Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Apples, Pecans & Jam Make Great Christmas Gifts

   We still have many harvested 'GoldRush' apples for sale now and for the next 5 months or so.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  Fully-ripened 'GoldRush' apples have a taste similar to 'Honeycrisp', and 'GoldRush' is my favorite apple for fresh eating.  They're also wonderful for baking, making applesauce or apple butter, etc.
We still have many 'GoldRush' apples (front box) for sale, and many 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples (2nd box).  We still have a few #1 'Enterprise' apples (3rd box) and many #2 'Enterprise' and #2 'GoldRush' apples. 
   We also have many harvested 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples for sale for the next couple months (until they sell out).  'Scarlett O'Hara' apples are sweet-tart, with a strong unique flavor that some customers love, and keep well for about 4 months in a refrigerator.  We still have a few #1 'Enterprise' apples and many #2 'Enterprise' apples.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, and are a favorite of many customers.  Our #2 apples are great for economical holiday baking or making apple butter for Christmas gifts.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which now holds about 3500 pounds of apples.  We also still have a few bags each of a few selections from my apple breeding program.  I give taste samples of all of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.  Apple prices are detailed in the previous post.
   Bill is now very busy harvesting, cleaning and cracking pecans.  We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per bag.  'Kanza' is a larger pecan variety, with excellent flavor.  Our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, has many recipes posted as Notes that feature apples and pecans.
This morning for breakfast I had 3 kinds of Bill's homemade jams and fruit butters on raisin bread toast.  Clockwise from top are sandhill plum jam, apple butter and red raspberry jam.
   We also have Bill's homemade jams and fruit butters for sale, all made from fruit we grow.  He uses low-sugar pectin, so our fruit products are made with more fruit and less sugar.  These make good Christmas gifts, for those who don't have the time or inclination to make their own jams or apple butter.  They cost $5.57 + tax per pint jar, and if you return the clean, empty jar to us after finishing the jam, you get $0.50 off your next jar of jam.
We now have 16 kinds of Bill's homemade jams and fruit butters for sale, all made from fruit we grow.
   From Dec. 1 to May 31 we're open by appointment, as the sidebar at left shows, so phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead (or at least a few hours ahead) and leave a message on the answering machine saying when you're coming.  (I don't need to call you back; I am here.  Don't wait to call until you get here, as I'm often out working on the farm and the phone rings in the house.)  If you drop by on a nice day and I don't see you come in, since I'm working elsewhere on the farm, ring the bell on the sales building.  If it's very cold or raining or snowing and I'm not in the sales building, phone 620-597-2450 or come up to the house.
   Have a joyful Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Many 'GoldRush' & 'Scarlett O'Hara' Apples & Pecans for Sale

    We have many harvested 'GoldRush' apples for sale, both #1's and #2's, now and for the next 6 to 7 months.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and are best after at least 1 month in the fridge, as they get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  Fully-ripened 'GoldRush' apples have a taste similar to 'Honeycrisp', and 'GoldRush' is my favorite apple for fresh eating.  They're also wonderful for baking, making applesauce or apple butter, etc.
   We also still have many harvested #1 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples for sale for the next couple months (until they sell out).  'Scarlett O'Hara' apples are sweet-tart, with a strong unique flavor that some customers love, and keep well for 3 to 4 months in a refrigerator.
We have many harvested 'GoldRush' apples (front box) and 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples (2nd box) for sale.  We still have a couple boxes of #1 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples (3rd box), and many #2 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples.
   The 'Enterprise' apple crop was reduced this year by the April 15 freeze.  I delivered 100 lbs. of #1 'Enterprise' apples to Bartlett and Chetopa Schools yesterday, and customers have been buying many #1 'Enterprise', so we're getting low on those.  We still have a small amount of #1 'Enterprise' apples and many #2 'Enterprise' apples.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.
   Prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other surface damage).  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples costs $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples, great for economical holiday baking, costs $15.79 + tax, which also saves $1.00.  Buying 40 lb. of harvested apples (2 boxes) saves another $1.00 per box, for a total of $4.00 off the per-pound price.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full of 4000 pounds of apples.  We also still have a few bags each of many selections from my apple breeding program.  I give taste samples of all of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.
   Bill is now very busy harvesting, cleaning and cracking pecans.  We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per bag.  'Kanza' is a larger pecan variety, with excellent flavor.  Our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, has many recipes posted as Notes that feature apples and pecans.
   From Dec. 1 to May 31 we're open by appointment, so phone 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead and leave a message on the answering machine saying when you're coming.  If you drop by on a nice day and I don't see you come in, since I'm working elsewhere on the farm, ring the bell on the sales building.  If it's very cold or raining and I'm not in the sales building, phone 620-597-2450 or come up to the house.
Phone 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead and leave a message on the answering machine saying the day and approximate time you'll be coming.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Apples & Pecans Great for Holiday Baking

