Monday, December 21, 2015

Still Many 'Enterprise' & 'GoldRush' Apples & Pecans for Sale

   Our workers and I are very busy pruning our 2 acres of thornless blackberries this week, since the workers are off from school and the weather is pretty warm for late Dec.  This is a big job that will take all winter, but we're making good progress.
Our workers and I are very busy pruning blackberries this week.
   We still have many 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples for sale, plus small amounts of 5 other apple selections.  These apples taste much better than any sold in stores, and are great for baking as well as fresh eating.  I give taste samples.
   Harvested apples are kept in top condition in our cooler, set at 34 F, ideal for apples.  'Enterprise' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 6 to 7 months, and 'GoldRush' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 8 to 10 months.  So we'll have apples for sale until late May or June.
   Small amounts of harvested apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of apples costs $23.15 + tax ($1.15 per pound + tax), which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' and still get the 20-lb. discount.
I pack many mixed boxes of 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples , plus boxes of all 'Enterprise' and all 'GoldRush' apples.
   We also have many harvested 2nds apples, with small bird pecks, cracks or other surface damage.  These are great for economical holiday baking such as apple-pecan bread and pies, or making applesauce or apple butter.  Usually 90% to 95% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs $15.74 + tax ($0.79 per pound + tax) , which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.
   If you buy 40 lbs. of 2nds apples, you save another $1.00 per box, for a total of $4.00 off the per-pound price.  Each 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs just $14.82 + tax, so that's $29.64 + tax ($0.74 per pound + tax) for 40 lbs. of 2nds apples.
   My husband Bill is still very busy harvesting, cleaning and cracking pecans for sale.  We still have cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $15.05 per 5-pound bag + tax.  Bill cracks the pecans, blows off the loose shells, and then weighs the bags to 5 pounds.  So you get the equivalent of 6 pounds of in-shell pecans in each bag, and when you pick out the pecans, you get at least 3 pounds of nutmeats.  Pecan harvest will continue until late January or February, and we should have cracked pecans for sale until mid-May.
   Recipes using apples and pecans are posted as Notes on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries.  Each year I serve Healthy Apple Salad with our Christmas dinner, as our grown kids love it and it looks festive with apples, craisins and celery in Christmas colors.
Our grown kids love Healthy Apple Salad with our Christmas dinner.
   From Dec. 1 to May 31, we're open by appointment.  That means to phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead, and leave a message on the answering machine saying the day and about what time you're coming.  I do not need to call you back; I will get the message and meet you in the sales building when you come. The phone rings in the house, and I only come in to check for phone messages at noon and mid-afternoon, so if you wait to call until you're on your way, I probably won't get your message before you come.
   I am here every day, except Sunday morning when I'm at church, but can't always see the driveway when I'm pruning at the back of the blackberry planting.  So I appreciate a call a day ahead, saying the day and about what time you're coming, so I can look for you.
   Have a joyful Christmas!

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Apples & Pecans Great for Holiday Baking

   We've now harvested all apples, and have many 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' for sale, plus small amounts of  about 16 other apple varieties and selections.  We also still have some 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale, until they sell out.  I give taste samples of all our apple varieties and Asian pears, to those interested in buying them.
   Harvested apples and Asian pears are kept in top condition in our cooler, set at 34 F, ideal for apples and pears.  So you can come buy harvested apples and Asian pears even when it's raining.
We have many boxes of  'Enterprise' (right box), 'GoldRush' (left box), and 'Enterprise' + 'GoldRush' (middle box) apples for sale.
   'Enterprise' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 6 to 7 months, and 'GoldRush' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 8 to 10 months.  All winter I sort apples from the large storage bins into trays holding 20 pounds each.  We currently have about 1200 pounds of sorted and cleaned apples in these trays, ready to sell.
All winter I clean and sort apples from the large storage bins into trays holding 20 pounds each.  It's 45 to 52 F inside the sales building, so I need to dress warmly.
  Small amounts of harvested apples and Asian pears cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of apples or Asian pears costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest apples and Asian pears into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of two apple varieties, or one bag of Asian pears and one bag of apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We also have some harvested 2nds apples, with small bird pecks, cracks or other surface damage.  These are great for making apple butter, pies, breads, or other holiday baking.  Usually 90% to 95% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs $15.74 + tax (that's $0.79 per pound + tax), which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.
2nds apples are great for economical  holiday baking.  I made this apple crostata with caramelized pecan topping for dessert for Thanksgiving dinner.  The recipe is posted as a Note on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries.
   If you buy 40 lbs. of 2nds apples, you save another $1.00 per box, for a total of $4.00 off the per-pound price.  Each 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs just $14.82 + tax, so that's $29.64 + tax ($0.74 per pound + tax) for 40 lbs. of 2nds apples.
   My husband Bill is now very busy cleaning and cracking pecans for sale.  Further pecan harvest will be delayed for a week due to all the rain.  We now have cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $15.05 per 5-pound bag + tax.  Bill cracks the pecans, blows off the loose shells, and then weighs the bags to 5 pounds.  So you get the equivalent of 6 pounds of in-shell pecans in each bag, and when you pick out the pecans, you get at least 3 pounds of nutmeats.  Pecan harvest will continue until late January or February, and we should have cracked pecans for sale until late May to June.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks, but NO credit cards or debit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount of fruit and pecans you'll buy.
   Tomorrow, Nov. 30, is the last day of our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  From Dec. 1 to May 31, we're open by appointment.  That means to phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead, and leave a message on the answering machine saying the day and about what time you're coming.  I will get the message and meet you in the sales building when you come.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

