by Taylor Ratcliffe ·
Friday, August 21, 2026
From blossoms comes
this brown paper bag of peaches
we bought from the boy
at the bend in the road where we turned towards
signs painted Peaches. —“From Blossoms” by Li-Young Le
In local farmstand news, Doe Orchards has a beauty opening this week. Constructed by Circle B Barn Company of Lancaster, their new post-and-beam farmstand is ready to open, with pick-your-own options and plenty of freshly picked Doe Orchards fruit for purchase.
Carlson Orchards was busy this past weekend with their annual Peach Festival. The orchard was bursting with colorful cut flowers, blueberry bushes heavy with fruit, local artisans’ wares on display, and, of course, peaches for picking. The strong festival turnout left Carlson Orchards temporarily “Picked out of peaches!” according to their social media posts. Well done!
Here is a look at what is available in Harvard this coming week.
Carlson Orchards
115 Oak Hill Road, 978-456-3916
www.carlsonorchards.com
The week began with pick-your-own raspberries and blueberries, cut-your-own zinnias and sunflowers. A round of peaches and nectarines is expected to be ripe for picking by the time this column is printed. Carlson’s own picked nectarines and peaches, along with their ciders, lemonades, apple cider donuts and local corn are available in the farmstand daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..
Doe Orchards
327 Ayer Road, 978-772-4139
www.doeorchards.com
The berry netting has been taken down as the last blueberries have been plucked, while the apple varieties continue to grow at Doe. Premiere Honeycrisp and Ginger Gold are in season for PYO but check in with the farmstand about the availability of Gravenstein. Summer hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; watch for changes at Labor Day.
Good Spirits Farm
106 East Bare Hill Road, 978-456-8291
www.goodspiritsfarm.com
This week at Good Spirits Farm are fresh zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, kale, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, Gideon apples, as well as their own raw honey, homemade jams, teas, and flower bouquets.
Old Frog Pond Farm
38 Eldridge Road
www.oldfrogpondfarm.org
The self-serve farmstand at Old Frog Pond is open and stocked with certified organic produce, including peaches, early apples, their own honey, a variety of fruit jams, herbal teas, beeswax candles, and more. Farmstand hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Westward Orchards
178 Mass. Ave., 978-456-8363
www.westwardorchards.com
What a variety of fresh produce is available at Westward Orchards this week! Here’s a list: blueberries, blackberries, yellow and white peaches, Shiro plums, cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, nectarines, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, Snow Leopard melon, red and yellow seedless watermelons, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, and Red Bartlett apples, broccoli, peas, corn, beans, red and green cabbage, summer squash, cukes, zucchini, eggplant, beets, kale, collard greens, Romaine and Bibb lettuce, red fingerling potatoes, shallots, and a selection of herbs. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Willard Farm
218 Still River Road, 978-456-8291
Cucurbit Farm of Acton has fresh produce for sale at the Willard Farmstand. Corn, cukes, garlic, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash are available for sale this week at the self-service stand. Maxant honey is also available and has a separate payment system.
Listed produce is Harvard grown unless otherwise noted.