2024 Victoria, Australia Currant U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Currant U-Pick Orchards in Victoria, Australia in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for currants that we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have currants orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
If
you are about to pick currants either directly from a bush or from a local
orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best currants.
Currants are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last
frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same
time as strawberries in most areas (but
check your area's
harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning
to go to a few weeks ahead).
Currants
picking tips
When:
Currants are typically ripe and ready for picking in the summer months, usually from late June to early August, depending on your location and the
specific variety.
Early morning is often the best time to pick currants. The berries are less likely to be stressed by the heat of the day, and they'll be at their
juiciest.
Try to avoid picking currants when they're wet from rain or dew. Moisture can cause the berries to deteriorate quickly and become moldy.
Currant bushes can produce berries over a period of a few weeks. Check the bushes every couple of days to pick ripe berries and prevent overripening.
How:
Make sure your hands are clean before you start picking to avoid transferring dirt or contaminants to the berries.
Look for currant clusters that have plump, fully-colored berries. They should be slightly translucent and have a vibrant hue. Avoid berries that are
underripe or overly soft.
Hold the currant cluster gently but firmly, and use your other hand to pick the berries. Currants are delicate, so avoid pulling or tugging
forcefully, as this can damage the branches.
Proper Technique: Pinch the stem between your thumb and forefinger, then roll your fingers to detach the berries. This helps to prevent damaging the stem or the
fruit.
Leave some space between your fingers to prevent squishing the berries while you pick. Currants are small and can be easily damaged if you're not
careful.
Ripe currants should come off the stem with minimal effort. If you find yourself having to tug hard to detach a berry, it might not be fully ripe
yet.
While picking, keep an eye out for any signs of pests like aphids or caterpillars. Remove any infested berries to prevent spreading the issue.
Use shallow containers, baskets, or colanders to collect the berries. This helps prevent crushing them under their own weight.
Don't overfill your containers or
try to pack the currants down.
Respect the Plant. Be mindful not to damage the plant while you're picking. Avoid breaking branches or causing unnecessary stress to the bush.
After picking:
After picking, gently transfer the currants into shallow containers or bags. Store them in the refrigerator as soon as possible to maintain
freshness. Currants can also be frozen for longer storage.
Avoid placing the picked currants in the sunshine any
longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or
shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat.
Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Currants may be kept fresh
in the refrigerator for two or three days, depending upon the initial
quality of the berry.
Currants have a short shelf life compared to some other fruits, so plan to use or preserve them within a few days of picking.
Remember that the specific techniques and tips may vary slightly based on the type of currants you are picking (red, black, or white currants), so
it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the particular variety you're working with.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
Always call before you go to the farm - Currants are affected by weather
(especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when
they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so
CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Currants are affected by weather
(especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when
they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so
CALL first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Currants, but they
may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to
bring
containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Currants more than
3 inches deep will smush the lower currants.
Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large
pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one
at right.
Bring
something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up
a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs
usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it
has been rainy.
When you get home
DON'T wash the currants until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them
more prone to spoiling.
Currants are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so
make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after
purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not
to freeze currants! (Fresh currants are highly prone to freeze
damage).
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting currants
Even under ideal conditions currants will only keep for a
few days in
a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as
possible after purchase.