in touch. 🫶 Leela
8/30/24: Muscadine grape picking season is over and done 2024. Thank you so much! Love!
8/24/24: Someone special to you will be thrilled with a gift of hand picked organic muscadine grapes from Alachua! Exhale, you made it to the farm. Inhale, the beautiful colors and fragrant musky aromas heighten your senses. Pop a grape in your mouth. Chew and savor the sweetness and textures. The grapes are juicy with a high sugar/brix level. They are easy to pick, it takes about 30 minutes to pick a gallon. They are super snackable and a beautiful addition to a summer potluck table. Three varieties are ripe and ready to pick: Big red Supreme grapes, smaller Southern Home bunch grapes, Carlos bronze grapes.
Saturdays 8AM – 10:30AM start time online booking (booking link at top of blueberry page). $10 half/$15 gallon. Follow this direct link to grape picking booking page. Book through September 7, then take it week by week.
It is easy to pick grapes, look for larger size and deep red color, then give a little squeeze. The flesh should give/yield, like pressing into your own skin. If the grape is hard, it is unripe. It is easy to eat grapes! The easiest way is to eat them whole, either fresh or in smoothies. The skin and pips are not sweet, but taste ok when the rest of the grape is sweet. I let fresh picked grapes sit out on counter for 24 hours to soften a bit, then refrigerate.
Toss whole grapes, fresh or frozen, into your Vitamix or other high power blender and make a smoothie. Whole grapes freeze beautifully, and are then ready for smoothies year round. These grapes deserve to become juice or wine, for anyone looking for a delicious project.
Thank yourself for following your nose to the musky muscadine patch near you! Grapefully, Leela
PS: Be sure to be on the email list for seasonal updates!
8/8/24: Blueberry picking 2024 is won and done!
Organic Muscadine Grape Picking started Saturday 8/3/24 and continues on Saturday mornings through August, and possibly September. Sign up for grape picking following this link. Supreme muscadine grapes, deep red, organic, are ready to pick $10 half/$15 gallon. Two other varieties are just starting to be ripe: Bronze Fry and Southern Home bunch grapes. Grapes are super easy to pick, I will show you how. All ages can pick successfully and in much shorter time frame than it takes for blueberries. You need these grapes in your hands for fresh eating and in your freezer for smoothies!
7/29/24: Yes, the patch still has a lot of blueberries to pick! While you are onsite, try a grape. Supreme muscadine grapes, deep red, organic, are ready to pick $10 half/$15 gallon. Open Saturday August 3 morning by appointment to pick blueberries and grapes. Here is the link to sign up just for grape picking.
It is easy to pick grapes, look for larger size and deep red color, then give a little squeeze. The flesh should give/yield, like pressing into your own skin. If the grape is hard, it is unripe. It is easy to eat grapes! The easiest way, if you want to eat skin and pips, is to toss them into your Vitamix or other high power blender and make a smoothie. Supremely sweet and healthful, whole grapes freeze beautifully, and are then ready for smoothies year round.
7/22/24: Keep on keeping on! Open for blueberry picking this week Wed July 24 and Saturday July 27. There are still lots of ripening and ripe berries. I just picked a gallon in less than an hour. The lovely couple pictured below 7/20/24 keep coming back, with great love of life. Keep going Love!
7/15/24: I just picked a gallon of blueberries, easy as it gets with clusters. Of course, must stay hydrated, it is July in Florida. Many bushes are still loaded with ripe and ripening berries. See images from today, below. Can you handle the heat? These classy ladies keep their sweetness shady, push gently into the bush for your patient reward. My reward is seeing you on the farm! Keep coming back! Book for this Wed July 17 and Sat July 20.
7/13/24: Pop Up Encore Picking Days Wed July 17 and Sat July 20. Yes it is hot, but take solace in seeing how lots of sun and regular rainfall makes sweet, juicy blueberries. Book your spot and change/cancel as needed. Thank you blueberry lover!
7/8/24: Blueberry picking is awesome right now! Rain has helped the plants have an amazing late season. There is room for you if you can handle the heat. I only have two guest pickers signed up for tomorrow and there are enough blueberries for many gallons to be picked. I picked the gallon pictured below in less than an hour. Tomorrow/Tuesday and Saturday are the picking days this week. A day or two of Pop up Encore picking is possible next week, but not to be counted on. This is the week! If you have a small group $100 minimum, I am happy to open at your convenience AM/PM.
7/4/24: The neighboring property to the west side of Deep Spring Farm is for sale. It is a 10ac lot with home and a massive springfed pond, bigger/deeper than Deep Spring pond, I guess. Help find friendly, peaceful neighbors for the farm! https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/16609-W-County-Road-1491-Alachua-FL-32615/42693860_zpid/.
7/3/24: The blueberries have ripened and plumped up with the rain. It is great picking right now! Each of the pickers here today said it was much better/faster than previous weeks. Hope to see you this Friday or Saturday as part of your Independence Day weekend. The schedule is now open for picking next week Tuesday/Friday/Saturday. There is always the chance that nature will run interference on picking plans, like torrential rain that splits berries, and I will have to cancel. Nevertheless, I urge you to stand on your resolve for fresh organic berries and book now to keep this picking party going!
Today, I emailed the subscriber list one last time about the picking season. Don’t miss out, check this page for updates, such encore/pop up picking days.
6/25/24: Rain showers here and there are helping the blueberry plants ripen the berries. This week is good for picking. Given abundance of not quite ripe berries this week, will open for picking the first week of July, through Saturday July 6. Book your picking session now, and edit or cancel as necessary. Stay hydrated and hungry for fresh organic berries! Ring the Bells and Be Well!
6/17/24: This should be a peak week of picking, but the drought has a detrimental impact on the blueberry patch. Plants are stressed and berries are not getting as big or as juicy as usual. Picking can still be good, just not as abundant and not as fast. I will have to limit picking, so sign up well in advance to get your day.
6/14/24: Saturday June 15 is full. Next week should be slightly better blueberry picking than this week. The farm didn’t receive rain this week. The patch is irrigated, but still there are signs of stress. The berries are smaller this year for various reasons, so it takes longer to pick.
6/12/24: Time to visit the farm for organic blueberry picking! Picking is abundant now through next week and hopefully end of month. Today, it was fun to welcome Square Dance mentor friends Mark and Robin Frazer. I am learning to Square Dance with their encouragement in High Springs and Gainesville. Sign up to pick blueberries and learn to dance with me and more friendly folks!
6/10/24: This is a very good to best week to pick based on ripe blueberry production. Tues through Sat 6/15 are open for booking as of today, but could close to additional bookings at any point. Book for next week while you are at it, in case rain cancels any picking, to ensure you get the best picking possible.
If you have picked blueberries at the farm at least twice, perhaps you would like to volunteer to help me on a blueberry picking morning, 8A-11A. If there are a good number of pickers, I need one volunteer per morning. You can bring a friend or family member to help. I can offer you to pick a gallon of berries as my guest, either same day if there are enough berries and you have the energy, or a different day. Here is the link to sign up as a Harvest Host Volunteer. Thank you!
6/6/24: Looking forward to seeing more of you picking next week because the blueberries will begin to be ripe in abundance. Please book ahead as picking days will continue to fill up in advance. I have not promoted picking beyond the website and email list to ensure that subscribers have first choice of picking days. I guesstimate peak berry production to be happening around summer solstice June 20. You haven’t missed a thing!
6/2/24: Anticipating this next week through Saturday June 8 is going to be slow blueberry picking due to slow ripening, so have closed to additional pickers. Existing bookings limited to 1 gallon per person. Anticipating better picking the following week from June 11 onward. Please keep your existing booking knowing the conditions or edit/re-book for mid month and later. Thank you!
6/1/24: About full with pickers for next week through Saturday June 8. A couple spaces open for Friday and Saturday as of today. No worries about missing out, most berries are not ready until mid June.
5/30/24: No new booking through Saturday June 1 (many berries almost ripe, but need a few more days). As Tues June 4 and Wed June 5 are full, please book for June 6 and later when the most berries are ready.
5/29/24: Blueberries have ripened up nicely these long sunny days. Picking slots have opened up for today through Saturday June 1 and next week. Book on the Blueberry Page.
5/28/24: Tuesday June 4th is closed to new bookings. Plenty of picking days after that.
5/26/24: I walked the blueberry patch this morning to assess supply for next week’s demand. There are beautiful big blueberries, but not enough for a lot of pickers. New bookings are no longer possible between Monday 5/27 and Saturday 6/1. I will keep assessing and open up slots for Saturday 6/1 if possible. Picking is abundant in second week of June.
