This is the last farmstand column of this year’s growing season. Willard Farm has already closed, and it’s the final week for the Old Frog Pond farmstand. Doe Orchards will continue to sell apples at their stand until the end of cut-your-own Christmas tree sales, which start the day after Thanksgiving and typically wrap up by the end of that same weekend. The Westward Orchards store remains open through Dec. 31, and the Carlson Orchards store is open year-round. Please continue to patronize our local orchards—their apples are fresher than any you’ll find in the grocery store. And both Westward and Carlson orchards sell lots more than apples, including options for a last-minute dinner. The farmstand column will return next year when the summer squash blossoms and the berries turn blue.
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Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
Pick-your-own Evercrisp, Braeburn, Red Rome, and Cortland apples; check the Facebook page for the latest information on apple varieties ready to pick. In the store, Empire, Cortland, Gala, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Macoun, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Honeycrisp, and Evercrisp apples, as well as utility bags of Cortland, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Macoun apples. Under the tent behind the store, Brookdale Fruit Farm’s green and red peppers, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, and winter squash including butternut, acorn, delicata, and spaghetti. Gourds and pumpkins, including white and mini-pumpkins for decoration are also available.
Store is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The store remains open year-round.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
There are still a few apples to pick in the orchard, but focus is shifting toward the stand, where you’ll find Honeycrisp, Macoun, Cortland, Fuji, McIntosh, Gala, Jonagold, Empire, Delicious, and Mutsu apples as well as apple cider.
The stand will remain open through cut-your-own Christmas tree sales, which start Friday, Nov. 26. Stand hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for now; check for hour changes online or call for information.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Raspberries are over; final week for the farmstand. Certified organic vegetables, including arugula, baby kale, basil, beets, carrots, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, sweet peppers, and sweet potatoes.
Stand is open daily through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue, 978-456-8363
Pick-your-own Macoun, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Cortland apples. In the store: Baldwin, Cortland, Empire, Gala, McIntosh, Macoun, and Roxbury Russet apples. Bartlett, Bosc, and Seckel pears, mixed plums, tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), kale, kale sprouts, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, romaine and red leaf lettuce, beets, regular and Japanese eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, leeks, beets, regular and hot peppers, potatoes, onions, shallots, a mixed variety of winter squash, and mixed herbs. Pumpkins and gourds for decoration are also available.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; pick-your-own hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Store will be open through Dec. 31.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
Willard Farm is closed for the season.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
Brookdale Fruit Farm is in Hollis, New Hampshire.
