Picking up vegetables is usually a chore. You park, you grab what you need, and you leave.
This Maryland roadside stop turns that routine into something closer to a farm adventure. The produce is fresh and seasonal, the setting is open and green, and there is more to do than just shop.
You can wander the property, say hello to the animals, and let the kids run around while you fill your bags. It is the kind of place where a quick stop stretches into an hour without anyone complaining.
Locals treat it as a weekend ritual, while visitors often leave wishing they had more time. A reminder that errands do not have to feel like errands.
The kind of stop that makes fresh food feel like part of the fun.
From a Pickup Truck to a Local Landmark
Every great farm story needs a humble start, and this one began in 1989 with a pickup truck. Bryan and Linda Sunderland bought their first two greenhouses that year.
They parked a truck on the corner and started selling vegetables right from the tailgate.
Linda had left a banking career to give farming a try. That was a bold move, and it paid off.
The truck later gave way to a pop-up trailer, and the trailer eventually became the permanent stand people know today.
The Sunderland roots in Calvert County go back even further. Bryan bought his own 40-acre farm on Broomes Island Road in 1980, when he was only 18 years old.
Generations of his family worked this land before him, raising crops and livestock long before anyone thought about corn mazes.
In 2011, the produce stand passed to their son, Jake. Then in 2022, Linda and Bryan retired and handed the greenhouses over to him as well.
Jake and his wife, Ashley, now run the whole operation together. Their hope is to pass it down to their own sons someday, which is a sweet thought.
Knowing this history changes how a visit feels. That bag of tomatoes is not just a purchase from a random shop.
It comes from a family that has spent decades learning what grows best in this soil. Pretty cool for a business that started on four wheels, right?
Take a moment to look around and appreciate how far a single truck can go.
Tables Piled High With Summer Color
Summer at the stand is a bit of a feast for the eyes. Bright red tomatoes sit beside glossy purple eggplant, and stacks of sweet corn practically beg to be grilled.
Shoppers often leave with more than they planned. That is the fun part.
The list of vegetables is long and changes with the season. Look for beans, beets, cabbage, cucumbers, okra, peppers, potatoes, squash, and turnips.
Heirloom tomatoes are a big draw, and they stay tasty even late into the season. Some visitors have also spotted harder-to-find items like patty pan squash and fairy tale eggplant.
A smart way to shop is to go in with a loose plan. Pick a main dish at home, then let the stand decide the sides.
Fresh corn and sliced tomatoes can turn a simple chicken dinner into something special with almost no effort.
Everything here feels picked with care, and the shelves stay well stocked. The space is clean and easy to move through, even when the lot is busy.
Families who live nearby sometimes stop in almost every day.
Here is a helpful tip. Bring a cooler or a sturdy box if the drive home is long.
Corn tastes sweetest soon after picking, so cook it the same day if possible. Tomatoes, on the other hand, should stay out of the fridge to keep their flavor.
With a little planning, one stop can fill a whole week of meals with garden-fresh goodness.
Greenhouses Bursting With Spring Blooms
Gardeners in Calvert County have a spring ritual, and it often starts at Linda’s Greenhouses. More than 100,000 plants grow here each spring.
That number sounds wild until the doors open and the color hits all at once.
The greenhouse location on Broomes Island Road runs on weekends from April to early June. Hours are usually Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Because the season is short, plant lovers tend to show up early to grab their favorites before they disappear.
The selection covers a lot of ground. Expect annuals, perennials, herbs, flowering shrubs, trees, and vegetable starter plants.
Soil and peat moss are available too, so a full garden project can come together in one trip. The hanging baskets are famously huge and packed with blooms.
Shoppers often mention how healthy the plants are. Strong roots and fresh leaves make a big difference once everything goes into the ground at home.
Some annuals here are hard to find at big box stores, which makes the hunt extra fun.
Here is some practical advice. Make a wish list before visiting, but stay flexible.
A certain color may be sold out, yet something even prettier could be waiting one table over. Bring a wagon or a flat box to carry small pots safely.
Also, check that the car has room. A trunk full of petunias and tomato starts is a happy problem, but still a problem if the groceries need space too.
Berry Picking With Sticky Fingers
Few things beat a strawberry warm from the sun. From about April to June, families can head into the fields and pick their own.
It turns a regular snack into a mini mission, and kids usually take that mission very seriously.
Picking is simple but a few tricks help. Look for berries that are red all the way to the stem, since strawberries do not keep ripening after they are picked.
