By DEBORAH G. SCANLON
DEBORAH G. SCANLON
Farmer Ron Smolowitz from Coonamessett Farm in his pumpkin patch
Halloween is almost here, and as you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve, take some time to enjoy all the outdoor activities at local farms.
At Coonamessett Farm on Hatchville Road in East Falmouth, buy a farm pass or use your membership card to hop on a hayride for a tour of the farm on weekends between 10 AM and 2 PM, or wander into the fields to find your pumpkin.
You can also pick your own fall crops. Coonamessett grows a wide range of produce, and fresh eggs are available too. And be sure to visit all the farm animals, from alpacas to goats to Peanut, the farm’s huge African tortoise.
“Grab and Go” comfort food cooked by the Farm’s Buffalo Jump head chef Laura Higgins-Baltzey is available Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 PM, with seating available in the farm pavilion for those who want to eat at the farm. Peck O’Dirt Bakery sells fresh pastries in the farm shop. The farm stand is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day.
DEBORAH G. SCANLON
Claire Fish holds the pumpkin she picked at Tony Andrews Farm.
At Tony Andrews Farm on Old Meeting House Road in East Falmouth, guests can go on a farm tour during which they can be dropped off at the pumpkin patch or the corn maze if they wish. Or kids can bring their own wagons and walk over to the pumpkin patch. The corn maze is “just kiddy size,” manager Geoff Andrews said, “not a big one where you could get lost!”
The farm is open every day, weather permitting, and local pumpkins, apples and other produce are available at the farm stand, along with apple cider doughnuts, popcorn and candy apples. Special fall activities run weekends through October 31 from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Crow Farm on Route 6A in Sandwich began apple picking in mid-September and pumpkin picking a week later. They are open weekends from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Families enjoy a barrel ride and see the animals at Silverbrook Farm in Acushnet.
Owner Paul Crowell is proud of the corn maze he created, which is more than an acre in size and decorated with scarecrows. It is the first time he has made one, and he said it was easier than he expected, mowing it in just two hours with a rented Gravely mower. The corn grew well—field corn, not sweet, that is used to feed livestock and is stronger and bigger, reaching 12 feet tall.
With different varieties of apples, the fruit ripens at different times, so early in the season the farm had Ruby Macs, Cortland, Gala, Ginger Gold and Fuji, with other kinds available through mid-October. Mr. Crowell said he is planting varieties that produce later but they are not available this year.
CROW FARM
Corn maze at Crow Farm in Sandwich
There are not many places to pick apples on the Cape, although Mr. Andrews said they just put an orchard in last year at Tony Andrews Farm, so apple picking is “down the road” a bit. They do offer pre-picked native apples in their farm stand from nearby off-Cape farms.
Over the bridge, the CN Smith Farm in East Bridgewater is a favorite with locals. Their website lists apple varieties and their approximate harvest time. For example, mid-October you can pick Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Russet, Winesap and Rome. The farm has activities but will not be hosting its annual Harvest Hoedown in 2021 due to the pandemic. The apple orchard hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
While Silverbrook Farm in Acushnet does not offer apple or pumpkin picking, there are many activities for the family at its Fall Festival, and each visitor receives a free sugar pumpkin upon purchasing a ticket.
There are tractor rides, barrel rides, a kids’ corn maze, farm animals, horse and farm demonstrations, games including cornhole toss and checker board, and the farm store offers lunch food, sweets and snacks. Trick or treating will be held October 30. Their fall festival runs through October 31 from 10 AM to 4 PM; the ticket booth closes at 3 PM.