 |
| Four-year-old twins Sawyer (left) and Tucker Madison sample the blueberries as they pick at Doe Orchards. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz) |
Bus companies have published their back-to-school bus routes—can the end of summer be far behind? A sad prospect indeed. But the end of summer brings with it harvest season, which in New England gives us one last excuse for fun and celebration before the gray days of winter arrive. Local farms and orchards are gearing up for their pick-your-own season, which at some places comes with hayrides, music, and more. Here is a sampling of what you can find in Harvard and surrounding towns:
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, is now open for the end of the pick-your-own blueberry season, as well as PYO peaches and nectarines, and will be ready for PYO apples by Labor Day weekend. Their big peach festival is this weekend—Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine—and will feature live music under a tent, hayrides to the peach orchards, and a cookout by the Harvard Lions Club. Call 800-286-3916 for more information.
Doe Orchards, 327 Ayer Road, offers pick-your-own blueberries and apples. Apple-picking begins Labor Day and runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through late October. Call 978-772-4139 for specific days and hours.
Hammerhead Farm, 56 Westcott Road, has blueberries and apples. Call 978-456-6858 for hours.
Hazel U-Pick operation at 13 Westcott Road specializes in apples. Call 978-456-9092 for hours.
Old Frog Pond Farm, 38 Eldridge Road, is one of only three certified-organic orchards in the state, featuring both raspberries and apples. The orchard will open for pick-your-own raspberries Aug. 27, and for apples Aug. 30. For more information call 978-456-9616.
Phil’s Apples, 24 Prospect Hill Road, is open for apple-picking daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., September to November, and offers visitors an opportunity to help make its award-winning cider Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Call 978-456-3361 for more information.
Westward Orchards, on Mass. Ave. (Route 111), offers pick-your-own blueberries, apples, and pumpkins. Generally, the “u-pick” operation runs daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the store advises people to call (978-456-8363) to check on pick-your-own hours, since they can be affected by weather and other conditions.
Bolton Spring Farm, at 149 Main St. (Route 117) in Bolton, opens Labor Day weekend for PYO apples, and stays open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through the end of December. Apple-pickers can warm themselves in the store on crisp autumn days with a cup of hot spiced cider or a freshly made apple dumpling.
Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadock Hill Road in Bolton, has a number of apple varieties in its PYO operation. Call 978-779-5521 for specific days and times, or write to e-mail@nashobawinery.com.
Nicewicz Farm, 116 Sawyer Road in Bolton, features PYO apples during September and October. Call 978-779-6423 for hours.
Schartner Farm, 211 West Berlin Road in Bolton, is open on weekends for PYO apples. Call 978-779-0212 for specific times.
Berlin Orchards, on Route 62 in Berlin, will open its orchards for pick-your-own apples and pears Aug. 30. The PYO operation will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hayrides to and from the orchards are available on weekends and holidays with the purchase of an apple bag. The farm has an ice cream stand, a store offering fresh vegetables and gifts, and a number of farm animals. For more information call 978-838-2400.
Marshall Fun Farm, 340 Marshall Road in Fitchburg, offers PYO apples and pumpkins, a full restaurant, an “animal fun park” open on the weekends, a corn maze, and more. The “u-pick” operation and the “sweet shop” are open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call 978-342-4100.
Hillbrook Orchards, 141 Old Ayer Road in Groton, has PYO apples and on weekends offers pony rides and a farm animal petting zoo. Confirm hours at 978-448-3248.
George Hill Farms, 582 George Hill Road in South Lancaster, is open for picking blueberries, peaches, and Ginger Gold apples; other apples will be ready for harvesting starting the end of the month. The orchard also has a small shop offering sandwiches and gifts. Call 978-365-4331 to confirm orchard hours.
Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St. in Leominster, is owned by the City of Leominster and operated by the Friends of Sholan Farms—a community-supported, nonprofit organization. The farm will have its eighth annual opening weekend Aug. 28 to Sept, 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will offer apple-picking, live entertainment, hayrides, and food. Pick-your-own hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For more information call 978-840-3276.
Clearview Farm, 4 Kendall Hill Road in Sterling, has pick-your-own apples, peaches, blueberries, pumpkins, and raspberries. Call 978-422-6442 to confirm hours.
Shelburne Farm, 106 West Acton Road in Stow, has apples, peaches, and pumpkins for the picking, as well as a Country Apple Shop, and a farmstand concession. Call 978-897-9287 for more information.