The farmstand column returns this week as Harvard’s produce season heats up. Each week the Press will report on what’s currently filling farmstand bins and available for pick-your-own at town orchards. The drought may be downsizing some local favorites, including corn and apples, but Harvard’s orchardists and farmers are rolling with the punches. We’re lucky to have this combination of bountiful orchards and farms and the dedicated owners who keep them going despite what Mother Nature throws at them, so please support your local farmstand.
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
Pick-your-own peaches, nectarines, and blueberries. Check the Facebook page for daily updates. In the store, white and yellow peaches, nectarines, cherries, and blueberries, along with vegetables from Idylwilde Farms in Acton, including tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, and summer squash. Massachusetts-grown corn from the Connecticut River Valley is 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.
Carlson’s annual peach festival is this weekend, Aug. 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Katie Carlson told the Press white peaches ripened early this year, so the festival was moved up a week. There will be live music, food for sale from the Lions Club, and hayrides to the orchard.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
Pick-your-own peaches and blueberries. At the stand, peaches, tomatoes, and prepicked blueberries along with Doe’s jam and sunflowers. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
At the self-service farmstand on the porch: Certified organic fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes (cherry, heirloom, and slicers), summer squash, zucchini, eggplant, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, celery, green beans, kale, lettuce, fennel, and basil. Eggs from Maplebrook Farmstead in Sterling are also available. Stand is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the week, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue, 978-456-8363
Pick-your-own blueberries. In the store: Jersey Mac apples, Red Bartlett pears, yellow and white peaches, mixed variety plums, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, white tiger melon, corn, tomatoes (cherry, heirloom, and slicers), kale, lettuce, collard greens, peas, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, peppers, eggplant, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, beets, potatoes, and mixed herbs. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; pick-your-own hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
At the self-service farmstand: Lots of tomatoes, including Big Beef and Pink Girl, possibly Chef’s Choice (yellow/orange) and Carolina Gold (yellow); limited amount of summer squash, zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers. Lots of sunflowers, some cosmos and zinnias. Corn is small and will be very limited due to the drought. Stand is open daily.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
