Mid April freeze defined the outcome for many crops this year. We see damage in some of the apples, grapes, plums and persimmons. There are no mulberries and no early apricots. With cool early morning temperatures we are just now getting our summer vegetable crops in the ground. It's a slow start but maybe the production will last longer into the fall.
However little, recent rains 🌧 have been welcome. The moisture has allowed us to reduce hours of irrigation and the cooler temperature has reduced moisture loss due to evaporation. Some areas received hail damage. We managed to dodge a severe hail storm so far.
The workers are now thinning Asian pears. They are also busy weed eating around the base of trees. Weeds are happy with the rain we have been getting. We would like to get out and mow the row middles but that will have to wait till the tractor gets repaired. If you come for a walk in the orchard you will notice that we have a healthy crop of weeds. 🙁
We are now watching the loquat slowly coloring. They are a pale yellow, not quite ready for harvest.
Ume (sour Japanese plum) is getting some size and a little less green. The crop is lighter than last year. Ume is used in Asian cultures to make pickles, jam, or flavorings for drinks. If you want ume, please let us know very soon so we can add you to our list. Call us at (916) 300 0720 or send us an email at otoworchard@yahoo.com. We may possibly get some ume from other producers.
Vegetables have started to come in from WoodRose Country Gardens in Granite Bay. This is a neighborhood farm that uses organic practices. She is bringing us fresh potatoes, spinach, beans, peas, lettuce, arugula, and herbs. Come check it out.
Not too cold, not too hot, and just the right amount of sunlight. This makes for happy hens that are glad to produce eggs. If eggs have a season, it is now. La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis has beautiful fresh brown eggs to show off. Hope you will try a dozen.
We are still looking for a part time worker. If you know of a student, retired person, or someone who needs a little spending money we would love to interview him or her. The job description is listed in the previous blog entry below. April 25. 2022.
SLOW SEASON HOURS:
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY 11:30 TO 1:30
FRIDAY, SATURDAY 10:00 TO 6:00
SUNDAY 11:00 TO 5:00
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Since we are often at the farm anyway, you may call us to arrange for other times.
Farm Stand: (916) 791-1656
Mobile phone: (916) 300-0720
Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard
Valencia oranges (limited supply)
Yellow grapefruit
Eureka lemons 🍋
Hachiya: frozen pulp
Ume (pre orders only)
Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard. Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard
⚘ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm
Here is what we have from other producers:
Stoney Point Orchard in Loomis (organic certified): Pink grapefruit.
WoodRose Country Gardens in Granite Bay: (organic practices) Potatoes, beans, snow peas, 🥬lettuce, arugula, spinach, white bulb onions 🧅, green onions, cilantro, Greek oregano, rosemary, thyme.
Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Honey🍯. Top of the Hill Apiary also has bees wax 🐝.
La Bella Vito Farm is bringing us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.
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