As the produce season winds down, some of our local farmstands will soon be closing. But buying now and storing for later is a good option for winter squash and many varieties of apples. While Acorn squash keeps only a month or two, Butternut lasts about a month longer, and Blue Hubbard can last as long as six months if you’ve got the space for it. Ideal squash storing temperature is 50 to 55 degrees F. As for apples, 33 to 35 degrees is best with some humidity. A few good keepers sold at our local orchards include Fuji, Golden Delicious, Arkansas Black, Mutsu, Northern Spy, and Jonagold. Don’t wash them before you store them and check frequently for any rotting apples. Apples emit ethylene gas as they decay, causing those around them to go bad more quickly. One bad apple really can spoil the whole barrel.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road
Pick-your-own is over. In the store, Cortland, McIntosh, Macoun, Cameo, Mutsu, Empire, Fuji, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Gala, and Honeycrisp apples as well as Bosc pears. On the patio, Brookdale Fruit Farm’s winter squash, including Acorn, Butternut, Buttercup, and Blue Hubbard, pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, and gourds. Local mums also available. Store is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.carlsonorchards.com
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road
Pick-your-own Fuji, Gala, Cortland, McIntosh, Macoun, Empire, Mutsu, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith apples. Check Facebook or Doe’s website for updates. Most of the varieties of apples being picked are available at the stand along with Doe’s mini-pumpkins and gourds. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.doeorchards.com
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Closed for the season. www.oldfrogpondfarm.com
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue
Pick-your-own is over. In the store, Baldwin, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Arkansas Black, Empire, Roxbury Russet, Gala, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, and Honeycrisp apples; Bartlett, Bosc, and Seckel pears. Tomatoes, potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, onions, kale, kale sprouts, collard greens, eggplant, broccoli, winter squash, leeks, mixed-color peppers, beets, and herbs. Pumpkins, including sugar pumpkins, available in front of the store. Store is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.westwardorchards.com
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road
Winter squash, including Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Carnival, Red Kuri, Blue Hubbard, Baby Bear, and “other delights.” Lots of pumpkins of all sizes, including Ghost, Polar Bear, Cinderella, and sugar pumpkins, as well as large and small gourds and ornamental corn, all at the self-serve farmstand. www.facebook.com/Willard-Farm
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
Brookdale Fruit Farm is in Hollis, New Hampshire.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
