It's hard to believe that you can find farm-fresh produce in the Miami area until you discover Homestead and the Redlands. Miami’s heartland is abundant with farmers' vegetable gardens and lush fruit orchards, and it can be reached in just a 10-15-minute drive from the city. Located in a subtropical zone, the Redlands is a perfect spot for the production of exotic fruits, herbs, and spices. The local farmers grow strawberries, tomatoes, and avocados. However, most people come to Homestead farms and markets to try exotic tropical delights such as mango, pineapple, coconut, mamey sapote, and papaya.
Mango season runs from late April through September; lychee season runs from late May to mid-June; mamey sapote season runs from May through July. Summer is also the harvest season of bananas. However, some fruits can be harvested several times in one year, so there is always something to see.
Fruits are available at farms or the Taste of Redland Farmers Market (25450 SW 202 Ave, at the corner of SW 256 St) every Sunday through June from 10 am to 4 pm. To see a large variety of tropical fruits, visit Fruit and Spice Park that occupies 37 ac (15 ha) and grows 500 kinds of fruits and spices from all over the tropics. These fruits are not for sale, but watching how they grow is also an interesting experience. Robert is Here is a Homestead grower of exotic fruits since 1959. It also offers local honey, preserves, mamey milkshakes, and other tropical fruit smoothies.