    We'll have harvested 'Enterprise' and 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples for sale for the next couple months (until they sell out), and harvested 'GoldRush' apples for sale for the next 6 to 7 months.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.  'Scarlett O'Hara' apples are also sweet-tart, with a strong unique flavor that some customers love, and keep well for 3 to 4 months in a refrigerator.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and are best after at least 1 month in the fridge, as they get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  Fully-ripened 'GoldRush' apples have a taste similar to 'Honeycrisp', and 'GoldRush' is my favorite apple for fresh eating.  They're also wonderful for baking, making applesauce or apple butter, etc.

I used 'GoldRush' apples and 'Kanza' pecans in this Apple Pecan Bread with Dried Tart Cherries.  The recipe is posted as a Note on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries.
   Prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other surface damage).  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples costs $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples, great for economical holiday baking, costs $15.79 + tax, which also saves $1.00.  Buying 40 lb. of harvested apples (2 boxes) saves another $1.00 per box, for a total of $4.00 off the per-pound price.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full of 4000 pounds of apples.  We also still have a few bags each of many selections from my apple breeding program.  I give taste samples of all of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.
We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked 'Kanza', a larger pecan variety with excellent flavor, pecans for sale. 
   Bill is now very busy harvesting, cleaning and cracking pecans.  We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per bag.  'Kanza' is a larger pecan variety, with excellent flavor.  Our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, has many recipes posted as Notes that feature apples and pecans.
   Our workers and I have been transplanting strawberries on warmer afternoons, and applying mulch to the new strawberry beds that Bill prepared a few weeks ago.  In a few weeks I'll apply mulch on top of the strawberry plants to protect them from winter cold.
Our workers Brandon Ledford (left) and Ben Miller (right) applied mulch to our new strawberry beds this afternoon.  Our apple orchard, in the background, was completely harvested 3 weeks ago, and the trees are now hardening for winter.
   Our fall hours continue for this weekend, until Nov. 30.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  From Dec. 1 to May 31 we're open by appointment, so phone 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead and leave a message on the answering machine saying when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm working elsewhere on the farm, ring the bell on the sales building.  If it's very cold or raining and I'm not in the sales building, phone the number at left (620-597-2450) or come up to the house.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Many Apples and Pecans for Sale

   We harvested all remaining apples before the 18 F freezes we've had on Nov. 12 & 13, so our pick-your-own apple season is now over.  We'll have harvested 'Enterprise' apples for sale for the next 3 to 4 months, and harvested 'GoldRush' apples for sale for the next 7 to 8 months. 
We have many 'GoldRush' & 'Enterprise' apples (front box) for sale, plus boxes of all  'Enterprise' (2nd box), all  'GoldRush' (3rd box), and  'Scarlett O'Hara' (4th box).
   'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and are best after at least 1 month in the fridge, as they get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  Fully-ripened 'GoldRush' apples have a taste similar to 'Honeycrisp', and 'GoldRush' is my favorite apple for fresh eating.  They're also wonderful for baking, making applesauce, apple butter, etc.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full of 4000 pounds of apples.  Besides 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', we have many harvested 'Scarlett O'Hara' apples for sale.  We also have a few bags each of many other varieties and selections, including some from my apple breeding program.  I give taste samples of all 28 of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them. 
   Apple prices are the same as last year, and are listed in the previous post.  We have many #2 apples for economical holiday baking.  If you want to buy harvested apples, we'd appreciate it if you can come soon, so we'll have room in the cooler to store the rest of the apples we've picked!
I made this apple crostata with caramelized pecan topping on Wed. Nov. 12 to bring to "Pie Night" after the closing night of our revival at Center Christian Church. The recipe is posted as a note on the Facebook page for Brendas Berries, as are many other recipes featuring apples and pecans.  
   Bill is now very busy harvesting and cracking the new pecan crop.  We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per bag.  We still have 4 bags of 'Peruque' pecans, a very early-ripening pecan variety with a very thin shell and excellent flavor.  We've just started harvesting and cracking 'Kanza', a larger pecan variety, and we now have some bags of 'Kanza' for sale also.
   Our fall hours continue until Nov. 30.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  From Dec. 1 to May 31 we're open by appointment, so phone 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead and leave a message on the answering machine saying when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm working elsewhere on the farm, ring the bell on the sales building.  If it's very cold or raining and I'm not in the sales building, phone the number at left (620-597-2450) or come up to the house.
Fall color is still beautiful on the 'Brandywine' red maples I planted around our sales building 3 years ago, and the bur oak trees I planted along the driveway 19 years ago.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Many Apples & Early Pecans for Sale

   We harvested all remaining 'Enterprise' apples before the 23 F freeze we had on Sat. morning, Nov. 1.  We'll have harvested 'Enterprise' apples for sale for the next 3 to 4 months.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers. 

