Harvard is deep into apple season now with lots of varieties to choose from, both on the trees and on the stand. According to the U.S. Apple Association, although more than 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in this country, 90 percent of production is devoted to only 15 varieties. Our orchards are currently selling most of the popular varieties on that list, including Fuji, Gala, Cortland, Jonagold, Macoun, Golden Delicious, Empire, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Mutsu (also known as Crispin). The best way to try them all is to go apple picking and bring home one or two of each for tasting; just don’t forget your label maker.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road
Pick-your-own McIntosh, Cortland, Royal Gala, Macoun, Northern Spy, Empire, and Golden Delicious apples; check Facebook daily for variety updates. All of the apples being picked are available in the store along with Honeycrisp. Brookdale Fruit Farm’s bicolor corn and winter squash, including butternut, buttercup, acorn, delicata, and blue Hubbard available in the store. Brookdale’s pumpkins of all sizes, gourds, and Indian corn are available outside the store (to the left) along with Massachusetts-grown chrysanthemums. Freshly made cider doughnuts on weekends.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road
Pick-your-own Mutsu, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Empire, Macoun, Fuji, Gala, Cortland, McIntosh, and Ruby Mac apples. Owner Pam Lawson said there were still some Honeycrisp apples on the trees early this week but they will be gone soon. At the stand, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Fuji, Gala, Cortland, McIntosh, and Ruby Mac apples, along with Doe Orchard’s pumpkins, gourds, and apple firewood.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own raspberries. Heirloom and cherry tomatoes, Asian pears, raspberries, squash, watermelon, peppers, eggs, and raspberry jam available at the stand. All fruit and vegetables are certified organic.
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue
Pick-your-own McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Empire, Golden Delicious, and Gala apples. All varieties of apples being picked, plus Honeycrisp and Ginger Gold apples are available in the store. Red Bartlett pears and plums are also available in the store, along with corn, tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), lettuce, broccoli, peppers (bell and hot), eggplant, carrots, kale, cucumbers, beans, beets, parsnips, onions, summer squash, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and Yukon gold and purple potatoes. Pumpkins available outside the store. Freshly made cider doughnuts daily; wagon rides to the pumpkin patch for pumpkin picking on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road
Bicolor corn, Red Norland, Green Mountain, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Winter squash, including butternut, buttercup, delicata, acorn, carnival, red kuri, and blue Hubbard. Pumpkins, including pie pumpkins and mini pumpkins, gourds (large, small, and weird), Indian corn, hot peppers, and ornamental edible pepper plants.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted. Brookdale Fruit Farm is in Hollis, New Hampshire.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