All Apples Harvested, Pecan Harvest Continues

"All is safely gathered in, 
before the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied.
Come, ye thankful people, come,
Praise the God of harvest home."

   We praise God that yesterday afternoon, Sat. Nov. 21, we finished harvesting all remaining 'GoldRush' apples plus a few 'Enterprise' apples that were left on the trees.  Our 6 workers, my husband Bill and I harvested over 2000 pounds of apples in 4 hours, despite a temperature of 37 F all afternoon.  We got the apples in before the 23 F freeze that occurred this morning.
Brandon Ledford (left) and Luke Laws (right) added 'GoldRush' apples they harvested to the large storage bins in the trailer, while Ben Miller (far right) and our other workers Tim Epler, Skyler England and Tanner Mix all picked apples.
   We now have over 9000 pounds of apples in our two coolers.  The second cooler was just installed 2 weeks ago.  So we will have top-quality 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples for sale until late May or June.
   'Enterprise' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 6 to 7 months, and 'GoldRush' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 8 to 10 months.  All winter I sort apples from the large storage bins into trays holding 20 pounds each.  We currently have about 1000 pounds of sorted and cleaned apples in these trays, ready to sell.
   Besides plenty of 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', we have small amounts of about 16 other apple varieties and selections for sale.  We also still have many 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale for about 2 more weeks, until they sell out.  I give taste samples of all our apple varieties and Asian pears, to those interested in buying them.
   Small amounts of harvested apples and Asian pears cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of apples or Asian pears costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest apples and Asian pears into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of two apple varieties, or one bag of Asian pears and one bag of apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We also have some harvested 2nds apples, with small bird pecks, cracks or other surface damage.  These are great for making apple butter, pies, breads, or other holiday baking.  Usually 90% to 95% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs $15.74 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price
I made this apple pecan bread last night, for the Bread Breakfast we have each year at Center Christian Church on the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving.  The recipe is posted as a Note on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, along with many other recipes using apples and pecans.
   Pecan harvest resumed late last week after the ground dried from the 3.35 inches of rain we got early last week.  My husband Bill is now very busy harvesting, cleaning and cracking the pecans for sale.  We now have cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $15.05 per 5-pound bag + tax.
   Bill cracks the pecans, blows off the loose shells, and then weighs the bags to 5 pounds.  So you get the equivalent of 6 pounds of in-shell pecans in each bag, and when you pick out the pecans, you get at least 3 pounds of nutmeats.  Pecan harvest will continue until January or February, and we should have cracked pecans for sale until mid-May.
We now have cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale, for $15.05 per 5-pound bag + tax. 
   For payment, we accept cash or checks, but NO credit cards or debit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount of fruit and pecans you'll buy.
   Until Nov. 30, we're still open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  From Dec. 1 to May 31, we're open by appointment.  That means to phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead, and leave a message on the answering machine saying the day and about what time you're coming.  I will get the message and meet you in the sales building when you come.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Apple Harvest Finishing, Pecan Harvest Starting

The Jones family had fun picking 'Enterprise' apples on Mon. afternoon Nov. 9.  Come in the next few days if you want to pick 'Enterprise' apples.
   We still offer pick-your-own apples for the next 10 days or so.  If you want to pick 'Enterprise' apples, come this week, as I hope to finish harvesting all the 'Enterprise' by Sat. afternoon Nov. 14.  The 'Enterprise' crop is much larger than last year, so we're still picking them.  'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest continues until about Nov. 18 to 21.
'GoldRush' apples are still ripening, so 'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest continues until about Nov. 18 to 21.
   Besides 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', we have about 18 other apple varieties and selections for sale as harvested apples.  We still have many 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale for about 2 more weeks, until they sell out.  I give taste samples of all our apple varieties and Asian pears, to those interested in buying them.
   Harvested apples and pears are kept in top condition in our cooler, set at 34 F, ideal for apples and pears.  So you can come buy harvested apples and pears even when it's raining.
    We've now harvested 100 large bins of apples, mostly 'Enterprise' plus a few 'GoldRush', for winter storage.  Last Saturday afternoon two of our workers and I harvested over 1000 pounds of 'Enterprise' apples in 4 1/2 hours.  Today I harvested over 500 pounds of 'Enterprise' apples myself.
A few days ago I harvested these large bins of  'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples for winter storage.
   'Enterprise' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 6 to 7 months, and 'GoldRush' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 8 to 10 months.  All winter I sort apples from these bins into trays holding 20 pounds each.  We currently have about 1200 pounds of sorted and cleaned apples in these trays, ready to sell.  For prices, scroll down 3 posts.
We now have cracked 'Osage' pecans for sale.  This is our earliest pecan variety.
   We're expecting a good crop of pecans this year.  We just started harvesting pecans, and just started cleaning and cracking the pecans for sale.  We now have cracked 'Osage' pecans for sale.  Cracked 'Kanza' pecans should start in mid-late Nov. once we get a hard freeze of 26 F or lower.  We should have cracked pecans for sale until mid-May.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks, but NO credit cards or debit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount of fruit and pecans you'll buy. 

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Last Week for Pick-Your-Own 'Enterprise' Apples, Many Harvested

  We still offer pick-your-own apples for the next 2 to 3 weeks or so.  If you want to pick 'Enterprise' apples, come this week, as I hope to finish  harvesting all the 'Enterprise' by Nov. 7 or 8.  'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest continues until about Nov. 15 to 18.
   We still have not had our first fall frost, though it got down to 36 F last Thursday and Friday mornings.  Apples are so high in sugars that they do not freeze until  it gets down to 24 or 25 F.  We usually keep harvesting 'GoldRush'apples until about Thanksgiving, since they ripen so late.
I hope to finish  harvesting all the 'Enterprise' by Nov. 7 or 8, so come this week if you want to pick your own 'Enterprise' apples.
   Today I started harvesting 'Enterprise' apples into large bins for winter storage.  We have 100 of these bins that hold about 30 pounds each, so we can store about 3000 pounds of apples in these.  'Enterprise' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 6 to 7 months, and 'GoldRush' apples keep well in our cooler or a fridge for 8 to 10 months.  All winter I sort apples from these bins into trays holding 20 pounds each.  We currently have about 2000 pounds of sorted and cleaned apples in these trays, ready to sell.
   Besides 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', we have about 18 other apple varieties and selections for sale as harvested apples.  We still have a few harvested 'Luscious' European pears for sale for about 1 more week, and many 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale for about 3 more weeks, until they sell out.  I give taste samples of all our apple and pear varieties, to those interested in buying them.  For prices, scroll down 2 posts.
   Small amounts of everbearing red raspberries are still ripening now until the first frost, so those coming for apples may also pick raspberries.
   We're expecting a good crop of pecans this year.  We haven't been able to start harvesting pecans yet, since we haven't yet had a freeze to open the shucks, and all the rain and foggy weather has kept the pecans too wet to harvest.  Once pecan harvest starts, the pecans have to be cleaned and cracked for sale.  We hope to have cracked pecans for sale starting about Nov. 14, and should have them until mid-May.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks, but NO credit cards or debit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount of fruit you'll buy.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm very busy harvesting apples now, and often can't see the driveway from the orchard.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  (Ring it loudly, once or twice.)  I hear that and come to the sales building. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Tons of Apples Ripe Now

   Literally tons of apples are ripe now.  I've already harvested several tons myself (out of the 7 tons or so of apples I'll harvest myself over the entire season), and have many for sale, along with pears and Asian pears.  Apples and pears are kept in top condition in our cooler, set at 34 F, ideal for apples and pears.  So you can come buy harvested apples and pears even when it's raining.
I harvest apples into two plastic bags per box, and pack many boxes with a bag each of two different varieties.  We have  many  harvested apple varieties for sale, including 'GoldRush' and Coop 27 (left box), 'Enterprise' and 'Sundance'(middle box), and 'Sunshine' and 'Sun Shower' from my apple breeding program (right box).
  We also offer pick-your-own apples for the next 4 weeks or so.  If you want to pick 'Enterprise' apples, come within the next 10 to 12 days, as 'Enterprise' harvest finishes up about Nov. 2 to 4.  We still have some 'Sundance' apples to pick for the next week or so, and 'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest goes from Oct. 15 to about Nov. 15.
We still have many 'Enterprise' apples for pick-your-own customers to harvest for the next 10 to 12 days or so.
   I give taste samples of all our apple and pear varieties, to those interested in buying them.  Prices are listed in the previous post.
   We're expecting a good crop of pecans this year.  Pecan harvest will not start until early Nov., and then we have to clean and crack them for sale.  We hope to have cracked pecans for sale starting in mid-Nov., and should have them until mid-May, as the sidebar at left states.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks, but NO credit cards or debit cards, as the sidebar at left states.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount of fruit you'll buy.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm very busy harvesting apples all around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  (Ring it loudly, once or twice.)  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Apple Harvest in Full Swing

