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Pick Your Own Satsuma Mandarins - All You Can Pick/Eat for Free @ Ford's Farm [Outer Sydney]

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Pick Your Own Satsuma Mandarins - All You Can Pick/Eat for Free @ Ford's Farm [Outer Sydney]
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moocher on 13/08/2012 - 13:32 fordsfarm.com.au (2386 clicks)
Last edited 14/08/2012 - 15:36

Took the family to Ford's Farm for mandarin picking on Saturday. The owners of the orchard told us that they have had a huge crop of Satsuma mandarins, and as it is late in the season, they are giving away all the satsuma mandarins for free, just pick as much as you want. You can also eat as much as you want. Whatever is not picked by the end of August will be fed to the farm animals or thrown out.

Buckets and scissors are provided for your use. You may wish to bring your own bags to transport the mandarins back home. They also have tables and chairs where you can have a picnic.

The mandarins don't look shiny and attractive but they are surprisingly sweet and juicy (as late season fruit tend to be), easy to peel, without pips. They are great for eating, juicing and making jam. Managed to make marmalade for the first time last night - and it was much fresher tasting than the store-bought stuff. Recipe is posted in comment below

I was told to 'spread the word' as they need 'free labour'. :P

http://www.fordsfarm.com.au/

In terms of location, it is near wiseman's ferry, probably 1-1.5 hours drive depending on where you are in Sydney. Please do not follow your GPS but the route explained on their website:
http://www.fordsfarm.com.au/contact-us

It is a pleasant drive and there is a really nice lookup (Hawkins Lookout) on the way to see Hawkesbury river from high.

Important: Only the satsuma mandarins are free. Other varieties such as Hickson mandarins and Cumquats are charged by weight. They are open 10am - 4pm Weekends & Public Holidays. (http://www.fordsfarm.com.au/open-times). In case deal gets OzBargained, you may want to ring beforehand for the availability of the free satsuma mandarins. As of Saturday they still had heaps of fruit on the trees.

Ford's Farm (from Contact Us page)
1275 Singleton Road, Laughtondale
Phone: 02 4566 3127
Email: [email protected]

Groceries Fruit Mandarin Pick Your Own

Related Stores

Ford's Farm
Ford's Farm

closed Comments

  • jv on 13/08/2012 - 13:36
    +54

    Whatever is not picked by the end of August will be fed to the farm animals or thrown out.

    I feel sorry for the farm animals after this deal gets Ozbargained…

    • medium_tight on 13/08/2012 - 15:47
      +4

      update
      I just call Ford's Farm (Nicky)
      They still have plenty this weekend (18-19 August)

      • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 15:57

        Yes I would expect they would still have lots this weekend, given the abundance last Saturday. The trees were just overloaded. Thanks for checking though.

  • c64 on 13/08/2012 - 13:51
    +1

    omg, if i was close i'd load a whole ute full! mmmm mandarins

  • jm1981 on 13/08/2012 - 13:55

    hmmm… time to borrow friend's truck!!!

  • zelda707 on 13/08/2012 - 13:58
    +4

    why don't i live in sydney :(

  • ghostdom on 13/08/2012 - 14:01
    -1

    Holy…. I just bought 4 bucks mandarins from Aldi during my lunch break.

  • sama on 13/08/2012 - 14:15
    +3

    What a great farm.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2012 - 14:22
    +24

    I really enjoyed reading your post. :)

    • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 14:30
      +4

      Thanks!

  • lusicul on 13/08/2012 - 14:31

    Can I get there by public transport? I'll be in Sydney on 23rd to 25th Aug.

    • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 14:35

      I don't think so. I didn't see any bus stops on the way and the road is quite narrow.

      • jv on 13/08/2012 - 14:46
        +6

        the road is quite narrow

        You're not kidding…

        http://goo.gl/maps/i0aSz

        • alvian on 13/08/2012 - 16:08
          +5

          Expect 5-hour traffic jam come this weekend. That road is going to get a taste of OzBargain power.

        • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 18:02

          Singleton road is really narrow, we were fortunate to not have a single car approach in the opposite direction (so haven't tested if the road is really wide enough for two cars at a time), so do be careful people :)

        • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2012 - 20:15

          I am surprised no one has smelt a trap yet. I had a nightmare about this photo last night :(

        • nutcase on 14/08/2012 - 21:26
          +2

          Australia's first road to be OzBargained?

