Produce Grape lovers, muscadines are in at Blackwater Vineyards.
Beginning Saturday, you can pick your own big, sweet purple- or golden-colored muscadines at the vineyard, 4280 Blackwater Road in Virginia Beach. Hours are 8 a.m. to dark every day but Monday. Call (757) 421-9161 to check picking conditions, availability and directions or visit www.blackwatervineyards.com. Muscadines are also available prepicked in 20-pound boxes. Call to place an order.
Shopping Many farm markets will be open until at least Halloween, some until the holidays, but now that Labor Day has passed, check your favorite market's operating schedule.
- For example, in Virginia Beach, Baybreeze Farm has closed for the season, but Cromwell's Produce, which usually closes when the corn runs out, plans to sell fall vegetables at least through October. Henley Farm Market in Pungo is open but Henley Farm itself is closed for pick-your-own until fall crops come in. Cullipher Farm Market on Princess Anne Road remains open with fall vegetables such as butternut and acorn squash. The Old Beach Farmers Market on 19th Street will be open on Saturday mornings through October.
- In Chesapeake, Clarke Farm on Bruce Road and Poor John's Farm on Dominion Boulevard are open this fall.
- The Five Points Community Farm Market on Church Street in Norfolk will be open as usual year round.
Other farmers: Send an e-mail with your fall schedule and your veggies and fruits to barrow1@cox.net.
Seafood While waiting for the price of rockfish to drop and autumn favorites such as spot and oysters to come in, try cobia for a change. The Shellfish Co. on Shore Drive is catching cobia in its nets.
"We love it when we catch them," said Shellfish Co. manager Mark Hagan. Cobia steaks are excellent on the grill, he said. Rub them with olive oil and your favorite seasonings before grilling.
Mary Reid Barrow, barrow1@cox.net
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