   Many pick-your-own 'Enterprise' apples are ripe now, and many people have come to pick them over the last 2 weeks.  'Enterprise' harvest continues until about Nov. 2.  A few 'Sundance' and 'GoldRush' apples are starting to ripen, and 'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest goes from about Oct. 15 to about Nov. 15.
'GoldRush' apples are starting to ripen, and 'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest goes from about Oct. 15 to about Nov. 15.
   Mondays to Thursdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.  Many people come to pick apples on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, when the weather is nice as it has been lately.
The Chaney family had fun picking over 92 pounds of 'Enterprise' apples on Sat. Oct. 10.  Picking apples at our orchard is an annual outing for the Chaneys and many other families.
   I'm harvesting 'Enterprise' and several other apple varieties, and have these for sale.  Some of these are from the cooperative apple breeding program that produced 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', such as Coop 34 (not yet named), 'Sundance', and 'Scarlet O'Hara'.  Most are from my own breeding program, which uses apple varieties immune to apple scab disease as parents.  I've selected several dozen seedlings for further testing, and have named 14 apple selections so far.
'Pink Sun' (left box) and 'Sunspot' (right box) are 2 of the 14 apple selections I've named so far from my apple breeding program.  Both have 'Sundance' as one parent, so I use "Sun" in the names.  Most customers who have tasted these have loved them, so most apples of these selections have sold already, but we have other selections.
   We still have many harvested 'Luscious' European pears and 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale.  I finished harvesting all the pears on Oct. 2, so we'll have them for sale until they sell out, about 2 more weeks.  I give taste samples of all our apple and pear varieties, to those interested in buying them.
   Small amounts of harvested pears and apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of pears or apples costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of European and Asian pears, or one bag of pears and one bag of apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We also usually have a few harvested 2nds apples, with small bird pecks, cracks or other surface damage.  These are great for baking or for making apple butter or pies.  Usually about 90% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of 2nds apples costs $15.74 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price. We also have some 2nds Asian pears, but all 2nds of European pears have sold.
   Smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.69 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of #1 and #2 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. 
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm still very busy harvesting apples in 3 different orchards around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  (Ring it loudly, once or twice.)  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Many Pick-Your-Own & Harvested Apples, & Harvested Pears

   Many pick-your-own 'Enterprise' apples are ripe now, and many people have come to pick them over the last week.  'Enterprise' harvest continues until about Nov. 2, and 'GoldRush' pick-your-own harvest goes from about Oct. 15 to about Nov. 12 or 15.
Many 'Enterprise' apples are ripe now, and 'Enterprise' harvest will continue for the next 4 weeks.
   I'm also harvesting several other apple varieties, and have these for sale.  Some of these are from the cooperative apple breeding program that produced 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush', such as Coop 27 (not yet named), 'Sundance', and 'Scarlet O'Hara'.  Most are from my own breeding program, which uses apple varieties immune to apple scab disease as parents.  I've selected several dozen seedlings for further testing, and have named 14 apple selections so far.
I'm harvesting many 'Scarlet O'Hara' apples now.  This is a very large sweet apple that some customers love.
   We still have many harvested 'Luscious' and 'Harrowsweet' European pears and 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale.  I finished harvesting all the pears on Oct. 2, so we'll have them for sale until they sell out, about 3 more weeks.  I give taste samples of all our apple and pear varieties, to those interested in buying them.
   Small amounts of harvested pears and apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of pears or apples costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of European and Asian pears, or one bag of pears and one bag of apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
We have many harvested 'Harrowsweet' European pears (in blue box at left), 'Enterprise' apples (in green box at right), and other apple and pear varieties.
   We also usually have a few harvested 2nds apples, great for baking or for making apple butter or pies.  Usually about 90% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.  We also have some 2nds Asian pears, but all 2nds of European pears have sold.
   Smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.69 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of #1 and #2 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.  Mondays to Thursdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.  Many people come to pick apples on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, when the weather is nice as it has been lately.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm still very busy harvesting apples in 3 different orchards around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  (Ring it loudly, once or twice.)  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Pick-Your-Own Apple Season Has Started

