Still plenty of winter apples out there....Granny Smith, Gold Rush, Braeburn and Pink Lady.
There are a few Honeycrisp out there but really those are about done.
A few Golden Delicious left if look in the older part of the orchard...right behind the shop. There are lots of Red Delicious out there still.
If you come for Pink Lady, walk down toward the end of the row. Lots left on the last 1/3 of the row.
We are open until around 5:30pm now since it gets dark so early. We will also be open this weekend.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Apple Update: Week of Nov 1st...Pink Lady Ready!
Granny Smith
Cameo
We are expecting to be open through the 2nd or 3rd week of Nov.
Normally we are about done this time of year but the winter apples became ripe later this year. Just keep coming until you read the post that we are closed! :)
Things in the orchard are pretty much the same as last week.
Three changes:
Pink Lady are FINALLY ready :) We always wait impatiently for them since they are the last apple of the season to be ready.
Jonagold and Fuji are pretty much done. There are some out there if you want to hunt but they are getting pretty rough looking. It's a shame though because the Jonagold are so darn good :)
The Melrose are all gone too if I didn't already say that last week. One thing I learned recently about Melrose is they are a cross between Red Delicious and Jonathon apples. Who knew!? It's seems like a funny combo because people seem to LOVE Jonathon apples....but then Red Delicious have a bit of a bad rap because they are usually grainy and yucky at the grocery stores. Just thought it was a bit of a strange combo but really it worked out well, because I really like Melrose.
Cameo
We are expecting to be open through the 2nd or 3rd week of Nov.
Normally we are about done this time of year but the winter apples became ripe later this year. Just keep coming until you read the post that we are closed! :)
Things in the orchard are pretty much the same as last week.
Three changes:
Pink Lady are FINALLY ready :) We always wait impatiently for them since they are the last apple of the season to be ready.
Jonagold and Fuji are pretty much done. There are some out there if you want to hunt but they are getting pretty rough looking. It's a shame though because the Jonagold are so darn good :)
The Melrose are all gone too if I didn't already say that last week. One thing I learned recently about Melrose is they are a cross between Red Delicious and Jonathon apples. Who knew!? It's seems like a funny combo because people seem to LOVE Jonathon apples....but then Red Delicious have a bit of a bad rap because they are usually grainy and yucky at the grocery stores. Just thought it was a bit of a strange combo but really it worked out well, because I really like Melrose.
Friday, October 29, 2010
What we have been up to this summer....
This is just a collage of all we have been up to this summer. All the crops are harvested now besides apples so "winter" has officially began.
In the winter, we make a winter list of everything we need to repair or improve on our equipment. We do a lot of work in the shop, go to many classes to update our spray license, or just education classes in general. I also try to do one big organization/clean up project on the farm in a certain area. With having a farm that does so many different things, we have a lot of stuff sitting around.
So anyway, enjoy the pictures!
We don't raise cauliflower but I thought the plants looked cool, so I thought I would share.
Corn Picker
Spinach Seed field dried, ready to harvest.
Wheat harvest
Spinach Seed field
Below is a cabbage seed field....Bok Choy actually. Before the seeds set, it was a beautiful bright yellow all across the field.
In the winter, we make a winter list of everything we need to repair or improve on our equipment. We do a lot of work in the shop, go to many classes to update our spray license, or just education classes in general. I also try to do one big organization/clean up project on the farm in a certain area. With having a farm that does so many different things, we have a lot of stuff sitting around.
So anyway, enjoy the pictures!
We don't raise cauliflower but I thought the plants looked cool, so I thought I would share.
Corn Picker
Spinach Seed field dried, ready to harvest.
Wheat harvest
Spinach Seed field
Below is a cabbage seed field....Bok Choy actually. Before the seeds set, it was a beautiful bright yellow all across the field.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Update, Monday Oct 25th: Gold Rush and Rome are now ready!
For those of you who are diehards, there are still plenty of apples out there. It may be rainy and a bit windy but isn't that the fun of picking apples!? Then you get to take them to your warm house and have the whole house smell like apples and cinnamon!
So here is what is going on out in the orchard:
If you're looking for golden delicious, there are lots on the older trees behind the shop. The apples trees are not organized in the older trees but it can be kind of fun because everything in that section is ready now. It's an easy way to get a good mixture of apples without a lot of effort.
Granny Smith are just now ready this last week so there is lots to choose from and they are looking very nice.
Gold Rush are just now ready. They are a smaller size apple that stores well, and I'm told if you cut into them they resist browning. They are similar looking to a Golden Delicious but a bit smaller.