Our worker Rachael Triebel and I have been harvesting many 'GoldRush' apples into large bins holding 30 lbs. each.  We now have 68 bins of 'GoldRush 'in the cooler, and will finish harvesting in the next few days.
   We've now harvested almost all the 'GoldRush' apples, and will finish harvesting these in the next few days.  We'll have harvested 'GoldRush' apples for sale for the next 7 to 8 months.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and are best after at least 1 month in the fridge, as they get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  Fully-ripened 'GoldRush' apples have a taste similar to 'Honeycrisp', and 'GoldRush' is my favorite apple for fresh eating.  They're also wonderful for baking, making applesauce or apple butter, etc.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full.  Besides many 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', we have many harvested 'Scarlett O'Hara' and 'Sundance' apples for sale.  We also have a few bags or boxes each of many other varieties and selections, including some from my apple breeding program.  I give taste samples of all 28 of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.  If you want to buy harvested apples, we'd appreciate it if you can come soon, so we'll have room in the cooler to store all the apples we've picked!

We have many harvested 'Enterprise' and 'Sundance' (front box), 'GoldRush' and 'Enterprise' (2nd box), 'Sundance' (3rd box) and 'Scarlett O'Hara' (4th box) apples for sale. 
   Prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for small amounts of harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other damage).  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.  A box of 20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $15.79 + tax, which also saves $1.00.  Buying 40 lb. of harvested apples (2 boxes) saves another $1.00 per box, for a total of $4.00 off the per-pound price.

We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked  'Peruque' pecans for sale.   'Peruque' is a very early-ripening pecan variety, with a very thin shell and excellent flavor.
   We just started harvesting and cracking the new pecan crop.  We now have 5-lb. bags of cracked  'Peruque' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per bag.  'Peruque' is a very early-ripening pecan variety, with a very thin shell and excellent flavor.  The nuts are not as large as our later-ripening pecan varieties, 'Kanza' and 'Pawnee', which won't be ready to harvest until late Nov.
   Our fall hours continue until Nov. 30.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples or working elsewhere on the farm, ring the bell on the sales building.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Last Week of 'Enterprise' Harvest, 'GoldRush' Ripe

   We're getting into the last week of harvest for 'Enterprise' apples, so if you want to pick your own 'Enterprise', come this week.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.
'GoldRush' apples (on trees) are ripening now, and these kids picked a few after picking a bunch of 'Enterprise' apples (in wagon).  There are only a few 'Enterprise' apples left on the trees now, so if you want to pick your own 'Enterprise', come this week.
   'GoldRush' apples are ripening now, so many customers pick some 'GoldRush' also.  'GoldRush' apples keep well for 8 to 10 months in a refrigerator, and are best after at least 1 month in the fridge, as they get sweeter as the starches convert into sugars.  The pick-your-own season for 'GoldRush' will continue for the next 3 weeks or so, until the first hard freeze in mid-Nov.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full.  Besides many 'Enterprise' and some 'GoldRush', we have many harvested 'Scarlett O'Hara', 'Sundance' and 'Jonafree' apples for sale.  We also have a few bags or boxes each of many other varieties and selections, including some from my apple breeding program that I just named this year.  I give taste samples of all 28 of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.  If you want to buy harvested apples, we'd appreciate it if you can come soon, so we'll have room to store more apples that we need to pick!

Our cooler is now full of harvested apples ready for sale, in green and light blue trays holding 20 lbs. each.  I've also started harvesting apples for winter storage into the large dark blue boxes that hold 30 lbs. each, on the top rear rack and the floor.  
   Apple prices are the same as last year, and are listed in the previous blog post.  Pears and Asian pears are now sold out for the season.  Pecans are also sold out, until we start harvesting and cracking the new pecan crop in late Nov.
   We do have a few fall red raspberries ripening, now until the first frost.  These are sold pick-your-own only, for $1.86 per pint + tax.  Let me know if you want to pick some.

A few fall red raspberries are ripening, now until the first frost.  These are sold pick-your-own only.
   Our fall hours started on Sept. 1 and continue until Nov. 30, as the sidebar at left shows.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples, ring the bell on the sales building.  

Thursday, October 16, 2014

'Enterprise' Harvest Winding Down, 'GoldRush' Harvest Starting

   We've had perfect fall weather for apple picking over the past couple days, and several groups have taken advantage of it.  Fri. Oct. 17 and Sat. Oct. 18 should be beautiful also, as should next week.
Most 'Enterprise' apples on the outsides of the trees have been picked, but there are still many in the interiors of some trees for pick-your-own customers who come within the next 2 weeks.
   We're getting into the last couple weeks of harvest for 'Enterprise' apples, so if you want to pick your own, come in the next 2 weeks.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.  'GoldRush' apples are starting to ripen now, so some customers pick some 'GoldRush' also.  The pick-your-own season for 'GoldRush' will continue for the next 4 weeks or so.  Weekdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.