   Our main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, has started with 'Enterprise', though only a few of those are ripe yet.  'Enterprise' harvest continues until about Nov. 2, and 'GoldRush' harvest goes from about Oct. 15 to about Nov. 12 or 15.
Customers have just started picking these 'Enterprise' apple trees.  More 'Enterprise' apples will ripen over the next 5 to 6 weeks.
   'Enterprise', 'GoldRush' and most of our other apple varieties originated from a cooperative apple breeding program begun in 1945, between Purdue University, University of Illinois, and Rutgers University, that selected for apple varieties immune to apple scab disease.  So our apple orchard does not get this disease, which can defoliate trees of scab-susceptible apple varieties if they are not heavily sprayed with fungicides.  So we can apply about 1/3 fewer fungicide sprays per season than we would need to apply if we grew apple varieties susceptible to apple scab disease, such as 'Jonathan' or 'Golden Delicious'.  That is why we do not grow scab-susceptible apple varieties.
Coop 27 is another selection from the cooperative apple breeding program between Purdue University, University of Illinois, and Rutgers University.  I'm harvesting our one Coop 27 apple tree, and have these for sale.
   I'm also harvesting several other apple varieties, and have these for sale.  Some of these are from the cooperative apple breeding program, such as Coop 27 (not yet named) and 'Scarlet O'Hara'.  Most are from my own breeding program, which uses apple varieties immune to apple scab disease as parents.  Immunity to apple scab disease is carried by a dominant gene, so all seedlings of scab-immune parents will also be scab-immune.  We still have to cut down most seedlings in the apple breeding program because they are susceptible to fire blight, apple blotch or other diseases, or because the fruit is too small or has other defects.  I've selected several dozen seedlings for further testing, and have named 14 apple selections so far.
   We still have many harvested 'Luscious' and 'Harrowsweet' European pears and 'Shinko' Asian pears for sale.  I give taste samples of all our apple and pear varieties, to those interested in buying them.
   Small amounts of harvested pears and apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of pears or apples costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of European and Asian pears, or one bag of pears and one bag of apples, and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We also usually have some harvested 2nds pears and a few 2nds apples, great for baking or for making pear butter or apple butter.  Usually about 90% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.
    Smaller amounts of pick-your-own apples are $0.93 per pound + tax for #1's and $0.69 per pound + tax for #2's.  For 40 lbs. or more total of #1 and #2 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.  Weekdays are good uncrowded times to pick apples, for those who are able to come then.

Each fall some 'Reveille' red raspberries fruit on the primocanes.  Phone a day or two ahead if you want to pick raspberries.
    Small amounts of everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries are ripening now until mid-late Oct.  If you want to pick raspberries, phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead, and let me know when you're coming and I'll save them for you.  Otherwise I pick the raspberries for my own use and for Bill to make jam for sale, as raspberries need to be picked at least every other day.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm very busy harvesting pears and apples all around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  I hear that and come to the sales building. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Many European Pears & Asian Pears Ripe

   We still have many harvested pears for sale. Yesterday I delivered 80 lbs. of 'Luscious' European pears to Chetopa School and Bartlett School for the kids' afternoon snacks.  The schools and many parents of young children like these 'Luscious' pears since they're small to medium-sized, and the kids will eat the whole pear.
   We also still have some 'Blake's Pride' European pears, which get huge, for sale.  If you want 'Blake's Pride' pears, come soon, since I'm almost done harvesting them.  Tomorrow I'll start harvesting 'Harrowsweet', our last European pear variety, and we'll keep harvesting them for the next 3 weeks or so.
Tomorrow I'll start harvesting 'Harrowsweet', our latest-ripening European pear variety, and we'll keep harvesting them for the next 3 weeks or so.
   European pears keep in the fridge for 4 to 6 weeks.  Take a few European pears out each day, and let them sit on the counter for 2 to 3 days until they turn yellow and as soft as you want them to eat or bake with.  A great pear tart recipe is posted on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, as a Note.
   I'm also harvesting many 'Shinko' Asian pears. Asian pears stay firm and crunchy, are very sweet and juicy, and keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 months.  I give taste samples of all our pear varieties.
'Shinko' Asian pears stay firm and crunchy, and are very sweet and juicy.
   I'm also harvesting several early apple varieties from my apple breeding program, but we only have a few trees of apple varieties that fruit this early.  Our main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, runs from about Sept. 24 to about Nov. 12 or 15.
'Sun Flare' is a selection from my apple breeding program that I just named 2 days ago.  It's very sweet and crisp.  I picked about 50 lbs. of 'Sun Flare', and about 30 lbs. have already sold.
   Small amounts of harvested pears and apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of pears or apples costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of European and Asian pears, or one bag of pears and one bag of apples (when available), and still get the 20-lb. discount.
   We also usually have some 2nds pears and a few 2nds apples, great for baking or for making pear butter or apple butter.  Usually about 90% of the fruit is still usable, but they're 60% the cost at $0.83 per pound + tax.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  I'm very busy harvesting pears and early apples all around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Bumper Crop of Pears Ripe