Braeburns are looking good. Plenty out there. There is one new baby row that has lots and the rest are in the southwest corner of the orchard. You will see them right by the road when you drive in.
Still some Fujis out there. Driving through the older part of the orchard, I discovered a beautiful Fuji tree....ask me if you want those and I'll take you there! There are still some Fujis on the long rows too. Just be willing to walk down aways.
Still some Honeycrisp and Red Delicious out there.
Still lots of Jonagold too!
Rome are ready now too. Good for cooking. A beautiful bright red apple.
Melrose are practically almost gone but there are a few.
Most all apple rows are now getting to the point where you have to walk at least halfway down.
See you in the rain!
So here is what is going on out in the orchard:
If you're looking for golden delicious, there are lots on the older trees behind the shop. The apples trees are not organized in the older trees but it can be kind of fun because everything in that section is ready now. It's an easy way to get a good mixture of apples without a lot of effort.
Granny Smith are just now ready this last week so there is lots to choose from and they are looking very nice.
Gold Rush are just now ready. They are a smaller size apple that stores well, and I'm told if you cut into them they resist browning. They are similar looking to a Golden Delicious but a bit smaller.
Braeburns are looking good. Plenty out there. There is one new baby row that has lots and the rest are in the southwest corner of the orchard. You will see them right by the road when you drive in.
Still some Fujis out there. Driving through the older part of the orchard, I discovered a beautiful Fuji tree....ask me if you want those and I'll take you there! There are still some Fujis on the long rows too. Just be willing to walk down aways.
Still some Honeycrisp and Red Delicious out there.
Still lots of Jonagold too!
Rome are ready now too. Good for cooking. A beautiful bright red apple.
Melrose are practically almost gone but there are a few.
Most all apple rows are now getting to the point where you have to walk at least halfway down.
See you in the rain!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
She is an "official" farmer now!
Becky has been working here during apple season for the last 3 years. I'm sure you've met her if you've been her lately.
She officially graduated to "farmer status" yesterday. She now owns 2 of her very own farmer hats! I have included one of the pictures of her with her new hat! Free advertising for Wilco :) ha! She also has a bright green John Deere hat. Very exciting day for her. You guys will have to give her a hard time. I am sure I am embarrassing her right now but that is the best part! Love you Becky!
We also had 6-8th graders come out from a school in Tigard a few weeks ago. Took them on the apple orchard tour and made apple cidar.
And we had the 3rd graders from Brooks School. They all happily got their apples!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Cameos, Granny Smith and Braeburn are ready
Cameos, Granny Smith, Braeburn are ready now!
Here is what www.americancameo.com said about Cameos:
"It used to be that red apples were all the rage. In fact, growers actually got paid for color — the redder they could make the apple, the more money they made.
Trouble was, getting apples red resulted in thick, tough skin and soft, mealy flesh. People that love apples for their taste and crunch were not happy with the poor quality. And they said so loud and clear, by simply not buying red apples.
Cameo growers got the message loud and clear. So, instead of growing for color, they grew an apple specifically for taste and crunch. By toning down the red, they were able to keep the skin very thin, the flavor sweet yet tart, and the flesh very crunchy."
There is also a friendly disagreement between us if the Braeburns are ready. :) One says yes, and one says no. So I will go try them out again and report back!
Ok 15 minutes later....the verdict...The Braeburns are still pretty firm but have a good flavor underneath. I think if you were eating it by the slice they would be very tasty but biting into them I'd wait another week. So that's the best I can tell you :) It is especially a good time to pick them if you are planning on storing them though.
Gold Rush are getting close but not quite ready.
Pink Lady aren't ready yet either. They are always the last apple to be ready.
Going to be a nice week to come pick!
Here is what www.americancameo.com said about Cameos:
"It used to be that red apples were all the rage. In fact, growers actually got paid for color — the redder they could make the apple, the more money they made.
Trouble was, getting apples red resulted in thick, tough skin and soft, mealy flesh. People that love apples for their taste and crunch were not happy with the poor quality. And they said so loud and clear, by simply not buying red apples.
Cameo growers got the message loud and clear. So, instead of growing for color, they grew an apple specifically for taste and crunch. By toning down the red, they were able to keep the skin very thin, the flavor sweet yet tart, and the flesh very crunchy."
There is also a friendly disagreement between us if the Braeburns are ready. :) One says yes, and one says no. So I will go try them out again and report back!
Ok 15 minutes later....the verdict...The Braeburns are still pretty firm but have a good flavor underneath. I think if you were eating it by the slice they would be very tasty but biting into them I'd wait another week. So that's the best I can tell you :) It is especially a good time to pick them if you are planning on storing them though.