        • anisaac on 31/08/2012 - 11:16

          I thought the traffic jam would be after people have the mandarins.

    • jv on 13/08/2012 - 14:45
      +1

      Here 'tis

      http://goo.gl/maps/cgS96

  • jv on 13/08/2012 - 14:41
    +2

    Here's a recipe to use up your mandarins…

    http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/food/cookbooks/776652/mandarin-mar…

    • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 14:52
      +3

      Yup I saw that recipe, and I ended up making something similar with much less water and a quarter less sugar given how juicy the fruit already was. Also added juice of 1 lemon and its seeds to increase the pectin level. So basically:

      2kg mandarins (reserving half the peel, finely sliced)
      1 cup water
      3 cups sugar
      1 lemon - juice and seeds

      Edit: The procedure is similar to the Women's weekly recipe from jv above, but the cooking time on stove is reduced to about 25 minutes with less water. Advice on the internet says that the less time you have to cook the fruit for, the fresher it will taste.

      And followed instructions here for sterilising jars and lids.

      • jv on 13/08/2012 - 14:59
        +2

        you forgot the Brandy…

        • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 15:03
          +7

          I didn't forget, it was omitted as some in the family don't like alcohol :)

  • ade123 on 13/08/2012 - 14:44
    -3

    Adelaide plzzz

    • Zak on 13/08/2012 - 15:04
      +21

      You'd like them to relocate their farm? (wtf)

    • retiredfeline on 13/08/2012 - 15:08
      +5

      Get your local to price match. :)

  • ben1680 on 13/08/2012 - 15:25

    I just Google it, it's a very long drive if you live in Sydney Metro area (approx 85km according to Google).
    I guess it is still very good deal for family picnic or sightseeing :)

    • jv on 13/08/2012 - 15:36

      it's a very long drive if you live in Sydney Metro area

      combine it with a trip to the wineries and use the savings to justify getting some nice Hunter Valley Chardonnay…

    • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 15:38

      Yes, it is a bit of a drive so it does take some effort.

      • medium_tight on 13/08/2012 - 15:51

        And be advised that GPS wont work!!!

        • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 16:18

          It's actually really easy to find if you follow the directions on the website.

        • slowmo on 13/08/2012 - 17:03

          GPS won't have signals there? or the maps won't be updated so unlikely there will be proper navigation?

        • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 17:15

          I don't have a GPS, but my phone certainly had no reception as I got close to wiseman's ferry.

        • tg on 13/08/2012 - 17:46

          Which carrier are you using?

        • moocher on 13/08/2012 - 17:52

          Vodafone - but hubby's Optus also had trouble.

        • cwongtech on 14/08/2012 - 10:47
          +1

          Past the ferry/river (if you need to cross it), you won't have any reception.
          That's the last point of civilisation, then it's woopwoopland from there, but hey its free mandarins :D

  • bajillionaire on 13/08/2012 - 15:34
    +11

    Did you know that when descending on freebies, OzBargainers in groups make the same sound as a swarm of locusts?

    • jv on 13/08/2012 - 15:37

      What is the collective noun for a group of OzBargainers I wonder ?

      • Pobman on 13/08/2012 - 15:43
        +2

        That would be a shrewdness…

      • bargainhunter on 13/08/2012 - 16:10
        +7

        My instinct was a scourge which google says applies to mosquitoes.
        It's apt, OzB's arrive in a swarm, make irritating whining sounds and suck every last drop of blood from their prey.

      • RohBoat on 13/08/2012 - 16:16
        +1

        a tightwad…

    • medium_tight on 13/08/2012 - 15:52

      no locusts LOOOL - thats very low

      how about enthusiasts! tee hee ….

  • alvian on 13/08/2012 - 16:18
    +3

    Bad driving direction via Laughtondale Gully Road — http://goo.gl/maps/E9QCP

    Good driving direction via Old Northern Road & Singleton Road — http://goo.gl/maps/V0pb6

    Don't worry about my start point. The zoomed-in maps show you the critical part of the journey.

