Apple-picking season has already begun at some orchards and will soon be in full swing at all of them. The earliest apples, including Ginger Gold and Gravenstein, are ready to pick now, with Honeycrisp and Gala right on their heels. Apples stop ripening when picked, so make sure you’re picking an apple that’s ready to eat. The apples on the outside of the tree ripen first. Fruit that’s ripe will come off the tree easily; a twisting motion works better than a straight pull. And while a bowl of apples on the kitchen counter might be a thing of beauty, apples need to be refrigerated once picked.
www.carlsonorchards.com
Pick-your-own Ginger Gold apples; possibly berries, check Facebook; cut-your-own sunflowers and zinnias. Peaches, nectarines, apples, and cut flowers are available in the store, along with locally grown corn and other assorted vegetables.
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 peaches and Gravenstein and Ginger Gold apples. Already-picked peaches, including B-grade for cooking and canning, and Ginger Gold, Gravenstein, and Premier Honeycrisp apples are available at the stand, along with sunflowers and Doe’s honey. Hours until Aug. 31 for the stand and pick-your-own are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; hours starting Aug. 31 for the stand and pick-your-own are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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 Honeycrisp apples, peaches, Asian pears, potatoes, garlic, their own herbal teas, and calendula oil. Pick-your-own raspberries opening soon; check the website for details.
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, Gala, and Ginger Gold apples, regular, heirloom, and cherry tomatoes, 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