DO YOU HAVE PEACHES?

 We have been getting one question lately.  "Do you have peaches?"  Sometimes the answer is "yes" and often the answer is "just a little".  Yesterday the answer was "no".  But now it is today and the answer is "just a little".  So, well... it just depends.  The crop has been very small for  peaches, plums, pluots and apricots.  And the fruit that did grow was not of high quality yet customers have told us that they still taste better than most. On the bright side are local supportive farmers.  Sunnyslope Farm will be bringing in 3 more varieties of peaches.  Mihara Farm brought us Elephant Heart plums.

 

If you were to ask us for tomatoes, the answer would be "yes".  For the time, tomatoes are big and juicy and plentiful.   There are big beautiful juicy slicers, luscious heirlooms, and a multitude of colorful tomatoes to add interest to your plate.  If you need San Marzano paste tomatoes for your special sauce recipe, there is a good supply.  Now is a good time to sun dry some San Marzano tomatoes for winter use.  My daughter and I will be busy making stewed tomatoes and sauce.  We used to can tomatoes but now the freezer is more convenient.

 

Gardens are still producing boxes of squash, cucumbers and beans.  The Okra is just getting started, and is so popular with customers. WoodRose Country Garden brings us beautiful slicing, heirloom and San Marzano tomatoes. Also herbs, beans, carrots, peppers, okra, squash, basil, potatoes, and onions.  Kale,chard and kabocha are coming from Kijani Farm.

What's next. grapes, Asian pears, pears and apples. The start of our Kyoho (purple seeded) grape harvest was delayed because the earliest ones were shriveled by the last heat spell.  They are now ready for sale.  Kikusui, an early yellow Asian pear, is also being harvested. Graventein apples are finished but the Gala apples are now ready. Lupi Farm  brought us an early harvest of D'Anjou pears. 

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:  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.  They should be stored in the  freezer if not consumed within a day and definitely kept cool at all times.  You may purchase these at our farm stand.

Plums:  Limited supply.  You may have to ask.

Peaches: Very limited supply. 

Apples:  Gala: Sweet, crisp with a floral aroma.

Grapes:  Kyoho:  Very sweet purple grapes with concord-like flavor. Seeded.                                Red Purlett :  seedless, sweet red grapes.

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.)

Eureka Lemons:  These are the tart lemons.  Great for lemonade or Lemon Meringue Pie.

Pluots:  Flavor Granade-Limited supply

Figs:  Gone for now.  Waiting for the next crop, probably late August .   

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

⚘ Calendula  Salve and Lip Balm:   Supply is low for the moment.

Dehydrated grapefruit and lemon slices

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.

Summer Squash: Patty Pan Scalloped squash, Crook neck,  yellow, green and striped zucchini.  Extra large hard skinned zucchini are also available.

Cucumbers:  Japanese cucumbers are thin skinned, crisp, seedless and sweet.   Armenian cucumbers are firm, and crisp.

Japanese Eggplant:  Thin skinned, tender and few seeds.  Subtle flavor.

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, Armenian cucumbers, 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 🐝.

La Bella Vito Farm in Loomis is bringing us fresh🥚 eggs from pastured 🐔🐔chickens. Production is a little slow during the high heat.

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.

Mihara Farm  conventional farming in Newcastle, CA:  Elephant Heart 💖 Plums:  Sweet red fleshed plums.  We also have Kiwi from Mihara Farm.

TOMATOES AND WILD BLACKBERRIES HAVE ARRIVED

 How quickly the summer is progressing here at the orchard.  End of season peaches are starting to show some color.  Currently we are harvesting Gene Elberta, Fay Elberta, Delight, 49er and Bowen.    The white peaches will take a short break before the late white varieties begin.  Meanwhile, Sunnyslope Farm is bring us Suncrest peaches. These are sweet, juicy, flavorful peaches with characteristic red tinged flesh. 

Not many plums this year but we do have several varieties:  Santa Rosa, Laroda, Mariposa and Cassie. Lupi Farm is bringing Satsuma plums.  There are also Dapple Dandy Pluots available.

From our gardens and with the help of local farmers, we have a good selection of fresh vegetables all grown with organic practices in mind.  We are also trying to protect the grapes from the birds and rodents.  Wish us luck. See the list below for products.

In addition to the harvest, the orchard team is working to make the property fire resistant.  They are cleaning up brush and dry grass, but with drip irrigation, the orchard floor is tinder-dry, and with a little breeze, could go up in flames in a heartbeat.  Reminder: NO SMOKING on the property.  We are still finding discarded cigarette butts on the ground. 

Thank you for your support and helping to keep us safe.

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

Plums:

          Santa Rosa: Dark red purple skin over yellow flesh.  These are an all time favorite for their sweet tart burst of flavor and fragrance.

