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Allandale Farm
Category: Food Farmers Market Farmers Market [Edit]
259 Allandale Rd(at Elwell Rd)
Brookline, MA 02467
Neighborhood: West Roxbury
(617) 524-1531
- Nearest Transit:
-
Centre St @ Vfw Pkwy (35, 37/38, 38)
Centre St @ Buchanan Rd (35, 37/38, 38)
1200 Centre St Opp Vfw Pkwy (35, 37/38, 38)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6:30 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Allandale Farm
Review Highlights
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"It's beautiful and quaint and full of plants and produce." In 13 reviews -
"...mozzerella, whaaaaat), Clear Flour bread, fresh pasta..." In 2 reviews -
"Definitely hands down the best corn in Boston." In 10 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Damon C.
Boston, MA
10/2/2011
In the running for the best place in Boston. Killer local fruits and vegetables including many grown on the premises, local chocolate milk, free range farm fresh eggs, tons of starter plants from flowers to herbs, bulbs, pottery, pumpkins, pies, art installations.
I walk my dog there. Killer. Thank you, Allandale. -
Review from Irene L.
Brookline, MA
10/7/2011
If I could buy produce from only one place in Boston, this would probably be it. Goodbye forever, mangoes and pineapples. I don't need you. All I need is Allandale.
This place is really special. Who knew you could live three minutes from the city and eight minutes from a beautiful, fully-functioning farm complete with bees, chickens, and produce of all kinds?
My family joined the CSA this year, and as a result we've been frequenting the farm stand and enjoying our 10% discount and the local fisherman's truck on CSA day (we go on Wednesdays)! We have a half share (a perfect supplement to our grocery store veggies), and it's really opened our eyes to how great eating locally and seasonally can be.
As far as the farm store goes, it's a great spot for local produce, farm fresh eggs (although $6/dozen is a little pricey for me), dairy, local cheeses (burrata, mozzerella, whaaaaat), Clear Flour bread, fresh pasta (Nella) and lots of other goodies. They also started selling canning equipment around August. I walk in thinking I need one thing, and then I leave with three bags full of amazing local stuff. Love it. -
Review from Rick B.
Newton, MA
10/7/2011
This place occupies such a special place in my heart! I love the very cozy store, the plants, bakery items and dairy in the fridge- it's like what you would imagine your own house would be filled with if you lived on a farm!
And, the folks that work there are so friendly- I feel like I am nack in the Midwest where I grew up! -
Review from Alyssa B.
Brookline, MA
8/15/2011
I love this place. I live in Chestnut Hill right on Route 9 and this is just a hop, skip, and a jump. Admittedly, farmers markets are cheaper, but their CSA seems competitive to one I did out of the Allston Farmer's Market from Dragonfly Farms. I haven't had a chance to get signed up (next year). I admit they are pricey but they offer some wonderful artisan breads, their own local honey, wonderful plants, pumpkins, Christmas trees. I've purchased some plants in zinc planters that I thought was reasonable for Boston, a beautiful watering can for plants, as well as other snacks and brittle as we walk around and check things out from time to time. Our baby girl's first Halloween was spent napping amongst the pumpkins after we took a free Hayride.
I can't wait until Allie is old enough for some of their children's camps and programming. Its a whole other world within Boston! -
Review from Robin J.
Jamaica Plain, MA
7/25/2010
Yesss! I love Allandale Farm, both on principle and in practice. I get so much here- my Christmas tree, plants for projects with the kids I babysit for, seedlings, houseplants. I haven't gotten any produce here, but someday I'd love to. I recently came here with two of my sitting charges because we wanted to make a terrarium in a jar as a project. Even though we had some weird requests, the farmer (?) who assisted us in picking out plants for it was incredibly kind and helpful.
If every city had an Allandale Farm, the world would be a better place. Go there!
Oh, and if you don't have a car, the 38 and 51 buses from Forest Hills will get you there; each one drops you off on the opposite side of the farm. The 51 runs way more often, but it's a bit of a longer trip. Just don't try dragging a Christmas tree on the bus and blaming it on me, 'k? -
Review from Kerri O.
