Sneaking Up On Winter Solstice

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Our world is finally getting a bit moister as 2020 trickles to a close. The farm's rain gauge currently sits at 4.15 inches since September, and CalFire officially opened burn season this week. We had quite a few piles lined up before the Cruz August Complex sparked into existence, but extensively brushed out around the house once it got going. We encourage everyone to work on their defensible space and maintain fuel breaks around driveways and along public roads this winter.

On the farm front, our tomatoes held on until the first week in December, through 5 rounds of canning. All our garlic went in just before Halloween and is already 8" tall, as are multiple beds of winter greens.

Currently, citrus season is in full swing! Australian Finger Limes, Bearss Limes, Kaffir Limes, Buddha Hand Citrons, Meyer Lemons, Genoa Italian Heirloom Lemons, Owari Satsuma Mandarins, Bergamot Sour Oranges, and Yuzus have all gone out the door in the past couple of weeks with many more to go. Over 400 pounds of Fuyu Persimmons, a couple hundred pounds of Blue Hubbard Squash and Wonderful Pomegranates rounded out our fall crops. Page Tangelos and Algerian "Clementine" Tangerines are next.

Happy fuel reduction and more rain please as always... gentle, so as not to kick off landslides in the recent fire scars, is perfect!

Got to Get Better in a Little While...

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This post is long overdue... I kept putting it off for various reasons... First it was the heat-wave; then Santa Cruz County was in flames and we were evacuated after dark by the police; then there was hotter heat -we hit 111- accompanied by choking smoke. The final shot above is of a very close call (~1/4 mile from the bottom corner of our property) last week.

Both the temperature and Air Quality Index are scheduled to be in the triple digits tomorrow, and our family is again sleeping on the living room floor on camping mats with fans tonight because the rest of the house is filled with smoke... and yet, we are grateful for the majestic abundance that surrounds us!

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost their homes, property, livelihoods this year. Our deepest gratitude goes out to all the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to save our mountains. Our prayers go out to all of those still threatened by fires throughout the State.

Starting the storm watch a little early this year... There's hope that a trough approaching the California Coast at then end of next week, the remnants of Tropical Storm Marie, might bring us some moisture.

Here's to anticipation of a wet winter this year, full of productive forest management and ripping burn piles!

The Vitamin C Train Rolls On!

Our hearts go out to the entire world as it struggles to contain the current coronavirus outbreak.

In an effort to limit our exposure, we are only delivering to Wild Roots Felton while shelter-in-place orders remain in effect. Please make note of their temporary operating hours and senior/immune-compromised-only hours before visiting and make every effort to protect their employees and your fellow shoppers.

Above are photos of Tango Mandarins: a seedless version of W. Murcott Afour Mandarin (top image); and Genoa Italian Heirloom Lemons, Washington Navel Oranges, Cara Cara Oranges and Jincheng Oranges, which were delivered this morning (bottom image).

Stay safe and Godspeed to all!

Golden Goodness

Twenty cases of Meyer lemons made their way north today to take part in Bi-Rite Market's "California Citrus Experience." They are available at both their 18th Street and Divisadero locations, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area via Instacart.

These lemons are at peak ripeness and were harvested yesterday and this morning. Stock up and enjoy!

***Also, for more on the history of Meyer Lemons and even a photo of Frank Meyer himself, this is a very informative article.

A Decade In Bloom

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Hope everyone had a happy and safe new year and successfully negotiated the wrinkles in time as last decade wound down to the wire!

Our rain gauge sits at 16.68" with more due this weekend.

Pomegranates, pumpkins and persimmons are done. Citrus is on!

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost the homes and livelihoods in the Australian fires. We continue to clear brush and create shaded fuel breaks in the timberland surrounding us, and CalFire has done a wonderful job on the northbound side of Highway 17.

We urge anyone reading this in California to take advantage of our winter weather and do the same!