SLOW SEASON

SLOW SEASON BUT NOT FOR LONG.    Bee boxes are gone for now.  Bees are busy pollinating almonds in the Sacramento Valley.  They will return in March or April.  Meanwhile, our orchard is starting to bloom, but no worries, most of our varieties are self fruitful. If not, they are assisted by native pollinators and the wind.

Between rain storms, we are busy pruning trees.  We are concentrating on  the stone fruit: peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines.  We tend to leave the apricots and the cherries alone. We try to finish the pruning before the fruit sets on the trees. This week I see white puffy plum and pluot blossoms.  Later this month the pink peach blossoms will dot the orchard.  And so signs of a new season start.  

 

 

 

 

Thoughts of yummy vegetables tingle my palate.  Vegetable gardens are taking shape. The seed beds are manually formed and irrigation tape put in place.  A few  beds are planted with arugula, komatsuna, radish, turnips, beets and snap peas.  Look for some of these offerings at the end of March.  We have started tomato plants in the hot house. 

 

SLOW SEASON HOURS

February to mid May:

Tues, Wed, and Thurs:  11:30 am to 1:30 pm

 Fri and Sat:  10 am to 6 pm

 Sunday                   CLOSED

 Monday                 CLOSED

 

You may request an appointment if you need a different time We will try to accommodate. Call my mobile phone and LEAVE A MESSAGE.  (916) 300-0720.

Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard.

Hoshigaki :  These are whole dried persimmons.  They are hand massaged while they dry over a period of four to eight weeks.  Some are firm, others are soft and moist.  All are coated with naturally formed white persimmon sugar.  No sugar added and no preservatives used. We strive to make the best hoshigaki without any shortcuts.  This takes time and attention during the drying season.  We are currently selling hoshigaki at the farm stand. For on farm orders of more than 1 pound it is best to email or call us to make a pre order.  For mail orders please use our 2025  mail order form.    

CITRUS

Navel Oranges:   Sweet and juicy with traditional orange flavor.  

Clementine Mandarins:  Sweet  and juicy with distinct flavor. Thin skin. Source for vitamin C.

Yellow Grapefruit:  Our yellow grapefruit are small but mighty in flavor. Sweet and juicy.

 

Kiwi:  Green fleshed Kiwi from our vines.  The fuzzy fruit. Now getting soft and sweet with a tangy background.

Local Honey  Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard. Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard is also available.

⚘ Calendula  Salve and Lip Balm:  Wonderfully thick salve for healing dry skin, bug bites and scrapes.   

Here is what we have from other producers:

Lupi Farm in Granite Bay, No spray.

Meyer Lemons:   These sought after lemons are less acidic than regular lemons. They have a thin peel often used for its fragrant zest.  Meyer are rounder than regular lemons with a dark yellow skin.

 Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln. No spray.

Navel Oranges:  Juicy and sweet. Orange flesh. Refreshing,and flavorful orange.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis might bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.  Chickens are currently molting so egg production is low.  Also, production is limited by short daylight hours. Currently no supply. Production should increase in March.  Limited supply.

     Vanilla Exract:  Homemade in Loomis, CA at La Bella Vito Farm. Fragrant vanilla flavoring from Madagascar vanilla beans.

 

 

The California Persimmon:  A book published by the ANR covering history and background of persimmons. Contains many new and traditional persimmon recipes.