Monday, November 14, 2011

November SALE

Sale on squash and apples just in time for Thanksgiving baking...
winter squash on sale for $20.00 per bushel,
utility (pies, baking) apples.. $12.00/bu,
10lbs. of potatoes $ 6.99/bag or .89 cents/lb.
Four gallons of cider, $ 20.00/case.
also all apples in store are .99 cents/lb.
This special is running thru Thanksgiving. These prices meet or beat Super Box store prices and its all grown right on our own farm...you cannot get any fresher. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

November 2011 update

The farmstand remains open thru November. We have all of our own apples with many varieties to choose from. We also have utilty apples for baking and pies. Fresh cider is pressed daily in our own cider mill. Winter squashes all grown on our own farm like butternut, acorn, and blue hubbard are all available now. We also have fall gardening supplies, jams, jellies, etc etc. Stop in sometime and stock up for the winter.
~Thanks for supporting your local family farm!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Hallo-Lantern Hayrides

Hallolantern Hayride
Take a 30 minute night time hayride around the farm to view hundreds of expertly carved jack-o-lanterns! This is not a haunted ride and is fun for the whole family!

Dates are as follows:
Oct 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, & 30th

Times are as follows:
Thursday and Sunday hours Dark-9pm
Friday and Saturday hours Dark-10pm

Prices are as follows:
Adults $15. Children 12 & under $13.

For additional info or incase of weather problems call 508-378-2270.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

mid October update 2011

Pick your own apple/pumpkin status:

Apple picking is closed.
Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make this year's apple harvest a success! We had a record Columbus Day weekend with all 3 days' weather remaining perfect and enough apples to make it through the entire weekend. We still have our own apples available in the farmstand and our own fresh pressed cider.

Pumpkin pick your own continues.
Jump on a hayride on the weekend and you can pick your own pumpkin right out of the field...a great way for kids to see just where they come from! Or if you prefer, rumage through our already picked piles right at the farmstand all week long.

Other events:
Our Hallo-Lantern hayrides continue again this year later in the month. Look for updates to this blog for specific dates and times or call our farmstand (see website for number).

The farmstand has all of our own fresh produce including our own just harvested potatoes, winter squash, apples, cider, and tomatoes and even eggs from our own flock fo chickens. We also have cider donuts, fresh pastries, jams, jellies, pickles, and other assorted items. We have cornstalks, hay bales, and other ghoulish decorating items for sale as well. Be sure to check out the spooktacular greenhouse! For the gardener, we have fetilizer, lime and winter rye seed and more...

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Columbus Day update

Our Harvest Hoedown continues on Columbus Day Oct 10 (see description in previous post). As far as apple pick your own...we will have apples to pick on Monday for part of the day. We will be picking our "pot luck" orchard. What this means is there are apples to pick but no gaurantee of what variety is available. Additionally apple picking may or may not last all day. It all depends on the amount of people who come out to pick. If you miss out on apple picking we do have our own fresh apples already picked in the store. The other festivities will continue such as hayrides, pumpkin picking, music, food, pony rides etc. until closing time (4 pm). Have a safe holiday and thanks for supporting your local family farm.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Columbus Day weekend improtant updates

Revised 10/8/11 7pm
Columbus Day weekend looks to be superb weather wise (finally) so it should be a good time for our fall harvest hoedown. What is a "hoedown" anyways? Well traditionally farmers celebrate the end of the season after six months of long days growing and tending crops, dealing with mother nature and harvesting everything to bring to market...its when the farmer finally puts down his hoe. C N Smith carries on that tradition with a celebration for everyone. Come join us this weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday Oct 8, 9, 10 for apple picking, pumpkin picking, hayrides, music, food, pony rides and more.

