PERSIMMONS AND MANDARINS

     We are a bit surprised that mandarin production is quickly getting into full swing.  Farmers in Placer County are arranging for harvesters to come in to gather the crop in their mandarin orchard. Mandarins ripen more quickly in the foothills above us, so as we wait for our crop to arrive, we are getting them from other local growers. Hope you can come pick up a bag of sweet juicy mandarins.

ATTENTION HOSHIGAKI CUSTOMERS
     Hoshigaki, dried persimmons, are being more challenging this year.  With the warmer weather this fall and low humidity, our hoshigaki seems to have a different character.  Not to worry.  We are getting some quality hoshigaki from two local producers who have been making hoshigaki longer than Tosh and me.  It has been a joint effort. They started the drying and let us finish off their hoshigaki so it can resemble the soft textured hoshigaki our customer have grown to love. Because these farms are located in the foothills, their fruits are rich in flavor and sweetness.  We are asking all mail order customers to let us know if they would like to receive hoshigaki from these other producers if Otow Orchard hoshigaki is not available at the time they wish to receive their order.

       We still have plenty of Fuyu, apple type, persimmons.  My favorites are the fickle brown fleshed persimmons: Maru, Nagamaru, chocolate, and Hyakume.  When these are sweet they are intense.  It is even worth getting an astringent one once in awhile.  And if you really are afraid of getting an astringent brown fleshed persimmon, be sure to try the Vodka persimmon.  This is the Hyakume that has been treated with Vodka to sweeten it 100%.

      It is time for Granny Smith apples. These apple are unique because they resist browning when cut.  They are great for apple pie, apple crisp, and applesauce. Although known for their tang, our Grannys are sweet, and flavorful and need a little lemon juice when cooked.

      White pomegranates had a very short season. Red pomegranates are starting to show up in the farm stand now.

Official Statement: We have NO pick-your-own activities.

 May to February Hours:

Tu to Sat:   10 am to 6 pm

             Sun:       11 am to 5 pm

    Closed on Mondays

Here's what we have in the farm stand from Otow Orchard:
Asian pears: Shinko, and Okusankichi
Apple:  Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady
Persimmons: Brown fleshed persimmons: Maru, Chocolate, and Hyakume
                      Fuyu persimmons (Always sweet, eat like an apple)
                      Hachiya and Gyombo persimmons (These must be soft
                            to be sweet)
                      Vodka persimmons: treated with Vodka to assure sweetness
Hoshigaki, hand dried persimmons
Quince: Ancient fruit, high in pectin
Pomegranates: Red pomegranates
Herbs:  rosemary, lemon balm
Walnuts: shelled and unshelled
Calendula Salve
Honey from Otow Orchard
Winter squash: Butternut, and Kabocha.

This is what we have from other producers:
Apples from Sunnyslope Farm:  Granny Smith
Jams from The Good Stuff
Winter vegetables from BarlyOats Farm
Honey  from Top O' The Hill Apiary
Bee pollen from Top O' The Hill Apiary
2019 Master Gardener Calendar