The pick-your-own season for 'GoldRush' has just started, and will continue for the next 4 weeks or so.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, which is now full.  We have many harvested 'Enterprise', 'GoldRush', 'Scarlett O'Hara', 'Sundance' and 'Jonafree' apples for sale.  We also have a few boxes each of many other varieties and selections, including some from my apple breeding program that I just named this year.  I give taste samples of all 28 of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.
   Harvested apple prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other surface damage).  20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.  20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $15.79 + tax, which saves $1.00.  40 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $44.59 + tax ($1.11 per pound + tax ), which saves $4.00 off the per-pound price, and 40 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $29.73 + tax ($0.74 per pound + tax), which saves $4.00.
   Smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.70 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of pick-your-own apples, the price goes down to $0.88 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.65 per pound + tax for #2's.
   Our fall hours continue until Nov. 30, as the sidebar at left shows.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples, ring the bell on the sales building.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Many 'Enterprise', 'Scarlett O'Hara', 'Sundance', 'Jonafree' & Other Apples for Sale

   We've harvested many 'Enterprise' apples and have them for sale, and there are still plenty of 'Enterprise' apples for pick-your-own customers.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.  'GoldRush' apples are just starting to ripen, and more will ripen over the next month. 
   There's a high chance of rain over the next few days, but our pick-your-own apple season will continue for the next 5 to 6 weeks.  Weekdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.
   You can get harvested apples even in the rain; they're kept in top condition in our cooler.  Besides 'Enterprise', we also have many harvested 'Scarlett O'Hara', 'Sundance' and 'Jonafree' apples for sale, and a few boxes each of many other varieties and selections, including some from my apple breeding program that I just named this year.  I give taste samples of all 28 of our apple varieties and selections, to those interested in buying them.

'Scarlett O'Hara' (front box) and 'Sundance' (2nd box) apples can grow very large, which some customers want. 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples (3rd box) are favorites of many customers, so I pack some boxes with a bag of each variety. I also pack some boxes with a bag each of 'Enterprise' and 'Sundance' (4th box). 
   Prices are the same as last year, and are detailed in the post made on Sept. 24.
   Pears and Asian pears are now sold out for the season.  Pecans are also sold out, until we start harvesting and cracking the new pecan crop in late Nov.
Since I couldn't harvest apples until late this morning due to almost 7 inches of rain, I made apple pecan pancakes for breakfast. I froze some, and the rest keep well in the fridge for a couple weeks. The recipe is posted as a note on the Brenda's Berries Facebook page, along with many other recipes using apples and pecans.
   Our fall hours started on Sept. 1 and continue until Nov. 30.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples, ring the bell on the sales building.
   We use plastic grocery sacks in different colors for pick-your-own apples, and appreciate it if customers can bring some clean, non-ripped, used bags.  Reusing is better for the environment than recycling.  We now have plenty of gray bags, but could use more white, tan, yellow or blue bags.
   For payment, we accept paper, not plastic: we take cash and checks, but NO debit cards or credit cards, so plan accordingly.    

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Many Apple Varieties and Selections for Sale

   Harvest of 'Enterprise' apples continues.  This is our most popular apple variety, and we have 45 trees of it, which produce over 16,000 pounds of apples each year.  We have many harvested 'Enterprise' apples for sale, and also let customers pick their own 'Enterprise' apples.  This variety is great for fresh eating, baking and cooking, and keeps well in the fridge for 6 to 7 months.
'Enterprise' apples are large and easy to pick, and great for fresh eating, baking and cooking.
   We also let customers pick their own 'GoldRush' apples when they are ripe. 'GoldRush' apples ripen very late, from mid-Oct. to mid-late Nov.  'GoldRush' apples are also excellent for all uses, and keep well in the fridge for 8 to 10 months.
   Both 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' are immune to apple scab disease, as are almost all of our other apple varieties.  That means we don't have to spray for that disease, so scab-immune varieties need 33% fewer fungicide sprays than do scab-susceptible varieties such as 'Jonathan' or 'Golden Delicious'. 
   We have just a few trees each of several other apple varieties, which I  harvest and have for sale, and many selections from my apple breeding program, which I began 12 years ago.  I use apple scab-immune varieties or selections as parents in this breeding program, and the gene for scab-immunity is dominant, so all progeny will also be immune to apple scab disease.  This year I've named 10 apple selections, and have small amounts of each of these for sale.  I give taste samples of all 25 of our apple varieties and selections to those interested in buying them.
'Sun Shower', in the box at left, is a selection from my apple breeding program that I named this year.  It resulted from a cross of 'Sundance', in the middle box, and 'Jonafree', in the box at right.
   Pears and Asian pears are now sold out for the season.  Pecans are also sold out, until we start harvesting and cracking the new pecan crop in late Nov.
   We're still open our fall hours, as the sidebar at left shows, until Nov. 30.  We do appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting us know when you're coming, since we can't always see the driveway when harvesting apples at the back of the orchard, or while working on our other fruit plantings.  For apple prices, scroll down to the previous post.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Apple Season Going Strong