NOTE: Pick your own apples is NOT guaranteed every day this weekend. We will have apples all day Saturday and part of Sunday and part of Monday however we cannot ensure all day Sunday or Monday nor can we ensure the varieties available. There are also apples available already picked in the farmstand. Picking should inlcude the following varieties however not all of these varieties will be available all day so come early for your favorites:

Cortland (limited supply)
Empire
Red Delicious
Golden Delicious
Spencer
Northern Spy
Russet
Fuji
Breaburn
Mutsu
Granny Smith (very limited supply)

We anticipate a large crowd this weekend so please help by following parking attendant directions, pick your own staff directions, pick your own rules, leaving your pets at home, etc etc. There is a small parking fee for the Hoedown festivities. Additionally, please be patient in line and we will try to accomodate everyone in as timely a fashion as possible. There will be a police officer on duty for public safety.
Thank you for your support and have a fun and safe holiday weekend.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sept 2011 update 3

Pick your own apples for the weekend of October 1 and 2 will include the following varieties:
McIntosh (very limited supply)
Macoun
Honey Crisp (while supplies last)
Cortland
Empire
More varieties will be available the following weekend (Oct 8, 9).
Also pick your own pumpkins(hayride required)continues this weekend. Be sure to also visit the farmstand for our own fresh vegetables, already picked apples, peaches, pears, our own apple cider, cider donuts, baked goods, home grown garlic, etc.
For the ghouls who dare come out in the daylight, there is the fabulous Halloween display and truly frightening items for sale. For the more heavenly souls, there are corn stalks, straw bales, carving pumpkins, mums and other fall plantings.
Hope to see you this weekend. Thanks for supporting your local family farm.

Farming is a lot of hard work and long days and we anticipate being very busy this weekend. How can you help? Please put trash in its proper containers or take it home with you. Please pay for all you pick. For your safety and the safety of others, please respect all rules. To help make your visit and other's visit enjoyable, and in order to maintain efficient movement of all visitors please obey the traffic controllers/parking attendants and pick your own staff...thanks and enjoy your visit.

CN Smith Farm.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Sept 2011 update 2

For the weekend of Sept 24 and 25th we will be picking the following varieties:
McIntosh (limited supply)
Macoun
Cortland
Empire
Honey Crisp*
*Please note Honey Crisp picking is available on the WEEKENDS only. Thank you for your understanding. All apples are also available in the stand already picked.
Also, please remember the following: NO pets are allowed in the orchard due to health codes. Please follow all posted rules to ensure your safety in the orchard and for the protection of our trees. Picking apples from the tree is not like picking from the supermarket shelf - they are not all perfect. Please do not waste the fruit by throwing away apples simply because they have a dimple or blemish and please do not pick for the sake of picking (ie with no intention of keeping the apples !!) Finally, have fun (yes we do want you to have fun)!
We also have our own fresh pressed cider, mums, halloween decorations (be sure to visit the haunted greenhouse), pick your own pumpkins (weekends only,, hayride required) and pumpkin piles at the store.
Thanks for supporting your local farm.
CN Smith.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sept 2011 update 1

This weekend, Sept 17 and 18, we will be picking McIntosh, Macouns as well as Honey Crisp and some early Cortlands. Please note, due to our remote location in the orchard, cash is the preferred payment method. Hope to see you this weekend.
CN Smith

Saturday, September 3, 2011

September 2011

Its Apple Picking Time! Despite Irene's best efforts we are open for business and now picking McIntosh Apples. We will be open Wed Thur and Fri 10-4 and Weekends 9-4. We will also be open labor day. McIntosh are a bit tart right now so if you like them that way hurry in. They should sweeten up in a few days and generally the supply lasts a few weeks for pick your own. Following that other varieties will ripen (about 15 in all) so be sure to check the blog for updates. When coming to the farm please leave your pets at home due to FEDERAL health codes and observe all rules for your safety. We also have the vegetable stand fully stocked with our own peaches, plums, nectarines and produce. We also now have our own garlic ready for sale...hurry while supplies last. Hope to see you soon!
~The Smith Farm apple team.

Friday, July 22, 2011

July 2011 PYO Peaches

For the past several years we have experimented with Pick Your Own Peaches and have declared it a success. Consequently, starting today (July 22) PYO Peaches will resume for the 2011 season. Simply follow the signs out to the PYO Blueberry and Peach picking shed. Please note blueberry picking containers and peach bags are now available and paid for at the PYO shed right at the blueberry parking lot. (We simply can no longer afford those of you who insist on driving away without paying.) Picking is daily from 9 to 4 for both blueberries and peaches. However, please note that peach conditions may vary and we reserve the right to close the picking for an unspecified time to allow for more to ripen so its probably best to call for conditions. Peach season is generally from mid July thru August. There is a 1 bag (5 lb) minimum, the purchase of which which allows up to three people to enter the peach orchard. Additional persons requires the purchase of an additional bag. Lesser amounts may be purchased already picked in the farmstand. Please leave your pets at home as FEDERAL health codes do not allow pets in the orchards. Please follow all posted rules for your safety.

