New England Foliage Blog →
Last week in August means a trip to the farm stand
Fresh corn, peaches and berries beckon to us
by Jeff "Foliage" Folger
Al in the door to the Woodman farm stand.
going for a high apple on Dads shoulders
I went out Monday in search of "fresh" sweet corn on the cob.
The reason I say "on the cob" is that I told my niece a week ago that we were having "corn on the cob" and she said she didn't like it!!
I was aghast!
It was later when I put it into the water for the rest of us that she "saw" the corn and said she loved it? I asked about her earlier statement and she didn't know that corn on the cob meant corn!
She ate a whole ear by herself!
Three local farms that I visited this past week looking for sweet corn.
Newburyport, MA
I headed up route 1 through Topsfield and Rowley and came to the Woodman Farm stand. Now this is not the actual farm and the stand sits on the corner of route 1 and Boston road. (check the link to go to the farm location).
I talked to Al who was manning the register (a Tupperware tray with change in it) and Donna who is co-owner. We chatted about the growing season. She said the corn and peaches (in fact everything) is doing wonderful at this time but the only problem they are having is keeping the tractors from getting stuck in the fields. All their crops are benefiting from the abundance of rain this summer and they are looking at a bumper crop
Amesbury MA.
I talked to Glen out at Cider hill farm in Amesbury this morning to check in on the very important crop of Jack-0-lanterns and he says that over all they did take a hit from a very hungry deer population. Overall they lost around 20% but they are going to have a very large crop all the same.
They be starting to harvest the pumpkins very soon so the Howdens (a variety known to be good for Jack-O-Lanterns) and the hybrid heirloom pumpkins that they are well known for will be ready for you to take home.
So no matter what shape or size pumpkin, gourd or pie making pumpkin you need they are sure to have the one for you.
If you go to their website they have links to an online newsletter that you can look over to see what the picks of the week are. Also you can get directions and see pictures of what they are up to.
Don't forget if you go there to go into the store and over to the right is my favorite spot the fresh baked cider donuts?
Nuff Said!
Ipswich MA.
Last weekend I stopped out in Ipswich at the Marini farm to sample some of what they have. Lisa is a stickler for "fresh" corn having grown up on a farm herself she doesn't like any corn until the local arrives in late summer. We were standing at the table about to pick out ears of "fresh" corn when one of the workers brought in a box of corn straight from the field! I asked Lisa if this was fresh enough? She decided that it should do. We also tried their peaches, blackberries and a strawberry-rhubarb pie (even if they didn't make it local it was made by the pie guy (who is local) so we have to make allowances).
So no matter where you go this weekend be sure to head out for a family friendly outing to your local farm stand and taste what fresh is really all about. All these things will soon enough be gone along with the leaves and the snow will be covering all until spring.
I realize that I left out 5 New England states so if you have a favorite farm/farm stand and a link to it leave us a note in the comments. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this and any other subjects in either the blog comments or over in the foliage forum.
Jeff "Foliage" Folger
Reader Comments
Comment from Donna Frost on August 30, 2008
The Concord NH area has a wealth of farmstands and orchards. Some of my favorites don't have websites. On my way home from work I can stop at Crete's Highway Farm on Rt 3/4 in Boscawen (take exit 17 from Rt 93) for fresh corn. Up until this year they used to have the names of the varieties but now it's just "yellow and white" and "white". I was told people didn't pay attention to the varieties so they decided not to bother making all those signs. It's a large dairy. You'll see a sandwich board sign where you need to turn. The corn table is in their yard. They stock a few other things, too. Further west on Rt 3/4 is a small farmstand for Hackleboro Orchards or you can go to their farm http://www.hackleboroorchards.com/. I like to buy seconds for cooking or even eating plus at their orchard I have seen undersize apples sold for lunches. Great size for kids. Coming off exit 17 if you head toward Canterbury, Green Thumb Acres is on Boyce Rd. They don't have a website. Good selection of veggies and they usually have corn later than most places. http://www.applehillfarmnh.com/ There's a small garlic farm in Canterbury NH that has a small garlic festival but I couldn't find info on when. Last year I bought some garlic and some great garlic seasoning they make. Apple lovers should visit Gould Hill Orchard in Hopkinton NH while they still can. The owners want to retire. There's a pretty nice view from the parking lot for foliage lovers. Wonderful variety of apples. Nice drive from Concord out Rt 103 or take rt 89. http://www.gouldhill.com/ Just got back from the Hopkinton Fair where I was surprised there was a giant zucchini even bigger than the ones I harvested after being away for a week and not having anyone keep the plants picked. I found that with one giant zucchini you can make: zucchini whoopie pies, one chocolate zucchini cake, dozen zucchini bran muffins, almost a gallon of zucchini/tomato soup and still have plenty left over for zucchini pancakes! Fortunately I forgot the maple syrup on our camping weekend at Musterfield Farm but got some wonderful syrup from the Corser family and their zukes hadn't produced that well so they were in need of 4 giant zucchinis so they could make relish. My son didn't hear how many to pick up at the house so he brought 6. We left all six off and drove away quickly.
Comment from Jeff Folger on September 17, 2008
Thanks Donna, this just shows that no matter how far you drive there is always one more great local farm stand with fresh produce to tempt your palate. I'm still looking for more great cider dounuts so the search is on... Do any of you have a favorite location? let the rest of us know about it... Jeff "Foliage" Folger
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