About Us

The history of Duck Creek Blackberries

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 in greater numbers, and all without thorns. Charles, whose hobby has been computers since 1978, is a former science teacher at Sanger High school and is retired after 30 years from the Denton Post Office. He lives on the farm with his wife Marilyn. His brother, Randy, now deceased, was an anesthesiologist and had the "green thumb". They had always been intrigued with the latest in technology. Knowing that blackberries grow well in sandy, acidic soil, they decided to give the new thorn-less varieties a try on the farm. 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. Rainwater harvesting using stock ponds is a much more efficient way to utilize natural resources than using roofs, gutters and large storage tanks. Since surface water (rain water) in north Texas has 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. In January 2008, another patch of 650 blackberries was planted and produced bountiful berries this June 2009. The most recent 2009 plantings of the new Natchez variety will produce fruit next summer 2010. This winter 2010 we planted another field of the new Natchez variety for a total of over 5000 plants.

Mature plants are 5-6 feet tall and produce berries that are both thornless and easy to pick. There are currently five 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 Kesseler family is 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 with little cost, and show your kids what a farm looks like, come on out to the Duck Creek Blackberry Farm at 5037 Duck Creek Road in Sanger, Texas. Check out our "Farm Pictures" page for a peek at our farm and our customers in action.

History of 2009 Season

We planted in Februrary 2008 an additional field of 650 new plants which began production during the summer of 2009. On February 7, 2009, we planted 200 more Natchez and Apache plants that will be in production next summer 2010. This past April 6, the temperature dropped to 26 degrees and froze some of the early berry blooms and all of the peaches and apricots. We brought in a beehive to the farm to make sure that all of the remaining berry blooms were pollinated. The result was an abundant crop better than last year. We opened on June 13, later than usual due to the late freeze and cooler spring. The rains quit the first of June and the heat began. Even with irrigation there is no substitute for rain, so we closed early on July 11. The crop was very good but did not last long enough.

My brother Randy passed away on February 13, 2009, leaving a large hole in the operation of the farm of which he was a vital part. My wife Marilyn, son in law Nathan Sprabary, and daughter Christy pitched in and helped fill the void. This winter we planted a new field of Natchez as well as replaced some the the older Apache berries. See you this Spring!

Charles Kesseler