Thursday, November 29, 2012

November/December 2012 Update

Open WEEKENDS for fire wood, squash, apples, cider, etc. The bleakness of winter is upon us. Colder weather, brown grass, leafless trees and snow all add up to say the growing season is certainly over. Note you can still plant your garlic cloves up until the ground freezes and be sure to cover your strawberries with clean straw mulch. On the farm we also cut fire wood, repair our equipment and plan for next year. You can also start planning next year’s garden by browsing seed catalogs or supplier websites for ideas, seeds, methods, supplies and items for your list to Santa. At CN Smith, our farm store is still open WEEKENDS for November and December. We have fire wood for sale, winter squash, apples, cider, jams, jellies, and honey (while supplies last). So stop by and say “hi” and thank you for your support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

November 2012 Update

The growing season may be over but we still have plenty of our own produce available! What better way to keep warm this time of year than with hot apple pie or fresh pumpkin pie and warm mulled cider? Did you know you can substitute butternut squash for pumpkin in pies, breads and cookies? It tastes virtually the same ! We have plenty of apples for your baking and snacking needs and we press our own cider right here on the farm. So stop by and enjoy some local produce. ~CN Smith

Monday, October 15, 2012

Mid October 2012 Update 2

The 2012 apple harvest is now done! Overall it was quite a success and thanks to all those who came out and picked apples this year! But fear not, there’s still plenty to do for the rest of October on the farm. This weekend and next we will have our “NOT TOO CREEPY” HAYRIDES from 11am-4pm. This daytime ride with Halloween decorations, and a few ghouls who aren’t afraid of the sunlight, is perfect for young kids! PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS (hayride purchase required) will also be this weekend from 11am-4pm. Plenty of our own apples are available already picked as well as piles of pumpkins at the farm stand. We also have fall decorations, baked goods, fall vegetables such as potatoes and winter squashes, our own fresh pressed apple cider, and more. Now that a hard freeze has occured, it is the time to put your garden to rest for the winter. We have rye seed, straw for mulching and other gardening supplies as well. For those of you wondering, the Hallow-Lantern carved-pumpkin nighttime Hayride is cancelled for 2012 due to circumstances beyond our control - but you can check back next year for a possible reincarnation. Thank you for your support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm

Friday, October 12, 2012

Mid October 2012 Picking Update

The 2012 APPLE harvest has been quite a success and best of all, its still going on! Thanks to all those who come out and pick apples and special thanks to most of you who do so in a civilized manner! October continues with PICK YOUR OWN APPLES and PUMPKINS (hayride purchase is required to get to the orchard and pumpkin patch. Pumpkins and apples priced seperately). Several apple varieties are available in the orchard including honeycrisp, delicious, and mutsu. Pick your own apples are limited in supply. We also have plenty of other apple varieties for sale in the farmstand, piles of pumpkins just outside the farm stand, fall decorations, baked goods, fall vegetables like potatoes and winter squashes, our own fresh pressed apple cider, and more. Now is also the time to think about putting your garden to bed for the winter. We have winter rye seed, straw for mulching and other gardening supplies as well. For those of you wondering, the Hallow-Lantern carved-pumpkin Hayride is cancelled for 2012 due to circumstances beyond our control but you can check back next year for a possible reincarnation. Thank you for your support of local agriculture. ~Smith Farm

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Columbus Day 2012 Update

We WILL have APPLE picking available for Columbus Day Oct 8th!! We cannot guarantee picking will last all day however so come early! Monday is also the last day for our Harvest Hoedown...live music, hayrides, pick your own pumpkins, pony rides and fun for the kids. Also be sure to visit our farm store for all our own fresh vegetables, our own cider, baked goods, honey, fall decorations and a fantastic Halloween display. Several notes of importance: You must purchase an apple bag to enter the orchard. Once the orchard is picked out there will be no further admittance to the area however the festival will continue all day! Due to the festivities this weekend and the need for additional help, there is a small parking fee for the Hoedown. Also, sunny weather means the bees may be active around the apple orchard - be careful if you are allergic. More details, apple info, recipes, etc can be found on our Apple Picking page at www.cnsmithfarminc.com. Thank you for supporting your local family farm. ~Smith Farm Apple Team