   We have a bumper crop of pears this year.  Our workers and I harvested many 'Luscious' European pears over Labor Day weekend, and I've harvested many 'Blake's Pride' pears and some 'Shinko' Asian pears, and we have these for sale.  I give taste samples.
'Luscious' European pears (left box) soften and are great for fresh eating or baking.  'Shinko' Asian pears (right box) stay firm and crunchy, are very sweet and juicy for fresh eating.
    European pears keep in the fridge for 6 to 8 weeks.  Take a few European pears out each day, and let them sit on the counter for 2 to 3 days until they turn yellow and as soft as you want them to eat or bake with.  A great pear tart recipe is posted on our Facebook page, Brendas Berries, as a Note.  Asian pears stay firm and crunchy, are very sweet and juicy, and keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 months.
Our workers Tim Epler (left) and Luke Laws (right) and I harvested many 'Luscious' European pears over Labor Day weekend.
    I'm also harvesting several early apple varieties, but we only have a few trees of apple varieties that fruit this early.  Our main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, runs from about Sept. 24 to about Nov. 12 or 15.
    Small amounts of harvested pears and apples cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of pears or apples costs $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price.  I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of one bag of pears and one bag of apples and still get the 20-lb. discount.
    Peach harvest is now over, and we are sold out of peaches for the year.   
    Small amounts of everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries are ripening now until early Oct.  If you want to pick raspberries, phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead, and let me know when you're coming and I'll save them for you.  Otherwise I pick the raspberries for my own use and for Bill to make jam for sale, as raspberries need to be picked at least every other day.
  From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  As stated in the last blog post, I'm very busy harvesting pears and early apples all around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Many Pears & Some Early Apples Ripe

   Many customers visited our farm from Sept. 1 to 4, many wanting peaches, so we sold out of peaches a few days earlier than expected.  Peach harvest is now over, and we are sold out of peaches for the year.
   'Blake's Pride' and 'Luscious' European pears are still ripening plentifully.  This morning two of our workers, Tim Epler and Luke Laws, and I harvested about 350 pounds of 'Luscious' European pears, so we now have plenty for sale.  Thankfully Tim and Luke will help pick pears again on Monday, as Labor Day is a school holiday.
I've harvested many 'Blake's Pride' pears, and today our workers and I harvested many 'Luscious' European pears.
   I've also harvested many 'Blake's Pride' pears and some 'Shinko' Asian pears and have these for sale.  I'm harvesting several early apple varieties, but most of these sell within hours of picking, since we only have a few trees of apple varieties that fruit this early.  Our main apple harvest season, and pick-your-own apple season, runs from about Sept. 24 to about Nov. 12 or 15.
'Jonasun', a selection from my apple breeding program that I just named this year, is one of the few early apple varieties that I'm picking.
   Crabapples are starting to ripen on our two crabapple trees.  Those who want to make crabapple jelly should phone 620-597-2450 and let us know when you want to come pick crabapples or if you want to buy harvested crabapples.  Prices are the same per pound as harvested or pick-your-own apples (see our price sheet or the previous blog post), but you get a lot more crabapples per pound since they're so much smaller.
   From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., & Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.  As stated in the last blog post, I'm very busy harvesting pears and early apples all around the farm, and often can't see the driveway from the orchards.  While harvesting, I put up a sign on the sales building, saying to ring the bell.  I hear that and come to the sales building.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Many Pears, Some Peaches & Apples Ripe Now

   Tomorrow starts our fall hours.  From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, we're open  Mon. to Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. only.
'Blake's Pride' European pears are ripening plentifully now, and I have many picked and ready to sell.  These pears are very large and have a smooth texture and wonderful flavor.
   'Blake's Pride' and 'Luscious' European pears are ripening plentifully now, so I'm very busy harvesting them.  I'm also harvesting some 'Shinko' Asian pears and several early apple varieties, plus 'Flameprince' peaches.  All my workers are back in high school and college now, so I only have their help on Saturday mornings and school holidays such as Labor Day.
'Flameprince' is the last of our 17 peach varieties to ripen.  Our workers harvested some this past Saturday, and I harvest them on weekdays.
    I'm harvesting all these fruits from 4 different orchards around the farm, and can't see the driveway from 3 of these orchards.  I put a sign on the sales building door while harvesting fruit, to ring the bell on the post.  I can hear that from the orchard and come to the sales building.
    Small amounts of peaches, pears, and apples all cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  A 20-lb. box of peaches, pears, or apples all cost $23.15 + tax, which saves $1.00 off the per-pound price. I harvest pears and apples into two plastic bags per box, so you can get a mixed box of one bag of pears and one bag of apples and still get the 20-lb. discount.
We have a few #1 'Gala' apples (left box) for sale, and many #1 'Jonafree' apples (right box).  Excess rain caused many 'Gala' apples to crack, so there are many 2nds 'Gala' apples.
   We also have some 2nds pears and many 2nds 'Gala' apples, with rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.83 per pound + tax.  Our pick-your-own apple season runs from mid-Sept. to mid-Nov.
   We still have some 'China Pearl' white peaches for sale. These are low in acid so taste sweeter than yellow peaches.  We'll have 'Flameprince' yellow peaches for sale until about Sept. 10.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Late Peaches & Early Apples Ripe