1/12/2008
Honey,
I can't tell you how happy I am that these folks are here! Locally grown organic produce, they grow their own perennials, and have been expanding their selection every year. And, it's hot Lezzie central.
Get on their on-line newsletter. Get fresh corn there. Come here when you are having one of those Frustrating City Days, and you don't know why you live in the City. You'll love the relaxing vibe, and what they do.
This is the last Farm in Boston. And, they are thriving. For that reason alone, you should come out here. The fact that they sell great products, at good prices, will make you a life-long fan. This is one of the many reasons that Boston is a Great Place to Live.Listed in: Stuff for Tree-hugging,…, Places to visit, Urban Garden Centers
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Review from Jules H.
11/18/2010
First, spell it right -- Allandale. Sorry, reviewers, but I have trouble taking you seriously if you seem to have no idea where you've just been.
Allandale Farm is my f-ing childhood. No details, but I grew up very near here, and this place has a lot of my love. It is an organic farm, and it is within Boston's borders (technically -- the Brookline border is right at the entrance, but whatevs), and it has the most delicious food. It has yuppified in recent years, which I initially hated -- it became more filled with prepared foods and t-shirts and magazines and gross shit that has no place at a farm stand. But. That seems to have helped its marketing, and so it is one organic farm that won't be going out of business anytime soon -- and that is a GOOD THING. Do I love the emphasis on prepared good or the corresponding hike in prices? HELL NO.
But do I love knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their work? HELL YES. And I have been lucky to know many of them -- either because their were schoolmates of mine, or because I met them through the hippie conglomerate that is Smith College. Either way, when you shop here, you are shopping with a conscience, because this is a locally-based, environmentally-aware organization that HAPPENS to sell amazing food.
And if I ever get a tattoo, it will be their bee logo. Just sayin'. -
Review from Jorel F.
Boston, MA
9/18/2008
I have friends who work here. So i am jaded. But aside from that. There are some very good folks there who try very hard to create a great garden center.
It's pricey, no joke, but there is plenty of stuff worth the cost. Little plants, quality products, starts, etc.
Plus they always carry my fave mulch. (unless they run out at the end of the season, which is fine because they at least sell mulch when Home Depot has already seasonally switched to the time of year that they stop selling mulch - which I do not understand - some people want to buy mulch in October).
So anyways, they sell local veggies, have hay-rides around the property sometimes, and just lots of great products, from soda to maple syrup. I can't complain. I love driving out there. There's this huge mansion on Allandale Road and it has gas-lanterns at the head of it's front entrance. Romance! -
Review from Celeste C.
Jamaica Plain, MA
7/15/2008
I'd vaguely heard about Allandale Farm "The Last Working Farm in Boston." but never knew that it was so close to where I live in JP. I stopped by this weekend and was a little overwhelmed. I do not doubt that they have high quality produce, but there wasn't that much selection and the prices were pretty high. I was surprised about how many products were brought in from nearby farms and businesses.
That being said, I discovered Crescent Ridge Dairy ice cream and yogurt there, which I think might have made the trip worth it. The farm is a nice walk or bike ride from JP or Rozzie. -
Review from Emily F.
Newton, MA
5/23/2008
AAAA-MAZZZZ. To me, this is heaven.
An abundance of local produce, local honey, Clear Flour breads - and if you so desire, local milk and local cheeses. The garden center is surrounded by beautiful ceramic planters of all shapes, sizes & colors, and is filled (right now) with tons of vegetable starters, flowers, trees - anything you could ever wish to grow!
Many of the workers I've seen are fairly young women, I'd say late teenagers/early 20-year-olds. They definitely know what's going on at the farm, what they have in stock, where to find things. Unfortunately they couldn't really help me out with advice for growing veggies indoors, and didn't go out of their way to find someone else who may know more, but that was the only frustrating thing I've ever encountered.
The vastness of this place is incredible. I love being surrounded by plants, and colorful fruit/veggies. Allandale does so much for our community - definitely pay them a visit! -
Review from Mark B.
Dedham, MA
5/29/2009
I just wanted to clear some things up from earlier entries. First, Allandale Farms does grow their own crops. In Massachusetts, that means they only have limited variety of produce during a limited part of the year. In order to stay in business year round, they also sell produce from out of state. Their own produce is always labeled as such, so when the squash, corn and tomatoes come in, you'll know it. All the other high-priced "foodie" food from outside keeps them in business.
