Early Fall Apple Picking at NH's Stunning DeMeritt Hill Farm

A stunning early fall day at
DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH

On Saturday, New England Fall Events took a delightful trip up to Lee, New Hampshire to visit DeMeritt Hill Farm. We were in the area getting a sneak peak of Haunted Overload for our sister site Halloween New England (the haunted trail is located in the woods at DeMeritt Hill Farm) so it was super easy to squeeze in some apple picking fun!

We’d been to DeMeritt Hill Farm before but never had the pleasure of apple picking until now. As it is early in the apple picking season, this trip was a peaceful, crowd-free affair.  The parking is free and easy to access near the entrance and the farm store is just a few steps away. We pre-paid for an apple picking bag at the store and headed outside to climb up onto the hayride wagon.  On this day, farm manager Mike Lynch was at the helm to drive us up to the orchard.

Free hayrides to the orchard

As eager as we were to begin picking fruit, we admit we never wanted the hayride to end. DeMeritt Hill Farm’s expansive New Hampshire property is about as scenic as it can get. We bumped along past rows of mid- and late-season apple trees still ripening.

The incredible New England weather delivered a stunner of a day complete with a blue sky and puffy clouds to complement the lovingly tended green orchard so nicely.  We took picture after picture of the gentle rolling hills as we rode past barns and an equestrian area.
On this holiday weekend, there was nowhere we’d rather be.

Clusters of early-fall Zestar! apples

At the farthest end of the field was the early-season apple orchard. This weekend Ginger Gold and Zestar! varieties were the ones ripe for picking. The rows of the orchard were all very clearly marked the tree branches were bowing with fat, ruby clusters of apples. To be perfectly frank, the apples were so abundant that we could have filled our bag in two minutes flat but, never one to rush a beloved fall activity like apple picking, we prolonged the experience to savor the day.

We thought we had the orchard to ourselves but we overheard a couple few rows over who had their dog in tow. DeMeritt Hill Farm is one of just a handful of dog-friendly New England orchards. As always, dogs are strictly required to be leashed at all times but it is a nice perk for those of us with furry friends.

We didn’t wait long for the hayride to swing through to return us to the farm stand.  On this trip we came kid-free but families with little ones will have plenty of extra farm fun to round out their time at DeMeritt Hill Farm.

In addition to the free hayride, the farm has small petting zoo where kids can feed the chickens and goats, a kids’ play area, room to roam, a pumpkin patch (in season), and mini pony rides for a small fee. There are wooded nature trails on the edge of the property as well which we’ll make a point to do when we return to this farm (trail maps available).

We have yet to meet a person who can leave an orchard store empty-handed and New England Fall Events is no exception.  We stocked up on apple cider, a stunning bouquet of flowers, a slice of fresh-baked carrot cake, and a handful of chocolate treats. Diana Russell, the friendly manager of the farm store, is also the owner of Creative Confections. An accomplished chocolatier, Diana sells a dazzling selection of her rich, creamy chocolaty treats right there in the store (don’t even think of leaving without the peanut butter cups). There are also fruit pies (whole and by-the-slice), cider donuts, farm-grown vegetables, pre-picked apples, local jams, drinks, and even pre-made sandwiches for a quick picnic.

DeMeritt Hill Farm is open from 10:00am-6:00pm seven days a week during the season (they opened Aug 23rd) where you can enjoy apple picking and the treats at the farm stand.
The extra activities for kids such as the mini pony rides available on the weekends only.

DeMeritt Hill Farm has a number of wonderful farm events coming up in September and October. We know that a trip to this southern New Hampshire farm will be well worth your time.



Family Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th, 2015 Click for details.

Harvest Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, September 26th and 27th, 2015 Click for details

Halloween Storybook Hayrides  
Saturday and Sunday, October 17th, 18th, 24th, and 25th, 2015 Click for details

Family Tips for Visiting DeMeritt Hill Farm

We love this cheeky sign posted
right outside the farm stand.

• The Zestar apples were ridiculously delicious so if you love a tasty, sweet, juicy apple and you want to beat the crowds, kick start your apple picking season in early-September.
• With a quaint petting zoo for feeding the animals, a play area, and mini-pony-rides, there are some nice extras for rounding out your trip.
• The nature trail heads are located close to the parking lot and farm stand which makes it easy to grab the stroller or your ErgoBaby after you've finished apple picking. We love these great tips for going on a hike with your little one.
• DeMeritt Hill Farm accepts plastic with a $10 minimum.
• The simple pre-made sandwiches and other treats make it easy for an impromptu picnic.
• The farm was easy to find on Lee Rd. (thank you, Waze!). The farm entrance is well-marked and so is the orchard--the rows clearly marked the different apple varieties. 

Verrill Farm Day, BBQ, and Apple Pie Contest - Concord, MA

Next Verrill Farm Day, BBQ, and Apple Pie Contest:

Saturday, September 6th, 2014 in Concord, MA. Full listing details here.

