Hey, Trygve here, it's almost chestnut time, and We Will Have Chestnuts! We did get a little late-spring freeze here at Tinkerland, however it mostly affected only the small trees at the bottom of the hill. There are plenty of nuts on the trees at the top of the hill. I have now updated the website to reflect our current offerings and prices and this season's schedule. The nuts are hanging on the trees now, and it looks like the very first chestnuts will begin falling this coming week, so expect us to be open for pick-your-own-nuts starting Friday the 18th. Alternatively contact us if you are interested in getting started early or wish to pick nuts outside of our regular hours. Click here to see our schedule for chestnut season.
Btw, I'm still intending to update this page some time to better reflect our evolving methods, however most info on this page is still relevant to our operation and to chestnuts in general. I have also been working a blog over the last year, and i do post there about the farm fairly regularly. Stay tuned!
Tinkerland is a no-spray orchard, so take care accordingly to prevent weevils when keeping your fresh chestnuts longer than a few days. Please check our prices for more details on this year's offerings. And we look forward to seeing you in the orchard!
*Note, we currently accept cash and check only. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken. Please contact us for questions or placing orders for local delivery/pick-up.*
Tinkerland Farm is a family farm located across the road from Bryant Ln on Rt 151 in Nelson County, Virginia.
It is named after the late Tinker Bryant(Frank George Jr.) who lived on Bryant Ln and worked as the rural letter carrier out of the Roseland postoffice for many years.
He is survived by two of his daughters, Rebecca Moyer who owns A Bryant Family Farm on Bryant Lane, and Sarah Loken who owns Tinkerland Farm on the East side of Rt.151 including a 10 acre chestnut orchard.
The chestnut harvest at Tinkerland Farm generally starts slowly with the first nuts beginning to fall mid-September before coming into full swing by the 1st of October,
and lasting until the 3rd week in October. During this time, we sell the chestnuts, along with potentially some other farm products, by the gate to the orchard and Rt 151.
We also welcome people to come walk around the orchard and pick up nuts themselves for a discount.
You can find more info for hours, prices and directions in the toolbar above. Continue reading below to learn more about the orchard.
The Chestnut Orchard
We began planting the chestnut orchard in the spring of 2012 with 225 trees in a 10 acre field formerly occupied by cows.
Despite losing some trees in a fire in 2014, by the summer of 2015 we had expanded to 450+ trees planted.
In 2021 we harvested 700 lbs of nuts(with many left unpicked and eaten by animals).
In 2022 we harvested more than 1000 lbs of nuts, but were overwhelmed with picking them all up,
so this summer we cut down approximately 90 trees in an attempt to improve the average nut quality, and make the harvest more manageable.
This summer we also experimented with allowing the grass to grow tall, providing food all summer for bees and butterflies, though as of September 1st the grass has been cut,
and we are now keeping it short throughout the remainder of this year's harvest.
The variety of chestnut planted at Tinkerland Farm is called a Dunstan Hybrid Chestnut,
which is a cross between the American(Castanea dentata) Chestnut and the Chinese(Castanea mollissima) Chestnut.
Dunstan Chestnuts are the primary variety of chestnut cultivated in America, due to their resistance to The Chestnut Blight(Cryphonectria parasitica)
which wiped out the American Chestnut in the beginning of the 20th century. However, because they are a hybrid there is noticeable variability between the nuts of each tree,
and each tree will produce nuts of different sizes. Consequently all our harvested nuts are graded, and small nuts thrown out, before further processing for our pre-picked offering.
We are currently only selling in person this year, and offer both a pick-your-own option as well as pre-picked nuts by the pound.
Our chestnuts are unsprayed so we heat-treat the harvested refrigerated nuts with warm air at 120°F as a preventative against chestnut weevil larvae.
We also sell frozen nuts. Freezing also kills weevil eggs. We pick up nuts on a rolling basis to minimize the amount of time the nuts lay on the ground before processing.
Due to the Chestnut Weevil(Curculio elephas) we recommend pick-your-own customers keep the nuts frozen until ready to cook/eat.
