PEACHES AND PEARS

       Sadly, peach trees are nearly empty.  There are a few varieties still hanging on but the load is light.  With the hot temperatures some of the peaches are likely to bake on the tree. Their texture becomes a little like peach pie. Hope you were fortunate to get some peaches this summer.  Now it is time for the peach trees to prepare for their 2023 crop and get some rest.    

       We would also like to get some rest but we can't tell the fruit to stop maturing.  So, as peach season fades away, fall crops are starting to come in.  A few bartlett pears are fading green and changing from their hard crunch to a soft smooth sweet texture. European pears are out numbered by the Asian pears.  We are now harvesting 5 varieties: Hosui, 20th Century, Yoi, Shinko and New Century.  Normally we would be starting to have apples but it looks like the crop is light this year.  Apples were intentionally planted in colder parts of the orchard since they can withstand colder temperatures. Unfortunately the freeze we had in April was too cold for them. A few apple trees planted in other parts of the orchard did survive.  That same freeze damaged peaches, plums and persimmons.  We are harvesting 3 varieties of figs:  Brown turkey, Black Mission, and Panache and two varieties of grapes:  Red Purlett and Thompson seedless.

      Summer vegetables are pushing on with cucumbers, squash, okra, tomatoes, beans, tomatillos, and chilis. WoodRose Country Garden is bringing  ambrosia melons, watermelon and lettuce.  Kijani Farm has several varieties of fresh kale and Rainbow chard.

REGULAR  SEASON HOURS:

TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY  10:00  TO  6:00

                            SUNDAY      11:00 TO 5:00

CLOSED ON MONDAYS

 Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard

Casselman plums:  Yellow fleshed, crisp,sweet and juicy.  Great flavor.

Yellow freestone peaches: 🍑

               Summerset:  Best tasting late season peach.  Sweet, juicy and great flavor.

                Fairtime:  Sweet and juicy with a little tang.  Good flavor.

Cling peaches:

           Bowen:  This is a cling peach with firm sweet texture.  The firm flesh clings to the seed.  You must carve the flesh off the seed or just eat it out of hand.

Asian Pears:

           Hosui:  early season brown Asian pear.  Very sweet.

           20th Century:  Yellow skinned fresh crisp and juicy.  Very refreshing.

           New Century:  This yellow pear is very sweet, juicy and crisp.  

           Yoi:   Sweet brown Asian pear.  Caramal flavor.

           Shinko:  Sweet brown Asian pear.  Good crunch and juicy.

Bartlett pear:  This European pear is soft and juicy when turning yellow.

Figs:  

            Brown Turkey:  brown skin with sweet pink flesh.

            Panache:   Often called Tiger Stripe.  Large fruit has green skin and pink flesh.  Very sweet.

            Black Mission :  Most common variety and well loved for its sweetness and texture.

Hachiya:  frozen persimmon pulp.

Grapes:

           Thompson seedless:  Small yellow seedless grapes. Sweet and juicy.

           Red Purlett:  Lavendar red skin and sweet seedless berries.

Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard. Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard 

⚘ Calendula  Salve and Lip Balm 

Summer Squash:  Zucchini, Yellow squash   

Japanese Eggplant:  small tender eggplant. Great for stir-fry or making pickles.  (limited supply)

Tomatoes : 🍅Slicing, Salad, and cherry

Asian cucumbers:  🥒Crisp and flavorful. Seedless and burpless.  Many people are enjoying eating them out of hand.  Just wash and take a bite.

Long beans:  long green beans, use like regular green beans. These are tender and cook quickly.

Hot peppers:

         Buena Mulata hot peppers.

         Jalapenos

         Aji Amarillos:  Peruvian chili peppers

         Shishito:  Japanese chili peppers that may or may not be hot.

Tomatillos:  green tomato like vegetable often used in green salsa.

Okra:  Little green slimy vegetable.

 

Here is what we have from other producers:

 Sunnyslope Farm in Granite Bay,Conventionally Grown:  O'Henry peaches: Sweet juicy yellow freestone. (limited supply).

WoodRose Country Gardens in Granite Bay: (organic practices) Red, white and purple potatoes, 🧅, Shallots, garlic, summer squash, lemon cucumbers, cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, eggplant, bell peppers, 🌶Jalapenos, Serrano, Slicing tomatoes, San Marzano tomatoes (Roma type), cherry tomatoes, Greek oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil.  If you are lucky you might snag one of her melons: Ambrosia or watermelon.

Kijani Farm in Granite Bay:(organic practices)  Fresh Swiss chard, kale, and cherry tomatoes on the vine.

Lupi Farm in Granite Bay:  No spray production. Black Mission figs.

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Honey🍯. Top of the Hill Apiary also has bees wax 🐝.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis is bringing us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.