About Us

In January 2004, Charles and Randy Kesseler purchased 700 ten-inch tall match-stick sized hybrid blackberry plants from an Arkansas grower licensed by the University of Arkansas. These plants promised larger berries, greater numbers, and all without thorns. Charles, whose hobby has been computers since 1978, is a former science teacher at Sanger High school and has been employed by the Denton Post Office for 29 years. His brother, Randy, is a retired medical doctor who now works for Denton County. They have always been intrigued with the latest in technology as well as having green thumbs. Knowing that blackberries grow well in sandy, acidic soil, they decided to give the new thorn-less varieties a try. The main problem, however, seemed to be providing enough water for the plants to flourish in the dry north Texas climate.

The problem was solved when the brothers installed an efficient, pressure-compensated, turbulent flow drip irrigation system and used stock tank water filtered with sand and stainless steel mesh filters. Since surface water in north Texas has a lot less salt content than well water, this decision worked well and the plants flourished without any salt or mineral buildup. Even in the severe drought here in 2006, the plants thrived and produced a nominal amount of berries. This January 2008 another patch of 650 blackberries was planted and will produce berries in June 2009. The most recent 2006 patch reached maturity this past summer '08 for a total of over 4000 plants.

The mature plants are now 5-6 feet tall and producing berries that are both thornless and easy to pick. There are currently four different varieties that ripen at different times, so there are continuously ripening berries that are ready to pick from early June through late July. The Kesselers are marketing their crop by allowing the public to come out to their berry patch and pick your own. So if you want to pick your own fresh blackberries, enjoy a country outing, or just show your kids how to pick them, come on out to the Kesseler Duck Creek Blackberry Farm at 5037 Duck Creek Road in Sanger, Texas.

Nutrition Info

The following nutrition information is for a serving of blackberries or about one cup (144 g).  These macro nutrients would be the average for most of the hybrid blackberries we raise. Latest scientific study shows that blackberries contain more antioxidants per serving than ANY other fresh fruit (including blueberries).

Macronutrients:

Water: 127 g

Calories: 62

Protein: 2 g

Carbohydrates: 14 g

Fiber: 7.6 g

Sugars: 7.03 g

Total Fat: 0.71 g

Saturated Fat: 0.020 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.068 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.403 g

Cholesterol: o mg

Micronutrients:

Calcium: 42 mg

Iron: 0.89 mg

Magnesium: 29 mg

Phosphorus: 32 mg

Potassium: 233 mg

Sodium: 1 mg

Zinc: 0.76 mg

Vitamin C: 30.2 mg

Thiamin: 0.029 mg

Riboflavin: 0.037 mg

Niacin: 0.930 mg

Pantothenic Acid: 0.397 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.043 mg

Vitamin B12: 0 mcg

Folate: 36 mcg

Vitamin A: 308 IU

Vitamin E: 1.68 mg

Vitamin K: 28.5 mcg

Phytonutrients:

beta Carotene: 184 mcg

beta Cryptoxanthin: 0 mcg

Lycopene: 0 mcg

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: 170 mcg

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database

We have a new email address -
berries@duckcreekblackberries.com.

Please change your Contact List.

Duck Creek Blackberries • 5037 Duck Creek Road • Sanger, TX 76266 • (940) 458-3217 after 4:30 PM Weekdays