           Laroda:  Yellow-fleshed, sweet-tart plums with great flavor. 

           Mariposa:  Sweet red fleshed plum.

           Cassie:  Yellow fleshed plum with firm, crisp flesh. Sweet tart flavor.

Pluots:  Dapple Dandy:  greenish brown pink skin over pinkish orange flesh. Has a plum-apricot flavor from its parent fruits.

Valencia oranges:  These are great for juicing or just eating (limited supply).

Eureka lemons 🍋 these are sour (limited supply)

Yellow freestone peaches: 🍑

          Gene Elberta:  Yellow flesh, sweet and juicy. Great for eating out of hand and baking or canning.

           49er peach:  Skin with smooth red blush. Yellow, with sweet juicy flesh

           Delight:  A large yellow freestone peach.  Very juicy and sweet.

           Fay Elberta:  Sweet juicy freestone peach with melting flesh.

White freestone peaches:  (limited supply) 

           Sugar Lady:  Sweet and delicate. Can be eaten firm or soft.

           Babcock:  Heirloom peach variety. Delicate, sweet and juicy (limited supply).

           Silver Logan:  Sweet and juicy with a hint of tartness.

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.

Hachiya:  frozen persimmon pulp 

Gravenstein Apples:  Early season apples. Crisp, tangy and sweet. Great for cooking, baking, and drying (limited supply).

Wild blackberries:  Fantastic blackberry flavor from these little wild berries.  Juicy and sweet with small seeds.  The season is short, so don't delay.

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

⚘ Calendula  Lip Balm 

Summer Squash:  Zucchini, Yellow squash   

Japanese Eggplant:  small tender eggplant. Great for stir-fry or making pickles.

Garlic :  fresh and fragrant.

Tomatoes 🍅(limited supply)

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

Yellow wax beans: Use like green beans (limited supply).

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

Buena Mulata hot peppers.

 

Here is what we have from other producers:

SunnyslopeFarm, Conventionally Grown in Granite Bay. 🍑 Suncrest yellow and red fleshed, freestone peaches.  These are big, juicy, sweet, and flavorful.  Very popular at our farmstand.  These peaches are the star of the novel "Epitaph to a Peach" by David Mas Masumoto.

WoodRose Country Gardens in Granite Bay: (organic practices) Red, white and purple potatoes, white bulb onions 🧅, Shallots, garlic, summer squash, lemon cucumbers, cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers, green beans, bell peppers, 🌶 Anaheim peppers, Banana peppers, Jalapenos, Slicing tomatoes, San Marzano tomatoes (Roma type), cherry tomatoes, Greek oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil.  We are also getting nectarines from WoodRose Garden.

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

Lupi Farm in Granite Bay:  No spray production.  Satsuma Plums:  These tiny gems have sweet jelly-like red flesh when ripe.

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.

HEAT OF THE SUMMER

We are hoping for moderate summer days and cool nights. Rain might impact the peach crop but nonetheless  would be welcome for the thirsty earth.

       We are currently selling white peaches, yellow peaches, cling peaches, nectarines, grapes and several varieties of plums.  Many vegetables are also available.  There are tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, sauce tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, basil, herbs, okra, beans, onions and garlic.

 

I am updating this blog entry but not changing the pictures.  See the listing below for addition of new products: figs, Asian pears, apples, grapes.

      Hoshigaki, dried persimmons, are available in the farm stand.  On warm days you may need to ask for them.  We have to keep them in a cool place so they don't melt.  Hot weather makes shipping Hoshigaki through mail order a bit risky.  For mail order, it's best to contact us for a discussion of the possibilities.

 

HOURS:

Tues. through Sat.      10:00  am to 6:00 pm           

 

          Sunday         11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

Yellow Freestone 🍑 Peaches:  49er, Fay Elberta, Rio Oso Gem,
Gene Elberta,

White Freeestone Peaches: Paradise, Opale. Sweet, juicy, white freestone peaches.

Cling Peaches:   Bowen

Nectarines: Fantasia (limited supply)

Santa Rosa plums:  These plums are known for their amazing flavor and fragrance.  They are sweet tart and as the season goes on they become red fleshed, juicy and sweet.

Burgundy plums: Firm, dark skinned, and red fleshed. Very little tartness  in the skin. They are sweet and tasty.

Frontier plums:  When they show give to pressure they will be sweet, juicy and red fleshed.

Kelsey plums:  These are plums with green skin but amazingly sweet.

Laroda plums:  Dark skinned plums can be enjoyed firm or when getting soft. Great flavor and juicy.

Cassie Plums:  A firm, yellow fleshed plum that sparkles when you bite into it.

Dapple Dandy Pluot: Molted pink skin with sweet juicy flesh.

Flavorqueen Pluot:  Yellow flesh and sweet. (limited supply)

Grapes:  Kyoho, Red Purlett, Thompson seedless.

Asian Pears:  Yellow: 20th Century (Nijuseki), New Century (Shinseki).  Brown: Hosui .  These pears are sweet, juicy, and crisp.

Figs:  Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Penache.

Apples:  Gala, Gravenstein (limited supply).

Hoshigaki:  Tender and moist dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.  These were hand massaged and  dried slowly for 4 to 8 weeks.

Vegetables:    Asian cucumbers, Lemon cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers,  summer squash, long beans, okra, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, chilies, shishito peppers, Asian eggplants

Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.

Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard

⚘ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

Here is what we have from other producers:

WoodRose Country Garden in Granite Bay: 🥗 zucchini, Anaheim chiles, jalapenos, tomatoes 🍅, San Marzano paste tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, bell peppers, white onions, basil, 🌿rosemary, oregano, and thyme.

Sunnyslope Farm: Yellow freestone peaches: Elbertas

Sunnyslope Farm:  Gala Apples

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

Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln:  Bulk Honey 🍯 is unfiltered and raw. 

Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay:  🐔🥚  Eggs.  Egg production is slowing down.  The hens think it is getting too warm.  🌞

Jams 🍑 from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum, Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, Chili Blackberry, and Quince Marmalade.

JULY PRODUCE

       Hot summer days are hurrying the season along.  Peach varieties seem to be ripening more quickly than in the past. Don't delay or you may miss out this year. Vine ripened Tomatoes  are starting to pour into our farm stand.  These tomatoes are sweet, juicy, flavorful and have a sturdy texture.

       Hoshigaki, dried persimmons, are available in the farm stand.  On warm days you may need to ask for them.  We have to keep them in a cool place so they don't melt.  Hot weather makes shipping Hoshigaki through mail order a bit risky.  For mail order, it's best to contact us for a discussion of the possibilities.

 

HOURS:

Tues. through Sat.      10:00  am to 6:00 pm           

 

          Sunday         11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

🍑 Peaches:  Flavorcrest, Red Haven, Regina, PF 11, June Pride. These are yellow freestone peaches. 

White Peaches: Sugar Lady, Nectar, Silver Logan.  Sweet, juicy, white freestone peaches.

Santa Rosa plums:  These plums are known for their amazing flavor and fragrance.  They are sweet tart and as the season goes on they become red fleshed, juicy and sweet.

Burgundy plums: Firm, dark skinned, and red fleshed. Very little tartness  in the skin. They are sweet and tasty.

Frontier plums:  When they show give to pressure they will be sweet, juicy and red fleshed.

Satsuma plums:  As they ripen they become red fleshed and sweet.  As they soften the interior takes on the appearance of jelly.

Pluots:  Dapple Dandy

Hoshigaki:  Tender and moist dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.  These were hand massaged and  dried slowly for 4 to 8 weeks.

Eureka Lemons: deep yellow skin and tart juicy flesh.  🍋 Best  lemons to bring out the brightness desired in  lemonade and lemon meringue pie.

Valencia Oranges:  Juicing oranges, also good for just peeling and eating.

Vegetables:    Asian cucumbers, Lemon cucumbers, summer squash, long beans, okra, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes,

Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.

Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard

⚘ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

Here is what we have from other producers:

WoodRose Country Garden in Granite Bay: 🥗 zucchini, crookneck squash, Anaheim chiles, jalapenos, tomatoes 🍅, San Marzano paste tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, white onions, basil, 🌿rosemary, Greek oregano, and thyme, cantalope,and garlic.  She will be adding more to her offerings this summer.

Sunnyslope Farm: Yellow freestone peaches:  Flavorcrest and June Pride.

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Comb honey  can be used in tea, coffee, yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, fruit salads and on toast or bagels.  Top of the Hill Apiary also has Bees wax 🐝, and Honey.

Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln:  This Honey 🍯 is unfiltered and raw. 

Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay:  🐔🥚  Eggs.  Egg production is slowing down.  The hens think it is getting too warm.  🌞

Jams 🍑 from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum, Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, and Chili Blackberry.

EARLY SEASON PEACHES

       Early season peaches are starting.  We have a small offering of Springcrest, Junecrest and Maycrest peaches.  Sunnyslope Farm is bringing us Bon Jour.  These are all yellow freestone varieties.  They are all smaller in size and a little stubborn to release from the pit.  Their sweetness and flavor are mild.  But hey, its a real peach.  Great peaches will soon be here, don't miss out.

       The vegetable department is happy to welcome WoodRose Country Garden.  These products are locally grown in Granite Bay using organic practices.  Currently she is supplying us with cabbage, squash, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, potatoes, white onions, chilies, basil, rosemary, Greek oregano, and thyme.  She will be adding more to her offerings this summer.

       Mulberries are slowing down and are usually only available by pre ordering. 

       Hoshigaki, dried persimmons, are available in the farm stand.  On warm days you may need to ask for them.  We have to keep them in a cool place so they don't melt.  Hot weather makes shipping Hoshigaki through mail order a bit risky.  For mail order, it's best to call us for a discussion of the possibilities.

       REMINDER:  We will be closed on Saturday June 12 for a wedding reception. Please plan around this date.  We will be open Friday and Sunday with our normal hours.

HOURS:

Tues. through Sat.      10:00  am to 6:00 pm           

 

          Sunday         11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

🍑 early season peaches:  Springcrest, Maycrest, Junecrest

Royal Blenheim apricots:  small but mighty in flavor. (limited supply)

Hoshigaki:  Tender and moist dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.  These were hand massaged and  dried slowly for 4 to 8 weeks.

Loquat:  These small orange fruit are sweet with peach-like texture.

Eureka Lemons: deep yellow skin and tart juicy flesh.  🍋 Best  lemons to bring out the brightness desired in  lemonade and lemon meringue pie.

Valencia Oranges:  Juicing oranges, also good for just peeling and eating.

Pakistani Mulberries: Long, dark, juicy and sweet. Often only available through preorders.

Red Beaut plums:  red skin with yellow flesh.

Flavorrosa pluots: dark skin with red flesh.

Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.

Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard

Calendula Lip Balm

Here is what we have from other producers:

WoodRose Country Garden in Granite Bay: 🥗 zucchini, crookneck squash, cabbage, Anaheim chiles, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, potatoes, white onions, basil, rosemary, Greek oregano, and thyme.  She will be adding more to her offerings this summer.

Sunnyslope Farm: Yellow freestone Bon Jour peaches

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Comb honey  can be used in tea, coffee, yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, fruit salads and on toast or bagels.  Top of the Hill Apiary also has Bees wax 🐝, and Honey.

Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln:  This Honey 🍯 is unfiltered and raw. 

Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay:  🐔🥚  Eggs.  Egg production is slowing down.  The hens think it is getting too warm.  🌞

Jams 🍑 from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, and Chili Blackberry.

MOVING INTO FALL

 
We don't know what the smoke and heat are doing to our crops but us farmers don't like it.  Masking for COVID and now masking to protect us from forest fire smoke.  Thank you to all our customers that have been braving the current conditions to support our farm.   

         Peaches are definitely starting to wane.  We are harvesting our last varieties for the year:   Summerset and Late Alamar.  Sunnyslope Farm is bringing us O'Henry and then Tra Zee.  

         Asian Pears are taking the place of peaches in our fram stand.  We  have 20th Century and New Century yellow pears.  Hosui, Yoi and Shinko brown pears are also being harvested.    These pears are eaten sweet, juicy and crisp.

        I wish I could say we have apples, but the turkey had a feast with Gala apples.  Now we are waiting for Red and Golden Delicious Apples. 

         The beautiful Kyoho grapes are now coming into the farm stand.  These are seeded grapes with concord-like flavor. So sweet

and juicy.  We also have the seedless sweet Red Purlett grapes.

 

         Tomatoes are one crop that appreciated all the warm weather.  For a while the supply was receding  but now we are getting a better supply.  The fruit is smaller in size  but just as tasty and juicy.  We are also selling tomatoes from WoodRose Country Garden in Granite Bay.

  It is still plum and pluot season. We have Kelsey (green skin), Casselman  and Late Santa Rosa plums.  Our red-fleshed Elephant Heart Plums are occasionally available.There is a good  supply of Dapple Dandy and Flavor Queen pluots.  Both are very sweet.

 
      We are selling hoshigaki from last season.  It is available at the farm stand as whole pieces.  We are curtailing mail orders till the weather cools, probably September or October if we still have a supply.

      There are several local honey choices at this time.  Our own beekeeper has honey from Otow Orchard as well as orange blossom honey from a valley citrus grove.  Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay has honey and boxes of beautiful comb honey.

HOURS:

Tues through Sat   10 am to 6 pm

Sun.                       11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

Yellow Flesh Plums:
      Casselman:  sweet tart and juicy

      Late Santa Rosa: Firm sweet tart

      Kelsey:  Sweet, green skin  

Pluots:

      Dapple Dandy: sweet and meaty

      FlavorQueen:  Yellow skin with very sweet flesh

Yellow Freestone Peaches:
      O'Henry
      Rio Oso Gem 

      Summerset

Grapes:

        Kyoho: Large, purple, seeded grapes with concord-like flavor

        Red Purlett:  Red, seedless, sweet grapes
Figs:  Brown Turkey, Penache, Black Mission

Hoshigaki:  whole
Honey and bee pollen from bees at Otow Orchard
Calendula Salve and Lip Balm
Tomatoes:  red,  heirloom, Roma, cherry
Chilies
Cucumbers:  Asian, Lemon and Armenian
Asian eggplant
Okra

Persimmon Pulp


Here is what we have from other producers:
Yellow Peaches from Sunnyslope Farm (conventionally grown):  O'Henry

Wood Rose Country Garden: American eggplant, basil, jalapenos, bell peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and cantalope.
Orange Blossom Honey from our bee keeper
Top O' the Hill Apiary:  Honey, and comb honey
Eggs from Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay
Jams from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, Chili Blackberry, and Quince Marmalade

 

PEACHES AND TOMATOES

 Such a busy July, I haven't updated this page for almost a month.  Luckily, most of the information is correct but the varieties have changed and we are moving into fall produce.We predict there will be peaches till the end of August and possibly a few late varieties in September.  Fay Elberta, a yellow freestone peach is now in season.  This  peach is great for pies, cobblers, crisps, jam and canning or freezing.  Many customers are slicing and putting them in the freezer to add to future morning cereal or smoothies.  Rio Oso Gem and O'Henry are the next varieties we are waiting for. For a short time we will have Paradise and Opale white peaches.  The crop is very small and the supply will be limited.

       The glorious home grown, vine ripened tomato is here.  They are full of flavor and juice. Perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and salads.  When mine get too ripe I cook them up in a pot for adding to soup, stew, or chili.  I always freeze some in seal top bags. Along with red tomatoes we also have orange, yellow, striped, purple, pink and cherry tomatoes. 

        In our vegetable bin are cucumbers, squash, okra, peppers and eggplant. We are getting a lot of help from our neighbor WoodRose Country Garden. She is adding peppers, eggplant, basil, cherry tomatoes, and Cantalope.

      A sign that fall is on its way is the appearance of grapes at our farm stand.  Many have been waiting for the reappearance of Kyoho  grapes.  The time is now. These are large sweet purple seeded grapes with concord-like flavor.  We also are harvesting Red Purlett a seedless sweet red grape.  Gala apples are appearing at our stand.  These are beautiful yellow-red apples with crisp texture and a sweet tart taste. In addition to Gala apples is a small quantity of Gravenstein apples.  

      Asian Pear harvest is beginning.  We have a few Kosui and New Century (Shinseki) yellow pears and also a few Hosui, brown pears.  The European pears are not ready yet.

      It is still plum season.  Santa Rosa have turned to juice.  Taking their place are yellow-fleshed Laroda, Kelsey (green skin) and Late Santa Rosa.  We have red-fleshed Elephant Heart Plums from Mihara Farm in Lincoln.  There is a supply of Dapple Dandy, Flavor King and Flavor Queen pluots.

 
      We are selling hoshigaki from last season.  It is available at the farm stand as whole pieces.  We are curtailing mail orders till the weather cools, probably September or October if we still have a supply.

      There are several local honey choices at this time. Nastase Honey Farm has a cute honey bear with raw, unfiltered honey.  Our own beekeeper has honey from Otow Orchard as well as orange blossom honey from a valley citrus grove.  Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay has honey and boxes of beautiful comb honey.

HOURS:

Tues through Sat   10 am to 6 pm

Sun.                       11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

Yellow Flesh Plums:
      Laroda:  sweet tart and juicy

      Late Santa Rosa: Firm sweet tart

      Kelsey:  Sweet, green skin  

Pluots:

      Dapple Dandy: sweet and meaty

      FlavorKing:  Sweet, flavorful and red fleshed

      FlavorQueen:  Yellow skin with very sweet flesh

Yellow Freestone Peaches:
      Fay Elberta
      49 er

Grapes:

        Kyoho: Large, purple, seeded grapes with concord flavor

        Red Purlett:  Red, seedless, sweet grapes

Apples:   Gravenstein, Gala
Eureka Lemons:  Tart
Hoshigaki:  whole
Honey from bees at Otow Orchard
Calendula Salve and Lip Balm
Tomatoes:  red, yellow, heirloom, Roma, cherry, colorful
Summer Squash

Chilies
Cucumbers:  Asian, Lemon and Armenian
Asian eggplant
Okra

Long Beans
Honey
Persimmon Pulp


Here is what we have from other producers:
Yellow Peaches from Sunnyslope Farm (conventionally grown): Elberta, O'Henry

Wood Rose Country Garden: American eggplant, basil, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and cantalope.

Mihara Farm: Elephant Heart plums (conventionally grown)
Honey from Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln
Orange Blossom Honey from our bee keeper
Top O' the Hill Apiary:  Honey, and comb honey
Eggs from Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay
Jams from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, Chili Blackberry, and Quince Marmalade

 

FEELS LIKE SUMMER

      The Farm Stand is now open in its new format.  Wear a face covering, maintain 6-foot spacing,  one customer at a time, we will serve you from behind the plexiglass window.  On the table you can view pre-measured trays of plums, pluots, peaches, and oranges.

     Triple digit temperatures did not wait  for actual summer to grill us.  We have been closely monitoring the trees need for water and adjusting the frequency and duration of the irrigation.   We, ourselves, are reminded to drink  more water.

     Amazingly, peaches, plums, and pluots are responding to the warmer weather and longer days.  We are now harvesting Red Beaut plums and Flavorrosa pluots. We have harvested  a small crop of 4 varieties of early peaches. They sold about as fast as we could pick them.  Now there is a brief pause in harvest of peaches till the next varieties are ready. Hoshigaki is available in the Farm Stand, along with local honey, Calendula Salve, eggs and jam.

       Although the peaches  from Otow Orchard are limited at this time, we do have peaches from Sunnyslope Farm in Granite Bay.  They are bringing us Bon Jour yellow freestone peaches.  Small but very tasty.

Official Statement:  We have NO pick your own activities.

HOURS:

Tues through Sat   10 am to 6 pm

Sun.                       11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard:
Yellow peaches (limited supply).
Red Beaut Plums: Red skin, yellow flesh, juicy, mildly sweet flavor.
Flavorrosa Pluots:  Dark skin, red firm flesh, intense flavor (limited supply).
Flavor Supreme Pluots:  Mottled green skin, firm sweet juicy red flesh (limited supply).
Loquat (limited supply).
Valencia Orange:  Sweet and juicy.
Yellow Grapefruit:  Yellow flesh, sweet and tasty.
Eureka Lemons:  Tart.
Hoshigaki:  whole and strips
Honey from bees at Otow Orchard.
Calendula Salve and Lip Balm.
Summer Squash
Tomato plants

Here is what we have from other farms:
Yellow Peaches from Sunny slope Farm (conventionally grown)
Honey from Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln
Eggs from Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay
Jams from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, Chili Blackberry and Quince Marmalade








 

FIGS ARE BACK

Figs are making their second appearance for the year.  Figs have two crops a year.  The first crop occurs in July.  After a rest, the next crop matures in late August and September.  The second crop usually has smaller fruit sizes.  This year our Brown Turkey and Penache Tiger Stripe figs are looking pretty good in the size category.  The Black Mission however are true to tradition and are on the small side so far this year.
       We are now harvesting Asian Pears, apples and Jujube.  A sign that fall is arriving.  We will still have grapes, peaches, plums, and pluots.  Peach season is coming to a slow close. We still have green Kelsey plums, soft Laroda plums, crisp Casselman and Cassie plums and a limited supply of Dapple Dandy pluots.
      The gardens are still producing tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, long beans, basil, peppers, and eggplants. We are starting to have some  winter squash.  Now is the time for Delicata winter squash.

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

  HOURS

Tuesday to Saturday: 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:
Yellow Freestone Peaches: Rio Oso Gem, O'Henry
Cling Peaches: Bowen
Plums:  Laroda, Kelsey, Cassie, Casselman
Pluots:  Dapple Dandy
Grapes:  Kyoho, Red Purlett, Thompson Seedless.
Apples:   Gala
European pears:  Bartlett
Yellow Asian Pears: 20th Century, New Century
Brown Asian Pears:  Hosui, Yoi
Figs: Brown Turkey, Green Penache Tiger Stripe and Black Mission 
Jujube: Sugar Cane, Li
Cucumbers: Asian cucumber, Lemon cucumber and Armenian cucumbers 
Tomatoes:  Red, Heirloom, Yellow, Pink, Roma,
Cherry tomatoes:  Sungold, Rosalita, Black cherry
Tomatillos
Okra
Summer Squash:  Zucchini, Crookneck, Tromboncino (limited supply)
Winter Squash:  Delicata, Red Kuri, Black Futsu
Sweet peppers (Limited supply)
Chili peppers: Shishito,  
Eggplant: Japanese (Limited supply)
Beans: Chinese long beans
Basil, Rosemary, Red and Green shiso
Honey from our orchard

This is what we have from other producers:
Peaches from Sunnyslope Farm:  Fay Elberta, O'Henry
Gala Apples from Sunnyslope Farm
Jams from The Good Stuff
Bee pollen from Top O' The Hill Apiary
Honey from Top O' The Hill Apiary 
Comb Honey from Top O' The Hill Apiary
Eggs from Two Feather Farm

PEACHES

We are into peach season. Yellow peaches will be in supply till the end of August and into the beginning of September.  Now is the time for peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, peach jam and freezing and canning peaches.  You get the picture.   We love these end-of-season peaches:  Fay Elberta, Rio Oso Gem, and O'Henry. Opale is our last white peach and it will be gone soon.  
     Fall fruits are definitely starting to show up in the farm stand.  Kosui and 20th Century Asian pears are yellow, sweet, and juicy.  Hosui is a sweet, crisp brown Asian pear.  Coming from Sunnyslope Farm as well as our own orchard are Gala Apples. These pretty apples have a yellow background and an attractive red blush.  And of course they are sweet, crisp, and juicy.  We are also starting to sell some Bartlett pears.   Figs are making their second showing for the year.  We have brown, green, and some black figs.
       Now it is grape season. Kyoho grapes are back.  Sweet juicy and oh so flavorful.  Although they have seeds, everyone has been loving them.   We also are harvesting Red Purlett grapes and Thompson seedless grapes. 
       In the vegetable garden the cucumbers and squash plants are battling heat stress.  We still have a good supply of tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatillos, and okra. A smaller supply of peppers, eggplant and beans.
     Out in the orchard we are trying to finish the persimmon thinning.  Their season  will be here in a couple of months.  So we have to get the crop ready.  We are also busy cleaning up fire blight in the pear trees.  The wet spring increased the fire blight damage in our trees especially since we don't spray.

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

  HOURS

Tuesday to Saturday: 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:
Yellow Freestone Peaches:  Fay Elberta, Rio Oso Gem, 49ers,
White Peaches:  Opale
Cling Peaches: Bowen
Plums:  Burgundy, Red Ace, Laroda, Eldorado, Kelsey 
Pluots:  Dapple Dandy, Flavor King, and Flavor Queen 
Grapes:  Kyoho, Red Purlett, Thompson Seedless.
Apples:   Gala 
Yellow Asian Pears: Kosui, 20th Century
Brown Asian Pears:  Hosui
Yellow Nectarines: Fantasia
Figs: Brown Turkey, Green, and a few Black Mission
Cucumbers: Asian cucumber, Lemon cucumber and Armenian cucumbers 
Tomatoes:  Red, Heirloom, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Roma,
Cherry tomatoes:  Sungold, Rosalita, Black cherry
Tomatillos
Okra
Summer Squash:  Zucchini, Crookneck, Patty Pan, Tromboncino
Sweet peppers (Limited supply)
Chili peppers: Shishito,  
Eggplant: Japanese and Italian(Limited supply)
Beans: Chinese long beans(Limited supply)
Basil, Rosemary, Red and Green shiso
Honey from our orchard

This is what we have from other producers:
Peaches from Sunnyslope Farm:  Fay Elberta
Gala Apples from Sunnyslope Farm
Jams from The Good Stuff
Bee pollen from Top O' The Hill Apiary
Honey from Top O' The Hill Apiary
Eggs from Two Feather Farm

GOOD FOOD

        We put our hands together for our Saturday night dinner gathering.  Along with the main course we added 3 side dishes inspired by the orchard.
         The Burrata Caprese salad included tomato and basil from our gardens.  Tomatoes are slowing down in the garden and the sizes are getting smaller but the flavor and texture are still mouth-watering.
         We sliced zucchini with onions, Parmesan cheese, and butter to make a microwave casserole.
          Winter squash also made it to the table.  We cut the delicata squash in half to maintain the tube shape, microwaved 1 minute.  Then we sliced it into circles and
removed the seeds. We brushed both sides with olive oil and maple syrup, placed them on parchment paper and seasoned with salt and pepper.  We baked them at 375 degrees for 15 minutes on each side.
        Pushed to the back of the refrigerator was a fourth dish I forgot to serve:  Overnight Cucumber Pickles (recipe available in our farm stand).

Beginning September 1, we changed our Sunday hours to 11 AM to 5PM.  It has been challenging to get the farm stand set up after church in time for early customers.  Hours for Tuesday through Saturday will remain the same, 10 to 6.

REMINDER
      Since we will be on vacation in September there is no one to tend the farm stand on September 14th and 23rd. The farm stand will be CLOSED, Sunday, September 14 and Sunday, September 23.  Please avoid these days.




   
      A few peaches will be coming in during the next couple weeks but their season for 2018 is about over.  Casselman plums with their sweet-tart crisp texture are plentiful for the time being. They will "wow" your mouth.  Asian pears, European pears, and apples are coming into season. We might see jujube very soon.

          We seem to be getting more and more small tomatoes.  The big ones are few and far between. They are small in size but are still big on flavor. The Asian cucumbers are not as long or straight as in the middle of summer but they are still very enjoyable.
   

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:
Plums:  Casselman, Eldorado, Laroda, Red Roy, Kelsey, Elephant Heart,
Pluots:  Dapple Dandy, Flavor Queen
Asian pears:  Kosui, Hosui, 20th Century (Nijuseki), New Century (Shinseki), Yoi
Apple:  Gala, Red Delicious
Figs:  Brown Turkey, Green, and Black Mission
Hoshigaki (dried persimmons) No longer available though Mail Order.
Herbs:  basil, rosemary, mint, lemon balm
Calendula Salve
Honey from Otow Orchard
Vegetables: Zucchini, Yellow squash, Asian cucumbers, Lemon cucumbers, Okra, Japanese eggplant, sweet peppers, hot peppers, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Long beans, Winter squash:  Delicata, Red Kuri, Butternut & Kabocha.

