Hooked rug created by Sally Mello and representing our farm at Christmas time.
Oak Shade Farm
Jim & Sally Mello
14455 Waterford Run Lane
Rixeyville, Va.  22737

540-937-5062
 fahmah@adelphia.net


Culpeper County
Products:
White Pine and Norway Spruce Christmas Trees
Christmas Wreaths and White Pine Roping
Our own Jams
Honey and Beeswax Candles
Handwoven Runners and Throws
One of a kind Hooked Rugs
Soaps and scents from Turtle Mountain Farm
Catnip Bags, Beeswax Ornaments, Holly Sprays and more…

What you will find here

    First, you will find us, Jim and Sally Mello.  This is our 21st year of Christmas tree sales.  And you will also find a lovely setting. Our farm sits atop a hill and offers a sweeping view of the Blue Ridge mountains.  Our tree fields radiate out from the hilltop and we have walking trails which wind through our woods, with native trees and plants highlighted along the way.  When you arrive you will be invited to visit our greenhouse for some cider and cookies, and to sign our guest book if you want to receive our flyer for the next Christmas season.  The children with you may want to spend a few minutes coloring or holding the baby bunnies raised by our daughter Jeanne.  When you are ready to look for your tree we will provide a saw, and when you return with your tree we will bundle it for you and tie it onto your vehicle.  You will return to the greenhouse to pay for the tree, and might want to take a few minutes to look over the jams, honey and other products we have for sale.  Throughout your visit we pledge that you will be met with smiles and friendship, and will be given all the help we can offer.  Our purpose is to make your visit a happy one for all members of the family.  

   We use no artificial fertilizers or pesticides on the farm.  You might think that this would set the table for destructive insects, but we have a marvelous army of hungry helpers to keep them under control.  On a dewy summer morning you can see thousands of spider webs glistening in the trees; there are paper wasps in abundance, looking for a meal; birds of many kinds are always looking for bugs; and the praying mantises are busy from May until October.  Look for their egg cases, about the size and shape of a walnut, on the trees.  If you find one you can take it home and tie it to a shrub in your yard. The young will hatch in the Spring.  We try to work with nature and use our energy and the land to grow good things and nourish our spirits.  We hope you will find some of that nourishment for yourself when you visit.

© Copyright 2005 Oak Shade Farm

  
 
Oak Shade Farm is located in northern Culpeper County, about 60 miles from Washington D.C.  It is owned and farmed by Jim and Sally Mello, and consists of 23 acres, 9 of which are in Christmas Trees.  We offer hand-sheared White Pine trees up to 8’ tall, and Norway Spruces up to 7’ tall.  At Christmas we have the help of 3 of our children and their spouses, and up to 6 of our grandchildren.  We try hard to make a visit to our farm more than just a trip to buy a tree.  Our greenhouse serves as our hospitality center, and as our sales shop where we offer the things made here on the farm, and a few items made by some of our friends.

Directions: 

From Warrenton…Take Route 211 west for about 8 miles to the intersection with Route 229.  Turn left on 229 and travel about 6 miles to Route 611, Waterford Road.  Go right on 611 for 1 mile to Waterford Run Lane and come up the drive. 

From Culpeper…Take Route 229 north through Rixeyville and across the Hazel River.  Take a left on Route 611, Waterford Road, and proceed 1 mile to Waterford Run Lane and come up the drive.

Here is where the things we have for sale in our greenhouse come from:

  • Sally and daughter Jeanne Day make the hooked rugs

  • Jim does the weaving, harvests the honey and makes the candles

  • Sally makes the jams and catnip bags

  • The soaps and scents are made by Diane Green and her family in Marshall