Alternatively, pick-your-own customers can try to heat-treat at home using a crockpot, however nuts should be thoroughly dried after soaking to prevent molding.
Another options is to cook the nuts as soon as possible and store in the fridge.
We believe wildlife should be free to roam, so there are no tall fences surrounding the orchard.
Consequently, there may be animal droppings in the orchard. We recommend rinsing the nuts before consuming raw.
Chestnuts are generally higher in carbohydrates than other nuts, like for example walnuts and pecans, which are relatively higher in fats and proteins.
Don't forget to bring your leather gloves to pick-your-own because chestnuts form inside a prickly burr/husk/hull. We also offer gloves for sale on site.
Cooking & Nutrition
Chestnuts are gluten free, cholesterol free, high in fiber, and a good source of anti-oxidants. Raw chestnuts are a great source of vitamin C.
To cook a pound of chestnuts in the microwave, simply cut an "X" in each nut using a knife and cutting board,
and place the nuts in the microwave in a covered bowl. Run on high for roughly 3-5 minutes depending on wattage.
The outer skin will peel back off the nuts when they are ready.
To roast using a conventional oven simply cut an "X" in each nut, and bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
Here are some nutritional facts about chestnuts curtesy of Wikipedia and USDA:
Hours
Mon-Thur: By Appointment Only(additional discount applies - see details in prices)
Friday: Open 2pm-6pm (Sep-18, 25, Oct-2, 9, 16)
Saturday: Open 10am-6pm (Sep-19, 26, Oct-3, 10, 17)
Sunday: Open 1pm-5pm (Sep-20, 27, Oct-4, 11, 18)
Please write to the contact email to schedule to pick up nuts in the orchard outside regular hours. Alternatively call Sarah or Trygve.
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
Prices
Pick-Your-Own Chestnuts: $5 per lb.(Up to 40%[$3/lb] volume discounts + extra discount for weekday customers by appointment - see below for details).
Click for details and prices.
Pick-Your-Own Discounts:(note: there is an additional 10% discount added on top of volume discount for weekday customers. please contact us to schedule an appointment.).
<less than< 12lbs(1 peck--): no discount($5/lb) ...= $1-($60 rounds down to)$54
>more than> 48lbs(1 bushel++): 40% discount($3/lb) ...= $144-$as much as you can pick
*Note: Chestnuts will be measured by volume at checkout, and converted to an estimated weight to determine the price.
Note that 12lbs of chestnuts fit into roughly 2 gallons in a measured bucket(slightly above the level).
The weight of a volume of nuts can vary somewhat depending on multiple factors including moisture and size, however estimates should be accurate within 5% of the real weight.
Also note that each of our green baskets carry roughly 6lbs(that is 1gal which is about 1/2peck) of nuts at the brim.
In addition, one bushel of chestnuts roughly equals 8x of our 1/2 peck green baskets or 1x 5-gallon bucket plus 3x 1/2-peck green basket of nuts.*
* The weight of the chestnuts is visually estimated by the basket; this is done in the shell(without the prickly outer burr/hull/husk). The Tinkerland Farm chestnuts orchard is a no spray orchard, so customers will have to either freeze or
cook their pick-your-own chestnuts within a couple days of bringing them home. Processing with a dehydrator is also possibly effective - the critical temperature to nullify weevils is 120°F.
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
We also offer pre-picked nuts in varying options and grades as listed below:
Fresh-Unpasteurized Chestnuts:
Click for details and prices.
* The Tinkerland Farm chestnuts orchard is a no spray orchard, so there is a potential in our unpasteurized nuts to develop weevil grubs if kept for too long. We recommend customers cook or freeze their unpasteurized nuts within a couple days of bringing them home.
All nuts are sorted into either regular(1"+), Jumbo(1-1/8"+), or Super-Jumbo(1-1/4"+) grades. All nuts are sold in their shells. Warning: cooking fresh chestnuts without scoring the shell first can cause them to explode in the pan.
