I guessed they must be GIVING AWAY the farm… given the line of people all the way through the parking lot, and out onto the street… at Knaus Berry Farm on SW 248th Street Saturday afternoon! The seasonal fruit and vegetable “stand” and berry-picking field known as a ‘u-pick’ is a fabulous local tourist attraction in South Florida. It’s open from 8:00 am until 5:30pm daily (except on Sundays… when it’s closed)… mid-November through April. Knaus Berry Farm is operated by German Baptist Dunkers, attired in traditional clothing: conservative wide brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, trousers and suspenders (… long skirts for the ladies) … with warm countenances and cordial dispositions.
Never in a million years would I have ever imagined the waiting lines could compete with those in Disneyworld, but on this particular Saturday they did! The line for milkshakes was a 40 minute wait … And, there was a second line (triple in size to the first) stretching the entire bredth of the paking lot, just to enter the farm store. Daunting! ( No…. It’s not usually that busy!)
Smiling faces (sipping milkshakes from the first line) waited to weigh-in their hand-picked strawberries, peppers and tomatoes, procure fresh vegetables, select fresh bakery items. I rarely drive down there. Granted, it was a holiday weekend. Balmy Florida weather that our snow-bound northern friends would trade for in a heartbeat, made it fun… everyone seemingly happy to wait, chat, and enjoy the warm sunshine… in line together….bemused and content to pass the time.
Open from 8:00 to 5:30 every day except Sunday…. you can hand-pick your own strawberries. This past weekend, it was at a bargain picking price of $2.50 a pound… You can also purchase flats of them ready to toss in the backseat. They have tomatoes, peppers, and other seasonal veggies for picking. And I learned that lettuce must be cut just below the head to allow it to re-grow… not pulled out by the roots. (Yes, I did that.. and was gently admonished.) Shelf life is longer than the vast majority of almost anything you’ll find at the local supermarkets… and what flavor! And, those milkshakes sure beat out the competition.
Known for their homemade cinnamon buns, pies, breads, guava and strawberry jams, fresh flowers… gracious welcome… and old world charm… if you’re in the vicinity, make it an outting. Heading to the Keys or Everglades? Knaus Berry Farm is right on the way. Phone: 305 247-0668. Shopping for plants or trees in the Redlands, near Krome Avenue, or headed down toward Homestead? It’s worth the detour. Just drive south on US1 as far as SW 248th Street… make a right … Knaus Berry Farm is at 15980 SW 148th Street, directly across from Redlands Middle School… and well worth the 40 minute wait for a milkshake! (Normally you’ll make it through the line at Knaus Berry Farm in just a few minutes!). Berry picking and milkshakes: One more reason to live in South Florida!