With many family and harvest festivals to choose from every fall, in 2013 New England Fall Events had the pleasure of visiting Verrill Farm in Concord, MA. With sunny weather and a gentle breeze, it couldn’t have been a lovelier day to celebrate our favorite season.

The Verrill Farm “Farm Day and BBQ” does a very nice job striking the right balance for a weekend gathering—there is plenty to do yet they manage to maintain a laid-back feel. It’s just pure, outdoor, fall fun. As many families feel that their weekends can be jam-packed, why make time to fit in one more thing? The Verrill Farm event is worth your time for the sheer fact that it is relaxing and peaceful—it is entertaining for people of all ages while being a respite from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

For one, it’s not nuts. There are various activities scheduled throughout the day—pony rides, hayrides, live music and the like, but the fun can be had without stumbling to your car feeling totally overstimulated. At the risk of sounding trite, it really is a good, old-fashioned, relaxed time spent outdoors.

Verrill Farm's wide open space left
plenty of room to play and roam
and never left us feeling crowded

A good way to get a sense of how an event is going can be understood by observing the people all around you. How are they spending their time and is everyone squabbling at each other and being pulled in different directions? This festival had plenty of attendees, mostly families, and with a wide yard, there was plenty of space for people to enjoy themselves without ever feeling crowded. 

The food lines, the pony walks, and the hayride queue were never too long or slow—they moved along and the kids were happy as can be. Dozens of parents just moseying around, wearing their infants in a sling and watching their toddlers play with plenty of room to roam and move. With the parking lot separated from the festivities, it was a very safe and spacious area for kids of all ages to play and, without tight crowds, parents had peace of mind that their kids could roam without ever getting far out of vision.

Tanglewood Marionettes held a captive
audience of kids and adults alike.

The hill was quickly claimed by kids for log rolling and running—it was such a welcome sight to see so much spontaneous free play all around. There were tented areas with picnic tables for those who preferred to eat and relax in the shade or to simply listen to the band playing. A table was set up for entries into the apple pie contest (though not for the general public to taste or judge) and pie display could be observed by all. 

The puppet show by the Tanglewood Marionettes held a captive audience of adults and kids alike. It was a generous touch that the puppets were kept on display before and after the show for people to appreciate and enjoy the artistry up close—a particularly thrilling experience for the kids.

The food was very, very good—pulled pork BBQ, fresh corn, and cole slaw being the main attraction. Some of the best BBQ I recall eating last year—and although it wasn’t noted on the menu board, many of the items-including the BBQ—were gluten free as confirmed by the chef who was on-site at the food tent.

The Verrill Farm selection of heirloom
tomatoes was a true feast for the eyes 

If you’ve been to Verrill before then it goes without saying that you wouldn’t dare leave the farm empty-handed. The adjacent farm stand was bursting with stellar produce, mostly local, much of it harvested right at Verrill. The raspberry display was luscious in its color and ripeness and the abundant harvest of heirloom tomatoes drew everyone in—we, too, left with a fat brown bag’s worth of colorful tomatoes and some fresh burratta cheese.

The interior of the farm stand offered heaping tables of fresh-picked vegetables and fruit, beautifully displayed and clearly labeled with where it was harvested. There was a full wall of refrigerated cases packed with prepared meals, soups, sauces, and trays of heat-and-serve dinners. Nearly all of these prepared meals were cooked right there at Verrill and you could also find goodies such as local honey for purchase.

There's a full schedule of events for Verrill Farms' 2014 Farm Day here. Other goodies are added this year such cookbook author Terry Golson who will be bringing her hens to the event (visit her blog here) and Patti Small's On the Edge mobile knife sharpening service (this lady single-handedly brought my beloved chef's knives back to life for which I am grateful!).

Festival Tips:

Hayrides throughout
the day at Verrill Farm

• Come hungry. With plenty of fantastic BBQ to be had, you will not want to miss out.
• Bring cash—it keeps the line moving along quickly.
• Take it easy—the whole vibe of this gathering is well-organized but laid-back. Come to relax and enjoy the day.
• The Verrill Farm BBQ and Harvest Fest is a great time if you’re without kids though many of the activities are geared toward families with kids.
• Parking is easy and free. We arrived at the start of the event and snagged a spot right across from the action.
• Although there were many shady areas, places to sit under trees, the large tented area provided respite from the sun if you prefer.
• Don’t even think of leaving the event empty-handed of the beautiful produce and prepared meals from the sizable farm stand.

Family Tips:

Pony rides delighted the kids and
the lines were never too long

• The manageable size of the event and the manageable crowds make for a relaxing experience for kids and parents alike.
• It’s a great place for kids to roam and play.
• Pack a picnic blanket if you wish to spread out and make a “home base.”
• As the cars are parked across the side street, it’s easy to leave things in the car and access as needed.
• The area is very stroller friendly, nearly all on grass, but some areas are a little hilly.
• Gluten-free BBQ and side options are available if that’s important to you but you’ll need to ask the chef which ones since they were not pre-marked on the menu board.