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

October 6, 7, 8 Update

October 6, 7, 8: Columbus Day weekend already!? Time for our annual fall harvest festival we affectionately call the Harvest Hoedown…We will have APPLE picking for Saturday and Sunday and possibly Monday (but not guaranteed). Several varieties will be available including Spencer, Red and Yellow Delicious, Fuji, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Empire, Northern Spy, Russet and of course, Honeycrisp! Some varieties are limited in supply and we cannot guarantee all will be available when you come to pick. Pick your own Pumpkins (hayride purchase required) is scheduled as long as the weather permits. Pick your own hours are 9am-4pm. Piles of pumpkins and other apple choices as well as our own cider, vegetables (our own corn and tomatoes!), pumpkins, mums, and other fall plantings and decorations are also available at the farm stand. We still have our own homegrown garlic available as well. The “Hoedown” festivities include live music, pony rides, hayrides, food and fun for the kids. Please note: You MUST purchase a bag before entering the orchard to pick. There is a 10 lb minimum purchase for pick your own. A 20lb bag is also available. Larger groups may be subject to a greater minimum purchase requirement. Please pick only what you paid for! Please do not overfill bags, stuff your pockets or pick and drop apples simply for the sake of doing something. Once the apples are off the tree we can no longer sell them. If the weekend weather is ideal, there could be a large crowd so please be patient. We have 4+ acres of parking available and numerous staff on hand but some waiting time should be expected. Warmer weather could also increase bee activity. Please dress appropriately (no open toed shoes) and be prepared if you are allergic. That should cover all the basics for this weekend however more picking information, policies, recipes, etc. can be found on our apple picking website page at www.cnsmithfarminc.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm Apple Team

Thursday, September 27, 2012

September 29-30 Pick Your Own Update

September 29-30: Although the weather looks damp for this coming weekend, we will be open for picking (unless it’s a complete washout). Varieties available will include Spencer, Red and Yellow Delicious, Breaburn, Fuji, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Macoun, Empire, Cortland, Northern Spy and of course, Honeycrisp! Some varieties are limited in supply and we cannot guarantee all will be available when you come to pick. Pick your own hours are Saturday/Sunday 9-4. Pick your own Pumpkins also continues if the weather permits (hayride purchase required). Piles of pumpkins and other apple choices are also available at the farm stand on South Street just down the road from the orchard entrance, as well as our own cider, vegetables, pumpkins, mums, and other fall plantings. We still have our own homegrown garlic available. If you’re used to generic white supermarket garlic, you won’t believe the flavor of homegrown! Please note: There is no separate entrance fee to the orchard HOWEVER you MUST purchase a bag before entering the orchard to pick. There is a 10 lb minimum purchase for pick your own which allows a family of 4 into the orchard. A 20lb bag is also available. Larger groups may have to purchase an additional bag(s) to be allowed into the orchard. More picking information, policies, recipes, etc. can be found on our apple picking website page at www.cnsmithfarminc.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm Apple Team

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Sept 22-23 Pick Your Own Update

September 22-23: Autumn begins and Apple picking continues with the remainder of Cortland (limited supply), as well as Macoun, Empire and Honeycrisp varieties. Pick your own hours are Saturday/Sunday 9-4. Wed thru Fri 10-4 Pick your own Pumpkins also continues (hayride purchase required). Piles of pumpkins and other apple choices are also available at the farm stand at 320 South Street just down the street from the orchard entrance; as well as our own cider, vegetables, pumpkins, mums, and other fall plantings. Be sure to check out the awesome Halloween display too! Please note: There is no separate entrance fee to the orchard HOWEVER you MUST purchase a bag before entering the orchard to pick. You will not be allowed into the orchard unless you purchased a bag for that day’s picking. There is a 10 lb minimum purchase for pick your own which allows a family of 4 into the orchard. A 20lb bag is also available. Larger groups may have to purchase an additional bag(s) to be allowed into the orchard. Honeycrisp apples are currently priced separately due to their market demand this year. More picking information, policies, recipes and more can be found on our apple picking website page at www.cnsmithfarminc.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm Apple Team

Monday, September 17, 2012

Apple picking Open Today

Due to the Jewish Holiday and no school, we are open for Apple Pick Your Own today Sept 17 from 10a-4p. So if the kids are bored come by for some apples and enjoy the nice weather!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Pick your Own Update Sept 15 2012