Pinch the stem gently instead of pulling the fruit. This keeps the plant healthy for the next round of berries.
Dress for a bit of dirt. Old sneakers, a hat, and sunscreen are good choices, because the fields offer very little shade.
A water bottle is smart too, especially on warm late-spring days.
Small kids may eat as many berries as they put in the basket. Honestly, that is part of the charm.
Count it as a taste test.
Once home, skip washing the berries until right before eating. Water speeds up spoiling, so store them dry in the fridge.
Fresh strawberries are amazing over pancakes, tossed into a salad, or simply eaten by the handful on the porch.
Berry picking also teaches young ones where food comes from. Seeing a plant, finding the fruit, and choosing the best one creates a little spark of curiosity.
Many families come back every spring, and it is easy to see why this simple activity becomes a cherished tradition.
Lost in the Corn, Happily
Getting lost on purpose sounds silly, yet the corn maze makes it oddly thrilling. Introduced in 2023, the professionally designed maze opens from the end of September through October.
Tall stalks rise on both sides, and every turn feels like a tiny puzzle.
The maze is part of a bigger fall celebration. Past seasons have included hayrides, ball pits, and an inflatable obstacle course.
Food truck partnerships add even more reasons to linger, so plan on staying a while.
A few tips make the maze more enjoyable. Wear closed shoes, since the paths can be dusty or muddy after rain.
Keep younger kids close or give them a bright jacket so they are easy to spot between the rows. Choosing a meeting spot before entering is a clever backup plan.
Groups can turn the maze into a friendly race. Split into teams and see who finds the exit first.
The losers carry the pumpkins. Fair deal.
Late afternoon is a lovely time to go. The light turns golden, the air gets crisp, and the rustle of dry leaves sounds like nature applauding each wrong turn.
Photos from this hour often come out beautifully.
For families who only visit the stand in summer, fall offers a whole new side of the farm. The same fields that grew sweet corn in July become a playground in October, which shows how much life one piece of land can hold in a single year.
Pumpkins, Mums, and Sweet Jars on the Shelf
Autumn decorating gets a lot easier with a single visit. The pumpkin patch offers all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some are round and classic orange, while others are bumpy, pale, or wonderfully odd.
Mums steal the show in fall too. The greenhouses are known for robust, colorful plants that brighten porches for weeks.
Pair a few pots with pumpkins and the front steps instantly look ready for the season.
When picking a pumpkin, check the stem first. A firm, green-brown stem usually means a fresher pumpkin that will last longer.
Avoid soft spots or cracks. Never carry a pumpkin by the stem, because it can snap right off.
Fall apples also arrive at the stand, perfect for baking or crunchy snacking. Inside, shelves hold honey and locally made jams, jellies, and butters.
These jars make thoughtful gifts for teachers, neighbors, or anyone who appreciates a homemade touch.
Some visitors enjoy treats like ice cream and lemonade during warmer months, and baked goods sometimes appear on the counter as well. It is worth peeking around to see what is new.
The stand itself sits at 2985 Yoes Corner Lane in Port Republic, just a short hop from Route 4 off Broomes Island Road. Hours run daily from 9 AM to 7 PM during its season.
With easy parking right off the road, grabbing a carload of fall cheer takes very little effort.
Wreaths, Trees, and a Giant Holiday Glow
Just when the leaves finish falling, the farm swaps pumpkins for pine. Christmas trees line up for the picking, and the air takes on that fresh evergreen smell.
Holiday spirit arrives early here, and nobody complains.
Handmade wreaths and centerpieces fill the space as December rolls in. These pieces add a cozy, homemade feel to doors and dinner tables.
They also make lovely gifts for anyone who would rather skip the mall crowds.
A towering 100-foot Christmas tree on Broomes Island Road serves as a local landmark during the season. It is hard to miss and easy to love.
Driving past it at night has become a small tradition for plenty of families.
Choosing a real tree works best with a little prep. Measure the ceiling height and the spot where the tree will stand before leaving home.
Bring rope or straps for the car roof. Once home, give the trunk a fresh cut and keep the stand full of water to help it stay green longer.
Timing matters too. The produce stand usually closes for its seasonal break around December 20 and reopens near Memorial Day.
Plan holiday shopping before that window closes.
The year comes full circle in these final weeks. Strawberries, sweet corn, mazes, and mums all lead up to this festive finish.
Ending the season among wreaths and twinkling lights feels like a warm thank you from a family farm that keeps finding new ways to bring people together.
