I’ve driven over to Eckert’s Family Farms in Bellville, IL, during their PYO time of the year. (That’s Pick Your Own.)  I’ve been for apple pickin’, peach pickin’, pumpkin pickin’, and, most recently, their asparagus wingding.

This weekend (April 29 & 30) the Eckerts opened their fields from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those wanting to harvest a fresh batch of the healthy, green vegetable. There’s no admission cost, plastic bags and knives are provided, and a tractor ride to the site is free. The asparagus costs $2.99 a pound. Parent, grandparents and kids picked alongside each other in a pleasant outing at the old, family farm.

A view from the tractor trailer.

It’s a comfortable half mile to the asparagus fields.

Pickers get a plastic bag and knife and head for the fields. (You might want to bring your own knife since there weren’t enough to go around.)

Robin quickly fills a bag with the crispy green stems.

Should you pick your own asparagus or buy it packaged? I wouldn’t be eating much asparagus if this is what it took.

Red and green varieties fresh from the field. The Eckert recipe for Lemon-Garlic Asparagus is simple and tasty.

Strawberries Up Next

Strawberry picking commences in early May. If you’ve been looking forward to a strawberry shortcake or making your own jam, think about driving over to Belville for a “pick out.” Keep your eye on dates for peaches and blackberries as well.  

A glimpse of what’s soon to come. It’s been said that strawberries make you smile, so pick a berry and be merry.

What started in 1910 as a roadside farm stand is now a state-of-the-art facility with others in Kentucky and Illinois. Today the 6th and 7th generations of the Eckert family oversee the daily operation.

Food and Plants a-Plenty

While you’re at Ekert’s enjoy the Country Restaurant with its down home cooking.

Visit the Country Store and Garden Center, where you’ll find seasonal fresh produce, plants, home-baking, fresh meats, deli creations, gourmet cheese, specialty foods, and unique gift items. You may even be inspired to plant a few flowers and vegetables. 

I select two apple trees, a Jonagold and a Honey Crisp to replace the ones I lost.

Hmm . . . I neglected to consider how a large fern, 2 trees, and a few packages would fit.

I had to share a few branches with the front seat.

Mark Your Calendar for the Next Pickin’

The Crop Timeline is a reminder of the Pick It Yourself items available during the year.