5/24/24: For the first week of picking, supply and demand has to be carefully considered to meet expectations. With this intention, max limit is 1 gallon per person per day for the first week of picking. Thank you.
5/23/24: Thanks y’all for signing up to pick the blues! Memorial Monday May 27 is now at capacity. Picking ramps up in abundance the second week of picking.
5/20/24: Walked the patch and sampled blueberries today. There are ripe berries, but maybe 1% of crop? To give the berries more time in the sun to plump and sweeten, the first day of blueberry picking is Memorial Day Monday May 27, 2024. The first week of season is slower, careful picking. Faster, abundant picking happens second week through end of June. I will email subscribers, open the booking system, and update socials this week. Check this page for future updates. Can’t wait to see you!
5/18/24: Blueberries are slowly ripening, but not enough to start picking on 5/24. Maybe 5/25. I will email you who are on the email list soon with your invitation to book. Thank you for your interest as evidenced by texts/emails/phone calls asking for updates. I keep the website up to date to manage this communications task for me. Some years we didn’t open in May at all, just June. May we enjoy Deep Spring blueberry blue tongues in a few short days!
4/26/24: Picky blueberry lovers rejoice! Your patience will be sweetly rewarded in a few short weeks. Looking forward to your U pick harvest help end of May through June 2024. Based on the masses of immature green blueberries, it will be an abundant crop. I will invite you in May by email with details, via subscriber list. You are welcome to visit by appointment before then, the purple pickerel weed is blooming around Sunrise Pond. It is a transitional year for the farm, come be a part of what happens next.
4/10/24: Deep Spring pond was a gamble to purchase, because the pond was covered in aquatic weeds. We followed the advice of pond experts and stocked it with grass carp and tilapia in 2015, in addition to other fish. Those tilapia have been reproducing admirably while clearing up the pond, to the point of abundance. There are many 10’s of mature tilapia now bedding on the pond edges and I need some to go. If you have experience with catching tilapia, you are welcome to contact me about fishing. The pond is as organic as it gets.
3/14/24: In 2015, my farmer husband and I seeded Deep Spring Farm with the vision of a rustic retreat devoted to ecology, edibles, and events. In 2024, farmer is choosing to transition out of farm ownership and divest his equity.
It will take creative collaboration, investment and financing to keep Deep Spring serving our community. With 22.6 acres and two ponds, there is an abundance of land, water, space, and good will here to nurture the dreams of people who want to cultivate a land based lifestyle. I want to own and cooperatively manage the land as a retreat for revenue generating overnight stays, farm to table meals, and more of what everyone involved values. Another possibility is to work with a like minded buyer to become a neighbor on one of the two lots.
County Road 1491 has much to offer since directly across the street, close to 200 acres fronting the Santa Fe River are now in public ownership and will be open to explore. It is a joy to connect with homesteading CR 1491 neighbors. Experience what could be an unofficial Blue Zone for longevity and wellbeing.
I plan to manage blueberry picking season and look forward to helping you get berries in your freezer. Watch for your picking invitation in May. Until then, you are welcome to visit for a walk around and photos, or volunteer conservation work. Your visit is cost free, just book online. Reach out to talk and visit and connect on farm and in community. Thank you for taking compassionate action in this season of pruning, growth, and transformation. Cheers to your fruitful spring purpose and passion! Leela
2/14/24: Happy 2024 Picky Friend! Organic blueberry picking season is anticipated to begin at the end of May 2024 and continues through the month of June. Returning pickers share that they love the flavor and sweetness of our berries. Long days of sunshine produce sweet fruit. To receive your picking invitation, be on the email list, and research farms with earlier berries until Deep Spring solstice berries are ready. Stay Sweet and Juicy!
12/01/23: What intention do you, Friend, bring to the base of the wizened and resilient Live Oak tree? Now the cool and the dark nudges us to turn in. We reflect upon the seasons and cycles of the past year. Feel into your growing edges. What are you holding onto? Do you have to carry it? Can it simply be? Give your evolving self a warm hug and fling your arms wide, wider. Shake it loose under the waning Beaver Moon. Relax and let go a little bit more. Unburdened and ready to shine forth 🌟. On December 21 Winter Solstice, we open to a new year of fresh beginnings. Plant seeds of intention in winter to align with seasonal cycles of growth. Share intention with community. Together we grow. 💖 Leela
PS: Give yourself the gift of a visit to the farm over the holidays for a walk, family photo time, live oak tree intention setting 🥰. No cost. Book online!
