5
Dec
Over a Century of Farming at McDonough's Farm
- Category: Local
The McDonough family has been farming on Gilligan Road in East Greenbush since 1920. At that time the farm grew vegetables, fruit and raised livestock. In he early 1960’s Paul McDonough started plating spruce trees on some of the farmland. After ten years, the trees were tall enough to market, so the McDonough family started selling them at a local gas station for $4 or $5 dollars.
Over the years, the Christmas tree business expanded as more fields were planted with trees. Jack McDonough now runs the business with his wife, Maureen. In order to get a good start of healthy trees, Jack purchases transplants from suppliers located in the U.S. In addition to planting, Jack mows, weeds, sprays and fertilizes the trees on a regular basis. To maintain a healthy crop for the Christmas season, Jack also provides irrigation for the growing trees and shears them periodically to achieve the perfect Christmas tree shape.
The McDonough Farm is a family affair. In addition to owners, Jack and Maureen, their son, Dave, is involved in the business along with other family members including their grandchildren. They help out especially during the busy Christmas tree season.
Although farming is a difficult business, the McDonough’s love what they do and feel blessed they are able to farm the land that has been in the family for three generations. Their hard-work and pride in what they do is evident in the beautiful Christmas trees they meticulously cultivate and care for.
McDonough’s Farm is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/McDonoughsFarm/.
