Farm Stands and Farmers Markets of the Merrimack Valley

Early July is when the farm stands of southern New Hampshire start to feel like themselves again. The first local vegetables are on the tables, the berry patches are getting attention, and the orchards that will be packed in October are quietly growing the fruit. The Merrimack Valley, the band of towns that follows the Merrimack River south from Concord toward Nashua, is one of the easiest parts of the state to shop this way, because so many working farms sit a few minutes off a main road. This guide covers farm stands in NH's Merrimack Valley that are worth building a drive around, plus a few planning tips so you come home with what you wanted.

Everything below is evergreen. Farm stands set their own seasons and hours, and those change with the weather and the crop, so treat this as a map of where to go and check each farm's own site or social page before you set out.

Why the Merrimack Valley works for farm stand trips

The valley is compact. Concord, Hopkinton, Merrimack and Hollis are all within a reasonable drive of each other, so it is realistic to visit two or three stands in a morning without spending the day in the car. The rivers matter too. The Contoocook River runs north for about 71 miles from Contoocook Lake on the Jaffrey and Rindge line to Penacook, where it joins the Merrimack River. The village of Contoocook in Hopkinton has one of the river's covered bridges, and the farms in the hills around it are some of the best known in the region.

A farm stand trip here also tends to be a good mix of stops. You can pair an orchard with a vegetable stand, a cidery and a garden center, which keeps the day interesting for everyone in the car, including people who are not that excited about produce.

Orchards and fruit farms

Carter Hill Orchard, Concord

Carter Hill Orchard describes itself as Concord's neighborhood apple orchard, and it is a family business. Apples are the main event, but the orchard also grows peaches, plums, blueberries and pumpkins, and it makes apple cider and maple syrup on site. The country store sells farm grown vegetables, and the bakery is known for cider donuts and whoopie pies along with pies, sweet breads and cookies. The orchard notes that availability depends on the weather, which is good advice for any farm visit.

In early summer, Carter Hill is a good stop for a look at the orchard and a bakery run. Save the pick-your-own apple trip for the fall, when the orchard announces its picking season.

Gould Hill Farm, Contoocook

Gould Hill Farm sits on Gould Hill Road in Contoocook and grows more than 100 varieties of apples, along with peaches, nectarines and plums. It has a farm store with a bakery and offers pick-your-own fruit in season, as well as online ordering. If you are curious about heirloom apples, a farm with this many varieties is a good place to try something you will never see in a supermarket.

Contoocook Cider Company, Contoocook

Contoocook Cider Company has its tasting room at Gould Hill Farm, which makes it an easy pairing with a fruit stop. The cidery makes hard ciders from Gould Hill Farm apples and also pours the farm's sweet cider. The tasting room serves food, including handmade pizzas and charcuterie, and it often has live music on weekends. Visit NH describes the cidery's approach as tree to glass, with a lineup ranging from traditional styles to more creative flavors.

If someone in your group does not drink, the sweet cider is a good alternative, and the views from the hill are worth the stop either way.

Vegetable stands and farm markets

Dimond Hill Farm, Concord

Dimond Hill Farm on Hopkinton Road in Concord is a diverse vegetable farm with several greenhouses, including one dedicated to starting its own transplants. It grows familiar crops such as peas, beans, tomatoes, basil and lettuce, as well as less common ones such as fresh ginger. The seasonal farm stand carries the farm's own produce plus local eggs, meat, cheese and pies. The farm also invites visitors to walk the hiking trail that passes through the property, which makes it a good stop for families who want to stretch their legs before shopping.

Depot Farm Stand, Merrimack

Depot Farm Stand on Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack is family owned and has been in town for more than 45 years. It started with native produce and expanded into perennials, locally grown annuals, herbs, vegetable plants and flowering shrubs, plus a country gift shop with New Hampshire maple products, local honey and homemade baked goods. That mix makes it useful in early summer, when gardeners are still filling gaps in their beds and the first local produce is coming in.

Lull Farm, Hollis and Milford

Lull Farm runs a farm market in Hollis with a bakery and kitchen, a floral department and pick-your-own, plus a seasonal farm market in Milford. The farm raises its own beef, chicken and pork, and its bakery turns out breads, pastries, pies and soups. Pick-your-own crops rotate through the seasons, including strawberries, apples and pumpkins. Hollis is in the southern part of the valley near the Massachusetts line, so Lull Farm is a natural first or last stop for anyone driving up from the south.