10/09/23: Cool nights have arrived, the forecast tonight is 47 degrees. Celebrate the season with cut your own flower foraging before the first frost. $20 will get you pruners, a bucket, and freedom to roam the farm for flowers and foliage. Bring a friend to help you cut and fill the bucket, no extra fee. Bring gloves to strip stems of leaves as you go. If two of you each want your own bucket of flowers, the total price drops to $30. Take home containers available no charge, or bring your own.
Typically this time of year is roselle harvest season. The plants were not protected from deer, and the plants, not the deer, were eaten. The deer and other nocturnals were well fed this year, as they claimed all the muscadine grapes in August and September. Find roselle at Frog Song Organics, and visit the Roselle Festival their farm is hosting on 10/28/23.
7/27/23: Email subscribers are invited to visit free of charge all summer, through Autumnal Equinox 9/23/23. The $10 visit fee per person is waived to thank you for your support. Bring your own containers and pruners/scissors to cut and carry organically grown zinnia flowers and basil. If you want these things, visit soon, before they go to seed. You are welcome to spend calming and cooling time in around Deep Spring pond. Bring water shoes as the pond bottom is soft. Click through to book your visit.
7/14/23: Organically grown flowers and basil are still available to pick, included in your visit, but are winding down fast due to heat and rain. Click through to book your visit.
7/4/23: Blueberry Season 2023 was super fun and now it is done! Thank you for your support. I will email subscribers with a special offer to visit this summer for recreation, so be on the email list to get your invitation.
6/28/23: New Blueberry + Flower Picking Special: Pick half gallon blueberries and pick enough flowers for two bouquets (one to keep, one to give) for $30. U pick flowers are beautifully abundant, and gorgeous tomatoes and peppers, all organic, are available. Bring gloves to pick flowers, the leaves get stripped off stems while picking. Take home containers provided. A half gallon of berries per person is the upper limit for the last few days of picking. You don’t have to pick blueberries to visit, there are plenty of flowers to pick at $10 a bunch and lots of tomatoes and peppers available. Book online. Thank you for your support!
6/27/23: Last week of blueberry picking – it has been an amazing season! This week is hot and sunny with heat index over 100. Blueberries are still coming on, but supply is dropping. Strategy: Pick a half gallon for $15. Consider sharing a gallon between two people to reduce the work and time in heat. Try to start between 8-9AM as it warms up fast in the morning.
6/24/23: Blueberry harvest is slowing but not stopping. The back/west two rows in the patch are younger plants with ripe berries just coming on, which will help supply the last week of picking. The last picking day for 2023 is Saturday July 1.
6/23/23: 6:30AM: It looks like a rainout this morning. Drier weather this afternoon will allow ground and plants to dry and berries to sweeten for picking tomorrow morning.
6/22/23: 7AM: Plenty of rain this morning so far. Looks like no picking is possible today. Forecast shows Saturday AM 6/24 as the best option for no rain. If you can, go ahead and book to get your berries Saturday. Next week will hopefully be good for picking, but the sooner the better for berries.
6/21/23: Your summer solstice blueberries are ready! No rain this AM so far. Book online and come on out.
6/20/23: Picking is postponed until 10AM this morning, due to early morning storm. Book online and come on out.
6/18/23: Monday 6/19/23 Juneteenth holiday is available to book for blueberry picking, usual hours 8 – 10:30AM start. Adding this day so that you can get your picking in, since the week ahead looks stormy, and rain outs are possible. Follow this link to NOAA for farm weather forecast and Weatherstem High Springs.
6/17/23: 8:45AM: Sky lightened, rain stopped, ready for picking 9AM. 7:30AM: It just started to rain. Perhaps closer to 9AM will work for picking. 7AM: Opening as usual. Would be good to pick as close to 8AM as possible, given increasing changes of storms.
6/16/23: A late morning break in the rain means we can open for picking today 10A-2PM start time. I encourage anyone who wants to pick this weekend and can make it today, to book online and show up. Looks to be more rain on Saturday, and into next week, so opening is iffy.
