This past weekend I headed west to Grimsby to pick cherries at the Two Century Farm. Run by the Smith family since 1787, the farm is ideal for fruit trees because of the sand and algae rich soil (a former lake bed) and the location between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment (creating a more moderate climate than the surrounding region). The current Smith to head the farm, Duncan, was on hand to point out the best places to pick. You can find his produce in Toronto at the Sorauren Farmer's Market; look for peaches, coming in August. You can register on the Two Century Farm website to be notified for ideal picking times, sour cherries are ready now!
When my family moved to Grimsby from Sudbury, the men who delivered our furniture saw the cherry trees in the yard and helped themselves to handfuls of fruit, fresh from the tree. When I go to Grimsby now and see the fruitful land all paved over and covered with houses I mourn the loss of the fruit trees. Kudos to the Smiths!
ReplyDeleteI hope they make it through another 2 centuries! Their farm is an oasis, I tried to not go too far in the orchard in one directon as it lead to views of mini malls. Thanks for your memories.
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