Gold Rush are getting close but not quite ready.
Pink Lady aren't ready yet either. They are always the last apple to be ready.
Going to be a nice week to come pick!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ruby Jons
Ruby Jons have all been picked.
Red Delicious are ready now also. These ones actually have a crunch to them unlike the ones you buy at the store!
Apples coming up next are: Cameo, Rome, Braeburn, Granny Smith.
And don't forget about drying some apples to eat all year round!
Red Delicious are ready now also. These ones actually have a crunch to them unlike the ones you buy at the store!
Apples coming up next are: Cameo, Rome, Braeburn, Granny Smith.
And don't forget about drying some apples to eat all year round!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
New Apple Ready!
Fujis are ready! (Editing this: Fujis are ready if you are picking them to keep for quite awhile. If you want to eat them right this minute, I would wait a bit longer.)
I have never been that impressed with Fujis because they have such a unexciting outside...not real colorful. But I just took a bite of one for the first time in a long time and I was very surprised. They are GOOD! So I guess I learned, don't judge an apple by the outside!
Drove around the orchard this morning checking out all the apples. Just a hint...the farther you walk, the better apples you will find! Some rows from the beginning look like there is nothing left, but once you get down to the last 1/4 of the row, there are lots.
See you soon.
I have never been that impressed with Fujis because they have such a unexciting outside...not real colorful. But I just took a bite of one for the first time in a long time and I was very surprised. They are GOOD! So I guess I learned, don't judge an apple by the outside!
Drove around the orchard this morning checking out all the apples. Just a hint...the farther you walk, the better apples you will find! Some rows from the beginning look like there is nothing left, but once you get down to the last 1/4 of the row, there are lots.
See you soon.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Update
Not much new to post.
Still lots of apples left.
Available to pick:
Honeycrisp
Jonagold
Melrose
More Golden Delicious
Ruby Jon
Beautiful weather!!
Still lots of apples left.
Available to pick:
Honeycrisp
Jonagold
Melrose
More Golden Delicious
Ruby Jon
Beautiful weather!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Another apples is ripe.
Ruby Macs are all gone for the year.
Ruby Jon is ready now. They look just like the Ruby Macs--beautiful red, but a little different taste.
Still have all the other varieties available that were mentioned in earlier posts.
Ruby Jon is ready now. They look just like the Ruby Macs--beautiful red, but a little different taste.
Still have all the other varieties available that were mentioned in earlier posts.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Apple Variety Info
Ever wonder what you can do with a specific variety of apple beside eat it? Click the link below to see a list of the apples we have and some of their uses!
Apple Variety Info
Apple Variety Info
Friday, September 17, 2010
Update
Ok I was mistaken!! There are still half a row of Ruby Macs so come NOW if you want them! They won't last long because they seem to be a favorite.
Still plenty of Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Melrose left.
Still plenty of Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Melrose left.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Melrose Ready.
Melrose are ready. We have one young row of Melrose and many Melrose trees scattered in the bigger, older tree section of the orchard. We'll have to take you out and show you those probably.
Melrose are a good cooking apple, but also are quite tasty for just eating.
Melrose are a good cooking apple, but also are quite tasty for just eating.
Finally some pictures!
Finally some pictures! Check the next oldest post for what apples are ready now.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Two Rows of Jonagold Ready!
Two Rows of Jonagold are ready now. The 2 rows are closest to the railroad tracks on the north side of the orchard. Nice big apples. These rows are always ready earlier than the others.
Just found out that the RubyMac row is ready now too. It's a young row so if you really want them, I'd come soon before they are gone.
(Someone called today asking if they were ready and we told you, "Not Yet." Sorry we were wrong!)
Also still have the part row of Golden Delicious and tons of Honeycrisp and Gala.
Just found out that the RubyMac row is ready now too. It's a young row so if you really want them, I'd come soon before they are gone.
(Someone called today asking if they were ready and we told you, "Not Yet." Sorry we were wrong!)
Also still have the part row of Golden Delicious and tons of Honeycrisp and Gala.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Half a Row of Golden Delicious are Ready
For some reason, part of a Golden Delicious row is always ready early. They are beautiful too so come before they are gone! Just drive out back and look for a big sign that will point you to the correct Golden Delicious row.
Still have tons of Honeycrisp and Gala also.
Still have tons of Honeycrisp and Gala also.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Orchard will be closed for 2 days.