6/15/23: It has been an outstanding blueberry season, and still going strong. Only a massive storm system can dampen our enthusiasm. Looks like no picking tomorrow, Friday 6/16/23, due to rain. Will update for Saturday. Celebrate the cool and the damp!
5/26/23: Awesome first day of blueberry picking! Weather is wonderfully cool for this Memorial Day weekend. We moved up the start date because berries are ready early. So many beautiful berries, almost every guest picked two gallons each. I recommend you pick as soon as you can. U pick flowers and tomatoes are here. Everything is ready for you to book your visit.
5/3/23: Spring is so exciting! Can’t wait to be picking blueberries with you starting 5/30/23. The flower garden will be ready in June for cutting. This zebra swallowtail butterfly is an early guest. Pawpaw is the only larval host plant for this butterfly. We have a mature native netted pawpaw shrub next to the flower garden. You might have one at your place.
4/28/23: Quick note to say everything looks good for June blueberry picking. Opening May 30, but no hurry, berries are most plentiful in mid to late June. Just when it gets hot and humid and you want to stay indoors, well, delicious blueberries are ready at Deep Spring. What can I say…it takes a little sweat to get a lotta sweet blueberries.
3/21/23: Blooming and buzzing, that is the Spring Equinox dance happening in the patch with Rabbiteye blooms and pollinators of many stripes. And voila, three months later in June, comes time for your hands to pick Solstice blueberries, organically grown of course. Be sure to be on the email list to be the first invited. Volunteering is a visiting option between now and then. Happy Equinox Farmily!
3/3/23: Spring has sprung, the calendar will catch up soon. Organic blueberry picking is scheduled to open Tuesday, May 30, the day after Memorial Day, and typically lasts through June. Michael has the blueberry plants pruned (it is a big job!), has plowed the middles and seeded with winter rye. Winter greens are growing well. If you want a big bag of organic kale, RSVP and we cut or you cut $10.
2/10/23: Big news for Alachua County and awesome news for river loving farm guests…Almost 200 acres of land on the Santa Fe River directly across the road (County Rd 1491) from Deep Spring Farm was purchased by Alachua County for conservation and passive recreation. This acquisition will provide access to a navigable portion of the Upper Santa Fe River to the public. This is a special acquisition as there is no other public access in Alachua County to a navigable portion of the Upper Santa River. Follow this link to read the county press release. The tract is red in the image below. The map indicates a fifty foot wide access strip from CR 1491 north to the river frontage public land. It will be some time before it opens to the public.
12/16/22: Organically grown (not certified) sugar cane **FREE** to cut now at farm in Alachua. Cut for juice, to boil cane syrup, to plant. Please share this announcement with locals who need more sugar cane to juice or plant and can harvest. Need your own sharp cutting tools and trailer to haul. Text Michael to check availability and set it up . Please have a Sweet and Healthy Holiday Season! 
9/22/22: Happy Autumnal Equinox 🌓! Organically Grown Edible Hibiscus Roselle 🌹🌸 crop is ready to pick. This deliciously tart and beautiful deep red “fruit” is a beverage favorite for teas, mocktails/cocktails and smoothies. Open 9:00 – 9:30AM start Fridays and Saturdays from 9/24/22 – 10/8/22. Reservations required. Follow this link to book your appointment online. It is best to pick in late September and early October. Roselle is edible until first frost, but becomes weathered as the season progresses. If our schedule doesn’t work for you, let us know and we’ll adjust to your schedule (no Sundays).
Minimum purchase is $20. That price includes at least 20 stems with at least 5 mature roselle on each stem. We will cut the stems for you and make sure you are happy with the quantity and price. Bring a tarp or old sheet to wrap the cut stems to transport home. If you want to cut your own roselle one at a time (not whole stems), the price is $20 per gallon. Bring your take home containers. Cash and Venmo as friend accepted.
At home, use pruners or sturdy scissors to snip each roselle calyx off the stem. Then rinse and shuck the red calyx petals off the seed pod. Use the red roselle calyx petals for food and drink. Boil the roselle petals for tea concentrate or dry for later use. Freeze the fresh red calyx petals and toss handfuls straight from the freezer into your high power blender smoothie. Roselle is a nutritional powerhouse! Roselle stems make gorgeous, long lasting edible floral arrangements. Roselle is delicious in food preparations, such as relish and as a puree, adds dimension when added to fruit desserts.
