LITTLE FRUITLETS

Plums

 We are looking forward to the summer crops.   On my most recent walk in the orchard, I saw little green plums, peaches, apricots, and Asian Pears on  the trees.  Hopefully these will be blessed with good weather till maturity.  

Peaches

Asian Pears

Apricots

The ume (Japanese sour plum) crop looks better than usual.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Not much damage yet and a decent crop.  All that can change in the event of a hail storm or freeze. 

 

The garden is producing fresh veggies. We are selling salad mix with baby romaine and leaf lettuces.  Beets are on their way.  Turnips are about finished.  We have little carrot greens rising above the soil and potatoes just got planted.  There is a small stand of sugar snap peas.  I am beginning to see a few flowers. Unfortunately, it will be a small crop of snap peas this year. If the warm weather holds, we will begin to plant summer vegetables like squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.

 

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.

Vegetables:

Arugula:    Popular and tasty leafy green.  Popular in salads, stir fries, and on pizza. Young arugula is more mild. Mature leaves are often desired for their strong spicy flavor.

Komatsuna:  Tender leafy green vegetable, thought of as a Japanese spinach.  Taste is more like bok choy, mild with slight mustard flavor.  Can be added to salad, stir-fries, and soup. 

 

Turnips:    Turnips are a versatile vegetable.  Young turnips can be eaten raw in salads or with dips. Cooked turnips become tender and mild. They can be added to stir-fries, soup, stew, mashed or roasted.  The leaves can be cooked in stir-fries, soup, stew and with a bit of meat or eggs. Turnips and their leaves can also be pickled.

Salad Greens:  We have a tender mix of leafy green and baby romaine lettuces.

 

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.  

Hoshigaki strips:  Thin slices of hoshigaki for snacking.

Persimmon Pulp: Frozen pulp is available for baking or adding to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts or cereal. Some of our customers look forward to eating it like a popsicle!

 

CITRUS:

Valencia:  These are juicing oranges but most people just peel and eat like any other orange. They are sweet and very juicy.

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.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis might bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.   Currently no supply. 

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

 

Looks like snow or hail but it is olive blossoms on the ground.

 

Olive tree in bloom.

Honey bees visiting persimmon blossoms.

 

EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!

The characteristics of winter are quickly disappearing. We could certainly use more moist events like rain for our quickly drying soils and snow accumulation for our summer water needs.  Nonetheless, spring is upon us.   With the unusually hot dry spring we are already checking the irrigation lines.  We find big leaks, small leaks, misplaced tubing, missing emitters, and rodent damage. The apples and pears are blooming and the peaches and plums are showing small fruitlets.  All our bear root trees are planted and pruning is about finished.  Grass is growing like weeds and the weed eaters are buzzing.

  It is the time of year for me to inventory our trees. I make notes on which trees were removed and which new trees were planted. I walk up and down each row and make notes on my well worn map.  It is a nice time of year to be in the orchard, if you don't have allergies.  I look at the trees and to see how they are starting to grow for the coming season and what is the possibility of a crop. I was surprised to see what I thought were brown dry leaves among new lush green leaves.  Upon closer inspection I found that the brown leaves were actually a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.  

Parasitized aphid

 The vegetable garden is producing radishes, turnips, arugula and komatsuna.  We are watching for peas, lettuce, carrots, beets and broccolini. After setting small broccolini plants in the garden, they were visited by excited and hungry aphids.  Fortunately the aphids attracted an army of predators:  lady beetles, lace wings, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps. We occasionally go out to squash aphids but are letting the good bugs have a reason to stay.  We will need their help for the rest of the season.

Lady beetle larvae

White syrphid fly larvae

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.

Vegetables:

Arugula:    Popular and tasty leafy green.  Popular in salads, stir fries, and on pizza. Young arugula is more mild. Mature leaves are often desired for their strong spicy flavor.

Komatsuna:  Tender leafy green vegetable, thought of as a Japanese spinach.  Taste is more like bok choy, mild with slight mustard flavor.  Can be added to salad, stir-fries, and soup. 

 Radishes:  Fresh, crisp, red radishes. Mild flavor.  Beautiful addition to your salads.  While very popular in salad, radishes can also be cooked.  The greens can also be cooked or pickled like kimchi.

Turnips:    Turnips are a versatile vegetable.  Young turnips can be eaten raw in salads or with dips. Cooked turnips become tender and mild. They can be added to stir-fries, soup, stew, mashed or roasted.  The leaves can be cooked in stir-fries, soup, stew and with a bit of meat or eggs. Turnips and their leaves can also be pickled.

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.  

Hoshigaki strips:  Thin slices of hoshigaki for snacking.

Persimmon Pulp: Frozen pulp is available for baking or adding to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts or cereal. Some of our customers look forward to eating it like a popsicle!

 

CITRUS

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

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.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis might bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.   Currently no supply. 

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

 

FRUIT TREES IN BLOOM

 We often think of March 20th as the first day of spring.  Flowers everywhere and green grass.  Here at Otow Orchard, spring is already happening.  The blossoms of plums and pluots are falling on  the ground and light green leaflets are taking their place.  The pink blossoms of peaches and nectarines are blooming now.  They paint the trees with a swath of delicate pastel blooms.  I was delighted to see miniature Galaxy doughnut peaches and Blenheim apricots on the trees.

Now that we are getting fewer rain days, we have resumed pruning the rain sensitive trees:  peach, plum, nectarine and pluot.  We are clearing places to plant new trees. Digging holes and bringing compost to the holes.  Next we have to decide what to plant where. Currently we have a few bear root trees available:  peach, plum and apple.

The vegetables are getting a good start.  The hot house is  protecting tender tomato, pepper, eggplant, broccolini and lettuce plants. Several rows of vegetables are coming up in the garden. I see arugula, komatsuna, radishes, turnips, beets, and sugar snap peas. We are hoping some of these will be ready for sale in April. 

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.    

Hoshigaki strips:  Thin slices of hoshigaki for snacking.

Persimmon Pulp: Frozen pulp is available for baking or adding to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts or cereal. Some of our customers look forward to eating it like a popsicle!

 

CITRUS

Navel Oranges:   Sweet and juicy with traditional orange flavor.  

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.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis might bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.   Currently no supply. 

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

 

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.