   "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."  Psalm 34:8 
    Come taste samples of our 'Carolina Gold' yellow peaches and 'China Pearl' white peaches, plus several early apple varieties. Those who want white peaches, come soon, as I'm almost done picking them.  Deer and birds seem to prefer these 'China Pearl' white peaches, which are low in acid so taste sweeter than yellow peaches.
We still have many 'Carolina Gold' yellow peaches (left box) and 'China Pearl' white peaches (right box) for sale for the next week or so.
   We'll have yellow peaches for sale until about Sept. 10, and white peaches until about Aug. 31.  We still have a late-ripening yellow peach variety left to harvest, 'Flameprince'.  I'll pick 'Flameprince' from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6 or so.  We sell all peaches harvested; we do not allow customers to pick peaches.
   Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax.
   We're still open our summer hours through Aug. 31, as the sidebar at left shows: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 7 p.m. till dark, and Sundays 7 p.m. till dark only.  From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, we're open our fall hours: Mon. to Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. only.
     Next week and the week after, I'll harvest 'Flameprince' peaches each morning from 7 to about 9:30 a.m., and can't see the driveway from the peach orchard.  So if you plan to arrive before 9:30 a.m., please phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead, and leave a message saying when you're coming.  Thanks.  From about  9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, I harvest apples or prune raspberries near the sales building, so I can see the driveway.
I just started harvesting some early 'Gala' apples and have these for sale now.
   I've started harvesting some early apples and have these for sale now: 'Gala', 'Jonafree' and 'Honeycrisp'.  We have just one or two trees of each of these early varieties, so they are limited.  We'll start harvesting some early pears and have them for sale starting about Sept. 1.  Our pick-your-own apple season runs from mid-Sept. to mid-Nov.
We have just one young tree of 'Honeycrisp', so they are limited.
   The sidebar at left gives ripening dates for all our fruits, plus directions to our farm and payment methods.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Peach Harvest Continues

   Peach harvest continues for the next month.  We grow 17 different peach varieties that provide a succession of ripening over 2 1/2 months.  Each variety is ripe for about 2 weeks.
We're harvesting many 'Carolina Gold' (left box) and 'Glowingstar' (right box) yellow peaches now.
   We're harvesting many 'Glowingstar' and 'Carolina Gold' yellow peaches now, and I just started harvesting 'China Pearl' white peaches on Sat. morning Aug. 8.  I give taste samples of all peach varieties currently for sale.
I just started harvesting 'China Pearl', our 2nd white peach variety.  I'll keep harvesting it for the next 2 weeks, and we'll have white peaches for sale until late Aug. or early Sept.
   Peach harvest goes until about Sept. 10, and our heaviest time for peaches is from July 20 to about Aug. 31.  We sell all peaches harvested; we do not allow customers to pick peaches.
   Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax.
   Come during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.
   I'm now harvesting 'China Pearl' white peaches each morning from 7 to about 9 a.m., and can't see the driveway from the peach orchard.  So if you plan to arrive before 9 a.m., please phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead, and leave a message saying when you're coming.  Thanks.  From about  9 a.m. to 12 noon, I work in the area around the sales building, pruning raspberries or blackberries or controlling weeds, so I can see the driveway.
   Thornless blackberry season has now ended.  The sidebar at left gives ripening dates for all our fruits, plus directions to our farm and payment methods.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Many Yellow & White Peaches Ripe

   Peach harvest is still going strong.  We're currently finishing harvest of 'Contender' yellow peaches, and still have some 'Intrepid and 'Challenger' yellow peaches and 'Nectar' white peaches for sale.  We're harvesting many 'Glowingstar' yellow peaches now, and have just started harvesting 'Carolina Gold' peaches.  I give taste samples of all peach varieties currently for sale.

We still have 'Nectar' white peaches (left box) for sale, and we're harvesting many 'Glowingstar' yellow peaches (right box) now.
   Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax.
We've just started harvesting 'Carolina Gold' peaches, and will keep picking them until about Aug. 17.
   Thornless blackberry season is just about over now.  There are still some sandhill plums to pick for the next few days. 
   Small amounts of everbearing red raspberries and yellow raspberries are ripening now until early Oct.  If you want to pick raspberries, phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead, and let me know when you're coming and I'll save them for you.  Otherwise I pick the raspberries for my own use and for Bill to make jam for sale, as raspberries need to be picked every day.
Small amounts of everbearing yellow raspberries (photo) and  red raspberries are ripening now until early Oct.
   We're still open our summer hours until Aug. 31: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Peach Season in Full Swing

  Many thornless blackberries are still ripening and ready to pick now.  We have 3 different varieties of thornless blackberries with ripe berries now, and they will continue to ripen over the next 2 weeks, until early Aug.  There are NO chiggers, and you can pick a quart in 5 minutes.  All our blackberries have large fruit and great taste.
   Sandhill plums are still ripening, and will also continue until early Aug.  Sandhill plums are too small and tart for fresh eating, but have a hint of apricot flavor and make wonderful jams and jellies.
   All our berries and sandhill plums are sold pick-your-own only.  Thornless blackberries and sandhill plums both cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.  We provide containers, and just ask that you return the containers to us for reuse on your next trip to Brenda's Berries.
   Peach season is getting into full swing.  We grow 17 different peach varieties that provide a succession of ripening over 2 1/2 months.  We're now harvesting 'Newhaven', 'Intrepid' and 'Contender' yellow peaches.  We're also still harvesting our first white peach variety, 'Nectar', and it will keep ripening until about July 30.

