Today’s Farm News

Current Conditions ~ Monday, September 21 ~ the entire farm is closed ~

Pick Your Own Honey Crisp at Parlee FarmsThank you for your interest in Parlee Farms!  We appreciate you support and your kindness during this unusual time.  And a big thank you to our staff who are working tirelessly to provide great customer service!

As usual, the entire farm is closed on Monday.  We encourage you to visit during the week when it is less crowded ~ there are no school tours this year, we offer free hayrides for Apple Pickers (when available) and the Flower Garden entrance fee and flower price picking prices are lower.

We ask you to to read INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 2020 FALL SEASON so you know what to expect when you visit.  There have been many changes but our primary goal is to keep you safe while still providing great customer service and excellent fruit & flowers!

Some information…

  • MASKS are required in all areas of the farm. This includes walking around the property, being in the pick your own fields (including the flower field), inside the Farmstand, visiting the animals, and waiting in line for ice cream.  Masks may be removed only when seated at a picnic table while eating or drinking.
  • We may need to temporarily close fields if capacity is reached.
  • NO OUTSIDE FOOD permitted in the picnic area.  The picnic tables and benches are reserved for those purchasing food & drink items from the Farmstand and Mary’s Country Kitchen only.  Picnics on the grass or in the parking lot are no longer allowed.  These requirements are due to limited seating (reduced number of picnic tables to allow for spacing) and to keep social distancing.
  • No dogs or pets are permitted on the farm ~ only trained service dogs as defined by the ADA are permitted.
  • No Smoking (including e-cigarettes) anywhere on the farm.
  • Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
  • Farm Hours ~
    • Tuesday – Sunday 10am-5pm
    • Monday Closed
    • Mary’s Country Kitchen closes at 4:30pm.
    • Hours can change based on weather and availability; always check here on the day you plan on visiting.
  • Pick Your Own hours are different and vary based on weather and availability. Pick Your Own Fields will close if it is raining or thunder is in the area.  Please keep reading for specific hours today …

PICK YOUR OWN APPLES – details on Tuesday picking will be posted on Monday afternoon.  Masks are required to worn in the orchard, eating/sampling is not permitted, and please limit the personal items brought into the orchard (no backpacks or large bags please). Please check below for pick your own apple prices and protocols.  We do not take reservations and there could be a wait to enter the orchard, particularly on the weekends.  Sunday picking information will be posted on Saturday evening.

FLOWER GARDEN & SUNFLOWER GARDEN – details on Tuesday picking will be posted on Monday afternoon.  Stunning zinnias, dahlias, gladiolus, sunflowers and more are available for picking.  Our first planting of sunflowers in the Sunflower Garden is almost picked out and the second planting is delayed due to the cold weather.  We anticipate the second planting will be in bloom at the end of the week. Masks are required to worn in the flower field.  The season will last until late September / early October.  Please check below for pick your own flower prices and protocols.

PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS –  Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:30am-4pm, weather permitting ~ hundreds of our pumpkins are now in the Pumpkin Patch! Please check below for pick your own pumpkin prices and protocols.

READ DETAILS BELOW on pyo pricing and protocols before visiting the farm. 

FARMSTAND – Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am- 5pm: details on what will be available on Tuesday will be posted on Monday.  We are bagging the apples in 3lb and 5lb bags to reduce handling.  There will be a limit to the number of people allowed in the Farmstand.  If possible, we would like just one person per group to enter the building.

    ROASTED CORN – Available Saturday & Sunday 11:30am-3:30pm behind the Farmstand.

    MARY’S COUNTRY KITCHEN – Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am- 4:30pm:  Our farm made APPLE CRISP is now available! We also have Ice Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, Frozen Apple Cider, Iced Coffee, and more.

    • SPECIAL!! Many varieties of our Summer Ice Cream Flavors are available hand packed for $6.99/qt!!  This is a 25% savings off our regular price.  Available for Take Out Only.
    • Picnic tables will be spaced 6 feet apart and groups will be limited to 6 people per table.
    • No outside food is permitted due to the reduced number of tables. The tables are reserved for guests purchasing food and drinks from our Farmstand and/or Mary’s Country Kitchen.
    • No group events or birthday parties are permitted on the farm.

    ANNIE’S ANIMAL BARNS – Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am- 5pm: The goats, sheep, and bunnies will be so excited to see you!  We have nine baby goats – please stop by an say hello!

    • Animal Food is available in cups for $1.00 each (purchase at any register).
    • For the health of our animals, NO OUTSIDE FOOD is to be given to them ~ only the grain purchased at Parlee Farms.
    • Social distancing is required.

    Please see below for our new picking protocols.  We will continue to refine our processes as needed to keep our customers and our staff safe.  Stay well, stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you at the farm very soon!

    Pick Your Own Apples at Parlee Farms

    PICK YOUR OWN :

    Our first priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees so there are many changes to our pick your own process this year.  We will have additional staff on hand to safely direct and process customers in an organized manner and to answer any questions or concerns that you may have to ensure you and your family enjoy your visit.  When planning your visit, please keep in mind that pick your own is less busy during the week than on weekends and holidays.  Thank you for your support!

