This weekend we took the boys on a short trip to the Matt Family Orchard 30 miles northwest of Houston. Rick Matt and his family grow persimmons, citrus, figs, blueberries, blackberries, jujubes, and more on 103 acres. In addition to the pick-your-own fruit operation, they offer hayrides and orchard tours, a playground, a large pavilion, and even bow hunting. Rick is also a long time supporter and member of the Gulf Coast Fruit Study Group, the Texas Rare Fruit Growers, and others.
The boys especially loved the hayride around the orchard. Boy #1 loved screaming at the top of his lungs for no reason (kids just do that), and Boy #2 loved trying to eat the hay. The trailer took us around the orchard where we saw the berry plantings, the persimmon trees, the figs, and the jujubes. The persimmon and fig trees looked fairly stressed from the drought this year, but they were still hanging in there. The jujubes looked great, as if the lack of rain didn't bother them at all. Despite the drought, the Asian persimmon trees looked loaded with fruit. Rick says the fruit isn't as of high a quality or as large as in previous years, but I bet they're still worth eating. We were with a large group, so I didn't get to stop and pick any fruit.
They also had lots of pumpkins, which Boy #1 decided he wanted to climb. He had a blast running around the jujube trees, picking up fallen persimmons, and playing with the giant hay-bale turkey. I had a great time seeing the orchard, and we'll definitely have to take the boys back next year. Thanks for your hospitality Rick, I hope you got as much rain this weekend as I did!
The boys especially loved the hayride around the orchard. Boy #1 loved screaming at the top of his lungs for no reason (kids just do that), and Boy #2 loved trying to eat the hay. The trailer took us around the orchard where we saw the berry plantings, the persimmon trees, the figs, and the jujubes. The persimmon and fig trees looked fairly stressed from the drought this year, but they were still hanging in there. The jujubes looked great, as if the lack of rain didn't bother them at all. Despite the drought, the Asian persimmon trees looked loaded with fruit. Rick says the fruit isn't as of high a quality or as large as in previous years, but I bet they're still worth eating. We were with a large group, so I didn't get to stop and pick any fruit.
They also had lots of pumpkins, which Boy #1 decided he wanted to climb. He had a blast running around the jujube trees, picking up fallen persimmons, and playing with the giant hay-bale turkey. I had a great time seeing the orchard, and we'll definitely have to take the boys back next year. Thanks for your hospitality Rick, I hope you got as much rain this weekend as I did!
Jujube Trees
Persimmon Trees
Persimmon
Fig Trees
Boy #1 and the Hay Bale Turkey
