The Gardens of Blackberry Farm
To get to Blackberry Farm, you’ll drive down a quiet paved road, dotted with farmhouses and lush green pastures. You’ll pass a small white church that I’m sure has seen many potluck suppers, community gatherings, and country weddings. I believe it’s the drive that prepares your senses for the beauty that awaits. Beckoning you to a part of our country that is, undoubtedly, at it’s finest. Preserved by those who tend it for the pure enjoyment of it’s guests.
I was fortunate to be able to take a private tour of the gardens, led by Blackberry Farm’s Garden Manager, Jeff Ross. We met in the potting shed where he began sharing their philosophy and efforts in production, preservation, and education of the garden. Mainly, their passionate preservation of organic, heirloom varieties of produce and the history behind them.
Jeff also has a passion for cooking and holds culinary demonstrations, where he occasionally prepares meals on the wood burning stove or outside in the gardens.
The hand-crank mill is for grinding pencil corn into grits for the chef, Joseph Lenn (James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast 2013), which is done on a per-order basis.
From there, we proceeded to walk through rows and rows of vegetables, where I learned about new-to-me varieties such as Bronze Fennel and Calico Crowder Peas. And was able to taste herbs and vegetables picked right from the earth. The diversity of their crops was astonishing.
While we were there, a chef was out in the garden picking radishes for our cocktail reception later that evening…
And I learned about one of their latest projects, cultivating Black Perigord Truffles. They’ve planted an orchard of hazelnut trees, their roots dipped in truffle spores before planting, to allow guests and chefs to farm their own truffles right on the property.
It takes 7-10 years to produce truffles and in the meantime, they are training Lagotto Romagnolos, aka “Truffle Dogs” to hunt for them at nearby orchards.
And I was introduced to the state tree of Tennessee, the Tulip Poplar.
Which was absolutely gorgeous!
From there we hopped on a golf cart to head over to see the menagerie of farm animals, where the East Friesian Sheep captured my heart. We were instantly greeted by their baa, baaa, baaaing. I’m positive they are used to guests and farmstead managers bringing them treats.
The heritage breed hens were already tucked in for the night in their mobile coops. They are allowed to free range all day, giving the farm, fresh, organic eggs, and in turn helping with the compost for the gardens.
We then headed back, so I would have time freshen up before our garden cocktail reception and dinner in the barn.
And I couldn’t image my day getting any better. Truly.
27 Responses to “The Gardens of Blackberry Farm”
Such lovely, beautiful photos! Blackberry Farm has been on my wish list for a few years and i can’t wait to go! Looking forward to more photos!
It was on mine too, Anna. The location is so beautiful!
What a breathtakingly lovely place!!! Your pictures make me want to go! And those sheep – LOVE!
I know! If only I could have sheep. They were so friendly…and adorable!
Every image, stunning and inspirational!
Stacey
http://www.downtoearthdigs.wordpress.com
Thank you, Stacey!
Funny, this is on my list of places to go when I can for me and my husband. I had read a few years back about Blackberry farm and how Martina Mcbride and her husband John had gone for their anniversary. I had immediately looked it up on google and placed it as a bookmark after marveling at the surroundings and excellent food, garden and activities. I take care of my mom with dementia and can’t get away any time soon but I had told my husband, oh please take me there some day when I can? He promised. And today I see your lovely post on their gardens. Absolutely a dream.
Hope you had a wonderful time.
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
What a sweet husband to promise to take you. I know you both will love visiting the farm and having a delicious meal. It’s such a memorable place.
What an amazing place! This is my dream! Thanks for giving me images of it!
You’re more than welcome, Yvonne! Thank you for stopping by the blog today.
My friend and I were just talking about this place a few weeks ago. They are planning on going for their anniversary. I will share with her your blog so she can get in the spirit. Your pictures look amazing.
The absolute perfect place to celebrate an anniversary!
Those photos are amazing! I have always wanted to visit blackberry farm and your pictures make me want to go even more so.
It’s one of those places that take you back in time…in a modern way. If that makes sense. I loved everything!
Beautiful…so peaceful looking.
Nothing like a farm.
Happy Day
Indeed, nothing like a farm to soothe your soul and slow you down. It was such a beautiful afternoon. I hope I get the chance to return someday!
What a beautiful place and wonderful way to spend a pretty day! Lovely photos!
Oh my goodness what a lovely place…. I love all your images! This place would be a great getaway for me. Thank you for sharing such beautiful things.
Wishing you a lovely day, Angela
Heather,
Oh my, what a lovely, serene corner of the world. I have one of the latest cookbooks and the photographs of the farm are incredible. How lucky to get to visit and get the tour of all of their produce. That will come in handy for your new place, right? Thanks for sharing this. I love the sheep, they look so sweet.
Karen
Wow. What a gorgeous place. How could you not feel totally renewed after a few days there? Thanks so much for allowing us to share in such a nice experience.
Visiting this farm with my daughter, spending the night and taking some cooking/gardening classes is a dream of mine and on my bucket list for sure!! Great pictures, Heather. . . you captured the beauty of that part of the world!
Truly a piece of heaven!! And your photos are spectacular!!!
Have a lovely afternoon.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Wow, this place is phenomenal and your photos are breathtaking as always!
When I visit or see such glorious places as this in our world today, it makes me think that heaven is going to be . . .well, there are no words.
Gorgeous photos!!!! I just added Blackberry Farms to my long list of places I want to visit. Thanks for sharing with us!
So peaceful and green. Beautiful photos as always Heather.
Ciao Rita
Growing up in North Alabama, I recall images from my childhood just like the ones from The Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. The garden and barn photos with the tree-covered Appalachian hills in the background could have been taken from my grandparent’s or uncles’ farms/gardens. I will be back in North Alabama in July, just in time for delicious white corn picked fresh from my uncle’s garden.
Thank you for a walk down memory lane with your beautiful photos.
Judith
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