For months our farm stand has been lean, few peaches, few plums, almost no apricots or nectarines. Then tomatoes arrived and filled most of the tables. Now fall fruits are arriving and varieties are expanding. While we still have summer fruits and vegetables there are some newer arrivals.
Figs are back on the scene. Our orchard is producing Black Mission, Brown Turkey, and Panache figs. Lupi Farm is bringing us Black Mission. This second crop produces smaller fruit, but the flavor and texture are very good.
We are beginning to harvest pears. A few early season Asian pears are now ready. We are now starting to harvest 20th Century, Kikusui, New Century, Shinko and Yoi. The Bartlett pears have been in cold storage for a couple weeks. We are now starting to bring them out as they take on a more yellow glow.
Currently we can offer Gala apples. Beautiful red and yellow skin covers sweet crisp flesh. Recently harvested, they do not taste like stored apples. Still hanging on the tree and taking their time to mature are Red Delicious and Fuji apples. Later.
Grapes, grapes, grapes. Now is the season. There are seeded and seedless grapes. We have green, black, red, and purple grapes. Some are small and some are big. There are mild to intense flavored grapes as well as tart and sweet grapes.
Stone fruit should not be entirely left out yet. There are still peaches from Sunnyslope Farm. Our orchard is producing a few plums. Stoney Point Orchard in Loomis brought us Kelsey plums a very popular sweet green plum.
Garden vegetables are still producing tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, beans, peppers, chillies, and eggplants. Winter squash are starting to arrive. We have Delicata squash and Kijani Farm brought us some Kabocha squash.
HOURS:
Tues through Sat 10:00 am to 6 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard
Hoshigaki: Currently sold out.
These are whole dried persimmons. They were hand massaged while they
dried over a period of four to eight weeks. Some are firm, others are
soft and moist. All are coated with naturally formed white persimmon
sugar. No sugar added and no preservatives used. Hoshigaki processed in 2022 have sold out. We normally begin peeling persimmons in October. The early hoshigaki may be available in November. You may contact us for on-farm pick-up orders. Look for the mail order form online in October. Mail order shipments do not usually begin until December.
Plums: Limited supply of Kelsey, Casselman and Empress. You may have to ask.
Peaches: Very limited supply.
Apples: Gala: Sweet, crisp with a floral aroma.
Kyoho: Very sweet purple grapes with concord-like flavor. Seeded.
Red Purlett : seedless, sweet red grapes.
Thompson Seedless: yellow green grapes that are tart or intensely sweet.
Asian Pears:
Kikusui: early yellow skinned, sweet, crisp pear. (In past years I referred to this pear as Kosui. The internet tells me Kosui is a brown skinned pear. So for now, I will refer to it as Kikusui. Only my Dad could tell me but he has been gone for a long time.)
20th Century: Yellow, round pear known for being sweet, tender, crisp, and juicy. Great for snacking or adding to salads.
New Century: Large round pear with a sturdy, sweet texture. Great for snacking or adding to salads. It has yellow skin and white flesh.
Eureka Lemons: These are the tart lemons. Great for lemonade or Lemon Meringue Pie.
Figs:
Black Misson: Very popular variety. Mild sweetness. When ripe it is moist yet chewy with rich flavor.
Panache: Green striped fig often referred to as Tiger Stripe. Sweet fragrant fig with a hint of raspberry.
Brown Turkey: Brown fig with shades of green and yellow. When ripe, this fig is soft, sweet and jammy.
Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.
Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.
Tomatoes: Slicing, salad and colorful tomatoes. All vine ripened and full of flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sungold, Sweet 100, Black Cherry, Napa Rose, Rosalita, Yellow Pear.
Chili Peppers: Aji Amareto, Buena Mulata, Jalapenos, and Shishito---All limited supply.
Cucumbers: Japanese cucumbers are thin skinned, crisp, seedless and sweet. Armenian cucumbers are firm, and crisp.
Sweet Peppers:
Okra: When we pay attention, we harvest tender pods.
Long Beans: Similar in taste to green beans. Texture is more tender.
Here is what we have from other producers:
WoodRose Country Garden in Granite Bay, organic practices:
Summer squash, eggplant, okra, carrots, beans, onions, basil, rosemary,
oregano, thyme, fresh garlic, colorful bell peppers,
potatoes, slicing tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, San Marzano paste
tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes. Sun-dried San Marzano tomatoes.
Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Honey🍯. Top of the Hill Apiary also has bees wax 🐝.
Sunnyslope Farm in Granite Bay, Conventional practices: Elberta peaches. These are prized for their sweet juicy flavor. They are luscious and smooth to eat.
Kijani Farm
in Granite Bay, organic practices: Red Russian Kale, Dino Kale, Swiss
Chard. Kijani Farm brought us our first offering of Kaboch, Japanese
winter squash (pumpkin).
Lupi Farm in Granite Bay, no spray:
D'Anjou Pears: These pears need to ripen at room temperature for about 2 weeks. They become sweet with mild flavor and a firm texture. Eat out of hand or add to salad.
Black Mission Figs : Black skinned, sweet, chewy flesh.
Mihara Farm conventional farming in Newcastle, CA: Elephant Heart 💖 Plums: Sweet red fleshed plums. We also have Kiwi from Mihara Farm.
Stoney Point Orchard a Certified Organic farm in Loomis, CA: Kelsey Plums: A sweet green plum enjoyed firm and crisp or with a little give and sweeter.
