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.

Winter Update 2010

Well winter is defintely upon us. The strawberries are bedded down under a nice blanket of straw for the winter, the equipment is put away and the wood is chopped and split. We are now open weekends until Christmas. We have fire wood available by the cord, bin, or lesser amounts. For large orders please call the store and leave a message (508-378-2270). We also have some apples left, potatoes, winter squash, jams-jellies and our own cider - yes we are still pressing cider! So stop in some weekend and warm up in the barn...maybe even contemplate next year's garden. Merry Christmas and Happy New year !!

Fall Update November 2010

November is here! But before you drag out those Christmas decorations and untangle the lights (or maybe they're still up from last year?), dont forget about Thanksgiving! We still have a great selection of late season apples, sugar pumpkins, winter squash and potatoes. As always, we grew it right here on the farm! Also local honey, jams, jellies and dont forget our own fresh pressed cider. A cup of warm mulled cider really helps ward off the cold November nights. We also sell rye seed, lime and other essentials to put your garden to bed for the winter. Additional we sell cut and split wood from our own woodlots (buying wood from other parts of the state may introduce unwanted tree insects into the local area).

To all those who came out and enjoyed the Hallowlantern Hayride - thanks so much! This year was a great success thanks to the nice weather late in October. Hope everyone enjoyed the spookie greenhouse display and liked the carved pumpkins.

Thanks again!

Fall Update "More to do in October" 2010

Well another successful apple harvest has ended. To all those who came out and enjoyed themselves and respected our orchard thank you for picking at Smith Farm! If you missed out on apple picking, remember next year we start apples in September on Labor Day Weekend !! We can only keep the apples on the trees for so long (especially when some insist on knocking them all off !)
Is this the end of things to do a Smith Farm you may ask? Heck no! We still have:

• Pick your own pumpkins (weekends via hayride), and the pumpkin pile at the farm stand every day.
• Hallowlantern Hayride October 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 & 30...a night time 30 minute hayride (not haunted) to view hundreds of expertly carved jack-o-lanterns. Catch the hayride on Wed, Thur and Sunday dates from "Dark" until 9 pm and on the Fri and Saturday dates from "Dark" until 10 pm. Adults $14.00 Children 12 and under $12.00 or Ride twice for $20.00 Adults/$18.oo Children.
• Farmstand remains open until winter with all of our own apples, our own potatoes, our own fresh pressed cider, Halloween display and sales, jams, jellies, baked goods, squashes, mums, and more !!

Hope to see you soon !!

Fall Update Columbus Weekend

Apple Picking Conditions Saturday 10/9 3pm - very limited. Yellow delicious and Northern Spy varieties left - very limited. We will be open until 4 pm today. There will be no more pick your own apples after today.

Pick your own pumpkins will continue (hayride required) this weekend and until Halloween. Pumpkin piles at the farmstand every day.

Framstand open until winter! All our own apple varieties, our own cider, pumpkins, donuts, etc etc.

Harvest Hoedown (music, kids fun) continues thru Monday.

$5 Parking fee for all entry this weekend only due to the festivities.

Thank you!!

Fall Update 6 10/9-10/11

Coming up Columbus Day Weekend 10/9, 10, 11. HARVEST HOEDOWN, PYO APPLES, PYO PUMPKINS

Note: Due to the festivities this weekend, there is a $5 parking fee for ALL activities. Handicap parking is available.


PICK YOUR OWN APPLES - resumes Saturday 10/9 with several varieties. We've picked up the pieces (literally) from last weekend and we'll be ready again Saturday. All ten varieties are not guaranteed to be available all day however. Picking will probably end Saturday afternoon! Of course all varieties will remain available in the farm stand thru November.


HARVEST HOEDOWN - music (DJ and live bands), hayrides, food, pony rides, pick your own apples (see above) and pick your own pumpkins. $5 parking fee plus ticket purchases required for some activities.


PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS - take a hayride out to the most sincere pumpkin patch in East Bridgewater! The Great Pumpkin would approve !! Pick your own pumpkins are available all weekend. Pumpkin piles are available at the farm stand - no hayride required.

When visiting, please observe all posted signs and rules for your protection and ours. If you plan on being rude or obnoxious, please stay home. (Yes, some people are, i wouldnt say if it didnt happen.)

NO PETS - This is per local, state, and/or federal codes regarding food production! Not because we dont like animals.

NO CLIMBING TREES - not allowed, because we said so. Would you like a 180 pound guy standing on your arms?

PAY FOR ALL YOU PICK - stealing is stealing, no matter where you do it.

PLEASE RESPECT OUR EMPLOYEES - they have a job to do too.

Fall 2010 Update 5

Important update for 10/3/2010 apple picking conditions....
We will be picking the following varieties ONLY:
Spencer
Mutsu
Empire
Red Delicious
Granny Smith

Other varieties are available in the farmstand.
The above listed varieties are NOT guaranteed to be available all day. Picking is not guaranteed to be available all day but, depending on the crowd we should make it to mid afternoon. Come early!

Several reminders (no excuses when you get here, you've been told!):
NO PETS - this is per state and federal health codes, fido may like the outdoors but he cannot be where there is food to be consumed by the public !!
NO CLIMBING TREES - this is for your own good as well as to protect our investment (ie our trees)
NO STEALING - please pay for all you pick. Stuffed pockets, baby carraiges, wagons is unacceptable. Would you do that in the supermarket?
PLEASE RESPECT THE EMPLOYEES - if you are asked to not do something you shouldnt be doing, please cooporate. Yelling at employees is unacceptable behavior and quite frankly, immature.
POLICE - are on duty. If you cannot cooporate with the above requests, you may be asked to leave the premises.

We hope you enjoy your time picking. Most people do, but some feel it necessary to cause problems. Please be one of the former and not the latter!
Thanks!!