Second, although the "only working farm in Boston" meme gets repeated over and over, it's not quite true. If you look at their web site, they give a Brookline address. If you look at a Google map, their stand is just inside Boston, but most of the fields are in Brookline. So I suspect that "the last working farm in Brookline" just wouldn't be as impressive.
That being said, I wait for their corn and yellow tomatoes to come in every year, and I get perennials from them as well. -
Review from Alex S.
Brooklyn, NY
7/5/2008
Allandale Farm is the bee's knees. Boston's last working farm is probably one of my very favorite places in the city; the selection is vast, the staff informative, and the products are absolutely top notch.
The rotating stock of produce is as fresh as you can find anywhere and very well-priced; you can't even compare it to the bullshit produce most supermarkets sell at inflated costs. It's an environmentally and socially conscious choice too. Allandale's produce is either grown on site or at neighboring farms; they also partner with other local businesses to offer delicious treats, like cookies from Jamaica Plain's Blue Frog Bakery, and the adorable, vegan, Ever So Humble Pies, baked right in Walpole.
Allandale is also the urban gardener's best friend. Not only do they carry a fantastic selection of seeds, perennials, annuals, herbs, and vegetable starter plants, but they also stock a nice variety of fertilizers and natural pest repellents, should you not feel like making your own. The staff members at Allandale are more than willing to answer your questions (or point you in the right direction if they can't), and it is evident they deeply and truly care. Gardening is hard (but really fun!) work, and it's a relief that places like Allandale are here to help make the growing season successful.
FYI, the annual Tomato Festival is in August. -
Review from Beth B.
Boston, MA
10/26/2010
Ehhh, it's ok....but I'd prefer driving out of town more to get a real "farm" feel.
Considering the vicinity to the city an "ok" rating is appropriate -
Review from Adele H.
Oakland, CA
6/17/2010
Although not certified as organic (paperwork and politics), this farm has organic and sustainable practices. Their produce is not always labeled clearly and they do sell outside stuff, so you have to ask how things were grown and where.
I drive past Allandale everyday on my way to work, and can always find a reason to stop, even if it is only for a tomato or a honey stick. I'm pretty sure I saw some sheep through the trees the other day and I almost hehawed outloud. I've been meaning to ask them if they know how to sheer/spin ect.
They also have a limited assortment of indoor gardening supplies to get you started (heat mats, seeds, small lights) A little price perspective though... a watering can is $25. Its a nice one, and I want it, but I just cant bring myself to drop that much on such a simple instrument.
Check out this summers Edible Boston magazine to read about one of their latest ventures: Bee Keeping...yet another way Allandale contributes to our beautiful city.
http://www.ediblecommu... -
Review from Matt W.
7/5/2010
I like Allandale. It's a fun excursion to go out there on a Sunday, pick up some good, locally grown veggies, some local bread, and an iced tea. Their staff is helpful and the property is well kept and very attractive. They also carry a lot of gardening and farming supplies.
Allandale is also pretty involved in the community, and that makes me want to support them.
Word is, they're getting livestock now, too. HORRAY BACON! -
Review from Heather S.
Portland, OR
5/27/2009
I like Allandale Farm. It's beautiful, perfect for a stroll on a sunny Saturday, when the flowers are in bloom, or perfect in October when they have hayrides, and are overflowing with pumpkins and squashes. They also have an impressive display of plants and flowers -- which rivals Mahoney's! -- and are just a tad higher. They do accept credit cards, which is nice and needed!
However, they are not a farmer's market!
Farmer's markets bring in fresh the produce from around the area, and sell it, CHEAP. Check out any Farmer's Market in San Francisco, if you want to see a true farmer's market with really delicious produce, unlike on the east coast (truly, it's not the same, which is what makes the food in California taste better)...God, I miss SF!!!...
But, back to this review!
Allandale Farm is more a novelty than a shop you'd want to go to regularly. It has a small selection of produce, at exorbitant prices, and then imports a lot of its items, which means prices are sky-high. Fancy cheeses, sausages, ravioli, honey, and bakery items are higher than Whole Foods, even though they are often the same products. Does this make them fresher because they're at Allandale Farm?
