“Leaving the Nashua, we arrived at Still River Village . . . just as the sun was setting. From this place . . . the prospect is unsurpassed. There was such a repose and quiet here at this hour, as if the very hillsides were enjoying the scene.”
—Henry David Thoreau on Still River, Massachusetts
September certainly paints a beautiful scene in Still River. The stand at Willard Farm sits at a slight bend in the road, and you may miss it if you drive too quickly. It is rich with colorful produce from Cucurbit Farm in Acton, though now also features pumpkins grown at the Willard Farm. This summer pumpkins have been growing remarkably well there despite the dry weather. In fact, they are donning bright orange hues already and are arriving at the farmstand a few weeks early. Come enjoy an early fall pumpkin from Willard Farm or visit in the coming weeks when more varieties of pumpkins and gourds will have been harvested.
Here is a look at what is available in Harvard this coming week. Listed produce is Harvard grown unless otherwise noted.
Carlson Orchards
115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
This week, Honeycrisp and Ginger Gold apples are ready for pick-your-own, and many colorful flowers are abloom in the fields and ready for cutting. PYO is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A few varieties of this season’s peaches and nectarines are still available in the farmstand, and Carlson’s end-of-the-season canning special is on to keep customers stocked with peaches over the winter months. First varieties of apples are also at the stand, as are locally grown vegetables and corn, flower bouquets, and more. The farmstand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Doe Orchards
327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
Apple picking is in full swing at Doe, with Honeycrisp, Gala, Gravenstein, Ginger Gold, and McIntosh apples ready for PYO. White peaches are no longer available, but yellow peaches are at the stand and on the trees. Cider and sunflowers are also available at the stand. Doe Orchards farmstand is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Good Spirits Farm
106 East Bare Hill Road, 978-456-6815
Blueberry season has come to a close at Good Spirits Farm, but the raspberries are plentiful. Peaches, zucchini, patty pan, tomatillos, and grapes are now available as well. Good Spirits Farm also sells their own homemade jams (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, aronia, peach, and apricot) and their own lip balms and creams. Fresh flower bouquets of dahlias and zinnias are also for sale. The small roadside stand at Good Spirits Farm has some items available for purchase anytime, while the nearby shed houses the bulk of the farm’s offerings and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Old Frog Pond Farm
38 Eldridge Road
Old Frog Pond Farm has organic apples and European and Asian pears freshly picked in the farmstand, along with varieties of tomatoes, fresh peppers and cucumbers, and handmade organic treats. Raspberry bushes are full of ripe berries and ready for PYO. Pint boxes are available at the farmstand. Mugs and bitty bowls made by East Fork are also for sale. Visit this self-serve farmstand Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Westward Orchards
178 Mass. Ave., 978-456-8363
New produce at Westward Orchards this week includes McIntosh apples and cauliflower. Starting Sept. 12, pick-your-own apples will begin with Cortland and McIntosh varieties. Fresh fruit for sale at Westward Orchards includes peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, and Cortland apples, a variety of tomatoes, and melons. Fresh vegetables available this week include broccoli, corn, beans, carrots, cabbages, summer squash and zucchini, cucumbers, eggplants, beets, kale, collard greens, okra, sweet peppers, potatoes, shallots, leeks, onions, fresh herbs, and cauliflower. Westward Orchards is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Willard Farm
218 Still River Road 978-456-8291
Cucurbit Farm of Acton has a colorful display of produce in the stand at Willard Farm in Still River. Their own tomatoes and fresh corn will continue to be available until mid-October. Zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, radishes, cucumbers, peppers, and fresh cantaloupe are currently in season and ready to enjoy. This is a self-service stand. Maxant honey is also available for purchase and has a separate payment system.