September 15-16: PUMPKIN pick your own begins! APPLE picking continues with the remainder of the McIntosh, as well as Cortland, Macoun and Honeycrisp varieties. Pick your own hours are Wed thru Fri 10a-4p and Saturday/Sunday 9a-4p. Unlike some commercialized farms, we do NOT charge a separate entrance fee - however you MUST purchase a bag before entering the orchard to pick. You will not be allowed into the orchard unless you purchased a bag for that day’s picking. Please NOTE: There is a 10 lb minimum purchase for pick your own which allows a family of 4 into the orchard. A 20lb bag is also available. Larger groups may have to purchase an additional bag(s) to be allowed into the orchard. NO pets! Most farms are now following these philosophies. Honeycrisp apples are currently priced separately due to their market demand this year. If you desire fewer apples than our pick your own minimum, we sell our own fresh picked varieties in our farm stand at 325 South Street just down the street from the orchard entrance, as well as our own cider, vegetables, pumpkins, mums, and other fall plantings. More picking information, policies, recipes and more can be found on our apple picking website page at www.cnsmithfarminc.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support of local agriculture. ~CN Smith Farm Apple Team

Friday, September 7, 2012

Apple Update Sept 7 2012

Apple picking kicked off to a great start this Labor Day weekend. The weather started a bit warm but finished with perfect temperatures on Monday. This coming weekend September 8 and 9 we will be picking McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun and Honeycrisp (limited supply this weekend). Our Weekday hours are Wed, Thur and Fri 10am - 4pm. Please note Honeycrisp picking is available on WEEKENDS only. All in-season fruit is available in the store however. Also of note, you or your family must purchase an apple picking bag to get into the orchard and there is a minimum purchase requirement based on how many people are in your group. Fresh cider is now available as well right from our own press! We also have home grown garlic (fantastic flavor!), tomatoes, corn, melon, squash, peaches, nectarines and much more of our own produce. Dont forget, we also stock halloween and fall decorations like our own mums and straw bales. Fall is the perfect time to pick up some lettuce starter packets too!! Happy Harvest! ~Smith

Monday, August 27, 2012

Pick Your Own Apples Fall 2012

The 2012 Apple Picking season is set to begin Labor Day Weekend Sept 1, 2 and 3. For this fist weekend we will be picking McIntosh apples and giving free hayrides around the orchard (weather permitting). We will be open subsequent weekends on Saturdays and Sundays usually up to Columbus Day. Stay tuned for weekday hours... Please note that the extreme temperatures this spring created problems for a lot of apple growers and apples may be in short supply this year. Please pick carefully and try not to drop the apples and waste them !! Thanks for supporting your local family farm. ~Smith Farm Apple Team

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

August 2012 Update 1

August is here already and the pick your own crop update is here as well. Next up for August is Raspberry picking. We have a nice selection currently available!! We are now picking a new crop of peaches as well. You may access the peach picking via the blueberry parking area. Blueberries are winding down. There are still some on the bushes but expect it to take a while to fill a container. Apple picking is set to open Labor Day Weekend with McIntosh being the 1st variety. Summer veggies are available fresh picked in the farm store and garlic will be cured, cleaned and hopefully in the store sometime this weekend. Also this weekend is our Corn festival. Stop in to sample jams, jellies, veggies and of course - our own fresh corn on the cob!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

July 2012 Update 3

Update on what we're picking...we now have Peach pick your own as well as Blueberry pick your own. Corn, tomatoes, egg plant, squash, zucchinni, peaches, blueberries and more are available in the farm store or at our farmer's market locations (see previous posts). As always, our fruit and veggies are grown right on our own farm and are picked fresh daily !! Enjoy ! ~CN Smith

Monday, July 9, 2012

July 2012 Update 2

We are now picking our own corn! Be sure to stop in the farm store in East Bridgewater or at our market booths mentioned in the previous blog. In the interest of protecting the reputation of local farmer's everywhere, i thought i'd pass on some info about a story I was reading in the paper the other day (yes i still read the local paper). There is a disturbing advertising trend taking place at farmer's markets and roadside stands concerning so called "native produce". Unfortunately some immoral individuals are capitalizing on the desire of people to buy fresh locally grown produce by calling something "native". You may see signs for "native corn", "native tomato' etc etc. You should however be cautious as not all of this "native" produce is locally grown> Some of these sellers dont even have a farm. True the produce may be from the northeast but that could mean it was purchased from a wholesaler and was actually grown in NY, NJ, MD, or anywhere else for that matter. So if your disappointed by your "native produce" quality, check your source. Local farmers grow and pick their own local produce. That being said, its obvious that not every farmer can grow everything, but local growers do know to buy from one another to help keep local produce local, fresh, and their customers happy with quality produce. Happy eating! ~Smith