    The pick your own process we have developed can be found in our Covid-19 Protocols.  Major changes to be aware of :

    PYO FIELD RULES:

      • We are limiting the number of customers per acre in the pick your own fields to allow for social distancing protocols while fruit picking.  As a result, there may be wait times to enter the field.
      • Due to the limited number of people allowed in the pyo fields, all adults and children over the age of 1 are counted when purchasing the pyo containers.
      • We do not accept reservations for pick your own.
      • We have added outdoor registers to reduce wait times and eliminate the need to enter the Farmstand.
      • Please remember that you are required to wear your mask at all times when on the farm.  
      • No sampling/eating is permitted in the fields.
      • You will be escorted to an area in the field to pick.
      • No large bags/backpacks, reusable bags or personal containers permitted in the field.  Please reduce what personal items you need in the field to just the essentials.
      • Hand Washing Stations have been added to the picking fields.
      • Pick Your Own Fields are closed if it is raining.

    Pick Your Own Honey Crisp at Parlee FarmsPICK YOUR OWN APPLES:

    • Picking hours vary daily based on availability.  Please check here before leaving home.
    • We have a beautiful crop of apples this season!  The varieties available for picking will be posted the evening before.
    • PYO Apples are sold by the bag and prepaid before picking.  New, single use containers will be provided.  This process removes having to wait to have the apples weighed after picking and reduces customer/staff interactions.
    • Due to the limited number of people allowed in the pyo fields, all adults and children over the age of 1 are counted when purchasing the pyo containers.
    • PYO APPLE COST:
      • Prepaid Apple Bags and Tickets are required to get into the pick your own field.
      • Prices and Policies subject to change without notice.
      • WEEKDAYS:
        • $35 for a 1/2 bushel bag (20 lbs) bag which allows a maximum of 6 people into the orchard
        • $25 for a 1 peck (10 lbs) bag which allows a maximum of 4 people into the orchard
        • $17 for a 1/2 peck (5 lbs) bag which allows a maximum of 2 people into the orchard
        • Hayride to/from orchard (when available) included in the purchase of the apple bag.
      • WEEKENDS, Labor Day & Columbus Day:
        • $35 for a 1/2 bushel bag (20 lbs) bag which allows a maximum of 6 people into the orchard
        • $25 for a 1 peck (10 lbs) bag which allows a maximum of 4 people into the orchard
        • Hayride to/from orchard $1 person or you can walk to/from orchard.

        Pick Your Own Flowers at Parlee Farms

        PICK YOUR OWN FLOWERS and the SUNFLOWER GARDEN:

        • Picking hours can vary based on availability and weather.  Please check here before leaving home.
        • The scissors and buckets are being sanitized between customers.
        • We suggest bringing your own bucket (we can add water) for you to safely bring your flowers home.
        • Extra crosswalks have been added to the field to allow social distancing.
        • Masks are required to be worn while in the flower field.
        • The flower season will last until the end of September.
        • PYO FLOWER COST:
          • WEEKDAYS:
            • $2 Admission Charge for all Adults and Children over 1 year old to both the FLOWER GARDEN & SUNFLOWER GARDEN.
              • Due to the limited number of people allowed in the pyo fields, all adults and children over the age of 1 are counted when entering the flower fields.
              • The admission charge is nonrefundable.
            • PYO Flowers are sold by weight –
              • $9.99 / lb for Zinnias, Dahlias, and all flowers except sunflowers
              • $4.99 / lb for Sunflowers
          • WEEKENDS & Columbus Day:
            • $3 Admission Charge for all Adults and Children over 1 year old to both the FLOWER GARDEN & SUNFLOWER GARDEN.
              • Due to the limited number of people allowed in the pyo fields, all adults and children over the age of 1 are counted when entering the flower fields.
              • The admission charge is nonrefundable.
            • PYO Flowers are sold by weight –
              • $10.99 / lb for Zinnias, Dahlias, and all flowers except sunflowers
              • $5.99 / lb for Sunflowers

        Pumpkin Patch at Parlee FarmsThe PUMPKIN PATCH:

        • Picking hours can vary based on availability and weather.  Please check here before leaving home.
        • We grow over 10 acres of pumpkins of all sizes, shapes, and colors – tens of thousands of them!  They pumpkins are sold in our Pumpkin Patch through the end of October.
        • PUMPKIN COST:
          • $0.75 / lb with a minimum of $3 per pumpkin
          • Pumpkins and Gourds under 1 lb are $2 each. 

         

        PICK YOUR OWN STRAWBERRIES, CHERRIES , PEACHES, and BLUEBERRIES ~ we have finished strawberry. cherry, peach, and blueberry picking for the season.  Thank you to all who picked with us this year!

        GENERAL FARM INFORMATION:

        • Please see our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS page for answers to many questions:
        • No Smoking anywhere on the Farm
        • Only Fully Trained Service Animals are permitted on the farm.  Please leave your pets and emotional supports animals at home for their safety and comfort.
        • We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and US Cash for payment.  There is a $5 minimum for credit card transactions.

          As you are aware, this year we will have different policies that we have outlined in our COVID-19 Protocols.  We will be following the guidance set forth by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Tyngsboro Board of Health to provide a safe environment for our staff and our guests.  This pertains to all aspects of the farm – Pick Your Own, Farmstand, Mary’s Country Kitchen, Picnic Area, and Annie’s Animal Barns.

          Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.  Stay well, stay safe, and we can’t wait to see you all ‘down on the farm’ again soon!

          The Parlee Family and the Team at Parlee Farms