Of course not. -
Review from Susan D.
7/29/2009
I come here several times a week. I usually get their own freshly picked corn, yellow summer squash, zucchini, green beans, yellow beans, scallions. Their tomatoes aren't in yet, but I am so eager to taste them when they are.
They also have fruits and vegetables from other sources, so you can definitely get a full meal here, including your bread and rolls from Clear Flour Bread and local creamery butter, pie, and ice cream.
I also got my window boxes, planters, soil, and lots of beautiful herbs and flowering plants here at the beginning of the season. They have all kinds of gardening supplies -- gloves, labels for your herbs, the mulch and soil and fertilizer.
The staff here are helpful and pleasant and there's plenty of parking. And it's a beautiful drive. -
Review from ana l.
Brookline, MA
8/19/2009
Great farm stand to pick up picnic food items:
Cucumber Yogurt Dip and Flatbread crackers,
Blueberries,
Grapes,
Yellow Plums (not as sweet as the purple/red ones..but still very juicy),
Sweet Cherry tomatoes (from their own farm),
and sweet, yellow corn (for dinner). Be cautious picking your corn because there is a chance worms have gotten to them. Peel the top a bit to see if the top portion is intact.
The staff is very helpful..we were asked several times if we had any questions or needed help finding items. We couldn't find a post to tie up our bikes, but used a shopping cart for the task instead.
There is a great article about Allandale in the Summer 2009 edition of Edible Boston. -
Review from Jennie P.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/8/2009
The last working farm in Boston. Need I say more?
Well, what I will tell you first is that I am a gardener living in Jamaica Plain and I grow both vegetables and flowers. When I don't have something from seed and I need to buy plants, I go to Allandale. Their plants are consistently the highest quality for the best price I have found in the Boston metro area. Just make sure that if there are plants available that were grown *at Allandale*, that you choose those over ones that come from elsewhere. This especially applies to the tomatoes. I had my heirlooms from Allandale survive a blight this past summer that destroyed the heirloom tomato plants of everyone else I know in the Northeast. Allandale definitely carries more of their own veg plants than they do perennial and annual ornamentals, but regardless, everything they carry is high quality.
Fantastic seed selection.
They also have a great small but kind of expensive farm store with produce, baked goods, local cheeses, etc., and an ag store with tools, organic fertilizers, ladybugs, etc.
Last but not least, farmer Jim is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, as are his staff. If a staff member does not have the answer to a question, they will actually call him to find out. And I've not yet asked him something regarding growing/gardening to which he does not know the answer.
For those of you who are concerned that Allandale is not in Boston, it straddles the Boston/Brookline lines. Don't let it bother you too much. It's still amazing that we have a 30+ acre cultivated farm (not to mention CSA) so close to the city, part of which is within city limits!
If you live in JP or Southwest Brookline, Allandale is quite close, just west of the Arnold Arboretum. It's a short bike ride and even shorter car ride away, so shopping there for plants keeps things green and local in more ways than one. -
Review from Fat M.
Boston, MA
12/18/2011
Great place for fresh produce, home-grown food. Christmas trees in the winter. $25 tiny tree. $40 small tree. $45 big tree.
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Review from Grace F.
Jamaica Plain, MA
11/11/2010
I can't imagine why someone would not give this place 5 stars! Maybe becuase it's a little spendy? But I mean, c'mon, it's a FARM in the middle of BROOKLINE. How awesome is that? It's so pretty too, and has fun herbs (I'm looking at you, pineapple mint) and even some farmer's market foodstuffs. It's hard to get more local than this place. I definitely recommend visiting Allandale, whether you are a novice gardener, or a veteran.
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Review from julie m.
Jamaica Plain, MA
8/11/2010
i am totally hooked on allendale farm. i feel like i'm out in the country yet it's minutes away from home in jp. i don't buy too much food there, aside from the occasional crescent ridge chocolate milk for my hubby. but when it's planting season, i've been known to frequent allendale multiple times a week. i actually got "shut off" this spring : (
in the summer, i love the flowers and try to get all my perennials at allendale. every flower i have purchased has done really well. you can't say that about home depot flowers, which are a total mixed bag. the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. they have good variety and everything always looks healthy and well cared for.
in the winter i have gotten a few christmas trees here. they have always done well and are beautiful. the salespeople are super nice and will tie it on your car. plus they have a bonfire and cider! so cute
you will pay a little bit more at allendale, but the quality is worth it plus you're supporting a local business. sounds good to me! -
Review from Arestia R.
