Willard Farm had a rough summer as this year’s drought affected many of its plants early in the growing season. Even zucchini, which seems poised to take over the planet every August, was in short supply at times. But one crop that received enough rain in September to recover is corn.
Willard Farm’s corn is a summer staple for many Harvardites, and some were rumored to need therapy when the stand’s corn was small or nonexistent back in August. But, miraculously, those large, sweet ears of bicolor corn have returned. Owner Paul Willard told the Press the rejuvenated corn crop will be available for a while; the last planting will be ready for picking next week.
Pumpkins are a different story though. Rain didn’t come early enough in the season for the large, thirsty pumpkins to survive, and there is a limited supply of gourds and smaller pumpkins. But if we could only have either a giant pumpkin to carve for Halloween or a few more weeks of freshly picked ears of corn, most of us would be happy with Mother Nature’s choice. Hopefully next year’s growing season will be a more farmer-friendly one.
Some of the pumpkins and gourds to be found at Willard Farm. (Photo by Joan Eliyesil)
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
Pick-your-own Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Ida Red, Northern Spy, Empire, and Golden Delicious apples. Check the Facebook page for daily updates. In the store, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Northern Spy, and Golden Delicious apples. On the back porch, produce from Idylwilde Farms in Acton, including tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and butternut, honeynut, delicata, and buttercup squash. Massachusetts-grown corn from the Connecticut River Valley is available, as are gourds, pumpkins, and mini-pumpkins from Wilson Farm in Lexington. Store is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
Pick-your-own Macoun, Ruby Mac, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Empire, and some Honeycrisp apples. At the stand, pumpkins, gourds, and most of the apple varieties that are being picked. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Good Spirits Farm, 106 East Bare Hill Road
At the self-service farmstand: raspberries, cocktail tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers (sweet and hot), kale, Swiss chard, last of the pattypan squash, winter squash (honeynut, acorn, North Georgia candy roaster, and butternut), and ground cherries. Also honey, flowers (dahlias), raw unprocessed honey, and homemade jam.
Open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road
Pick-your-own raspberries. At the self-service farmstand on the porch: certified organic fruit and vegetables, including raspberries, Asian pears, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, celery, peppers, onions, kale, lettuce, leeks, garlic, basil, and raspberry, raspberry-rhubarb, blueberry, and strawberry jams. Local eggs 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. Pick-your-own is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Westward Orchards, 178 Massachusetts Avenue, 978-456-8363
Pick-your-own apples; pick-your-own pumpkins on weekends only. In the store: Roxbury Russet, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Macoun, and Cortland apples, Bosc, Seckel, and Bartlett pears, nectarines, mixed variety plums, corn, tomatoes (cherry, heirloom, and slicers), kale, lettuce, cabbage, collard greens, leeks, cucumbers, peppers, regular and Japanese eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, kale sprouts, carrots, radishes, beets, mixed potatoes, red and yellow onions, shallots, and mixed herbs.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Pick-your-own apples open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wagon rides to pick-your-own pumpkins Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Willard Farm, 218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
At the self-service farmstand: Pumpkins and gourds, some corn, possibly end-of-the-line tomatoes, and corn stalks. No giant pumpkins this season due to the drought. Stand is open daily.
All produce listed is Harvard-grown unless otherwise noted.
