Like a favorite guest leaving a party, we’re sad to see local peaches saying their goodbyes and heading toward the door. While still available at Doe, Carlson, and Westward orchards, they won’t be here much longer. According to a UMass Extension Center for Agriculture article titled “Peaches: An Excellent Fruit for Southern New England,” peaches grown in this area rival those grown anywhere in the country. The article goes on to say that there are “few gastronomic experiences equal” to eating a tree-ripened peach, and that grocery store peaches never reach that quality because they are picked too soon. I think of a tree-ripened peach as a dessert all by itself, but if you need more, try peeling it and slicing it over a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream. A gastronomic experience indeed.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
Pick-your-own apples and fall raspberries; pick-your-own peaches are limited. Check the Facebook page for daily updates. In the store, peaches and nectarines, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Honeycrisp, and early McIntosh apples, along with Brookdale Fruit Farm’s corn, tomatoes (including organic cherry tomatoes), green peppers, green beans, zucchini, summer squash, Delicata and spaghetti winter squash, sugar pumpkins, mini-pumpkins, and gourds. Store is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Online ordering with curbside pickup is available; see the website for details. Masks are required in the store and the orchard. Handwashing stations available.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
Pick-your-own McIntosh, Ruby Mac, Gala, and Golden Supreme apples; the last variety of yellow freestone peaches may be available for picking by the end of the week; check online for the latest picking information. At the stand, yellow freestone peaches, Honeycrisp, Ruby Mac, Gala, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, and Gravenstein apples, Doe’s honey and jam, and maybe some tomatoes and sunflowers. Open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required at the stand and in the orchard; handwashing stations available.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own fall raspberries Thursday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the website to make sure patches are open; they may close temporarily when picked out. No pick-your-own apples this year. At the self-serve farmstand on the porch: Certified organic produce, including Asian pears, watermelon, Greengage plums, cabbage, kale, green beans, Russian Banana fingerling potatoes, Bumble Bee, heirloom and plum tomatoes, Bibb and curly leaf lettuce, zucchini, summer squash, butternut squash, sweet peppers, garlic, the farm’s own raspberry jam, and honey in 6- and 12-ounce jars. Masks required at the stand and while picking fruit; children need to stay close to their accompanying adult while in PYO areas; disinfectant available at the stand..
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue, 978-456-8363
Pick-your-own apples will start Saturday, Sept. 12. Currently recommending McIntosh and Cortlands for picking. At the store (open only for online ordering with porch or curbside pickup): Honeycrisp, Cortland, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, and Gala apples, yellow and white peaches, plums, nectarines, watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe. Tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), kale, collard greens, romaine and red leaf lettuce, regular and Japanese eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, bell peppers, hot and specialty peppers, summer squash, zucchini, green and yellow beans, cauliflower, beets, regular and fingerling potatoes, shallots, and mixed herbs. Pickup is available (masks required) weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick-your-own hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restrictions in the orchard due to COVID-19 will be in place, see the website for details.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
At the self-serve farmstand: white, bicolor and yellow corn, tomatoes (including Big Beef, Carolina Gold, Pink Girl, uglies and almost-uglies, and a few heirloom), and winter squash, including Red Kuri, spaghetti, and butternut. “Almost ugly” corn is also available for a reduced price. Peppers (sweet and hot) and eggplants are still available some days, but are sporadic because of the drought. Masks are required; one person per family only at the stand. Handwashing station available.
Masks and social distancing are requested at all sites.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil
