EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!

The characteristics of winter are quickly disappearing. We could certainly use more moist events like rain for our quickly drying soils and snow accumulation for our summer water needs.  Nonetheless, spring is upon us.   With the unusually hot dry spring we are already checking the irrigation lines.  We find big leaks, small leaks, misplaced tubing, missing emitters, and rodent damage. The apples and pears are blooming and the peaches and plums are showing small fruitlets.  All our bear root trees are planted and pruning is about finished.  Grass is growing like weeds and the weed eaters are buzzing.

  It is the time of year for me to inventory our trees. I make notes on which trees were removed and which new trees were planted. I walk up and down each row and make notes on my well worn map.  It is a nice time of year to be in the orchard, if you don't have allergies.  I look at the trees and to see how they are starting to grow for the coming season and what is the possibility of a crop. I was surprised to see what I thought were brown dry leaves among new lush green leaves.  Upon closer inspection I found that the brown leaves were actually a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.  

Parasitized aphid

 The vegetable garden is producing radishes, turnips, arugula and komatsuna.  We are watching for peas, lettuce, carrots, beets and broccolini. After setting small broccolini plants in the garden, they were visited by excited and hungry aphids.  Fortunately the aphids attracted an army of predators:  lady beetles, lace wings, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps. We occasionally go out to squash aphids but are letting the good bugs have a reason to stay.  We will need their help for the rest of the season.

Lady beetle larvae

White syrphid fly larvae

SLOW SEASON HOURS 

February to mid May:

Tues, Wed, and Thurs:  11:30 am to 1:30 pm

 Fri and Sat:  10 am to 6 pm

 Sunday                   CLOSED

 Monday                 CLOSED

 

You may request an appointment if you need a different time We will try to accommodate. Call my mobile phone and LEAVE A MESSAGE.  (916) 300-0720.

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

Vegetables:

Arugula:    Popular and tasty leafy green.  Popular in salads, stir fries, and on pizza. Young arugula is more mild. Mature leaves are often desired for their strong spicy flavor.

Komatsuna:  Tender leafy green vegetable, thought of as a Japanese spinach.  Taste is more like bok choy, mild with slight mustard flavor.  Can be added to salad, stir-fries, and soup. 

 Radishes:  Fresh, crisp, red radishes. Mild flavor.  Beautiful addition to your salads.  While very popular in salad, radishes can also be cooked.  The greens can also be cooked or pickled like kimchi.

Turnips:    Turnips are a versatile vegetable.  Young turnips can be eaten raw in salads or with dips. Cooked turnips become tender and mild. They can be added to stir-fries, soup, stew, mashed or roasted.  The leaves can be cooked in stir-fries, soup, stew and with a bit of meat or eggs. Turnips and their leaves can also be pickled.

Hoshigaki :  These are whole dried persimmons.  They are hand massaged while they dry 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. We strive to make the best hoshigaki without any shortcuts.  This takes time and attention during the drying season.  We are currently selling hoshigaki at the farm stand. For on farm orders of more than 1 pound it is best to email or call us to make a pre order.  

Hoshigaki strips:  Thin slices of hoshigaki for snacking.

Persimmon Pulp: Frozen pulp is available for baking or adding to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts or cereal. Some of our customers look forward to eating it like a popsicle!

 

CITRUS

Yellow Grapefruit:  Our yellow grapefruit are small but mighty in flavor. Sweet and juicy.

Local Honey  Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard. Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard is also available.

⚘ Calendula  Salve and Lip Balm:  Wonderfully thick salve for healing dry skin, bug bites and scrapes.   

Here is what we have from other producers:

Lupi Farm in Granite Bay, No spray.

Meyer Lemons:   These sought after lemons are less acidic than regular lemons. They have a thin peel often used for its fragrant zest.  Meyer are rounder than regular lemons with a dark yellow skin.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis might bring us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens.   Currently no supply. 

The California Persimmon:  A book published by the ANR covering history and background of persimmons. Contains many new and traditional persimmon recipes.