At this time of year most of our trees are empty. No fruit and no leaves. The trees are being pruned and we are busy cleaning up the orchard branches as well as cleaning up trees damaged in the recent storms. Days are getting longer. If you go for a walk in the orchard you will see Japanese apricots have finished their bloom and we see some very small fruit on the branches. Apricots are starting to bloom. Next will be the white pluot and plum blossoms. In March we expect pink peach and nectarine blossoms.
We have started to plant vegetable seeds in trays in the hot house. Little tomato and eggplants will soon be germinating. These will go into our summer gardens. Outside we are cleaning up last year's gardens and adding mulch to our vegetable beds. We usually wait till March and April to actually put plants and seeds into the ground. There is always the possibility of more freezing temperatures.
Hoshigaki is still available at the farm stand and through mail order. For mail orders please click on mail order form here.
A bit of proud grandparent news. February 13 we welcomed into the world a little boy named Zachary. He doesn't know it yet but he may grow up to be a farmer.
The Farm Stand is now on modified winter hours. Short hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Regular hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please call to arrange for other options (916) 300-0720.
HEADS UP: There is a sign at Eureka and Barton Road. "CLOSED FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION. 2/13 TO 4/28". I believe it is a water project. At the present time you are allowed to get to our driveway from Auburn Folsom Road onto Eureka. Just tell the person directing traffic that you are going to the farm.
SLOW SEASON HOURS
TUES, WED, TH: 11:30 TO 1:30
FRI, SAT: 10:0 TO 6:00
SUN: 11:00 TO 5:00
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard:
Hoshigaki:
Satsuma Mandarins: Easy to peel, sweet and juicy. Very few seeds this year.
Kiwi: Fuzzy brown fruit with green interior and strawberry like flavor. At this time they are firm and tart.
Navel Oranges: Popular sweet, juicy and flavorful oranges.
Yellow Grapefruit: Flavorful and juicy. Sweet tart with a wonderfully bitter background.
Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.
Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.
⚘ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm
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| Most bee boxes are helping to pollinate almond orchards in the valley. |
Dehydrated mandarins.
Here is what we have from other producers:
Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Honey🍯. Top of the Hill Apiary also has bees wax 🐝.
La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis will bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens when the chickens start to produce again. (Please call ahead.)
Pleasant Hill Farm in Newcastle (no spray): Cara Cara oranges and Navel oranges
Mihara Farm in Newcastle: Satsuma mandarins are sweet and easy to peel.
Lupi Farm in Granite Bay (no spray): Meyer Lemons: These are fragrant and tasty lemons. They are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. They are favored because they are lower in acidity and sweeter than the regular lemon.
Kijani Farm in Granite Bay (organic practices): Butternut squash. |
| Pruned pear tree. |
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| Swollen buds ready to blossom. |
