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THIS WEEK’S FRUIT
Pink Lady Apples
Cuyama, New Cuyama, CA
A cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams, the Pink Lady is acrisp and juicy apple with a tart finish. Pink skins and a creamy white coloredflesh that resists browning makes this an excellent apple for salads and slicing
Fuji Apples
Cuyama Farm, New Cuyama, CA
Fujis are a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an heirloom apple dating back to Thomas Jefferson. Fujis are loved by many for their crisp, sweet, and juicy character.
Pomegranate
Home Grown Organic Farm, Porterville, CA
Native to the regions of Persia and the Western Himalayan range, pomegranates have been cultivated for several millennia. When sliced open, a beautiful array of jewel-like seeds are displayed. The aril is the colorful casing that surrounds the edible seeds and has a sweet tart flavor. Enjoy the arils alone or use them in salads, desserts, or beverages.
Navel Oranges
Twin Girl Farm, Yettem, CA
California Navel Oranges are considered to be the best Navels for eating out of hand. They have a thick skin that is easy to peel, are seedless, and have a meaty and sweet flesh that makes them a perfect snack. Navels are also great for juicing and cooking.
Hayward Kiwi
Chiechi Farm, Live Oak, CA
Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry due to its Chinese origins.Hawyward Wright, a New Zealand nurseryman propagated his plants by grafting, and they eventually became the preferred cultivar of growers due to their sweet flavor and thin skin.
Owari Satsuma Mandarins
Quinco/Wild River, Marysville, CA
Satsumas are typically seedless with a thin skin that is loosely attached to the flesh making them very easy to peel. The flesh of the mandarin is very sweet and delicate leaving them susceptible to bruising, so handle with care. Do not place other fruits on top of the mandarins.
A NOTE FROM FARMER AL
“When it Rains, it Pours”
And we are thankful! And relieved! And Hopeful! We’re thankful for the water in the soil, and in the reservoirs, and relieved at the prospect that the three year drought may be over. Hopeful that more rain is coming. Hopeful that it will be enough to end the drought and to restore for all of us a sense (or even an affirmation) that our “California Dream” might be alive and well, after all!
Here at Frog Hollow Farm, we’re scrambling to get ready for the next storm due to hit here in three days on Thursday. This last storm was definitely a wake-up call for storm-preparedness, causing a major leak which sent our downstairs office team members home to work from home for the rest of the week.
All of our field workers will have to tighten their belts (perhaps literally) and make do with a little less during these soggy holiday days, because it’s impossible to work in our orchards when it is this wet. Our clay soils turn into very mushy mud! So we’re feeling behind in our pruning. Also no compost work can be done, so we’re falling behind on compost production!
Then there’s that ever-present worry about chill hours. Rainy weather, at least here in California, means “warmish” temperatures, and that’s what we’re getting. So our chill hours are the lowest we’ve seen in many years. Don’t count on seeing any cherries in 2015. If the warm winter continues it will begin to impact even fruit varieties that don’t require all that many chill hours.
I’m hoping for lots more rain in December, then a cold foggy January.
With mixed feelings, as usual,
