Apples have a long history, eventually making their way to New Jersey with the early settlers. Apples were primarily used in our region for cider and hard cider, (aka Apple Jack), as this area provided the right climate for growing apples for the early settlers, more than growing wheat, barley, or hops. Apple production was …
Onions are an aromatic root vegetables and are in season now and that makes us so happy. We grow several varieties of onions here on 3 acres on our farm including; red, yellow, white and shallots. We start onions from seed in our greenhouses in late winter. They sprout and grow and when temperatures are …
September 15th through October 15th, 2022 marks Hispanic Heritage month. Hispanic Heritage month is a celebration honoring the contributions of Americans with roots from Spain, Mexico, Central & South America along with the Caribbean. We will be highlighting some of the Hispanic heritage contributions provided by our valuable team members all month long. This week’s …
Tomatoes are the fruit of the tomato plant. They are botanically classified as a fruit since they contain seeds and grow from a flowering plant, however, they are more commonly known as a vegetable to most people. The first tomatoes that are said to come to Europe were yellow varieties, therefore, the Italian word “Pomodoro” …
Late summer and early fall brings one of the most iconic and beloved fruits of the season, apples! With over 50 different varieties, we have an apple flavor and profile to please everyone. Maybe you would prefer sweet mild Galas over a sharp tart Granny Smith, a zesty Winesap over a juicy McIntosh, now is …
We’re celebrating our 40th year of farming in Chester, NJ and are excited to share our humble roots with you. Farmer Kurt W. Alstede began farming on a couple acres of land located in Chester Township, N.J. back in 1982, learn more about it here. In honor of our 40th anniversary our culinary specialist has …
Summer squash are varieties of Cucurbita pepo related to pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. Believed to be native to America’s, summer squash are harvested when immature and the rind is still tender and edible. We farm 4 acres of squash growing six different varieties including; yellow round (AKA 8 ball) green round, yellow straight neck, Cousa, …
We were delighted to have interviewed Caroline on her last day of her marketing internship on our farm earlier this month. Enjoy Caroline’s perspective of life before, during and after her internship at Alstede Farms. Before Caroline, a local high school graduate and current University student interned with us throughout the summer. Caroline has always …
It’s Melon season on our farm right now and we typically have them available August through October, weather dependent. We farm 4 acres of melons growing 7 different kinds including red and yellow seedless watermelon, red and yellow seeded watermelon, muskmelon (AKA cantaloupe), honeydew melon and canary melon. Melons belong to the Cucurbits or Gourd …
Eggplant, also known as Aubergine, is technically a berry, as it contains small edible seeds, although it is regarded as a vegetable in cooking. Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family which also include; peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Eggplants are in season on our farm in the summer months of late July through September, …
The amazing tomato is our eating in season feature of the week. Botanically known as a fruit, culinary speaking we refer to tomatoes as vegetables. Tomatoes can be classified according to their harvest time or by their characteristic type. That means you may hear the term early, mid season or late being used in addition …
Staying up to date on the weather is paramount for every farmer. Knowing rainfall, wind speeds, and other factors help impact farm production decisions which ultimately affect crop yields and success. We continue to be innovative by utilizing technology to make best management practices pertaining to these decisions on our farm. Learn how we use …
