Oranges on Sale

We have juicy and sweet oranges on sale at the fruit stand for $8.00 for a 6 pound bag, or two bags for $12.  Right now we at the fruit stand we also have lots of blood oranges, eureka lemons, yellow grapefruit, kiwi and Asian pear at the fruit stand, along with the very last satsuma mandarins. Blemished fruit for juicing is available, too.

Orchard News & Fruit Stand

Blossoming ume tree in front of the lemon and orange trees

Some of the first trees started blooming in the orchard.  First to bloom are the ume ("oo-meh") trees.  Ume is a small sour Japanese plum that's usually preserved.  The blossoms have a banana-like scent that hangs in the air.  Pluots and early plums have started budding but haven't blossomed yet.  We are finishing pruning persimmon trees and soon will start planting some of the new bare root trees from that we ordered this year.

We've been starting tomatoes and other vegetables by seed in the hot house.  These will be planted out in the gardens in early April.    

At the fruit stand we have mandarins,  navel oranges,  blood oranges, Eureka lemons, Asian pear,  kiwi, butternut squash and hoshigaki. We also have eggs, 100 percent beeswax candles,  and Joanne Neft and Laura Kenny's The Art of Real Food Cookbook .

We're still taking mail orders for hoshigaki (Japanese hand-dried persimmons).  You can get to the order form here on our website.

Hoshigaki Still Available

The rooster by a grapefruit tree

We still have hoshigaki (Japanese hand-dried persimmon) available from our orchard and also from Pleasant Hill Orchard in Newcastle.  Pleasant Hill orchard is a small orchard owned by the Nodahara family.  Pleasant Hill's hoshigaki is very sweet with fluffy sugar formed on the outside. Right now, there are three ways you can get hoshigaki from us.  

The best way to get hoshigaki is to just stop by the fruit stand, if you're able to. At the fruit stand we have Premium and grade A hoshigaki in various sized packages, as well as hoshigaki strips.  Another way is to order hoshigaki through mail order.  You can print out the order form, fill it out and mail it to us with a check.  We have both Otow Orchard hoshigaki and Pleasant Hill hoshigaki for a few dollars less per pound available through mail order.

A third way to get hoshigaki is to make an order through the Sierra Foothills Producer's Cooperative.  The Producers Co-op delivers once a month to five different sites around our area, including at our fruit stand.  Through the Producers Co-op you can also order locally produced meat, cheese, jams, sauces, and honey.  For February delivery, you must make your order online by 4:00 PM Feb. 8th.  Delivery at our orchard is Feb. 15th from 4:00-4:30. 
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