    • tron07 on 13/08/2012 - 17:14

      Nice links. I had study the maps, I reckon it will be a 2 hours drive from Sydney City

  • tron07 on 13/08/2012 - 16:41
    +3

    maybe OZB can have a meet and greet there.

    • slowmo on 13/08/2012 - 17:05
      +4

      yeah.. real OZBers will car pool, split the fuel costs and then make sure they will make a net profit out of the orange pickings (@ $2/kg, probably 10kg per pax? lol).

      • ryang on 13/08/2012 - 18:53
        +2

        And rock-paper-scissors for the fuel voucher.

  • kabigon on 13/08/2012 - 17:33
    +10

    I like the imagery of Totoro leading everyone to free mandarins :)

  • dd22qq on 13/08/2012 - 18:20

    And when you get sick of eating them, mandarins can be cut in half and juiced with a citrus juicer, just like an orange.

  • sama on 13/08/2012 - 18:23
    +1

    Squeeze the Mandarin juice and add crushed mint leaves. It will taste perfectly refreshing.

  • cashless on 13/08/2012 - 18:24

    A Frugality of OzBargainers?

  • Taita on 13/08/2012 - 18:38

    thanks OP. would love if u share some of ur own pics of the not so perfect mandarins on the trees.

  • joannatan on 13/08/2012 - 19:57

    just be careful make sure your gps not take the short cut to the mountain, the road only enough for 1 car only.

  • dannyboi on 13/08/2012 - 20:16
    +2

    My family has been visiting this farm and Watkin's Orchard, up the road, for the past couple of years. Definitely a good trip out there.
    Went to pick the mandarins at the start of the season, and things seemed normal in terms of quanitities. I guess they had a sudden surge of fruit. I remember them running out of fruit last year actually.

  • sausagedelay on 13/08/2012 - 20:31
    +2

    "No pips" yesss I hate pips in my mandarins

    • onetwothreefour on 13/08/2012 - 23:04
      +4

      You're right, I wouldn't bother going if I were you.

    • RohBoat on 14/08/2012 - 09:03
      -3

      It seems everyones sarcasm detector is broken!
      -5 votes for a joke!

      • dd22qq on 14/08/2012 - 18:42

        Looks like 6 now. You're only making things worse for yourself.

        • RohBoat on 15/08/2012 - 20:37
          -1

          Oh no!

  • sraymond on 13/08/2012 - 21:58
    +5

    With that reasoning, nothing would be classed as a freebie.

    Oh, not a freebie, I had to move my mouse arm to click on like.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2012 - 22:03
    +5

    I want to see the farmers face when he has 368 cars, most towing trailers at the crack of dawn Saturday

    • bargainhunter on 14/08/2012 - 00:38

      If you build it they will come.

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 13/08/2012 - 22:03

    I'm wondering if there are any enterprising registered and licensed people reading this, who could contact Ford's Farm and see if there's room to set up a van selling food and/or other supplies. (and probably pay a small amount to say thanks)

    If everyone's going to get trapped there, it might be good to have that and/or some entertainment.

    Someone could even bring a juicer and pay a fee so people can enjoy the juice of their mandarins. (Fee to cover repairs/likely juicer death) :P

    • moocher on 14/08/2012 - 08:52

      They were selling freshly made mandarin juice there for $1 a cup.

  • haz on 14/08/2012 - 09:09
    +2

    On the website: "We have a picnic area set aside for you to enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush surroundings"… I don't think you will experience that this weekend!!!.

  • moocher on 14/08/2012 - 09:45
    +1

    Given the (unexpected) popularity of this post, I've updated the description above to include:

    Only the satsuma mandarins are free. Other varieties such as Hickson madarins and Cumquats are charged by weight.

    Upon entering the shed, Nicky will explain where each variety is on a map and provide you with buckets and scissors. Please follow her instructions.

    If you are only going for the free satsumas, and you may not be there at opening time (10am) on Saturday, I would strongly recommend that you ring the farm before you make the long drive there to check for availability of the satsumas, in case they are OzBargained.

    There are also some nice jams for sale at the shed for $5 a jar. Freshly squeezed mandarin juice was available for $1 a cup. We did not pick any other varieties of fruit but we did buy a couple of jars of jam since they were so generous.