This is what we have from other producers:
Yellow peaches from Sunnyslope Farm:   O'Henry, Tra Zee
Jams from The Good Stuff
Onions and Potatoes from BarleyOats Farm
Coming soon: Blackberry honey and Comb honey from Top O'The Hill Apiary

NEW HOURS

       Beginning September 1, we will be changing our Sunday hours to 11 AM to 5PM.  It has been challenging to get the farm stand set up after church in time for early customers.  Hours for Tuesday through Saturday will remain the same, 10 to 6.

ANNOUNCEMENT
      Since we will be on vacation in September there is no one to tend the farm stand on September 14th and 23rd. The farm stand will be CLOSED, Sunday, September 14 and Sunday, September 23.  Please avoid these days.

      Although not plentiful, peaches have had quite a long run this year.  We are currently harvesting a small crop of Rio Oso Gem and O'Henry.  On the horizon are Late Alamar, Fairtime and Summerset. And "That's all folks " till the 2019 season. Sunnyslope Farm will continue to bring us peaches as they have available.

        We seem to be getting more and more small tomatoes.  The big ones are few and far between. They are small in size but are still big on flavor. The Asian cucumbers are not as long or straight as in the middle of summer but they are still very enjoyable.
       We have had a good run of grapes this year. But that too
is coming to a end. Probably just another week or two before the vines are empty.

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:
Yellow Freestone Peaches:  Fay Elberta, Rio Oso Gem, O'Henry
Cling Peaches:  Bowen, Philip
Plums:  Eldorado, Laroda, Red Roy, Kelsey, Empress, Elephant Heart,
Grapes:  Kyoho, Thompson Seedless, Red Purlett
Asian pears:  Kosui, Hosui, 20th Century (Nijuseki), New Century (Shinseki)
Apple:  Gala
Figs:  Brown Turkey, Green, and Black Mission
Hoshigaki (dried persimmons) No longer available though Mail Order.
Herbs:  basil, rosemary, mint
Calendula Salve
Honey from Otow Orchard
Vegetables: Zucchini, Yellow squash, Asian cucumbers, Lemon cucumbers, Okra, Japanese eggplant, sweet peppers, hot peppers, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Long beans, Winter squash:  Delicata, Red Kuri, & Kabocha.

This is what we have from other producers:
Yellow peaches from Sunnyslope Farm:   Elberta, O'Henry
Apples from Sunnyslope Farm:  Gala
Jams from The Good Stuff
Onions and Potatoes from BarleyOats Farm

MERGING SEASONS

Is it still summer?  Well, yes.  The farm stand is selling peaches, plums, pluots, and tomatoes.  Is it fall?  Well...yes.  The farm stand is selling Asian pears, apples, grapes, and the second crop of figs.

We still have a good supply of plums and are still harvesting our small supply of peaches.  A big thank you to Sunnyslope Farm for bringing their peaches to the our farm stand this summer.  Without Sunnyslope Farm, the peach sales would have been almost non-existent.

If you have never tasted a green plum, please ask for a sample.  The Kelsey plum is wonderfully sweet.

Amazingly, Veronica is still harvesting wild blackberries. This harvest usually does not extend into August as it is doing this year.
 
Official Statement: We have NO pick-your-own activities.
 May to January Hours:
Tu to Sat:   10 am to 6 pm
Sun:            10 am to 5 pm
Closed on Mondays

Here's what we have in the farm stand from Otow Orchard:
Yellow Freestone Peaches:  49er, Gene Elberta, Fay Elberta
Cling Peaches:  Bowen
Plums:  Santa Rosa, Frontier, Burgundy, Eldorado, Laroda, Red Roy, Kelsey, Late Santa Rosa
Wild Blackberries
Grapes:  Kyoho, Thompson Seedless
Asian pears:  Kosui, Hosui
Apple:  Gala
Figs:  Brown Turkey, Green, and Black Mission
Hoshigaki (dried persimmons) No longer available though Mail Order.
Herbs:  basil, rosemary, mint
Calendula Salve
Honey from Otow Orchard
Vegetables: Zucchini, Yellow squash, Asian cucumbers, Lemon cucumbers, Okra, Japanese eggplant, sweet peppers, hot peppers, Tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, Tomatillos, Long beans

This is what we have from other producers:
Yellow peaches from Sunnyslope Farm:  Elegant Lady, Zee Lady, Elberta
Apples from Sunnyslope Farm:  Gala
Jams from The Good Stuff
Onions and Potatoes from BarleyOats Farm