Fruit Update: We are continuing to bring in beautiful (and very sweet) melons everyday. Given the heat, these will be done for the year before any of us are ready. So get them now. We currently have two good summer apples: Jersey Mac and Earli-blaze. We have samples available to try. They are good for pies, sauce and for fresh eating. Peaches: We are trying to pick peaches every day and are currently bringing in Red Havens. Since we do not have a lot of peaches, we are selling them in small quantities (by the quart) so that everyone can have a few to eat. We never know how many we are going to bring in every day, part of the problem is our on-going contest with the raccoons who are eating more than we bring in. We are sorry they sell out early, but if we have them in the market and you call us we will be happy to save them for you until you can get over later that day.
One of our new 2nd year peach trees “straining” to carry the weight of the fruit!
Sweet Corn: We have a good news story about sweet corn finally. After the first 3 plantings were all eaten by the raccoons, we finally were able to pick some of the 4th planting today. So this weekend we can offer you corn grown here (it is Sweet Ice and very tender kernels) or Stears Corn which we have had for the last few weeks, which has larger kernels. Since everyone likes their corn different, we should be able to satisfy everyone!!
Tomatoes: We are picking field tomatoes daily but are still continuing to have problems getting them to ripen. Unfortunately we are losing many each day to the birds and raccoons. So we still do not know when we will have enough to open for U-Pick, so keep checking back with us. If you want picked tomatoes by the bushel, please call and get on our list. We often have “2nds” of tomatoes which are great for making salsa or juice if you want to be on our list for those. 269-244-5690.
Baked Goods: This weekend we will have fresh peach and fresh apple pie: Both made with fruit picked fresh here from our farm. These would be my recommendations for pies this weekend. Reminder we have baked goods on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.
Brandy Tours and Tasting: Our brandymaker Bruce will not be able to be here this weekend so if you can postpone to another weekend, you will get a far better experience when he is here. If you can’t postpone, we will be open for tasting and tours on Saturday from 1 – 4 and will do our best without Bruce!
Reflections on farming…..this continues to be a tough year with the spring freeze, the summer heat and drought. Now, one of the most disheartening things is going out to harvest our crops each morning and finding such extensive animal damage from deer, birds, raccoons and groundhogs. Our philosophy over the years has always been plant a little extra, knowing we will end up sharing some with them, but this year, as they forage for food left scarce by the difficult weather conditions, they are taking 50 to 75 percent of some of our crops (only the ones they like of course, mostly fruit!!) This morning we found every red tomato on one entire row of plants had a bird peck in it (at least 100 plants in the row) . I wanted to sit down in the middle of the tomato field and cry.
After we closed tonight, I was watering my flower garden, feeling discouraged about how limp and tired the flowers looked after being in the sweltering heat all day when I saw a movement. In my zinnia row I found a rabbit’s nest with 3 bunnies. I have to admit, it brought a smile to my face and I found it very difficult to get upset with these adorable little creatures, even though I know they are eating my flowers! So while I didn’t plant extra for them, I will try to share. I do feel fortunate to have a job where I can be close to nature daily and the bunnies reminded me that we somehow have to co-exist. Hope to see you soon and watch out for the bunnies!!
Beth and everyone at Corey Lake Orchards
Bunny in my cutting garden 8-2-12
Bunny in cutting garden 8-2-12