How to plan a farm stand day

A good farm stand day is mostly about timing and a little preparation.

Go early. Farm stands restock on their own schedule, and popular items such as berries, sweet corn and baked goods can sell out. A morning visit gives you the best selection and cooler weather for anything perishable.

Bring a cooler. If you plan to visit more than one stop, a cooler with ice packs keeps meat, cheese, eggs and berries in good shape while you drive. It also means you do not have to plan the route around getting home quickly.

Check before you go. Every farm on this list posts its own updates. Hours change with the season and the weather, and pick-your-own fields open and close depending on what is ripe. A quick look at the farm's site or social page saves a wasted trip.

Carry some cash. Many farms take cards, but smaller stands and honor-system tables sometimes do not. A little cash makes everything easier.

Plan a loop. A northern loop could start at Dimond Hill Farm and Carter Hill Orchard in Concord, then head west to Gould Hill Farm and Contoocook Cider Company in Contoocook. A southern loop could pair Depot Farm Stand in Merrimack with Lull Farm in Hollis. Either loop fits in a morning, with time for lunch.

What to look for in early summer

In July, the farm stands in this part of New Hampshire shift from plants and starters to the first real harvest. Expect leafy greens, peas, early summer squash and herbs, with berries depending on the year. Tomatoes and sweet corn usually follow later in the summer, and the orchards take over in the fall. Because crops vary from farm to farm and year to year, ask the staff what is fresh that day. Farm stand staff are usually glad to tell you what came out of the field that morning and how to cook it.

It is also worth thinking ahead. If you find a farm you like in July, it is often the same place you will want to come back to for apples, pumpkins and pies in the fall. Many of these farms run all season, so a summer visit is a good way to scout before the busy autumn weekends.

Making it a day out

The Merrimack Valley has plenty to do between farm stops. Concord, the state capital, has a walkable downtown with restaurants and shops. The village of Contoocook has its covered railroad bridge over the Contoocook River, which is worth a short walk. In the southern part of the valley, Merrimack and Hollis are close to Nashua, so it is easy to fold a farm stand run into a weekend in the area.

If you are bringing children, choose one stop with space to explore, such as the trail at Dimond Hill Farm or a pick-your-own field when one is open. Kids tend to enjoy a farm visit far more when they get to pick something themselves.

Frequently asked questions

When do Merrimack Valley farm stands open?

Each farm sets its own season. Many open in late spring or early summer and run into the fall, and some keep their stores open into the holiday season. Check each farm's own site for current hours.

Where can I pick my own fruit in the Merrimack Valley?

Carter Hill Orchard, Gould Hill Farm and Lull Farm all offer pick-your-own in season. Crops and dates depend on the year, so confirm with the farm before you go.

Is there a cidery near Concord?

Yes. Contoocook Cider Company has its tasting room at Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook, a short drive west of Concord.

Can I combine a farm stand trip with a hike?

Dimond Hill Farm in Concord has a hiking trail that passes through the farm, and visitors are invited to walk it before visiting the stand.

Sources

• Contoocook River, Wikipedia (length, course, covered bridges): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contoocook_River
• Carter Hill Orchard official site: https://www.carterhillapples.com/
• Gould Hill Farm official site: https://www.gouldhillfarm.com/
• Contoocook Cider Company official site: https://www.contoocookcider.com/
• Visit NH, 7 NH Cideries to Visit This Fall: https://www.visitnh.gov/blog/7-nh-cideries-to-visit-this-fall
• Dimond Hill Farm listing and description, Visit NH: https://www.visitnh.gov/business/detail/129
• Concord Monitor, Harvest Guide (Dimond Hill Farm trails and gardens): https://www.concordmonitor.com/2020/09/25/farmstands-of-new-hampshire-36219526/
• Depot Farm Stand, Macaroni KID Nashua-Merrimack directory: https://nashua.macaronikid.com/directory/5dd2e531882d4846839bbbdb/depot-farm-stand-and-gift-shop
• Lull Farm official site: https://livefreeandfarm.com