The apple orchard will be closed Sat, Sept 4th and Sun, Sept 5th. We will be open Monday though if you'd like to come.
Have a good Holiday weekend!
Have a good Holiday weekend!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Honeycrisp and Gala
Apple Update:
The two regular rows of Honeycrisp aren't quite ready yet but we have one oddball row where every other tree is Honeycrisp....and those are perfectly ready and looking very nice. The regular rows of Honeycrisp, for a guess, will be ready in 1-2 weeks.
And where do I begin about the Galas....? We have some smaller trees that have some decent looking Red Galas that are ready now, and a few bigger old Gala trees behind the shop.
The rest of the Galas though are looking pretty bad this year. You're welcome to come check them out but they aren't pretty. Come in about a week for those.
The Jonagold will be the next apple to be ready. Give them about 2 weeks and check back on the blog for an update.
This year was a hard year on apples because of all the rain and ongoing cold spring weather. While there are some varieties that are beautiful, some varieties are hard to look at this year.
That's the life of a farmer though :)
Looking forward to seeing you all this year.
P.S. For those of you who have never been before, you should know you need to bring boxes or bags to take your apples home in. We have buckets you can pick into but please transfer the apples into your own container when you leave.
We are a working farm with many other crops to take care of so unfortunately we are in and out a lot. It is best to bring small bills, or a check just in case you can't find us for change. If someone is in the office, we also have a VISA machine. Sorry for the times that you come and we are not there. I try my best to have good signage but please give suggestions on how we can do things better! Thanks!
The two regular rows of Honeycrisp aren't quite ready yet but we have one oddball row where every other tree is Honeycrisp....and those are perfectly ready and looking very nice. The regular rows of Honeycrisp, for a guess, will be ready in 1-2 weeks.
And where do I begin about the Galas....? We have some smaller trees that have some decent looking Red Galas that are ready now, and a few bigger old Gala trees behind the shop.
The rest of the Galas though are looking pretty bad this year. You're welcome to come check them out but they aren't pretty. Come in about a week for those.
The Jonagold will be the next apple to be ready. Give them about 2 weeks and check back on the blog for an update.
This year was a hard year on apples because of all the rain and ongoing cold spring weather. While there are some varieties that are beautiful, some varieties are hard to look at this year.
That's the life of a farmer though :)
Looking forward to seeing you all this year.
P.S. For those of you who have never been before, you should know you need to bring boxes or bags to take your apples home in. We have buckets you can pick into but please transfer the apples into your own container when you leave.
We are a working farm with many other crops to take care of so unfortunately we are in and out a lot. It is best to bring small bills, or a check just in case you can't find us for change. If someone is in the office, we also have a VISA machine. Sorry for the times that you come and we are not there. I try my best to have good signage but please give suggestions on how we can do things better! Thanks!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Gravensteins are all picked.
Thanks for coming and getting the Gravenstein apples. They are all picked now. I am jealous of all the yummy pies, applesauce you are making with them!
The other apple varieties are still needing to ripen.
I will post when a new variety is ready.
Blueberries are done for the year also.
We just harvested our chinese cabbage seed (Bok Choy) yesterday so another crop is in! All we have left now is the spinach seed, which we might possibly harvest this afternoon, and the corn which we grow for a cannery. September sometime is when the corn will be harvested.
Alright better get back to work!
The other apple varieties are still needing to ripen.
I will post when a new variety is ready.
Blueberries are done for the year also.
We just harvested our chinese cabbage seed (Bok Choy) yesterday so another crop is in! All we have left now is the spinach seed, which we might possibly harvest this afternoon, and the corn which we grow for a cannery. September sometime is when the corn will be harvested.
Alright better get back to work!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Red Gravenstein are ready!
Looks like the Red Gravenstein are ready. Come soon before they all fall on the ground!
Gravenstein are great for baking.
We were telling people the end of August but looks like they are ready sooner than we thought.
Gravenstein are great for baking.
We were telling people the end of August but looks like they are ready sooner than we thought.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Busy time of the year for us.
Here are just some pictures of what has been happening the last week on the farm...swathed spinach seed and chinese cabbage seed, combining wheat now, harvested our green beans and continue watering our 2 fields of corn. (The combine is the big yellow machine, and the swather is the smaller red machine) The pictures of the computers are the 2 we have in our combine. They can tell us a lot of things....our yield per acre, moisture level...etc. This is our peak time here on the farm....we are putting in lots of hours right now.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Last week of the Fruit stand on 99E
We should be finishing with our 3rd picking of the Bluecrop today so it may be the last day of the fruit stand...if we have a little left to pick tomorrow, then tomorrow will be the last day.