We're now harvesting 'Newhaven' (front box), 'Intrepid' (2nd box) and 'Contender' (3rd & 4th boxes) yellow peaches.
   Peach harvest goes until about Sept. 10, and our heaviest time for peaches is now to about Aug. 31.  We sell all peaches harvested; we do not allow customers to pick peaches.
Our 6 workers and I harvest all peaches.  Here, Emma Gregory harvests white peaches.
   I give taste samples of all peach varieties.  White peaches have a different taste; they are low in acid so taste sweeter to some people. White peaches are best for fresh eating, while yellow peaches are great for fresh eating, baking, jams, preserves, canning and freezing.
'Nectar' white peach will keep ripening until about July 30.
  Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax. 
  If you want more than 40 pounds of peaches, phone 620-597-2450 a day or two before you plan to come.  Leave a message on the answering machine with you name and phone number, the day and time you plan to come, and how many pounds of peaches you want to buy, and I'll return your call to confirm.
We're just started harvesting 'Contender' yellow peaches. They will keep ripening until early Aug.
    For payment, we accept cash or checks; NO debit cards or credit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover what you'll buy.
   Come during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.  (Please arrive at a time that allows you enough time to finish picking by our closing time.  Thanks.)
   Have your vehicle cleaned out so there's room to put peach boxes and trays of berries.  These fruits travel best in open trays, where they receive air conditioning from the vehicle, not in a car trunk or in an ice chest, so don't take up room in the vehicle with an ice chest.  We keep our cooler at 50 F, ideal for peaches, as they can get chilling injury at temperatures below 50 F or if put directly on ice.  Once you get them home, both peaches and blackberries keep well for 10 days in a refrigerator.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Many Blackberries, Yellow & White Peaches Ripe

   Many thornless blackberries are still ripening and ready to pick now.  Each of our 4 different varieties of thornless blackberries has ripe berries now, and they will continue to ripen over the next 3 weeks, until early Aug.  There are NO chiggers, and you can pick a quart in 5 minutes.
Customers picked many very large 'Apache' blackberries on Sat. July 11, and more are ripening. 
   'Apache' blackberries have very large fruit, and 'Ouachita' and 'Triple Crown blackberries have large fruit.  'Natchez', with huge fruit, started ripening a month ago so will finish in the next week, so come soon if you want to pick 'Natchez'.
Aiden Wiles picked 'Apache' blackberries with his mom and grandma on Sat. July 11.
   Sandhill plums have started ripening, and will also continue to ripen until early Aug.  Sandhill plums are native to sandy, hilly soils of central KS and central OK.  Sandhill plums are too small and tart for fresh eating, but have a hint of apricot flavor and make wonderful jams and jellies.
Sandhill plums, sold pick-your-own only, make wonderful jams and jellies.
    All our berries and sandhill plums are sold pick-your-own only.  Thornless blackberries and sandhill plums both cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.
    We provide containers, and just ask that you return the containers to us for reuse on your next trip to Brenda's Berries.  We also appreciate it if you can bring some cardboard trays, such as those used for 6-packs of energy drinks or beer, to place your quarts of blackberries in to bring home.  Some customers have brought plastic or metal trays to bring home their blackberry quarts.  Others have brought us some cardboard trays to use for other customers, which we greatly appreciate!
   We're now harvesting 'Newhaven' and 'Challenger' yellow peaches, and still some 'Surecrop' peaches.  We'll start harvesting 'Intrepid' yellow peaches later this week.  I harvested some of our first white peach variety, 'Nectar', over the past couple days, and it will keep ripening until about July 28 or 30.
We're now harvesting 'Nectar' white peaches (left) and 'Newhaven'  yellow peaches (right), plus 'Challenger' and 'Surecrop' yellow peaches.
   I give taste samples of all peach varieties.  White peaches have a different taste; they are low in acid so taste sweeter to some people. White peaches are best for fresh eating, while yellow peaches are great for fresh eating, baking, jams, preserves, canning and freezing.
  Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or rain cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax. 
   Come during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.  (Please arrive at a time that allows you enough time to finish picking by our closing time.  Thanks.)
   Have your vehicle cleaned out so there's room to put peach boxes and trays of berries.  These fruits travel best in open trays, where they receive air conditioning from the vehicle, not in a car trunk or in an ice chest, so don't take up room in the vehicle with an ice chest.  We keep our cooler at 50 F, ideal for peaches, as they can get chilling injury at temperatures below 50 F or if put directly on ice.  Once you get them home, both peaches and blackberries keep well for 10 days in a refrigerator.