Apple season is upon us! Frank and Bruce Carlson of Carlson Orchards say this year’s crop is very good, with some trees reaching the maximum of their potential. In addition, Frank said he heard that this year’s late summer heat may be increasing the sweetness of New England’s apples. When asked which varieties might be especially good this year, the Carlson brothers agreed: “All of them.”
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road
Pick-your-own apples and raspberries. Pick-your-own peaches and nectarines are coming to an end, so check the orchard’s Facebook page for daily updates and apple varieties. Corn, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, green beans, and red watermelon from Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire. Chrysanthemums and apple firewood available.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road
Pick-your-own peaches and apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, and McIntosh). All of those plus Gravenstein and Golden Supreme apples and peach jam are available at the stand. Apple firewood available. Check the orchard’s Facebook page for apple variety updates.
Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road
A variety of produce from Harper’s Farm in Lancaster and Ad Astra Farm on Old Littleton Road, as well as organic produce from Old Frog Pond Farm and apples from Carlson Orchards.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own apples and raspberries. Asian pears, Honeycrisp apples, picked raspberries, potatoes, kale, tomatoes, and garlic at the self-serve farmstand on the front porch. Check the website at www.oldfrogpondfarm.com for pick-your-own apple varieties. All crops certified organic by Baystate Certified.
Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave.
Pick-your-own apples. Yellow and white peaches, plums, nectarines, Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, and Cortland apples, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, beans, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, beets, kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes (including heirloom and cherry), red onions, and assorted herbs in the store.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road
Yellow, white, and bicolor corn, peppers (all colors), hot peppers, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, Red Norland and Green Mountain potatoes, possibly melons. Some butternut squash will be available this week. Tomatoes and pickling cucumbers are winding down, so availability will be sporadic.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
