Barlett’s Ocean View Farm, or “the farm” to islanders, is mecca on Nantucket.

The Bartletts have farmed Nantucket for nearly two hundred years.  In the early 1950′s, while his father, “June” Bartlett, was busy raising sheep on the farm, young Phil Bartlett (shown above) persuaded his grandmother to let him use her front yard to grow tomatoes.

Soon he began growing other vegetables as well.

So it was that, in the mid 1950s, the vegetable business, which Phil started and worked with his younger brother, Henry, became the main form of farming at Ocean View Farm (yes, it really sits on the ocean).

Today there are over 100 breathtaking acres being cultivated for vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.

 

 

This was our view, driving out yesterday for a fun filled Family Day at the Farm.

 

I think there no better feeling than that of supporting our local friendly farms.

And boy, Bartlett’s sure does make it easy…and pretty…to spend time savoring every single delicious detail.

 

 

What farm would be complete without a playground, for the wee ones?

 

 

Is this not the most charming farm that you have ever seen?  This is the Market, the main commerce building.  It is AMAZING inside…aisle after aisle of delish.

 

Soco, or SoCo Creamery (South County Creamery) setup a tasting stand for the fete, scooping up artisinal small batch ice cream cones.

From Berkshire Berry (they are from the beautiful Berkshires in Mass) to Chai Spice, Creme Caramel, Dirty Chocolate (to DIE decadent), Earl Grey, Espresso Cookie, Green Tea, Lavender Honey and Mission Fig…just to name a few.

They even customize flavors for chefs who want something seasonal or wildly exotic.

 

 

 

 

Love, love, love the teeny tiny cones.  So fun for parties.

 

 

Vegetables are compatible with flowering plants, which Bartlett’s also grows.  Over the last decade they have built several new greenhouses, to keep up with the ever increasing demand for their crops and florals, now turned into gourmet grocery lines inside the market.

From one original years ago…they now use over 20 greenhouses for production.

 

 

 

 

Hanging baskets of Fuchsia always bring back childhood memories…

 

Wonderful gifts for any hostess, housewarming, or holiday await in the greenhouses and gardens.

 

 

And the flowers…ahhhhh….the flowers.

Rows upon rows of beauty awaits.

The Dahlia.

 

 

The perfect spheres of Allium.

 

 

The Roses, Rosa Rugosa, Garden Roses, ooh la la.

 

 

Scabiosa, ALWAYS at the top of my list for bouquets and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wouldn’t be Nantucket without Hydrangea at each and every turn.

 

 

They are known far and wide for their expertise in container gardening, and design many of our neighbor’s windowboxes and gardens each season.

 

 

The veg, done to perfection.

 

 

 

And the herbs – it is heaven to walk up and down the garden rows and inhale Mint…

 

 

 

 

Lavender, Rosemary, and more.

 

 

The children’s playhouse is divine.  They have thought of EVERYTHING these Bartletts.

 

 

 

To go along with all the Family Fest fun they of course devised the most brilliant children’s arts and crafts.  Only on Nantucket.

 

 

Too too cute for words.

 

Farmhands kicked into high kid’s gear, and face painted, tatooed, sidewalk chalk muraled, and so much more.

 

 

I had to peel my kids off the garden paths after endless HOURS of farming fun.

 

 

And after shopping the market for lunch and dinner nosh, we plopped down at the quaint farmhouse picnic tables, and munched on all the gourmet goodies in the summer sunshine.

first photo and history:  Bartlett Farm