$14 per 1 lb box of Super-Jumbo Nuts(1-1/4"+ grade)*Supply Limited* $56 per 5 lb box, and $12 per box for any order of 2x or more
$10 per 1 lb box of Jumbo Nuts(1-1/8"+ grade) $40 per 5 lb box, and $9 per box for any order of 2x or more
$8 per 1 lb box of regular nuts(1"+ grade) $32 per 5 lb box, and $7 per box for any order of 2x or more
Fresh-Pasteurized Chestnuts:
Click for details and prices.
* The Tinkerland Farm chestnuts orchard is a no spray orchard, so all our fresh nuts are heated in our warm-air-pasteurizer up to 120°F for 30 minutes as a preventative agains developing weevils. Air temperature is carefully controlled as to not damage the germ of the nut.
All nuts are sorted into either regular(1"+), Jumbo(1-1/8"+), or Super-Jumbo(1-1/4"+) grades. All nuts are sold in their shells. Warning: cooking fresh chestnuts without scoring the shell first can cause them to explode in the pan.
$15 per 1 lb box of Super-Jumbo Nuts(1-1/4"+ grade)*Supply Limited* $60 per 5 lb box, and $13 per box for any order of 2x or more
$11 per 1 lb box of Jumbo Nuts(1-1/8"+ grade) $44 per 5 lb box, and $10 per box for any order of 2x or more
$9 per 1 lb box of regular nuts(1"+ grade) $36 per 5 lb box, and $8 per box for any order of 2x or more
Boxed & Frozen Chestnuts:
Click for details and prices.
* Boxed and frozen chestnuts are good for more than a month in the freezer, but will slowly desiccate and become hard. They must be rehydrated in simmering water before shelling and then cooking. Simmering time may vary depending on how long they have been stored.
$56 per 5 lb box of Super-Jumbo Nuts(1-1/4"+ grade)*Supply Limited*
$40 per 5 lb box of Jumbo Nuts(1-1/8"+ grade)
$32 per 5 lb box of regular nuts(1"+ grade)
Vacuum-Packed & Frozen Chestnuts:
Click for details and prices.
* Tinkerland Farm frozen chestnuts are vacuum-bagged to preserve freshness for extra-long shelf-life in your freezer. Freezing also kills weevils, and so there is no danger of developing grubs after they are frozen. Note, all nuts are in their shell.
Parboiling can aid in the pealing process.
$26 per 2 lb bag of Super-Jumbo Nuts(1-1/4"+ grade)*Supply Limited* $24 per bag for any order of 2x or more
$19 per 2 lb bag of Jumbo Nuts(1-1/8"+ grade) $18 per bag for any order of 2x or more
$16 per 2 lb bag of regular nuts(1"+ grade) $15 per bag for any order of 2x or more
*Note about nut-grades: the 'grade' represents the larger of the two smallest dimensions of the nut, and is the size of the hole that is just small enough to prevent a nut from falling through it. There is generally one dimension larger for any nut of a specific grade.
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
We also offer other products:
Honey!(Supply Limited) >8< 🐝Click for details and prices.
100% local Roseland VA honey from the honey-bees Trygve keeps on Dark Hollow Rd.
$27 per 1 quart(32oz) jar
$16 per 1 pint(16oz) jar
$10 per 1/2 pint(8oz) jar
$6 per 4oz jar
Wool-Balls
Click for details and prices.(test-product, limited-supply)
These felt balls are made from wool from a local sheep farm also in Roseland VA: https://braeburnfarm.com/. This is a test product, and there is limited supply. Balls are priced individually by diameter as follows:
$34 for 6" diam.
$26 for 5.5" diam.
$20 for 5" diam.
$15 for 4.5" diam.
$10 for 4" diam.
$7 for 3.5" diam.
$5 for 3" diam.
$3 for 2.5" diam.
$2 for 2" diam.
$1 for 1.5" diam.
Lotion-Bars(Beeswax and Sheeps-Lanolin - tentative)
Click for details and prices.(tentative; will it be ready in time?)
Trygve is hoping to have lotion-bars made from 50%-50% blend of his beeswax mixed with sheeps-lanolin available for sale during chestnuts. Will he have it ready in time?
$price?