   Our apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, is going strong now until mid-Nov.  Many came to pick apples last Sat. and Sun. afternoon, and some have come each weekday since then.  Weekdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.
Many came to pick apples last weekend. Martha Cox and kids helped fill their wagon with apples, while Dad picks a few more.
   Our fall hours started on Sept. 1 and continue until Nov. 30, as the sidebar at left shows.  During this period, we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.  I appreciate phone messages a day or so ahead, letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples, ring the bell on the sales building.
   Harvested apple prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other surface damage).  20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.  20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $15.79 + tax, which saves $1.00.  40 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $44.59 + tax ($1.11 per pound + tax ), which saves $4.00 off the per-pound price, and 40 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $29.73 + tax ($0.74 per pound + tax), which saves $4.00.
   Smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.70 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of pick-your-own apples, the price goes down to $0.88 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.65 per pound + tax for #2's.
The Hsu family had fun picking apples.
   We still have some 'Luscious' European pears for sale.  This variety, from South Dakota, is more cold-hardy then our other European pear varieties and we had a good crop of it.  We had no 'Blake's Pride' pears this year due to 23 F on April 15 during pear bloom, and only a very few 'Harrowsweet' pears, which are now sold out.  Asian pears have also sold out now.  Harvested pears are the same price as harvested apples.
   We still have some cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale for the next couple weeks, for $14.86 + tax per 5-lb. bag.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.  Lots of great recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on the Brenda's Berries page on Facebook.
   We use plastic grocery sacks in different colors for pick-your-own apples, and appreciate it if customers can bring some clean, non-ripped, used bags.  Reusing is better for the environment than recycling.  We now have plenty of gray bags, but could use more white, tan, yellow or blue bags.  We also appreciate donations of cardboard flats, which we'll use next year during berry harvest. We  always like to have our peach boxes and berry containers returned for reuse when you come to get more fruit.
   For payment, we accept paper, not plastic, as the sidebar at left shows.  We take cash and checks, but NO debit cards or credit cards, so plan accordingly.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Pick-Your-Own Apple Season Has Begun

   Our main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, has begun.  I've already harvested many 'Enterprise' apples and have them for sale, and there are still plenty of 'Enterprise' apples for pick-your-own customers.  'Enterprise' apples are sweet-tart, great for both fresh eating and baking, stay crisp and juicy for 6 to 8 months in a refrigerator, and are a favorite of many customers.
'Enterprise' apples (foreground) are ripening, so customers and I are harvesting them.  'GoldRush' apples in background will start ripening in mid-Oct.
   I'm also harvesting several other apple varieties, and several selections from my apple breeding program.  I use apple scab-immune varieties or selections as parents, and the gene for scab-immunity is dominant, so all progeny will also be immune to apple scab disease.  That means we don't have to spray for that disease, so scab-immune varieties need 33% fewer fungicide sprays than do scab-susceptible varieties such as 'Jonathan' or 'Golden Delicious'.  This year I've named several apple selections, and have small amounts of these for sale.  I give taste samples of all pear and apple varieties and selections.
'Enterprise' apples (foreground) are a favorite of many customers.  The 2nd box holds 'Pink Sun', a selection from 'Sundance' open-pollinated that I named this year.  The 3rd box holds 'Sunrise', another selection from my apple breeding program that resulted from a cross of 'Jonafree' with 'Sundance'.
   We still have harvested 'Luscious' European pears and 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale, for the same price as harvested apples.  Scroll down to older posts for harvested and pick-your-own prices.
   We still have some cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per 5-lb. bag.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.  Lots of great recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on the Brenda's Berries page on Facebook.