Boston, MA
5/7/2009
Boston's only farm! This place is truly a gem for this city. It's beautiful and quaint and full of plants and produce! Seriously, there are rows and rows and rows of flowers, vegetables, greens and fruits to grow, you'll totally get inspired to grow your own garden, even if it's an urban one (they have pots for you, too, apartment dwellers!) And I'm not saying this because I have some friends on staff there (who keep a beautiful goat and some cute chicks and are learning to keep bees!), but because you just feel good when you get out of your car at the farm stand. The staff is very knowledgeable and the selection is great. Also - you're truly shopping locally! Go green!
Listed in: Take Me Outside, Local Eating Challenge
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Review from Kim P.
6/28/2009
I went looking for strawberries and found them, farm-fresh and hand-picked. They just were not sweet. Maybe it's the end of the season? Maybe too much rain? Maybe the sweet ones went earlier? They were visually appealing, but not tasty. I'll throw them in something, with a good amount of sugar. It's a cute farm; I'll probably go back later in the summer if I'm over that way. If I'm going to spend that much money on produce, I'd as soon spend it at a local farmers' market in the Dot.
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Review from Suzanne M.
Charlestown, MA
7/29/2007
Inspired by this week's newsletter on farmers' markets, I have to give a thumbs up to Allandale. They have a limited selection, but they only carry super high quality veggies and fruits. I prefer that over having to weed through a lot of junk for the one good piece! There's also a greenhouse with plants/flowers and nice pottery. If you go try the Maine Root sodas; they are out of this world. [ The ginger ale is tangy, sharp and - how incredibly - actually tastes like ginger ;). ]
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Review from Heather C.
Chestnut Hill, MA
10/16/2010
Being from western Mass originally, I had missed being able to go to farm stands and buy local seasonal fruits and veggies. So I was very happy to finally find Allandale Farm! We just went and got our pumpkins there, and they had a great selection. We've also gotten some delicious fruits and vegetables there before, along with a jar of amazing local honey! Aside from the fresh fruits and veggies, they also have a ton of plants and gardening supplies, as well as locally-made baked goods. Plus, everyone that we have interacted with there was very friendly and helpful. I will definitely be frequenting Allandale Farm!
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Review from Ariel A.
Jamaica Plain, MA
9/11/2008
Some of the produce (esp. the stuff they don't grow themselves) is a bit pricey. But the corn is absolutely to die for. I haven't had corn this good since I was a little kid, the kind you might as well just eat raw, it's so fresh and sweet and delicious.
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Review from Gen M.
Cambridge, MA
8/16/2010
I gotta tell you - I feel bad for giving it 2 stars, but it's meh-I've experienced better (which I believe is a 3 star rating maybe), but this is what I feel. I have become obsessed with farmers markets - and I went because this is so close. This is a great flower market, yes - but as far as produce goes, I've seen better. Their tomatoes are good, but other farmers markets offer up to 7 types of tomatoes at my disposal (yum variety!). Their blueberries were not good at all - they were sour and I can buy that at the supermarket. Their white currant was horrid period - so sour that I felt I was eating lemon. Their portobellos were good. That's it? Sorry, Allandale, thanks for the produce but I will not be back (too expensive).
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Review from Daphne M.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/14/2008
I love having a farm (almost) right in Boston. Definitely hands down the best corn in Boston. They have a nice selection of baked goods and can also be counted on to have some interesting native plants for sale. I am not sure if they still have them but when I used to go there as a kid there was a chicken coop. Watching them fascinated the younger version of me and gave me something to do as my parents shopped.
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Review from Adam B.
Brookline, MA
4/27/2011
Love this place! My favorite things to buy are garlic, apples, corn, cucumbers and tomatoes. Everything there is usually great. 5 Minutes from Boston can't beat it!
