An Apple in July?!

It’s true. When you think of apple picking, summer is probably not the season that comes to mind. Here’s the thing, though: apples start at the end of July or early August. If you reference our approximate harvest dates page, we grow several lesser known varieties that come and go well before the seasons change. Generally speaking, the time each apple is ready to harvest depends on what variety it is, which essentially boils down to that particular apple’s rate … Keep Reading

Reflections on Juneteenth 2020

It’s obvious at this point that 2020 will be a year for the history books. As much as the future is our main focus in everything we prioritize at the farm, the past has shaped our landscape both literally and figuratively. So we decided to do a little digging into history, to learn more about how racial justice intersects with our own mission here at Red Apple Farm. We can by no means take credit for leading the movements, such … Keep Reading

Lessons from Nature in New England

New England: It’s a central part of our identity as an apple orchard nestled in the hills of North Central Massachusetts. If you grew up in the region, it’s likely a huge part of your identity too, your childhood memories and lingering nostalgia inextricable from its four distinct seasons.  At least once in your life, you’ve probably lamented the long winter and threatened to pack up and move to the west coast.  These threats are always empty, though. Year after … Keep Reading

Apple Picking Times of the Past

With apple season coming into full swing this year its great to take a moment and look back at past apple seasons.  Thanks to Mrs. Nancy MacEwan, our friend and neighbor, we recently acquired a 1968 article featuring a picture of her picking and sorting apples.  Here’s an excerpt from Worcester’s The Evening Gazette that I hope you enjoy reading as much as we do: Apple Farm to Hold Annual Open House By Steven Preston, The Evening Gazette, Thursday, October … Keep Reading

The Saga of Red Apple Farm

The following is the beginning of a memoir written by Carolyn Rose. My father-in-law found it recently and passed it along to me. I have typed it directly from her manuscript that was written on blank ‘Welcome Wagon’ hostess forms. Additionally, we estimate this picture of her, taken in her very modern kitchen for a USDA article, dates from the late 1930’s. We hope you enjoy the glimpse into the past as much as we have. -Nancy Rose Carolyn Rose … Keep Reading