'Sunset' is another selection from my apple breeding program that resulted from a cross of 'Sundance' and Coop 34.
   We're now open our fall hours: Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, until Nov. 30.  I appreciate phone messages letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples or Asian pears, ring the bell on the sales building.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Many 'Luscious' Pears & 'Jonafree' Apples Harvested

   We've now finished harvesting the 'Luscious' European pears, and have about 620 pounds of them in our cooler, so we'll have them for sale for the next few weeks.  This variety, from South Dakota, is more cold-hardy then our other European pear varieties and we have a good crop of it.  'Blake's Pride', usually our next-ripening European pear, has no crop this year.  Our latest-ripening European pear, 'Harrowsweet', will have a very small crop in late Sept. to early Oct.  I've also harvested a few 'Shinko' Asian pears, and will harvest more of these until late Sept. or early Oct.
We now have many harvested 'Jonafree' apples (left), 'Luscious' European pears (center), and some of my apple crosses (right) for sale.
   Harvested pears are the same price as harvested apples.  Prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for harvested #1 apples or pears (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for harvested #2 apples or pears (with small cracks or other damage).  20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples and/or pears cost $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.

   I've almost finished harvesting the 'Jonafree' apples, and have about 200 pounds of them in our cooler.  'Jonafree' is tart-sweet with a flavor similar to 'Jonathan', but earlier and immune to apple scab disease.  'Gala' is now sold out, but I'm starting to harvest other apple varieties and my crosses.  I give taste samples of all of these.
   The main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, will start in late Sept. when many 'Enterprise' apples are ripe, and go until mid-late Nov.  We do have one 'Enterprise' tree which has apples that are ripening now, so if readers of this blog want to come pick your own apples this Thurs. Sept. 11 to Sat. Sept. 13, phone 620-597-2450 and leave a message letting me know when you're coming.  Scroll down 2 posts for pick-your-own apple prices.
We have one 'Enterprise' tree (right) which has apples that are ripening now, while most 'Enterprise' trees (left) are still a couple weeks away form the start of the pick-your-own apple season.
   We still have some cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale, for $14.86 + tax per 5-lb. bag.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.  Lots of great recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on the Brenda's Berries page on Facebook.
   We're now open our fall hours: Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, until Nov. 30.  I appreciate phone messages letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting apples or Asian pears, ring the bell on the sales building.
I can't always see or hear the driveway when I'm out harvesting Asian pears (photo) or apples, so phone ahead and leave a message letting me know when you're coming, or ring the bell on the sales building.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Early Apples, Pears & Crabapples Ripe

   We praise God we finally got a good soaking rain yesterday and today -- 6 inches total!  I was able to get out and harvest more apples late this morning.  We still have some early harvested apples for sale, of 'Gala' and 'Jonafree'.  This is the original 'Gala', mostly yellow with a small red blush, that's sweet, crunchy and rich-flavored.  'Jonafree' is tart-sweet with a flavor similar to 'Jonathan', but earlier and immune to apple scab disease.  We have limited amounts of harvested apples of these early varieties for sale now and for the next couple weeks, so call 620-597-2450 to order them and set a time to come get them.
   Scroll down to the previous post for apple prices.  The main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, will start in very late Sept. and go until mid-Nov. 

'Luscious' European pears are ripening.  We have harvested pears for sale now and for the next few weeks.
   I started harvesting 'Luscious' European pears this afternoon.  This variety, from South Dakota, is more cold-hardy then our other European pear varieties and we have a good crop of it, now and for the next few weeks.  I also harvested a few 'Shinko' Asian pears today, and will harvest more of these until late Sept. or early Oct.  Harvested pears are the same price as harvested apples.
We have a few 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale now, and we'll harvest more of these until late Sept. or early Oct.
   'Dolgo' crabapples are also getting ripe. These are large crabapples that make a wonderful, spicy jelly. We sell some of these pick-your-own for the same price per pound as pick-your-own apples, but since crabapples are much smaller than apples, it doesn't cost much to pick enough to make a batch of jelly.  If you want to pick crabapples, call 620-597-2450 to let me know when you're coming.  Otherwise, I'll harvest them for Bill to make crabapple jelly.
'Dolgo' crabapples make a wonderful, spicy jelly.
    We still have some cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale for the next few weeks, for $14.86 + tax per 5-lb. bag.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.  Lots of great recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on the Brenda's Berries page on Facebook.
   Our fall hours started on Mon. Sept. 1.  We're now open Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, until Nov. 30.  I appreciate phone messages letting me know when you're coming.  If you drop by and I don't see you come in, since I'm out harvesting pears, ring the bell on the sales building.
We're open our fall hours from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