Beeswax blocks(tentative)
Click for details and prices.(tentative; will it be ready in time?)
Trygve is trying to find something to do with this big stack of beeswax. why not make bars. can he have them ready in time for chestnuts?
$price? per 8oz bar? 4 oz bar?
Check back later for availability on beeswax candles
Remember to bring your leather gloves! Alternatively we have gloves for sale in various sizes for $5 a pair. Note, gloves are only for sale to people who intend to pick nuts.
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
Directions
The orchard is located along Patrick Henry Hwy(VA-151) across from the intersection of Bryant Ln(781) and Patrick Henry Hwy(VA-151), in Roseland, VA.
The entrance is approximately 80 yards down 151 on the right going northbound from the intersection with Bryant Ln. Parking is located along the fence-line next to the orchard. Click here for google maps
Alternatively copy+paste the gps coordinates: 37°48'20.9"N 78°56'59.5"W (37.805808, -78.949868)
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
Contact/Ordering/Hiring
Please email us at contact@tinkerlandfarm.com for general questions and feedback, or if you would like to pick up nuts outside of regular hours.
Alternatively, if you already have the number for Trygve or Sarah, you can contact one of them directly.
If you would like to place an order, please write to contact+orders@tinkerlandfarm.com, and we can figure something out.
If you are looking for work, please use contact+hiring@tinkerlandfarm.com(please include your name and a good contact number).
We accept cash or check. Please make checks payable to Sarah B Loken.
We began planting the chestnut orchard in the spring of 2012 with 225 trees in a 10 acre field formerly occupied by cows.
Despite losing some trees in a fire in 2014, by the summer of 2015 we had expanded to 450+ trees planted.
In 2021 we harvested 700 lbs of nuts(with many left unpicked and eaten by animals).
In 2022 we harvested more than 1000 lbs of nuts, but were overwhelmed with picking them all up,
so this summer we cut down approximately 90 trees in an attempt to improve the average nut quality, and make the harvest more manageable.
This summer we also experimented with allowing the grass to grow tall, providing food all summer for bees and butterflies, though as of September 1st the grass has been cut,
and we are now keeping it short throughout the remainder of this year's harvest.
which wiped out the American Chestnut in the beginning of the 20th century. However, because they are a hybrid there is noticeable variability between the nuts of each tree,
and each tree will produce nuts of different sizes. Consequently all our harvested nuts are graded, and small nuts thrown out, before further processing for our pre-picked offering.
We are currently only selling in person this year, and offer both a pick-your-own option as well as pre-picked nuts by the pound.
Our chestnuts are unsprayed so we heat-treat the harvested refrigerated nuts with warm air at 120°F as a preventative against chestnut weevil larvae.
We also sell frozen nuts. Freezing also kills weevil eggs. We pick up nuts on a rolling basis to minimize the amount of time the nuts lay on the ground before processing.
Due to the Chestnut Weevil(Curculio elephas) we recommend pick-your-own customers keep the nuts frozen until ready to cook/eat.
Alternatively, pick-your-own customers can try to heat-treat at home using a crockpot, however nuts should be thoroughly dried after soaking to prevent molding.
Another options is to cook the nuts as soon as possible and store in the fridge.
We believe wildlife should be free to roam, so there are no tall fences surrounding the orchard.
Consequently, there may be animal droppings in the orchard. We recommend rinsing the nuts before consuming raw.
Chestnuts are generally higher in carbohydrates than other nuts, like for example walnuts and pecans, which are relatively higher in fats and proteins.
Don't forget to bring your leather gloves to pick-your-own because chestnuts form inside a prickly burr/husk/hull. We also offer gloves for sale on site.
Chestnuts are gluten free, cholesterol free, high in fiber, and a good source of anti-oxidants. Raw chestnuts are a great source of vitamin C.
To cook a pound of chestnuts in the microwave, simply cut an "X" in each nut using a knife and cutting board,
and place the nuts in the microwave in a covered bowl. Run on high for roughly 3-5 minutes depending on wattage.
The outer skin will peel back off the nuts when they are ready.
To roast using a conventional oven simply cut an "X" in each nut, and bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
