THIS IS WHAT OCTOBER BRINGS

     Along with apples, Asian pears and pomegranates, we are harvesting jujube.  This ancient fruit has crisp texture, edible skin, and a sweet-tart flavor like an apple. They are just the right size for snacking. They can be eaten from yellow to brown or even dried and wrinkled.  They contain many vitamins and minerals and are especially rich in vitamin C.  People have been known to eat jujube for a sore throat and other health benefits. I hope you will come try a few.

      At this time of year, many of our customers are starting to look for persimmons: fresh or dry, crisp or soft, orange, yellow, brown or sugary.  We are also waiting for the season to get going.  We see color on the fruit but most are still showing some green.  Another lesson in patience.

If you are interested in mail ordering hoshigaki this year, please check our web site after mid October for the mail order details.  This year we will not be sending out email reminders to past customers.  We are trying to be more efficient with our time and energy. Also, last year produced less hoshigaki than was requested so our energy needs to focus on the process not the emailing.  Check the web site, get your check and order form to us in the mail.  While on this topic, let me talk about cost.  While shipping and handling has been increasing, the price we charge for hoshigaki has remained the same since 2013.  This is not sustainable for us so you will see a rise in price this year.  For customers picking up hoshigaki at the farm stand,please call about availability and make your order.

IN THE FARM STAND
From Otow Orchard:
Asian Pears:  20th Century, Shinko,Yoi, Yali, Olympic
European Pears:  D Anjou
Pomegranates:  White and pink pomegranates
Apples:  Fuji, Reinette Simerenko
Jujube: Li Jujube
Quince

Vegetables:
Tomatoes:  very limited supply
Cherry tomatoes:  Sungold
Summer squash: yellow and green zucchini
Winter squash: Kabocha, Delicata
Cucumber: limited supply
Tomatillos
Peppers:  sweet peppers
Chile peppers:  Aji Limon, Jalapenos, Feher Ozon, Shishito
Okra
Basil


From Sunnyslope Farm:
Fresh chestnuts

Also available:  Honey, 100% Beeswax Candles, Good Stuff Jam, Calendula Salve and Lip Balm, 2018 Placer County Master Gardeners Calenders, Firewood

ASIAN PEAR SEASON

Asian Pear season is upon us.  Asian pears are eaten when firm like an apple. We have several different varieties.  20th Century (Nijiseiki) is a sweet, yellow, crisp and juicy variety that is very popular in Japan.   New Century (Shinseiki) is a large round yellow pear that is crunchy and sweet.  Yali is shaped like a Bartlett pear but has the crisp, sweet and juicy texture of an Asian pear.   Yoi is a very sweet, crisp, juicy and almost caramel flavored pear. Shinko Asian pears are sweet, juicy and have a nice crunch.  If you can't decide which pear you would like, please ask for a sample.  On the horizon are pomegranates, jujube, persimmons and quince.

AVAILABLE IN THE FARM STAND
From Otow Orchard:
Peaches:  a few Late Alamar and Summerset
Plums:  Casselman
Asian Pears:  20th Century, New Century, Yoi, Shinko, Yali
European Pears:  Bartlett
Pomegranates:  a few white pomegranates
Apples:  Red Delicious, Golden Delicious
Figs:  Black Mission, Brown Turkey, White Figs, Green figs
Jujube: Li Jujube

Vegetables:  Tomatoes, Summer squash, Winter squash (Kabocha, Delicata),      Eggplant, Cucumber, Tomatillos, Long Beans, Peppers (sweet peppers, chile peppers), Okra, Basil

Also available:  Honey, 100% Beeswax Candles, Good Stuff Jam, Calendula Salve and Lip Balm, 2018 Placer County Master Gardeners Calenders