'Gala' & 'Jonafree' Apples Ripening

   We've started harvesting our first-ripening apples, 'Gala' and 'Jonafree'.  We have a few harvested apples of these early varieties for sale now and for the next couple weeks.  We have only limited amounts of these early apples, so call 620-597-2450 to order them and set a time to come get them.
We started harvesting our first-ripening 'Gala' apples a few days ago, and have some for sale now and for the next couple weeks.
   Prices are the same as last year: $1.21 per pound + tax for harvested #1 apples (practically perfect) and $0.83 per pound + tax for harvested #2 apples (with small cracks or other damage).  20 lbs. of harvested #1 apples cost $23.22 + tax, which saves $1.00.
'Jonafree' apples have just started ripening, and will keep ripening for the next month or so.
   The main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, will start in late Sept. and go until mid-late Nov.  During that time, harvested apple prices are the same as above, plus 20 lbs. of harvested #2 apples cost $15.79 + tax, which saves $1.00.  40 lbs. of harvested #1 apples will cost $44.59 + tax ($1.11 per pound + tax ), which saves $4.00 off the per-pound price, and 40 lbs. of harvested #2 apples will cost $29.73 + tax ($0.74 per pound + tax), which saves $4.00.
   During the pick-your-own apple season, smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.70 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of pick-your-own apples, the price goes down to $0.88 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.65 per pound + tax for #2's.
   We'll start harvesting 'Luscious' European pears in early Sept.  This variety, from South Dakota, is more cold-hardy then our other European pear varieties and we have a good crop of it.  We'll have very few later-ripening European pears, but will have some Asian pears in late Sept. and Oct.
   Some everbearing red and yellow raspberries are still ripening until mid-Oct.  These are sold pick-your-own only, for $1.86 + tax per pint. 
Some everbearing yellow and red raspberries are still ripening until mid-Oct., and are sold pick-your-own only.
   We still have cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale for the next few weeks, for $14.86 + tax per 5-lb. bag.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.  Lots of great recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on the Brenda's Berries page on Facebook.
   We're still open our summer hours, as the sidebar at left shows, until this Sunday Aug. 31.  Our fall hours start on Monday Sept. 1, which is Labor Day this year.  We are open on Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and are open those hours Mondays to Saturdays (and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays) from Sept. 1 until Nov. 30.  

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Late Raspberries, Blackberries & Wild Goose Plums Ripe


  Many everbearing red and yellow raspberries are ripe now, and more will keep ripening until the first frost in mid-Oct.  We also still have some nice large thornless blackberries to pick for the next few days, though you have to hunt for them.
Customers picked these thornless blackberries and everbearing red and yellow raspberries a few days ago.
   Call 620-597-2450 to set a day and time to pick berries; otherwise, I pick them for Bill to make jam.  He made a batch of blackberry jam a few weeks ago, and it's almost sold out already, so he'll make more this weekend.  Last weekend he made purple raspberry jam, and the weekend before he made black raspberry jam.  All these jams are seedless, as he strains out the seeds when making them.
   Wild goose plums (Prunus munsoniana) are ripening now until mid-Sept.  Several customers have picked these already, along with the last of the sandhill plums (Prunus angustifolia).  Both of these native plums make great jam, each with their own unique taste.

Wild goose plums are ripening now until mid-Sept.
   We'll have some harvested early apples, 'Gala' and 'Jonafree', for sale starting Aug. 26.  The main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, will start in late Sept. and go until mid-late Nov.  We'll start harvesting pears in early Sept.
   We still have cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale for the next few weeks.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.
   We're still open our summer hours, as the sidebar at left shows, until Aug. 31.  Our fall hours start on Sept. 1.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Thornless Blackberries & Everbearing Raspberries Still Ripening

   We praise God that we got an inch of rain a couple days ago, and we're getting some more rain this afternoon.  Several customers picked a total of 25 quarts of nice large thornless blackberries this morning, plus 18 quarts of sandhill plums and a couple pints of everbearing red and yellow raspberries.  Thornless blackberries will keep ripening until at least Aug. 18 or 20 this year, so there's still time to set a day next week to come pick blackberries.

Nice large thornless blackberries are still ripening now until at least Aug. 18 or 20 this year.
   We have only 20% the amount of our usual thornless blackberry crop due to extensive cold damage to the fruiting canes last winter, so you still need to call 620-597-2450 to set a day and time to pick blackberries. We sell them pick-your-own only, for $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.
Everbearing red raspberries (foreground) and yellow raspberries (background) are ripe now until the first frost in mid-Oct.
   Everbearing red and yellow raspberries will keep ripening until the first frost in mid-Oct.  We'll have some harvested apples for sale in early Sept., and the pick-your-own apple season will start in late Sept. 
   We still have cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale for the next few weeks.  'Pawnee' is a very large pecan variety with great taste.
   We're still open our summer hours, as the sidebar at left shows, until Aug. 31.  Our fall hours start on Sept. 1.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Extended Season for Thornless Blackberries & Everbearing Raspberries

