Self-guided Maple Experience returns June 1

Thanks to all who joined our New Hampshire Maple Experience this spring! We had nearly 700 visitors during the seven days of Maple tours, and it seems a good time was had by all.

If you missed the fun during sugaring season, no worries – the Maple Experience at The Rocks Estate returns June 1, when we’ll open the interactive and informative Maple museum to self-guided tours.

As always, the extensive trails system at The Rocks is open daily, year-round. Maps are available at the information kiosk adjacent to the parking lot, and visitors (humans and leashed canines) are welcome to walk the trails from dawn to dusk.

Consider bringing your smart phone along as you explore the historic Rocks Estate. That way, you can take advantage of our new Mobile Tour. With more than a dozen Quick Response (QR) codes, the Mobile Tour enables smart phone users to pull up information about the history, wildlife habitat, and forest management efforts at The Rocks.

And, yes, there’s information about the Maple Experience on the Mobile Tour, too!

Rocks Estate to host Maple Dinner April 14

If you love good food, you won’t want to miss our Second Annual Maple Dinner at The Rocks Estate! Last year’s inaugural Maple Dinner earned rave reviews, and we anticipate this year’s event to sell out quickly, so be sure to make your reservation early.

“This is a great way to celebrate spring and the conclusion of our maple sugaring season and to enjoy local food,” said Nigel Manley, manager of The Rocks Estate.

The Maple Dinner will be held April 14^th at The Rocks, beginning at 6 p.m. Cost for the Maple Dinner is $40 per person, with $10 from each dinner donated to The Rocks Project Fund, which supports the year-round educational programs at The Rocks. The Rocks Estate is the North Country Conservation and Education Center of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

Returning to wow diners is Chef Joe of Sugar Hill, who will incorporate maple syrup throughout the menu. Dishes will include wood-roasted pork loin with apple maple cream, baked haddock with toasted walnuts and maple drizzle, roasted red potatoes, fresh grilled vegetables, and apple crisp with fresh cream. The Woodstock Inn Station &Brewery will offer two of its local micro-brewed beers to accompany the meal.

To make reservations or for more information, please e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.

Happy Christmas, from The Rocks Estate!

From all of us at The Rocks Estate ~ We wish you a very Happy Christmas!

Thanks to all who visited the farm this season or ordered a tree, wreath, or other great items from our online shop. And for you late shoppers, The Rocks will be open through Christmas Eve – so if you haven’t found a beautiful farm fresh Christmas tree yet, c’mon over!

If you’ve already trimmed your tree and are wondering how to get a Rocks Estate fix during the rest of the year, we invite you to visit our New Hampshire Maple Experience at The Rocks, including an interactive museum and a working sugar house. We run Maple Tours in the early weeks of spring, but the Maple Experience museum is open to self-guided tours year-round.

We also have several trails at The Rocks, which are open for meandering and exploration daily. Our new Rocks Mobile Tour allows visitors to use their smart phones to learn more about The Rocks’ history and the property’s current role as the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

So, there’s plenty to explore at The Rocks during the New Year!

Happy holidays!

Keeping your Rocks Estate Christmas tree farm fresh

Once you’ve selected your farm fresh Christmas tree from The Rocks Estate, there are a few things you can do to keep it fresh and fragrant through the holidays. When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water, so much of keeping your tree happy involves making sure it’s able to take in the water it needs. Here are some tips from The Rocks for keeping your Christmas tree farm fresh!

* Before you set your tree up, cut the bottom ½-inch from the trunk. Then place your Christmas tree in water.

* Make sure your tree stand is the right size for your tree – and that it can hold plenty of water in the reservoir. Christmas tree stands should provide a quart of water per inch of stem diameter. (You’ll find Christmas tree stands, watering spouts, and other great accessories at the farm or The Rocks' online shop.) * Check the water level regularly to ensure the base of the tree is submerged.

* Keep your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators to prevent excessive drying.

* Use Christmas tree lights that produce only low heat to prevent drying. Lights should be inspected prior to use and replaced if they are worn. And they should always be turned off when you’re leaving the house or going to bed!

* When you’re ready to bid adieu to your Christmas tree after the holidays, check with your local transfer station on recycling options. Christmas trees should never be burned in a wood stove or fireplace, as they create creosote and can lead to a chimney fire.

