Home Our Farm Stand Pick Your Own Farm Supplies Plants/Garden Wholesale Produce in Season Ice Cream Stand Recipes We Love Why Buy Local? Our Farm Pics  History FAQ Mailing List Directions Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the IPM Program you are using at Brookdale? 2. What kind of apples do you grow? 3. What other fruits do you raise? 4. What kind of vegetables do you raise? 5. What type of heirloom tomatoes do you raise? 6. What's the best time to pick apples? 7. When can I ship apples? 8. What should I spray my fruit trees or garden with? 9. Is this plant an annual or perennial? 10. Does this plant grow in the sun or shade? 11. How often should I fertilize or water my plants? 12. When can I put my plants outside in the Spring? 13. Should I pinch off spent flower heads on my plants? 14. What type of flower bulbs can I plant in the fall? 15. Is your cider pasteurized? 16. Are you open year–round? 17. What's the best way to freeze fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries? 1. What is the IPM Program you are using at Brookdale? Brookdale was one of the first farms in New Hampshire to adopt Integrated Pest Management strategies to reduce pesticide use and improve environmental quality. By using the IPM Program we are applying the least amount of pesticides and fungicides to still ensure we provide you with an insect-free and disease-free product. Brookdale uses global positioning technology and precision farming principles that reduce reliance on purchased fertilizers. We have served as a laboratory for numerous production innovations that have enhanced competitiveness of fruit and vegetables throughout New England. 2. What kind of apples do you grow? Baldwin, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smiths, Gravenstein, Honey Crisp, Jersey MacIntosh, Jona MacIntosh, MacIntosh, Macouns, Mutsu, Pink Lady®, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Rome, Royal Red Cortland, Royal Red Rome, Spencer 3. What other fruits do you raise? Blueberries, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Strawberries 4. What kind of vegetables do you raise? Arugula, Basil, Beans (Green, Shell, Wax), Broccoli, Brocciflower, Broccollirabi, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumbers, Lettuce (Green Leaf, Red Leaf), Onions (Walla Walla), Peas, Peppers (Green, Hot, Purple, Red), Pickling Cukes, Pumpkins, Squash (Acorn, Amber Cup, Autumn Cup, Blue Hubbard, Butternut, Summer), Tomatoes, Zucchini 5. What type of heirloom tomatoes do you raise? Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, German, Prudence Purple, Reif Red Heart, Striped German, Valencia, Yellow Brandywine 6. What's the best time to pick apples? Mid-Septmeber through mid-October. You are able to pick: MacIntosh, Cortlands, Granny Smith, Gala, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Empire, and Romes. 7. When can I ship apples? We begin shipping apples the first full week in October through the beginning of January. It may be possible to ship later into the winter - please call our office at 603-465-2241 for more information. We begin shipping apples to the West Coast in the middle of November. 8. What should I spray my fruit trees or garden with? We encourage current information from the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service. This government service specializes in providing printed material for the homeowners use. Call their Family Home & Garden Education Center toll free: 877-398-4769. 9. Is this plant an annual or perennial? Annual plants only last one season. They usually have more color and flower all summer. Perennial plants have a shorter flowering period, but they come back year after year. 10. Does this plant grow in the sun or shade? Check the tag or ask a sales associate. Some common sun plants are: Marigolds, Petunias, Dalias, Million Bells, Sceavola, Salvia, Cosmos, Cleome. Some common shade plants are: Impatiens, Begonias, New Guinea Impatiens, Fushias. 11. How often should I fertilize or water my plants? Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package. Water plants when the top inch of the fertilizer is dry. Hangers and pots will probably need to be watered daily during hot weather. 12. When can I put my plants outside in the Spring? After the last chance of frost – usually May 31st. 13. Should I pinch off spent flower heads on my plants? Yes, pinching off the spent heads will prolong the bloom period and improves the appearance of the plant. 14. What type of flower bulbs can I plant in the fall? Plant Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Iris, and Tulips, for a nice Spring look. Allium and Fritillaria add a more dramatic look to your garden. We also carry Casmassia, Galanthus, Muscari, and Scilla. 15. Is your cider pasteurized? Yes, our cider is pasteurized and does not contain additives. 16. Are you open year–round? Yes, we are open Monday – Sunday from 8am – 6pm. From New Year's through Mid-March we are open Wednesday – Sunday 9am – 6pm. 17. What's the best way to freeze fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries? You should never wash fruit before you freeze it! To freeze whole unsweetened strawberries – hull strawberries and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet; freeze until hard. Label; use within 3 to 6 months. To freeze whole sweetened strawberries – allow about ¾ cup (175 ml) sugar for each 4-5 cups (1.25L) berries. Gently mix sugar with hulled berries and spread in a single layer on cookie sheets; freeze until hard. Quickly transfer to heavy-duty freezer bags or put directly into prepared containers and store in freezer. Label; use within 1 year. Yield: 3 pints = 6 cups berries. To freeze sliced sweetened dry- pack strawberries – allow about 1 cup (250 ml) sugar for 6 cups (1.5 L) berries. Mix sliced or halved strawberries with sugar and let stand about 10 minutes until sugar dissolves. Place in prepared containers, leaving ½-inch headspace. Store in freezer. Label; use within 1 year. Yield: 3 pints = 6 cups berries. To freeze sliced or whole syrup-packed strawberries – this method is considered to be the best freezing medium for quality results. The use of hard water is recommended over soft water. Dissolve about 1 cup (250 ml) sugar in 1-2 cups (500 ml) water; bring to a boil. Chill to a temperature of 36 degrees F (2C). Pack strawberries in prepared containers. Pour syrup over berries, leaving ½-inch headspace. Store in freezer. Label; use within 1 year. To freeze Blueberries – place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet; freeze until hard. Quickly transfer to heavy duty freezer bags or prepared containers and store in freezer. You can also place them directly place in a freezer bag and store in freezer. Label; use within six months. To freeze raspberries – place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet; freeze until hard. Quickly transfer to heavy duty freezer bags or prepared containers and store in freezer. Label; use within six months.