Additionally, our farmstand is now full of fresh veggies, already picked blueberries and peaches, and more.

Hope you are staying cool and hope to see you soon at the farm.
~Smith

Friday, July 8, 2011

July 2011 PYO Blueberries

July is National Blueberry Month. No, really...its National Blueberry Month. Granted anyone can nominate any month, day or year to be a national something or other but Blueberries and July certainly fit. Did you know blueberries are high in vitamins, anti oxidents and are just plain good for you! They can be frozen and enjoyed all year long too. Try them on cereal, ice cream, in pies, muffins or cakes. All sorts of recipes are out there on what to do with blueberries. Pick Your Own blueberries is open 7 days a week 9am to 4pm and generally runs now thru August. They are also availabel pre picked in the farm stand. As a reminder, kindly pay for all you pick...granted blueberries do grow on bushes but they cost money to grow!
Thanks and hope to see you soon.
CN Smith Farm

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

June 2011 Pick Your Own Strawberries

Well summer is finally upon us and the strawberries are in! We were very lucky to avoid any serious late spring frosts so the crop is looking very healthy. Why settle for tasteless supermarket berries from who-knows-where when you can pick your own fresh ones right here in your own back yard? If you don’t feel like picking your own, we pick daily for the farm stand where you can grab a box and not even get dirty! If you can however, I recommend picking your own at least once for the experience. Its hard work but fun to see just how things grow and where they come from. We grow over 3 acres of berries so come do some picking!

Now for a few picking and storage tips: There is a minimum amount required for pick your own (you must pick at least 2 quarts). If you would like less they are available in the farm stand already picked. When picking strawberries you want to handle them like eggs…you simply cradle the berry in your last three fingers while pinching the stem between your thumb and first finger to break the stem. If you grab and tug on the berry itself you're only going to squish it. Be sure to move the plant leaves to find the berries hidden underneath – sometimes these are the best ones, especially as the season winds down later in June. Strawberries require a lot of sun and are therefore planted in wide open fields - we open at 9am and start picking before it gets too hot! Berries can be frozen and enjoyed all season long and even into next spring. Simply rinse in a strainer, cut off the stem and if desired, cut in half, and store in ziplock type freezer-rated bags. When freezing berries its best not to pick them over-ripe as they do not freeze well. Ripe but firm berries freeze the best while riper berries should be eaten fresh.

Also, its not too late to plant your own garden. The warm spring has everyone thinking gardens should be planted by now but you have until June 15 in general to get your veggie plants in. We have plenty of plants started and ready for transplanting plus seeds, natural and organic (our own) fertilzers, and pest supplies. Stop by the greenhouses and farm stand for all your gardening needs.

Happy Gardening and Picking!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Spring 2011

Well April showers should bring May flowers...if they dont wash them away. We've put away the snow plows and re-opened with gardening supplies and spring flowers. We'll be growing all kinds of flowers and early garden plants like peas, lettuce, etc and continuing later with tomatoes, squash and cukes all ready to plant in your own home garden. We also have compost, fertilizers (natural and 5-10-10, 10-10-10 etc), lime and more. Stop in for quality plants and help support your local grower!
Thanks and hope to see you soon.
~C. Smith

Sunday, February 27, 2011

March 2011

We will be at the Boston Flower and Garden Show March 16th thru 20th (http://www.paragonexpo.com/index.php/BFS-General/)

Also note the Farm Store re-opens April 1st!

Did you know March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day? Me neither, until I was reading the Farmer’s Almanac recently. No, apples are not ready in New England in March, but it is the time to prune apple trees. Fruit trees must be dormant when pruning. At Smith Farm we have several thousand trees to prune and there is no “pruning machine”. Although air pruners and pole saws reduce the work, one must still circle each tree on foot; decide what needs to go and what will produce the most and best fruit for the season. Broken or diseased branches are easy to spot and remove but what about pruning for the future? The orchard manager must decide how the tree wants to grow, what branches he wants to remove, and how to get the best fruit.

