Blueberries are passing the locally grown fruit torch to peaches as August comes to a close. While we may think of peaches as having their roots in America, they have been grown in China for thousands of years. According to Chinese Taoist folklore, the three varieties of the Peaches of Immortality, grown in the garden of the goddess Xiwangmu, have a range of unusual benefits. One variety opens the mind to higher wisdom, the second gives the consumer the ability to fly and makes them appear younger, and whoever eats the third will live forever. Harvard’s peaches are not likely to do any of those things, but they taste like summer, and that’s kind of a magical thing.
www.carlsonorchards.com
Pick-your-own yellow peaches, blueberries, and raspberries; cut-your-own sunflowers and zinnias. Already-picked blueberries and peaches and fresh cut flowers are available in the store, along with Carlson’s nectarines and cherries. Also available in the store: Locally grown corn, mini watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), green beans, green and jalapeno peppers, zucchini, summer squash, and pickling cucumbers.
Store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; pick-your-own is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.doeorchards.com
Pick-your-own freestone yellow and white peaches and Gravenstein and Ginger Gold apples. Blueberries are done for the season. Already-picked peaches and apples (including early Premier Honeycrisp) are available at the stand, along with sunflowers and Doe’s honey. Hours until Labor Day for the stand and pick-your-own are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
www.goodspiritsfarm.com
At the self-service farmstand this week: organically grown raspberries, peaches, field tomatoes (heirloom varieties), cucumbers, zucchini, pattypan squash, kale, collards, New Zealand spinach, and fresh herbs, including basil. Also available at the stand are the farm’s own honey, berry jams (including raspberry, peach, strawberry-peach, blueberry, and blackberry), flower bouquets, herbal teas, lavender hand cream, lip balm, and chicken and duck eggs from Harvard’s Goose and Hen farm. Stand is open daily.
www.oldfrogpondfarm.com
At the self-service farmstand on the porch: certified organic fruit and vegetables, including peaches, Asian pears, cherry tomatoes, garlic, blackberry and blueberry jams, their own herbal teas, and calendula oil. Stand is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
www.westwardorchards.com
End of the season pick-your-own blueberries. Available in the store: Westward’s yellow and white peaches, nectarines, mixed plums, watermelons, honeydews, cantaloupes, Red Bartlett pears, Honeycrisp and Ginger Gold apples, tomatoes (regular, heirloom, and cherry), lettuce, cucumbers, corn, kale, broccoli, carrots, eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, peppers, beets, collard greens, cabbage, leeks, potatoes, shallots, and mixed herbs. Store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; pick-your-own is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil