Hopestill Farm Recent News

SOLD OUT!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Thanks to all of our great customers, we are sold out of Christmas trees for the 2011 season. If you've already tagged a tree, we are open to cut it Saturday and Sunday 10-4, or by appointment.

Keep us in mind for next year: We open for tagging in 2012 right after Halloween.

Thanks for a great year!

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Great Trees Still Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:13:00 +0000

We had a lot of happy customers this past weekend, but we have many great trees still available. You'll find a few above 7 1/2 feet, a good selection at 7 feet, and lots to choose from between 6 and 7. We are open Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4, or during the week by appointment.

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Tag Your Tree!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:09:00 +0000

One again, we are selling cut-your own Christmas trees this holiday season. You can tag a tree by appointment any time after Halloween (call or email to set up a time). We'll be open weekends after Thanksgiving 10 AM-4PM for tagging or cutting. We have white and blue spruce, up to about 8 1/2 feet in height. Spruces have a lovely, open shape that requires no shearing, so they develop a much more natural look than the "gumdrop" balsam fir. Their stiff branches are perfect for holding ornaments, and they have a fresh forest aroma. And speaking of fresh, a tree you cut yourself will last for many weeks longer than a pre-cut tree. Do you like to put your up the day after Thanskgiving? No problem--properly watered, your tree will stay green into January and beyond.

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STRAWBERRIES!!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:29:00 +0000

The strawberries are in, and we are featuring them at the farmstand. Look for them just about every day, weather permitting.

Also at the stand:
--Lettuce. Many kinds of sweet, crunchy lettuce are at their peak right now.
--Kale
--Swiss chard
--Snow peas

Tomato report: Our hoophouse tomatoes have been in the ground since early April, and have grown to almost 5 feet. They are sporting green tomatoes bigger than golf balls right now. Stay tuned!

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We're Open!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:49:00 +0000

The farmstand is open again! We're stocking fresh lettuce from the hoophouses, and will soon be adding kale, peas, arugula, and other cool-weather crops.

We're open daily from 3 PM. You can also call for a special pick-up at other times.

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It's Cold, but not Too Cold for Spinach

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:56:00 +0000

We are experiencing near-record cold, but the spinach in the hoophouse is still happy. The outdoor temperature hit -8 F last night. Inside the unheated hoophouse, the temperature was 9.5 F, and under the row cover, it remained at least 15, probably a little bit higher. We are looking forward to a spinach salad this evening.

We are also looking forward to spring--we've got lettuces and chard started in the basement seed room, and will be transplanting them out in mid-February.

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Christmas Trees No Longer Available

noreply@blogger.com (Elias) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:55:00 +0000

We have sold out for the season!

Hopestill Farm is now closed for Christmas trees, but we will have many more trees available next year starting around Thanksgiving. If you did not get a tree this year we encourage you to come early next year and tag a tree for best selection.

If you have already tagged a tree please give us a call for an appointment to pick up your tree.

Happy Holidays!

Tree Update 6 December

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:43:00 +0000

Our trees are topping out at about six feet, with a small selection of six and a half-footers. You are welcome to make an appointment to cut a tree during the week. We will be be open Saturday 10-4; Sunday TBA.

Other news: It is chilly outside, but still temperate inside the hoophouse. Lettuce and spinach are happy under their covers at night, and are thriving during the day in the relative warmth. Please give us a call to reserve your fresh salad greens. While it is a bit too cold to keep the stand stocked during the day, we are still harvesting, and would be happy to cut your order.

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Christmas Trees December 4-5

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:48:00 +0000

We are open for cut-your-own Christmas trees Saturday and Sunday 10-4. All our trees are white spruce, and they are topping out now at about 7 feet. All trees are $40; cash or check please--we cannot take credit or debit cards.

While you are here, check out our produce--we've got spinach, lettuce, kale, leeks, garlic braids, chili ristras, and bon-bon squash. Take home a squash and our recipe for squash bread--a farm breakfast favorite.

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Cut Your Own: Tag Early for Best Selection

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:56:00 +0000

We are open for tagging and cutting Christmas trees weekends from 10 to 4 beginning Saturday, November 27th. See our post below or our Christmas Tree page for more information.

Spinach and Lettuce in Our New Hoophouse

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:58:00 +0000

We are now harvesting spinach and lettuce from our new hoophouse. Both are really tasty--we think you'll love them. At the farmstand now:

--lettuce

--spinach

--kale

--Swiss chard

--leeks

--bon-bon winter squash

--fall decorations

About our hoophouse: A hoophouse, or unheated greenhouse, or high tunnel, is a prime way to extend the season. With no heat other than the sun, the temperature inside is anywhere from 10 degrees to 30 degrees warmer than outside. That moderation of temperature, along with protection from drying and damaging winds, allows cold-hardy plants to survive through much colder periods than those left outdoors. As a result, we'll be harvesting spinach and lettuce for many weeks later into the fall than otherwise possible.

During the coldest months, we'll protect the plants by drawing another layer over them (the white fabric in the picture). Even as the light weakens and growth slows down, our spinach will remain healthy, going dormant but ready to begin growing again in February and March.

In order to maximize our production from our hoophouse, we have chosen to use a "Rolling Thunder" house, from Rimol Greenhouse Systems . As the name implies, the house rolls on tracks, allowing us to cover different crops at different times of the year. We are beginning with a two-crop rotation. As the spring progresses, we will replace the spinach with an early planting of tomatoes. Meanwhile, in the adjacent plot outdoors, we will plant fall spinach beginning in August. As the tomatoes finish up and the weather cools in October, the whole house will be rolled over the new spinach crop.

The rolling greenhouse provides two major benefits. First, it allows the house to be used throughout the year, without having to rip out a crop (such as the tomatoes) that is still producing. Second, and perhaps just as important, it allows soil within the house to be exposed
to the elements every other year, reducing buildup of disease and salts in the soil.

Mobile greenhouse systems have been pioneered by Eliot Coleman, of Four Seasons Farm in Maine.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:55:00 +0000

Once again we are offering cut-your-own Christmas trees. Please join us this year as you continue, or begin, a warm family tradition.

All our trees are white spruce (we have some blue spruce growing up for next year and beyond). White spruce have a pleasing natural shape, stiff branches and needles, and a terrific aroma. Unlike pre-cut trees, which have usually been sitting out of water for several weeks at least, a fresh-cut tree from the farm will stay fresh and green for many weeks.

All our trees are $40. We supply the handsaw, or you can bring your own (no axes or chainsaws, please). Dogs and other pets must remain in your car, out of consideration for other customers. You are welcome to walk with your dog on Hopestill Reservation, a Sherborn conservation site right next door.

We are open for tagging or cutting weekends 10-4 beginning November 27th. You are welcome to tag before then, or during the week, by appointment--just call or email to reserve a time.

While you are at the farm, take a look at our chili ristras--bright red, fiery hot, perfect for holiday decorating.

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Fall Crops

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:49:00 +0000

At the farmstand this week:

--Juliet tomatoes
--sweet peppers
--hot peppers and chili ristras
--gourds
--pie pumpkins
--parsley
--lettuce
--Swiss chard
--broccoli
--Bon-Bon buttercup squash. If you haven't tried it, you should--it has a rich, sweet squash taste that is better than any other we've tried. Try roasted squash in stir-fry. We don't use pumpkins for breads or pies any more--we use Bon-Bons.

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Fall Crops Are In

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:12:00 +0000

It's late September, and still no sign of frost. At the farmstand, we've got:

--lettuce
--leeks
--green beans
--beets
--broccoli
--Swiss chard
--basil
--parsley
--tomatoes
--sweet peppers
--hot peppers
--zucchini
--flower bouquets
--chile ristras
--winter squash
--pumpkins, lots and lots of pumpkins
--gourds
--raspberries

Raspberries look like they will hold on for another week or two, or until we start getting steady frosts.

Juliet tomatoes will keep producing for a few more weeks, or until the frost, and then we will have them for a week or two after, so look for the Juliets at least until mid-October. Pink beauties are likely to be done in a week.

Zucchini are fading fast.

We have a nice crop of fall broccoli on the way--big heads, as well as side shoots.

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Time to Make Pesto

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Our basil is full and lush right now, but will be gone with the first frost--usually before the end of September. If you like pesto in winter and spring, make some now and freeze it. There's a quick and easy recipe at the farmstand, along with big bunches of basil and fat cloves of garlic. Each basil bunch will yield about 2 packed cups of leaves.