For more tips on keeping your tree farm fresh, visit the New Hampshire Christmas Tree’s tree care page.

Mail order, music, magic and more Christmas!

We’re in the full swing of the holiday season at The Rocks Estate

and hope you’ll join us for some fabulously festive fun! From horse-drawn wagon rides and roasted marshmallows to one-of-a-kind gifts and – of course – the most beautiful farm fresh Christmas trees, we have everything you need to get into the holiday spirit.

If you can’t quite make it to the farm to select a tree from our retail lot or choose-and-cut one from our fields, we invite you to visit our online gift shop, where you may order fresh, fragrant Christmas trees, handmade wreaths, ornaments, gifts – everything you need for the holidays! To ensure holiday delivery, Christmas trees should be ordered by December 15^th.

Those who visit us at The Rocks will find plenty to keep them busy and entertained – on the farm and off. A sampling of holiday happenings in Bethlehem includes the Annual Cookie Walk at The Gallery at WREN (yum!) on December 10^th, The Magic of Christmas magic show at the Bethlehem Public Library at noon December 10^th, a guided Full Moon Snowshoe tour at the Adair Country Inn at 5:30 p.m. December 11^th, and Adair’s annual Christmas concert December 17^th. The Inns and Arts Tour of the North Country, featuring the works of local artists and receptions at area inns, runs through December 10^th.

We hope to see you soon ~ and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Holiday Shopping at The Rocks Estate

We love Christmas at The Rocks Estate! From our beautiful, fragrant, farm fresh Christmas trees and handmade wreaths, to our two shops and our festive activities, we strive to be a one-stop holiday destination.

While you’re visiting the farm – either in person or at our online shop – we invite you to peruse our fine selection of gifts and holiday decorations. With two shops at the farm, we’re sure you’ll find something for everyone on your list!

Our Rocks Marketplace features Fair Trade offerings and unique items from several New England artisans, running the gamut from pet goods and holiday ornaments to jewelry and home goods.

Our Farm Store showcases some of the goods produced from The Rocks during our other seasons, including maple syrup made from the sap of the sugar maple trees on the farm as part of our New Hampshire Maple Experience. You’ll also find jams and jellies, Rocks t-shirts and mugs, ornaments and decorations. The store also sells The Rocks’ famous birch deer, with proceeds donated to Trees for Troops, and pottery from local artisan (and former Olympic ski racer) Joan Hannah.

We hope you’ll make The Rocks Estate a part of your holidays this year!

Open for the Holidays at The Rocks Estate

The Rocks Estate is now open for the holiday season!

Our fields of Christmas trees await you – come search the rows of fragrant firs to find your perfect tree, or select one from our retail lot at the farm.

With plenty of festive holiday cheer and beautiful Christmas card scenery, The Rocks invites visitors to make a day of selecting a farm fresh Christmas tree for trimming, perusing our shop for gifts and ornaments, and enjoying the historic Rocks Estate property during a horse-drawn wagon ride.

The Rocks also has several festive events planned throughout the holiday season…

Our own special Green Santa will return to The Rocks this year, spreading holiday cheer. Children are invited to have their picture taken with our Green “Eco” Santa, who will give the gift of a fir tree seedling to each child. Green Santa will be at The Rocks the following Saturdays: November 26^th, December 3^rd, and December 10^th.

Add a special Christmas touch to your holiday cards this year! Employees from the Bethlehem post office will be at The Rocks each Saturday afternoon and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with the town’s special holiday cancellation stamp. Created many years ago, the stamp features a group of Christmas trees reaching toward a bright star. So be sure to bring your Christmas cards along when you come to The Rocks for your tree!

The Rocks is also supporting Trees for Troops again this year. Trees for Troops collaborates with Christmas tree growers throughout the country to provide farm fresh Christmas trees to U.S. military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. This year the program will deliver its 100,000^th tree! Check out our Birch Deer during your visit to The Rocks. All proceeds from sales of the Birch Deer support Trees for Troops. The Rocks also offers Trees for Troops teddy bears, sold by the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association to benefit Trees for Troops.

To learn more about what’s happening at The Rocks, we invite you to view our informative YouTube videos – and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook. And, of course, our online shop is always open!