2019 — AND PEACHES

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL we have had to make several changes to our operation this season. We are still growing excellent plants and vegetables but have had to change how and where we sell them. This has meant that our farmstand has operated only informally and irregularly this year. If we’re here working, we are glad to wait on you and make available what we have; the choices and our availablilty naturally vary from day to day. You’re welcome to stop in if you’re in the neighborhood.

 

BUT it gives me great pleasure to announce that we will once again make available the great CT peaches we have sold for many years.

This year’s arrangements are essentially the same as last year:

1. You may pre-order one or more 24-lb boxes of firm-ripe peaches;
2. The price is once again $41 per box;
3. Orders for boxes must be received by noon, MONDAY, AUGUST 19. I suggest you email your order to maplespringsfarm@yahoo.com; you may also leave a message on the farm phone-line: 207-583-4698. Please be precise about the names of all customers who will be picking up the peaches you are ordering.
4. Smaller quantities, up to 1/2 peck (about 11 lbs)  will be available on a first-come first-served basis while supplies last;
5. The peaches will be available at the farm beginning at 8 AM on Saturday, August 24;
6. We have only limited refrigerated storage space so you will be happier if you pick up your peaches as soon as possible;
7. Questions? Please send an email.

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Season Has Ended

October 3, 2018

We have now closed our farm stand for the season.

We will, however, continue to supply our commercial customers, and to attend the Portland Farmers Market on Saturdays, while crops last. Watch this space for updates.

And, as an alert, we will NOT attend for one week only, on Saturday, October 13.

And, to old friends and new acquaintances, thanks for your support this season.

We wish you a healthy, safe and happy winter.

Field Crops Slowing Down

Updated September 23, 2018

Our field crops are definitely slowing down.

We are now picking reduced quantities of some crops as the plants age, and some crops have finished completely. On the other hand, fall crops like leeks, red and white sweet onions, storage onions and winter squash (buttercup, butternut, acorn, delicate and spaghetti) and pumpkins are in good supply.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN ON SUNDAYS from 11-4 and MONDAYS, WDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 10:00 – 3:00.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 30 WILL BE OUR LAST DAY. WE WILL CLOSE THE FARMSTAND FOR THE SEASON AT 4 PM.

SENIOR FARM SHARE MEMBERS NEED TO COMPLETE THEIR PURCHASES BY THAT TIME.

For a listing of our current produce and plants please see our Available Now page.

And we still have fruit from our second shipment of CT peaches and Bartlett pears. For a current update see this page.

Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Crop Transition Continues

Updated August 7, 2018

Our field crops are finally yielding well.

We are now picking several crops and have others from “our corn guy,” now including corn!  SO WE WILL BE OPEN ON SUNDAYS from 11-4 and MONDAYS, WDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 10:00 – 3:00.

For a listing of our current produce and plants please see our Available Now page.

And for a current update to our 2018 plans for CT peaches, see this page.

And one additional note:

1. We still have Senior Farm Shares available. Please click here for more information.

Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Farmstand Opens for 2018

May 10, 2018

Please check our pages “Hours and Farmers’ Markets” and “Available Now” for the basics.

A fuller post will appear here  as soon as possible.

Thanks for your interest. And patience.

Things are Happening at the Farm

April 14, 2018

Well, the last two weeks have seen some big changes here!

The small greenhouse is completely full of sprouted seedlings, from early season crops like beets and lettuce and chard to germinated peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. This week we will begin to move some of these into larger pots to accelerate their growth rates so they are ready when (if ??) the weather cooperates. The plants we buy in as rooted cuttings — otherwise we’d have to start the furnaces in December! — are also in their larger pots. All the plants look really good this year :).

The Maine Senior Farm Share paperwork has arrived, a little later than usual but in plenty of time for the beginning of vegetable season. We have received a slight increase in allocated shares so we may be able to accept a small number of new Senior Shareholders.

If you have held a Senior Share with us in the past, please sign up as soon as possible to hold your place in the program. You also should know that a couple of  procedures have changed this year. Because of these changes, we will not be able to mail out the forms: you will need to come by the farm to complete your enrollment.

To make the process as simple as possible, someone will be here to help you with signing up on the following schedule for the next two weeks (April 15-29); after April 29 it will be necessary to make other arrangements by leaving a message on the farm phone: 583-4698

Monday and Wednesday: 9-12

Saturdays: 9-12

Sundays: 9-12

Please check our Senior Farm Share page, listed in the menu on the right side of this page.

A FINAL NOTE: We are still accepting CSA memberships; please see the CSA page which is also listed on the right.

Updates Now Beginning

February 25, 2018

We are here and have been working hard, though nothing has shown on this site yet. Sorry for the delay!

This is just the first update to inform you that the CSA program _will_ continue this year as in the past. The links on the CSA page have been updated.

Because of the late posting of the CSA invitation ( though it has NOT been a late start to annual expenses!) I have extended the sign-up deadline to receive the 15% discount until MARCH 20. After that date the membership savings will be 10%.

Additional posts will soon report other things we’re working on and plans for additional markets and products.

Thanks for your support and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

One more Day at Portland Farmers Market

October 18, 2017

The warm weather means that we still have several crops available.

Therefore we WILL attend the Saturday Market in Deering Oaks one more time, this Saturday, October 21.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Farmstand Closing Sunday, October 1

September 28, 2017

Due to crop shortages we will close the farmstand for the season after Sunday, October 1.

As you have surely noticed, this has been a difficult year for several of our most popular crops. Due to several different weather issues, and to increase in damage from wildlife — this year it was primarily porcupines — we have not had our planned quantity or range of crops.

And now the ending of several crops’ regular seasons means that it is no longer reasonable to continue the farmstand for the season.

Thank you very much for your support this year! If you are not currently members of our money-saving CSA program, please read about it here and consider joining us for next season. If you own or know a business that would appreciate our produce, please get in touch with us.

We will continue to update this website as fall and winter activities continue, and crop planning for next season accelerates. We invite you to keep in touch with us this way until we can see you in person.

Thanks again — and we wish you a happy, healthy and safe winter.

Return to Regular Hurs

September 6, 2017

We have returned to our regular farmstand hours and are again open on the following schedule:

Tuesday  10:00 –  3:00

Thursday 10:00 – 3:00

Friday 10:00 – 3:00

Sunday 10:00 – 3:00

AND we still have the fabulous CT peaches, by the pound, basket,  bag or box. They’re still in great condition but we don’t have a lot. Come soon!