Organic farm grown elephant garlic is available for purchase as food or seed. Genovese Basil and okra is available, as well as rustic flowers, such as celosia. Bring bags and containers.
Open to volunteers by appointment Monday – Saturday mornings, for simple, down to earth, immediately gratifying activities, such as hoeing and pulling weeds, mulching. Volunteer for two hours, then pick produce as our guest.
August 2022: Organic muscadine grapes are a crop we have hoped to open for U Pick / Pick Your Own. The grapes are incredibly delicious and nutritious. Frozen grapes are fantastic to eat in smoothies. Eating fresh is wonderful, if the seeds are spit out. I find the sweet flavor of the flesh pairs well with the skin, but the seeds are bitter and fibrous (but good for us, thus smoothies).
Michael successfully grows an abundant crop. Unfortunately, we have not been able to open for picking because of hungry wildlife. Every animal seems to loooove grapes: birds, deer, raccoons, possums, squirrels. It is resource intensive to protect the grapes from all these critters. If the grape trellises were covered in bird netting, and the entire vineyard wrapped in a double layer of electric fence, then we have a chance. Must be a mesh fence to keep the possums out, and double layer of string to foil the deer. Buying enough netting and fencing is expensive, but with farm booster contribution, possible. But then there is the issue that once it is wrapped up, it is impossible for people to get in there to pick. It is difficult to mow and weedeat the grass with the netting and fences. Taking the bird netting on/off is mega hassle as vines grow through. There are hybrid shade structure high tunnels that would work, but require capital. We remain optimistically open to collaborating with farm boosters for shade structure investment in order to provide you access to the very best food possible.
7/1/22: Just wrapped up the 2nd to last day of picking, and ripe blueberries are most plentiful. Guests are asking what will happen to all the remaining berries. We pick for ourselves, allow time for late berries to ripen, and potentially open for pop up picking either/both Friday July 8 and Saturday July 9. These pop up days are reserved for guests who have already picked this 2022 season. This page will be updated by Thursday eve 7/7/22 about pop up picking. Please note we cannot respond to patch condition update requests. It is farm policy to be open only when picking is good.
6/25/22: Looking forward to another great week of blueberry picking, wrapping up strong 7/2/22. There might be pop up picking after that date, no promises, Mama Nature decides. We are grateful to grow local food resilience and want to meet you where you are at on the path.
***A Two for One offer is available for two people who want to pick one gallon together: Two people, two picking cups, share one gallon picking jug, $30 total. This option is available to two adults or 1 adult/1 child.***
6/23/22: RIght on schedule, the summer solstice came and went, and blueberry picking is awesome. Lots of berries right now in need of pickers. It is worth making the effort to drive and arrive as close to 8AM as possible, given the heat that intensifies by 10AM. See you soon!
6/16/22: Peak Solstice Blueberry picking is expected all next week. We are confirmed to be open on Sunday June 19. You are welcome to book online.
6/15/22: Blueberry picking conditions are pleasing everyone it seems. Picking now or next week is highly recommended. Most people who picked in the past week have rebooked due to abundance. U cut flowers available $10. Slicer tomatoes, sweet peppers, elephant garlic, u pick cherry tomatoes, all ready now. Book now and come on out!
6/7/22: Very good picking now. Berries are twice as abundant as last week and today several pickers picked 2 gallons in one session. Several seasoned pickers commented they were well pleased with the conditions and would be back for more within a week.
6/3/22: Friday 6/3 and Saturday 6/4 are full to capacity. The good news is that the vast majority of berries are not ready. Most abundant picking is anticipated mid June. Managing attendance ensures there are more than enough ripe berries for pickers. Beautiful flowers are ready to cut: sunflowers, zinnias, celosia, gomphrena. Sweet banana peppers, cherry tomatoes and basil are ready. Roma style tomatoes and more pepper varieties still to come
May 31, 2022: Blueberry Picking Season Opens. Check back for in season crop updates and picking conditions posted here. Visit Blueberries Page and Booking Page to participate in the harvest.
May 2022: New DSF website published. Ongoing website work will streamline and simplify booking and contact.