  • Taita on 14/08/2012 - 10:20
    +2

    ok, anyone who goes there on the weekend, we want to see pics of the traffic jam.

  • penthius on 14/08/2012 - 10:35
    +4

    Best bargain yet! and their other Mandos are only $2 a kg - worth the drive out even if it gets ozbargained because nothing beats fruit picked directly from the trees!

  • haz on 14/08/2012 - 13:19

    I guess they will have some ladders available to pick fruits high up in the tree, but not sure if they will have enough to cover the (un)expected numbers of ozbargainers flooding the farm.

    Given the low hanging fruits will be the first to go, I think it will be wise to bring your own ladder to ensure you can reach all parts of the tree

    • moocher on 14/08/2012 - 13:23

      The satsuma's are actually not very tall trees, only about 2m or so.

      • haz on 14/08/2012 - 13:37
        +3

        Thanks moocher, that's good to know, I can bend down to reach them

  • voteoften on 14/08/2012 - 16:44

    Mandarin juice is so fabulous. It is readily available in Asia. Shame it isn't here. Far superior to OJ.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2012 - 16:16

      Nah too sweet

    • joannatan on 17/08/2012 - 16:45
      +1

      that freshness that you can not buy mate, the mandarin that you bought from supermarket / market may be on the road for 1 week already. thats what we call priceless - mastercard :)

  • initial_a on 14/08/2012 - 19:57
    +13

    If you see someone selling mandarins off the back of a van before Fords Farm. Its probably Broden.

    • Doey21 on 14/08/2012 - 22:35
      +2

      Nah broden would steal the trees and sell them off.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2012 - 15:55

    have they done this before? i thought farmer's would be wary of people damaging their trees?

  • nubzy on 18/08/2012 - 16:12
    +2

    I went this morning and was very surprised at the swarm of ozbargainers the car park was absolutely packed and most of them had brought the whole family along. i came away with 4 bucket of mandarins and will make plenty of jam from them. I saw some with car loads full of them. very nice people who run the farm, and i bought some of their chill garlic oil and orange whiskey jam.

    • ben1680 on 18/08/2012 - 17:56

      Agree, they are so generous and nice people. I end up buying 2 excellent lemon butter and 1 orange Cointreau jam, and of course massive load of free satsuma mandarin :)

    • moocher on 18/08/2012 - 18:21
      +1

      Thanks for the update - I was wondering how everybody went today. I'm glad to hear that there were still plenty of mandarins for all, and you had a good time :) Yeah they are lovely people.

  • eDust on 18/08/2012 - 22:50

    Their website says "SATSUMA MANDARINS - The free mandarins have all gone". Can anyone confirm this? I'll call them tomorrow morning but thought I'd ask here first.

    • nubzy on 18/08/2012 - 22:53

      There were swarms of people picking them and I left at around 12:30. People filling up entire car with mandarins. But the trees were all very full, wouldn't think absolutely everything would be gone but not much left either.

    • eDust on 18/08/2012 - 23:26

      Thanks guys.

    • eDust on 20/08/2012 - 10:00
      +3

      Some feedback: I went there anyway, they had another variety of mandarins for $1/kg. Lots of fun, it's a great place. Thanks moocher for posting this. And it was amazing to see the aftermath of an orchard being ozbargained! :)

      • moocher on 20/08/2012 - 10:03
        +1

        $1/kg - that's really cheap! Was it the Hickson mandarins? I am glad you enjoyed the outing and met the nice owners there. I am still enjoying my mandarins a week later (I didn't refrigerate them). They are still sweet and juicy, and I only just popped them in the fridge today as they are getting a bit old.

        • Store Repfordsfarm @ Ford's Farm on 20/08/2012 - 11:37
          +14

          Can't thank you enough for Ozbargaining us, the response was fantastic, the people so understanding when we ran out of feebies. There is nothing left on the trees you all have been great - thankyou. We are closed for this year hope to see you next year

  • ilsan0 on 18/08/2012 - 23:18
    +4

    Went there today, pretty much all done and dusted, i would leave it till next year

  • Joysky on 24/08/2012 - 20:59

    "CUMQUATS - We charge by the kg

    Cumquats are now ready for picking, we have quite a few available."

    Is the farm completely closed for this weekend?

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