   We praise God that we're getting some rain this morning, and hope we get more today.  Thornless blackberries will keep ripening until at least Aug. 16 or 18 this year, so there's still time to set a day to come pick blackberries.
   We have only 20% the amount of our usual thornless blackberry crop due to extensive cold damage to the fruiting canes last winter, so you still need to call 620-597-2450 to set a day and time to pick blackberries. We sell them pick-your-own only, for $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.
A group who picked 'Triple Crown' thornless blackberries on Mon. evening July 28 also picked some everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries.
   A few everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries are ripening now until about Oct. 15, so those who come to pick blackberries may pick some raspberries also.  Raspberries are still $1.86 per pint + tax pick-your-own.  Black raspberries and purple raspberries are done for the season.
More everbearing yellow raspberries and red raspberries will keep ripening now until about Oct. 15.
   Sandhill plums will keep ripening until about Aug. 4 or 5.  Sandhill plums are small and very tart, so not for fresh eating, but make wonderful jams, jellies and sauces.  Sandhill plums are $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own, and are sold pick-your-own only.
   We still have cracked 'Pawnee' pecans for sale, for $14.86 per 5-lb. bag.  We're open our summer hours until Aug. 31: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 7-9 p.m., and Sun. 7-9 p.m. only. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

More Blackberries & Sandhill Plums Ripening

   'Triple Crown' thornless blackberries are ripening now, along with 'Apache' and a few 'Ouachita' blackberries.  'Natchez', our earliest blackberry variety, is almost done now, but the others will continue ripening until Aug. 16 or 18.  We are irrigating the blackberry rows, so blackberries are still large and juicy despite the high heat and drought. 
'Triple Crown' thornless blackberries are ripening now, and will continue ripening until Aug. 16 or 18.
   We have only 20% the amount of our usual thornless blackberry crop due to extensive cold damage to the fruiting canes last winter, so you still need to call 620-597-2450 to set a day and time to pick blackberries. We sell them pick-your-own only, for $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.
   A few everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries are ripening now until about Oct. 15 or so.  Black raspberries and purple raspberries are done for the season.
   Sandhill plums will keep ripening until about Aug. 4 or 5.  Sandhill plums are small and very tart, so not for fresh eating, but make wonderful jams, jellies and sauces.  Sandhill plums are $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own, and are sold pick-your-own only.

Many sandhill plums are ripe now until about Aug. 4 or 5.
   We have NO peach crop this year, since winter cold killed all the peach fruit buds.  Instead of harvesting peaches, our crew is spending a couple weeks on summer pruning of peach trees this year.  With no peach crop, branches can grow 6 feet or more in a season, and need to be cut back to keep the trees from growing too tall or wide, so next year's peach crop can be harvested.
Our crew is summer pruning peach trees this year, to keep the trees from growing too tall or wide, so next year's peach crop can be harvested.
   We still have some cracked pecans for sale for the next few weeks, during our open hours.  From June 1 to Aug. 31, we're open Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7-9 p.m., and Sun. 7-9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sun. mornings for church, and closed every afternoon from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high summer heat.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Few Thornless Blackberries Ripening Slowly

    Thornless blackberries are VERY limited this year due to much winter damage to the canes, so you must call a few days ahead to reserve a day and time to pick them, between July 25 and Aug. 9.  (We're already booked through July 24.)  Once ripe, the thornless blackberries are good size and quality, but we only have 20% the amount of our usual crop, and they are ripening more slowly this year.  Thornless blackberry harvest should continue until Aug. 10 or 15 this year.
'Natchez' blackberries, just after being picked this morning, show many developing and ripening berries.  Thornless blackberries are ripening more slowly this year.  Blackberries with red at the base are still very tart, and do not ripen further once harvested.
    As always, blackberries (and our other berries) are sold pick-your-own only.  Blackberries are $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.  We provide containers, and just ask that you return them for reuse if you make another trip to Brenda's Berries & Orchards.

Irish Gibson picked 'Natchez' blackberries on Sat. morning July 12.  Since winter damage killed back many of the canes, much of the crop is low on the canes.
   A few purple raspberries are still ripening for the next few days, until July 16 or 17.  Some everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries will ripen from about Aug. 1 to Oct. 15 or so.  Black raspberries are done for the season.
   Sandhill plums will keep ripening until about Aug. 4 or 5.  Sandhill plums are small and very tart, so not for fresh eating, but make wonderful jams, jellies and sauces.  Sandhill plums are $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.
   We have NO peach crop this year, since winter cold killed all the peach fruit buds.
   We still have some cracked pecans for sale also for the next few days, during our open hours.  From June 1 to Aug. 31, we're open Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7-9 p.m., and Sun. 7-9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sun. mornings for church, and closed every afternoon from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high summer heat.  (We've had these same summer hours for 14 years now.)
Our summer hours continue through Aug. 31.  We switch to our fall hours on Sept. 1.
   The 2013 apple crop is now sold out, but we'll have a good apple crop this fall, ripening from about Aug. 25 to Nov. 20.