Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Plumcots & Peaches Blooming

   Spring has started early this year, after a mild winter.  Our two plumcot trees are now blooming, and peaches are in the pink bud stage with a few peach trees blooming.  Since we still have a month to go before the average date of the last spring frost in this area, we are praying that we will have a peach crop this year.

Our two plumcot trees are now in bloom, with white flowers, and the peach trees behind them are in the pink bud stage.
   We're still working on blackberry pruning, a huge job.  One of our workers has college spring break this week, and five other workers have spring break from high school and college next week, so they'll all work here over 8 hours per day, Monday through Saturday, whenever it's not raining.  When we finish blackberry pruning, we need to prune the apple orchard and the pear orchard.
This young 'Autumn Star' peach tree, though one of the latest-ripening varieties, is the earliest to bloom.
   I started pruning the peach orchard today, and Bill has already removed some large peach limbs with the chain saw.  When it rains, I'm still sorting apples in the sales building.
    We still have many 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples for sale.  These apples taste much better than any sold in grocery stores, and are great for baking as well as fresh eating.  I give taste samples.  We also still have cracked 'Kanza' pecans for sale.  For prices, scroll down two posts.
   Asparagus harvest should start in a week or two, and goes until late May.  These are nice thick spears, and I snap asparagus off where it breaks easily, so almost the entire spear is tender and usable.  Asparagus is sold harvested for $2.78 per pound + tax.  Phone 620-597-2450 a few days ahead to order asparagus, and leave a message on the answering machine.
   From Dec. 1 to May 31, we're open by appointment.  That means to phone 620-597-2450 a day or so 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, so if you wait to call until on your way here, I probably won't get your message before you come, since I'm working outside or sorting apples in the sales building.)
   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 you'll buy.  Thanks.