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Raspberries are in!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:02:00 +0000

Raspberries, our farm specialty, are now in. We are picking almost every day, and setting out pints for sale in the blue cooler beginning about 3 PM. If you have trouble getting there early, and want to reserve a pint or two, just call--we'd be happy to set them aside. We'll be picking through early October.

Tomatoes are in. We've got:
Juliet--one of our favorites, Juliet is between a paste tomato and a slicing tomato. It's rich and juicy enough to be perfect in salads and sandwiches, but meaty enough for recipes and sauces. We use it for everything.
Pink Beauty--the perfect slicing tomato, with a pink skin and rich, smooth, and juicy flesh.
Arbason--a terrific red slicing tomato, sweet and juicy.

Slicing cucumbers are in.

Also at the stand:

Artichokes--supplies are limited. Call to reserve if you like
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Garlic
Green beans--two varieties
Green peppers--two varieties
Lettuce
Pickling cucumbers
Swiss chard
Zucchini

Basil, lemon basil, fine-leaf basil
Parsley
Cilantro--picked while you wait

Flowers: sunflowers, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, glads

Other news: We have two hoop houses in pieces on the ground, which we'll be assembling and putting into production over the next few weeks. Hoop houses (high tunnels, plastic-covered greenhouses) are the next new thing for season extension in cool climates.

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Lettuce is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:05:00 +0000

We've got delicious and crisp summer lettuce, both red and green. We've been battling the heat--lettuces don't like it--and we think we've won.

Also at the stand:
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Garlic
Green beans--two varieties
Green peppers
Onions
Zucchini

Basil, lemon basil, fine-leaf basil
Parsley
Cilantro--picked while you wait

Flowers: sunflowers, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, glads

Want to pick your own flowers, from a dozen varieties? Give us a call. Cornflower, bachelor's buttons, ageratum, mignonette, veronica, and more.

Coming very soon: tomatoes and raspberries

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Basil, Lemon Basil, and Dill

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:29:00 +0000

We've got herbs! Lush sweet basil, tangy lemon basil, fragrant dill, and captivatingly aromatic cilantro. Try lemon basil on your chicken or fish dishes.

We've also got flowers! Bring home a bouquet, or grab a bunch on your way to work.

Also at the stand:
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage--green cabbage
Lettuce--red and green leaf lettuce
Spinach--final weeks!
Snow peas--Oregon Giant snowpeas
Strawberries
Herb seedlings--final weeks!

Our coolers are stocked by 3 PM every day.

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Strawberries, Herbs, Cabbage, and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:11:00 +0000

The strawberries are going gangbusters after the rains in March and the heat since April. We pick every day, and haven't run out yet. We'll likely have strawberries in stock until the end of June.

New this week:
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage

Also at the stand:
Lettuce--red and green leaf lettuce
Spinach--it's still coming up, despite the heat, and it's still tender and sweet
Snow peas--Oregon Giant snowpeas and sweet and delicious at any size

Herb seedlings--it's not too late to plant basil and parsley

Our coolers are stocked by 3 PM every day.

Join us at the Mudville Market!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

You can find us at the Mudville Market Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:30. We stock our full line of produce and seedlings, and while you are there, try the baked goods and crafts from the other vendors. The market is in Holliston, at the corner of Exchange and Union Streets.

Basil seedlings now available

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:52:00 +0000

We've got basil seedlings at the farmstand, in a variety of sizes and flavors.

At the stand:

Produce:
Green Ice Lettuce
Smooth Leaf Spinach
Mild Radishes

Seedlings:
Sweet Italian Basil
Lemon Basil
Parsley
Rudbeckia
Statice

Spinach and Radishes at the Stand!

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:19:00 +0000

We now have bags of smooth-leaved spinach and bunches of mild-flavored radishes available at the stand.

Produce:
Green Ice Lettuce
Smooth Leaf Spinach
Mild Radishes

Seedlings:
Parsley
Rudbeckia
Statice

The Farmstand is Open

noreply@blogger.com (Hopestill Farm) — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Our farmstand is open for the season!

Available this week:

Lettuce--Green Ice, a delicious semi-iceberg variety.
Seedlings: Statice, Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), and flat-leaf parsley

Check back soon, since more will be coming shortly.

Check Back Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Elias) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Please check back soon for more information about summer produce.