Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Brome Lake has the Eastern Townships’ most beautiful spots for U-pick farms! Visiting local producers to pick fruit that they have grown in the region’s fertile valleys is a delightful way to discover the Brome Lake countryside.
First stop: Bleuetière Les Terroirs Tracey
I was expecting to see the blueberry fields from the road, but this modest family blueberry operation is tucked away in the Traceys’ back yard. Although the bushes were planted over a decade ago, it was not until 2016 that Frédéric Tracey and his father, Rendred, opened their doors to blueberry lovers looking to raid their cherished bushes. There hasn’t been a dull moment ever since, and no wonder! The father-and-son team grow four varieties of blueberries in the tranquil setting, with no pesticides or chemicals. Known for their antioxidant properties, the blueberries may be big and plump or smaller and therefore longer to pick but all the sweeter for it! The farm’s policy is to “welcome the customers and let them get to work!”: berry pickers are free to harvest to their heart’s delight, moving from one variety to another just like the bees living in the nearby hives. Picnickers are also welcome, so get picking
Harvest time: Early July to mid-August
Check out their Facebook page.
© Marilynn Guay Racicot
Second stop: Les Argousiers du Lac-Brome
“Little nuggets of health:” That’s how Jocelyn Gaudreau describes the sea buckthorn berries (also called seaberries) that he has been growing since 2015 with his wife, Julie, on the land where he grew up. The shrub is native to Eastern Europe, and its fruit is still unfamiliar to many Quebecers. And yet, it has so much going for it! The bright orange berry is chock full of vitamins and antioxidants, but its tart flavour isn’t to everyone’s taste. To incorporate this vitamin-rich fruit into your diet without making a face, the producer suggests adding it to your fruit smoothies.
The hand-harvesting technique, which consists of picking the berries from the base of the branch, is novel to say the least. You will need an umbrella to collect the berries, medical gloves to protect your hands from the spines and a little patience! As well as giving visitors a chance to try this unique picking experience for themselves, the couple also sells frozen whole berries and sea buckthorn juice, all certified organic. To pick, taste and admire the berries that grow in clumps on branches sporting sage-like leaves, a visit to Argousiers du Lac-Brome is a must and a real treat for your eyes as well as your taste buds!
Harvest time: Mid-August to mid-September
Check out their Facebook page and their website.
© Les Argousiers du Lac-Brome | © Marilynn Guay Racicot
Third stop: Vitality Elderberry (Vitalité Sureau)
Did you know that Brome Lake is home to the biggest elderberry farm in Canada? Amazed by the properties of this nearly black berry and its benefits for the immune system, Philippe Gélinas and Andrea Coombs created Vitality Elderberry. Their mission: to harness the berry’s benefits in a wide variety of ways, starting with a vitamin-rich concentrate they make themselves on-site by cold-pressing the berries. Along with this elderberry extract, they produce and sell elderberry jelly, elderberry flower syrup and honey, and unique “elderberry capers” made with the still-green fruit. They also offer tastings of these pesticide-free products, which can be purchased at the boutique.
This native berry grows in clusters and can be eaten directly off the bush, but it would be a shame to wait for the berries to be ready to pick before experiencing Vitality Elderberry’s warm hospitality. The farm is also home to a rustic Bohemian bistro featuring everything elderberry, home-cooked dishes and local veggies. The patio overlooking the fields provides front-row seats for the spectacle of elderflower bushes in bloom, which usually occurs in July. Imagine yourself savouring an elderberry cocktail with a view of 25,000 bushes decked out in their delicate white flowers. It’s hard to beat!
Harvest time: Late August to early September
Check out their Facebook page and their website.
© Daphné Caron
Fourth stop: Domaine ValBrome, for cider and apple picking
Going apple-picking is anything but ordinary at Domaine ValBrome. In this orchard lying at the foot of Iron Hill, you can stock up on Cortland, McIntosh, Lobo and Spartan apples and enjoy the stunning views of Mounts Shefford and Orford. A veritable institution when it comes to the region’s apple-picking circuit, Domaine ValBrome also offers pick-your-own Beauté Flamande pears and Mont-Royal plums. But that’s not all!
The 42-acre orchard is also home to grape vines and other apple tree varieties dedicated to wine and cider production. Pick up a bottle to enjoy at home or savour it right here with your picnic. “Sampling our products is all about enjoying life!” says owner Chantal Guimont, gesturing toward the idyllic setting. You can’t help but agree: a portion of the orchard has been transformed into a wonderfully cozy patio where pretty tables invite visitors to relax and bask in the splendour of the trees. Apple-picking has never been so delightful!
Harvest time: September and October
Check out their Facebook page and their website.
© Michel StJean
BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT …
U-pick farm schedules depend on fruit availability, which is subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Before heading out, check whether the farms and fields you want to visit are open to the public. A quick phone call or a visit to the producers’ Facebook pages can spare you a lot of disappointment
A native of the Eastern Townships, Marilynn Guay Racicot has an unconditional love for her native region. It’s not surprising that this writer and journalist enjoys revealing the treasures hidden in her region with her pen! Curious, epicurean and a great lover of the outdoors, she takes advantage of her free time to play outside, whether on the water, in the forest or in her vegetable garden!