❄️ Ivy Place Berry & Flower Farm — December Newsletter
Hi friends! As 2025 winds down, we’re feeling grateful for another beautiful year on the farm. The early winter weather has been just what we needed — a little cold, a little damp — helping the plants rest and recharge. Most of all, we’re thankful for you — our family, friends, and farm community who supported us all year long.
We’re already hard at work preparing for the 2026 Farm Season, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting one!
🌞 2026 Kids’ Summer Camps — Now Live!
We’re thrilled to open registration for our 6th year of Ivy Place Farm Camp! Each week offers the perfect mix of play, creativity, and hands-on farm fun — the kind of experience kids remember for years to come.
Why it’s special: Campers unplug from screens and connect with the outdoors — hiking, exploring, doing arts and crafts, learning about gardening and farm life, playing games, and just being kids. It’s summer the way it used to be — full of imagination, discovery, and joy.
Details:
- Ages: 6–11 years old
- Cost: $325 per week
- Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Limited spots each week to ensure a great experience for every camper. Book early - to get your preferred week.
🎁 A week at Ivy Place makes a wonderful Christmas gift for kids or grandkids!
👉 Check out camp info and register here.
🌿 Fall Projects on the Farm
Fall means cleanup and prep work across the farm — and one of our big projects this year was terracing one of our hills. It looks fantastic and will soon be home to blooming shrubs like Limelight hydrangeas, spirea, and more, matching up with our existing eucalyptus row. This will be a gorgeous new addition to the flower farm!
🎥 Check out our video to see the project in progress.
💐 Flower Subscriptions for 2026
Our Monthly Flower Subscription program is now open for 2026! Each Friday, from March through October, you can pick up a fresh, Ivy Place–grown bouquet — expertly arranged and full of seasonal blooms.
Details:
- $20 per bouquet per week. Best deal on the farm.
- Pickup every Friday during the month
🌸 Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or a thoughtful Christmas gift. Bring the beauty of Ivy Place into your home all season long.
👉 Order your 2026 subscription here!
🌾 Crop Updates & Farm Notes
🌤️ Weather
This fall was warm and dry, but we’re now transitioning into a cold, damp early winter — which is just what we need. We’re hoping for a steady, “normal” winter without too many temperature swings (especially heading into February).
🍓 Strawberries
The plants grew beautifully through fall! We did see some root rot in areas due to the warm, dry conditions followed by a wet cold start to winter, but overall, the crop looks strong. One newer variety — Rocco — struggled quite a bit, so we’ll keep a close eye on it this winter. Target April 1st
🫐 Blueberries & Blackberries
We’re in cleanup mode — weed-eating, clearing rows, and digging out larger weeds to reduce disease pressure. Everything is looking tidy and healthy heading into dormancy.
🍅 Tomatoes
We finalized our varieties for next year! Our high tunnel tomatoes will be planted by February 1st, and field tomatoes will go in around March 1st.
Tomato Varieties for 2026:
- Cherry: Sungold, Sweet 100
- Yellow Slicer: Yellow Brandywine, Valencia, BHN-871
- Pink Slicer: Mountain Rouge, Damsel, German Johnson
- Red Slicer: New Girl, Big Beef Plus, BHN-589, Parks Whopper
- Purple Slicer: Cherokee Purple, Cherokee Carbon, Black Krim
- Miscellaneous: San Marzano (sauce), Cherokee Green
We dropped Pink Brandywine this year and added Parks Whopper. After loving Cherokee Green last season, we’re expanding it this year!
🥬 Cool-Weather Veggies
We’ve already started seeding and planting spinach, lettuce, parsley, cilantro, and other greens. After last year’s success with pick-your-own mixed greens bags, we’re excited to expand this offering in 2026 — it’s become a fan favorite! 🥗
💭 Looking Back on 2025
2025 was a year of growth, learning, and gratitude — from the joy of flowers and berry picking to the creative energy of workshops and the laughter of kids running through the fields. Every season had its challenges, but also so many moments that reminded us why we love what we do. Thank you for being part of it.
Here’s to rest, reflection, and renewal this winter — and a bright, blooming 2026 ahead. 🌷
With heartfelt thanks,
The Ivy Place Family Van Wyck, South Carolina
Wishing you peace, joy, and good soil this season! 🌿