So what does Johnny Appleseed have to with all this? When settlers first arrived in the new world, there were no cultivated fruit trees except a few wild crab apple, cherry and plum plantings. For a hundred years or more apple trees were grown from seed. Johnny Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) was an eccentric but resourceful Massachusetts native who travelled routes most likely to be settled in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and other states purchasing land and planting seedlings. By the 1840s he owned 1200 acres of land for nurseries and hundreds of varieties of apples were grown. Most of these varieties are now only notations in old books. Who has recently perused their local Walmart and found a Ben Davis? How about a Limbertwig or Duchess of Oldenburg? I didn’t think so. These “antique” (or heirloom as its commonly referred to now) varieties are mostly extinct. Many didn’t taste very good anyways and were used for cider (refrigeration not yet being invented for long term storage).

Trees are now propagated by grafting, a technique done in March by joining a twig from one tree (called a scion) to a host root stock. The result is a tree true to the variety of the scion. Trees from seeds result in a “chance seedling” – a cross between whatever varieties were pollinated to produce the apple the seed came from – the result is sometimes good and sometimes not so good. At Smith Farm we are lucky enough to grow several antique varieties and even a chance seedling that actually tastes good. Our antique varieties ripen mostly in late October and include Baldwin, Russet, Northern Spy, Spencer, Rome and Winesap. Our chance seedling is called “Cue’s Favorite”, so called for the nickname of the person who’s field in central MA it was found growing. Cue’s Favorite is in limited supply and available only at Smith Farm sometime near the end of September to mid October.

So if you’re in the mood to taste something different and feeling as adventurous as Johnny Appleseed, come to Smith Farm in the fall. If you’re feeling as ambitious (or maybe eccentric) as Johnny and would like to plant your own home orchard, visit us in the spring. We have a small but nice selection of commonly grown varieties potted and ready to plant and can order other varieties as well…remember you need two different variety trees if you want fruit (or a crabapple tree in the yard will suffice too.)

PS. A note to our Facebook friends…due to the limited amount of time we have for updating the web page and blog and the upcoming busy planting season, we cannot always answer questions posted to Facebook. It is best to call the store once we open. Thanks.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Winter Update 2011

Winter in New England…if you’re as tired as I am of the snow and cold then I know you’re thinking about spring flowers, summer veggies and even fall fruits. So I thought I’d share some thoughts to get your mind on the warmer months ahead instead of fretting about the latest snow storm to end all snow storms. Since spring is next in line, let’s start there.

The seed and nursery catalogs have been filling up the mailbox over the last week (hopefully this helps keep the USPS in less red ink than usual) so if you’re thinking of starting your own garden this year, or are continuing an existing garden, then now is a good time to start planning for spring. ‘What’s to plan?’ you might ask…’ just throw the seed in the ground and it grows right?’…well not exactly. Soil preparation is most important to a successful crop, whether it be a large garden or just a few tomato pots on the back porch. First, soil pH is crucial to plant health. Blueberries and Strawberries for example prefer slightly acidic soil (add sulfur or blueberry specific fertilizers) while vegetable and fruit trees prefer a more neutral pH (add lime). Inexpensive soil test kits are usually available in garden centers or nurseries. Soil samples can also be sent to the University of MA in Amherst (small fee) for a more extensive analysis. Next up is organic matter. If you have sandy or heavy clay soil then you’ll want to add some organic matter like composted leaves, grass clippings etc. If you use this type of compost it should be well broken down and look like soil itself. Cow and chicken manure are excellent soil enhancers and good organic fertilizers but should be mixed well in the existing soil to avoid burning tender seedlings and roots. Finally starting your own seeds is fun but be sure to check the packaging for the time it takes to from start to harvest as you don’t want to still be waiting for that fresh melon when the leaves are falling in October! Also beware of late spring frosts that can kill tender young plants. Cultivation, weed control, fertilizing, pest control and watering will all be important steps as your garden continues to grow. So visit CN Smith Farm this spring for seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, pest control products, organic compost/manure and good old fashioned advice from experienced growers. You’ll have to excuse me now while I go out and shovel the latest gift from mother nature off the driveway. Don’t forget that all this snow is really nutrient laden water that will recharge our lakes and streams and even our gardens for a bountiful new season.