Friday, June 29, 2012

July 2012 Update

The summer is moving along pretty fast and so is this year's growing season. Strawberry picking has pretty much ended but don't worry, Blueberry Pick Your Own begins July 7! In fact, we are already picking some blueberries for the farm store on a limited basis. But maybe you cant make it to the farm? Well if your near Braintree on Saturdays from 9am-2pm or Plymouth Plantation on Thursdays 230-630pm stop into see us at the Farmer's Markets in those locations. As always, our famr store is stocked with our own in season fruits and vegies. Garlic scapes are now available, local honey from bees on our own farm, and various plants, seeds and gardening supplies. See you at the famr! ~Smith

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

June 2012 PYO Strawberries

The growing season is upon us. First up is Strawberries! Yes, with the early spring we are picking some strawberries already which are for sale in the farm stand and Pick your own (PYO) strawberries starts June 1st!(feel free to call the farm stand for picking conditions). We still have planting supplies, seeds, vegetable and flower seedlings and more. Stop in the farm store for all your home gardening needs. Happy growing, ~Smith.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Spring 2012 Update 4

May is finally here and we seem to be past the dangerous freezes we experienced the last few weeks. We are hoping our fruit trees were not severly affected. Parts of MI, NY, and PA have experienced near total fruit crop failures so its important for New England to have a viable crop. Keep in mind there is still a frost potential for the next week or so and given this years crazy weather, who knows? Garden plants are growing nicely in the greenhouses. Tomato plants, pepper plants, lettuces and more are available. Mothers day plants and Memorial Day flowers are also available. The garden center has plenty of seed potatoes with several varieties, as well as onion sets, and vegetable seeds still available. Be sure to stop in for all your seed and plant supplies. We start our vegetable plants from seed and grow them in our own greenhouses. Unlike big box stores, our plants are healthy from the start and will not be carriers of diseases like early or late blight. This is not to say they cannot contract it once planted in your yard however, they will not be a new source of blight unlike imported plants.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Spring 2012 Update 3

April is in full swing and that means so is the gardening season. The farm stand is now stocked with seeds (packaged and loose), onion sets, seed potatoes, fertilizers, lime and fruit/veggie sprays. We also have a nice selection of fruit trees potted and ready for your home orchard. Lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage plants are available in 6 packs now as well as early spring flowers. More garden plants and flowers will be available as the spring progresses. Its time to get your peas, lettuce, cabbage and similar plants in the ground but beware, frost is still a potential for less hardy plants! Happy gardening~Smith Farm.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Spring 2012 Update 2

The farm store opens April 1st – no fooling! Stop in for gardening supplies, compost, fertilizer, seeds, spring flowers and more. The warm weather probably has you thinking it’s time to plant the garden but vegetable seeds are just getting started in the greenhouses. We could still have cold spells in April and frost potential into May. And as you’ve probably heard by now the warm weather could introduce a host of issues with your lawn, berry bushes and fruit trees. Winter moth is a major concern in the south eastern part of the state. The caterpillar (approx. 1 inch long when mature, pale green with a white stripe running longitudinally down the body side) will hatch in the March/April timeframe and will be hungry. A number of internet sites can be found to familiarize yourself with this pest and its control. If you choose to hire anyone to apply pesticide or other controls, be sure they are a professional arborist or otherwise trained/licensed so as not to damage your landscape. The time to prune fruit trees is nearing an end however blueberry pruning can still be performed while the plants are dormant. Do not prune evergreens or flowering shrubs except to remove dead or winter damaged branches. A good lawn care program should begin in earnest starting with raking, weed and pest control. Remove dead or left over plant matter from the garden and work in lime, decomposed compost and/or manure so you’re ready for planting in May or June. Compost and manure will help retain moisture in the garden which is important since it’s looking like we could have a dry season. It’s been a nice easy winter this year so I hope you’re all rested up for the work yet to come. Looking forward to a successful growing season…~Smith.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Spring 2012 Update

Spring is almost here! Certainly this winter has been pretty fair..especially after last year's but one thing we havent seen yet is flowers in bloom! Well why not satisfy that craving with a trip to the Boston Flower and Garden Show, March 14 thru 18th, at the Seaport World Trade Center. Look for Smith Farm's booth and get a jump on your spring garden planning. Goto http://www.masshort.org/Blooms-and-the-Boston-Flower-&-Garden-Show for more information. Hope to see you there.
~Smith

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Thankyou

The Smith Family would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank everyone for their thoughtfulness and condolences expressed to the family, friends and farm employees during this difficult time. Thank you all for your support.
~The Smith Family