Citrus, Eggs and Greens

Chickens dust-bathing at the edge of my garden

Now is the season for eggs.  This is the time of the year that the chickens are laying the most prolifically. Even our older chickens have been laying an egg every few days.  It's also the end of citrus season and the beginning of herbs and greens.  Out in the gardens the Swiss chard and herbs are growing well in the late spring weather.

In the fruit stand we have grapefruit, lemons, Swiss chard, oregano, mint, hoshigaki, and fresh local free range eggs. You can also still order hoshigaki (Japanese hand dried persimmon) through mail order.

We have been busy in the orchard dealing with irrigation issues, mowing and thinning fruit from the trees. We've been getting the vegetable  gardens ready to plant by turning in compost and setting up watering. Some things like beans, garlic and zucchini are already planted.

New Spring Hoshigaki Mail Order Choices

Close up view of Hoshigaki Strips

We now have hoshigaki strips for sale through mail order.  Previously hoshigaki strips were only available for sale at our fruit stand.  Hoshigaki strips are cut from whole peeled persimmons dried in the traditional style by a native Japanese farmer in Newcastle, CA.  The strips are dusted with natural persimmon sugar. Any seeds have been removed. They're easy to share since they're already cut and are just right for a snack.  

We also have hoshigaki from the Nodahara family of Pleasant Hill Orchard in Newcastle, too.  These are whole hoshigaki (hand dried persimmons) with a soft texture and sweetness and natural fluffy sugar. 

The 2012 season hoshigaki from our orchard available now is not as soft and moist those offered earlier in the season.  We also have 2011 season Otow Orchard hoshigaki for sale through through mail order.  Both of these types of hoshigaki are at a discounted price.  Small amounts of non-premium Otow orchard hoshigaki are still for sale in the fruit stand. 

If you'd like to make an order please send it in as soon as possible.  We hope to finish mail orders in the Spring weeks before the weather gets too hot and the sugar risks melting.