We also have 3 types of garlic for sale: Elephant, White and Red Garlic. $3/lb
We will still be picking for a few weeks after the fruit stand is closed, so call us at 503-991-7207 if you'd like to order a flat.
Thank you for all who came and enjoyed our blueberries!
Red Gravenstein apples will be available for u-pick in 2 weeks at our farm: 4925 Rockdale St NE, Brooks.
We also have 3 types of garlic for sale: Elephant, White and Red Garlic. $3/lb
We will still be picking for a few weeks after the fruit stand is closed, so call us at 503-991-7207 if you'd like to order a flat.
Thank you for all who came and enjoyed our blueberries!
Red Gravenstein apples will be available for u-pick in 2 weeks at our farm: 4925 Rockdale St NE, Brooks.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Blueberries, Blueberries and more Blueberries!!
Well looks like my pictures come up as words so sorry, no pictures again :(
Blueberries are never ending it seems. We are picking our late variety, Liberty, then we start again on our 3rd picking of Bluecrop.
We are soon to be starting wheat harvest, then combining our spinach and cabbage seed. I had great pictures to show you too which is a bummer.
The corn is growing well...about knee high right now. The beans too. Can't easily walk between the rows anymore. Sounds like we will be harvesting beans before 2 weeks are over.
Our fruit stand has been open the last week. We will be open again today (Friday) but closed tomorrow (Sat) because we are out of blueberries until Monday. We will be open again on Monday. Our new hours are 12-6pm. Blueberries and 3 types of fresh garlic are available at the stand now. Cherries and Marionberries are finished for the year.
Blueberries are never ending it seems. We are picking our late variety, Liberty, then we start again on our 3rd picking of Bluecrop.
We are soon to be starting wheat harvest, then combining our spinach and cabbage seed. I had great pictures to show you too which is a bummer.
The corn is growing well...about knee high right now. The beans too. Can't easily walk between the rows anymore. Sounds like we will be harvesting beans before 2 weeks are over.
Our fruit stand has been open the last week. We will be open again today (Friday) but closed tomorrow (Sat) because we are out of blueberries until Monday. We will be open again on Monday. Our new hours are 12-6pm. Blueberries and 3 types of fresh garlic are available at the stand now. Cherries and Marionberries are finished for the year.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Blueberry Availability Update
For those of you interested in we-pick/u-pick blueberries:
We are waiting for our blueberries to ripen again but are hoping we will have some ready by Monday for a guess. If you'd like to order some please call us at the phone number below, or look for the fruit stand to open next week.
We are planning on having the fruit stand out on 99E (1/2 mile north of Brooks) again this year when the next picking is ready. The days will be irregular because it depends on when berries are ready. We want the berries to be the freshest possible for you! We do know the hours will be 10am - 6pm when we are open, and we will have a credit/debit card available.
We also will have Sweetheart Cherries (Dark Red) Available...
If you are interested in u-picking, give us a call at 503-991-7207. $1.00/pound.
We are waiting for our blueberries to ripen again but are hoping we will have some ready by Monday for a guess. If you'd like to order some please call us at the phone number below, or look for the fruit stand to open next week.
We are planning on having the fruit stand out on 99E (1/2 mile north of Brooks) again this year when the next picking is ready. The days will be irregular because it depends on when berries are ready. We want the berries to be the freshest possible for you! We do know the hours will be 10am - 6pm when we are open, and we will have a credit/debit card available.
We also will have Sweetheart Cherries (Dark Red) Available...
If you are interested in u-picking, give us a call at 503-991-7207. $1.00/pound.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Corn, Chinese Cabbage seed and Beans
Corn trying to emerge. After we planted, it rained a lot, then it got hot. Because of that, the soil formed a hard crust. The corn seed sprouts are pretty tough though and somehow usually make it through. To help it along though, we decided to give the field a little water to try to loosen the crust.
Grandpa and I making plans of what to do next in the day :)
Chinese Cabbage (Bok Choy) This we are growing for seed. This picture was taken a few weeks ago. Right now the field is absolutely beautiful. The bushes have grown taller and the whole field is solid gold.
Beans starting to grow.
We use this hard hose reel to water the corn. We try to move it twice a day when we are watering.More pictures to come....trying to load 5 more but the computer is being stubborn right now!
We did already pick the 1st picking of our early blueberries. Next will be to pick our midseason bluberries or do the 2nd picking of the early ones. Besides than we are working on keeping everything watered...especially with these 100 degree days.
Soon it will be time to harvest wheat....a few weeks...
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