This week we started harvesting some peaches and plums. Slowly we are beginning to see peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines ripening on the trees. Not enough to make all our customers happy. Hopefully they can be patient. And when we let a small tray go out the door we try to caution people to let the fruit set on the counter a couple days to bring out the flavor and sweetness and juice.
In the peach department, we are harvesting Flavorcrest, a yellow freestone peach. I never think these early freestone peaches like to come apart as easily as the later peaches. A few Red Haven and Regina peaches have shown up and will hopefully be at their peak in a week.
In the plum department, the Santa Rosas are quickly coming to maturity. I'll be sorting a hundred boxes this week. These all time favorite plum will be available for about a month. Occasionally we get a few red flesh plums: Burgundy, Black Splendor, and Frontier.
Apricot season was unusually productive. We are winding down the apricot season with Royal Blenheim.
We have cleaned up the citrus trees. Next year's crop is already hanging on the trees. They are still very small and very green. This year's Eureka lemons and Valencia oranges that we harvested will keep nicely in the cool room for a few weeks.
The time we put into our gardens is starting to pay off. Slowly we are getting zucchini and yellow summer squash. Armenian and Japanese cucumber are also starting their harvest. The tomatoes are still green although I am beginning to pick some cherry tomatoes.
Hours
Tues thru Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 to 5:00
Closed on Mondays
Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard.
Apricots:
Blenheim (Royal): Old and very popular variety. Although small, this variety is aromatic and full of flavor. Don't be fooled by the greenish shoulders, the Blenheim is juicy and sweet with tangy background. Customers keep coming back for them. Blenheims are used for canning baking, drying and fresh eating.
PEACHES
Flavorcrest: Yellow freestone peach. Tasty early season firm fleshed peach. Juicier and sweeter when left to ripen on the counter.
Regina: Yellow freestone peach. Sweet and juicy as it ripens.
Red Haven: Yellow freestone peach. Great flavor, sweet and juicy.
PLUMS
Santa Rosa: Old sought after variety for their rich aromatic flavor. Early season Santa Rosa have yellow flesh that is sweet tart. Late season Santa Rosa have red flesh and are all sweet. Soon their fragrance will fill our farm stand. They are great for fresh eating and have been known to win jam contest for their flavor and sweet tart contrast.
Jade Nectarines: Sweet and tasty white nectarine. Limited Supply.
Figs: Black Mission and Panache figs. Breba crop. Limited Supply.
Hoshigaki :
These are whole dried persimmons. They were hand massaged while they
dried 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. Hoshigaki are now available in the farm
stand. Contact us for large on-farm
pick-up orders. (916) 791-1656 or email at otowochard@yahoo.com.
Hoshigaki strips: These are pieces of hoshigaki sliced for easy snacking.
Hachiya Pulp: Frozen
Hachiya persimmon pulp is available. Often used to make cookies,
puddings and breads. Many customers put it on yogurt and oatmeal or
add it to their smoothie.
Eureka Lemons: These are very tart lemons. Great for contrast in sweet and sour recipes like: lemonade, lemon meringue pie, sweet and sour pork, and lemon bars.
Valencia Oranges: Sweet juicing oranges.
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.
Summer Squash:
Green and Yellow Zucchini.
Yellow crookneck
Cucumbers:
Armenian: Light and dark green in color. Young cucumbers have few seeds. Background flavor of melon.
Asian cucumbers: Bumpy or spiny. Long green seedless cucumbers. Sweet, flavorful and often burpless. Melon rind-like flavor.
Here is what we have from other producers:
Stoney Point Orchard, Loomis, CA organic certified:
Rio Red Grapefruit: Juicy and sweet with a bit of tartness. Flesh is pink.
La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis is bringing us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens. Limited supply.
Onions: La Bella Vito Farm is bringing us red, yellow, and white onions sustainably grown in Loomis, CA.
Fresh Bouquets

Krumel Family no spray: Black mission figs.