Saturday, May 18, 2013

Days 977 - 1053 Winter Ends...Did it ever start?

Yes, eleven weeks since the last posting. School is coming to an end and I will have more time over the next few months so I should post more frequently.

This is the time of the year when we are just finishing the "lemon only" period and start fruit harvest all over again. We have had some cherries already (very early) and raspberries are not too far off. After this begins, we will have fruit again pretty much every day until at least March of next  year. Pretty amazing climate!!

Speaking of amazing climate. I am pround to day that we have our first Avocados on the tree this year. It looks as though there will be a bunch too!! Perhaps even 100 or so. Do not want to count my guacamole before I am sure, but it sure is a great sign (every other year the flowers on the avocado tree just dropped).

Here is what we harvested in the slow time of the year. Only $150 worth of produce over the past 11 weeks. Not much to speak of but I did managage to harvest something every day to surpass the 1000 day mark!!

An eleven-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 156 ($78.00)
Cherries: 1 pound ($5.00)
Limes: 13 ($4.25)
Oranges: 75 ($37.50)
Grapefruit: 13 ($13.00)
Salad Greens: 14 ($14.00)
Strawberries: 3 baskets ($6.00)

Eleven-Week harvest: $157.75
Total Produce Harvested : $4941.25
Total Honey Harvested: $1080.00
Expenses: $500.00

Daily Details
Year 3, Day 246
1) 1 orange
2) 2 limes

Year 3, Day 247
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 248
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 249
1) 3 oranges

Year 3, Day 250
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 251
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 252
1) 1 grapefruit
2) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 253
1) 2 oranges
2) 4 lemons

Year 3, Day 254
1) 5 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 3 lemons

Year 3, Day 255
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 256
1) 1 orange
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 257
1) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 258
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 259
1) 3 oranges

Year 3, Day 260
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 5 lemons

Year 3, Day 261
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 262
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 2 limes
4) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 263
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 264
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 265
1) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 266
1) 3 oranges

Year 3, Day 267
1) 6 oranges
2) 2 limes

Year 3, Day 268 - 271
gone

Year 3, Day 272
1) 2 oranges
2) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 273
1) 2 oranges
2) 2 lemons
3) 2 limes

Year 3, Day 274
1) 4 lemons
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 275
1) 1 lemon
2) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 276
1) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 277
1) 3 lemons
2) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 278
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 279
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 280
1) 6 lemons
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 281
1) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 282
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 283
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 284
1) 5 lemons

Year 3, Day 285
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 286
1) 3 lemons

Year 3, Day 287
1) 3 lemons
2) 2 limes

Year 3, Day 288
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 289
1) 1 lemon

Year 3, Day 290
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 291
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 292
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 293
1) 6 lemons

Year 3, Day 294
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 295
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 296
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 297
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 298
1) 7 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 299
1) 7 lemons

Year 3, Day 300
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 301
1) 20 lemons

Year 3, Day 302
1) salad greens

Year 3, Day 303
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 304
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 305
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 306
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 307
1) 3 lemons
2) salad greens
3) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 308
1) 5 lemons

Year 3, Day 309
1) 4 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 310
1) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 311
1) salad greens

Year 3, Day 312
1) 6 lemons

Year 3, Day 313
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 314
1) Basket Strawberries
2) 1/2 pound cherries

Year 3, Day 315
1) 4 lemons
2) Salad greens (2)

Year 3, Day 316
1) 2 lemons
2) 1/4 pound cherries

Year 3, Day 317
1) 2 lemons
2) Basket Strawberries

Year 3, Day 318
1) salad greens
2) 1/4 pound cherries

Year 3, Day 319
1) 2 lemons
2) basket strawberries

Year 3, Day 320
1) 2 lemons
2) salad greens

Year 3, Day 321
1) 2 lemons


Monday, March 4, 2013

Days 921 - 976 Springtime Comes with Little Sign of Winter

What an easy winter it has been. A bit colder than normal but very little rain to get in the way of outdoor activities in Northern California. What is great for cycling and running is not the best for the garden though. I actually had to water the fruit trees last weekend for the first time ever that I remember (in the winter that is). An article that I read said that it is the driest January-February on record in California.

Well, fortunately we had a lot of rain in December so that the lakes are all full and there is some snow to ski on...unlike last year when all of the precip came in March and April.

In the garden, I did my February 1st fertilizing of the trees and planted some Kale starts. Need some rain to get them really rolling. Harvested 8 quarts of honey because one of the hives dies out over the winter. Pretty much every day has been started with a few oranges and a grapefruit from the bountiful citrus trees. A record 1313 mandarins this year and looks to be a record orange harvest too. The lemon tree seems to have more lemons than leaves. Pretty cool sight to see.

The Aprium tree has already bloomed and I hope that the fruit has set. The nectarine tree is in full bloom and the peaches are not far behind. Before the next post the entire yard will be in full bloom and I will get to see a sneak preview of what to expect for the years harvest.

An eight-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 15 ($7.50)
Chard: 9 bunches ($22.50)
Limes: 11 ($3.75)
Mandarins: 411 ($103.75)
Oranges: 136 ($78.00)
Grapefruit: 22 ($22.00)
Honey: 8 quarts ($160.00

Eight-Week harvest: $237.00
Total Produce Harvested : $4783.50
Total Honey Harvested: $1080.00
Expenses: $500.00

Daily Details
Year 3, Day 190
1) 1 orange
2) 15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 191
1)   25 mandarins

Year 3, Day 192
1)   15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 193
1) 32 mandarins
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 194
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 195
1) 1 orange
2) 15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 196
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 197
1) 1 orange
2) 3 mandarins
3) 2 limes
4) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 198
1) 15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 199
1) 15 mandarins
2) 2 oranges
3) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 200
1) 1 orange
2) 20 mandarins

Year 3, Day 201
1) 3 oranges
2) 13 mandarins

Year 3, Day 202
1) 2 oranges
2) 60 mandarins

Year 3, Day 203
1) 10 mandarins
2) 1 lemon

Year 3, Day 204
gone

Year 3, Day 205
1) 7 oranges
2) 30 mandarins

Year 3, Day 206
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 lemon
3) 4 mandarins

Year 3, Day 207
1) 2 oranges
2) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 208
1) 5 oranges
2) 6 mandarins

Year 3, Day 209
1) 4 oranges
2) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 210
1) 4 oranges
2) 8 mandarins
3) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 211
1) 2 oranges
2) 16 mandarins

Year 3, Day 212
1) 2 oranges
2) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 213
1) 3 oranges
2) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 214
1) 4 oranges
2) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 215
1) 3 oranges
2) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 216
1) 2 oranges
2) 10 mandarins
3) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 217
1) 2 oranges
2) 4 mandarins

Year 3, Day 218
1) 3 oranges
2) 4 lemons

Year 3, Day 219
1) 7 oranges

Year 3, Day 220
1) 2 oranges
2) 6 mandarins
3) 3 lemons

Year 3, Day 221
1) 3 oranges
2) 3 mandarins

Year 3, Day 222
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 1 mandarin

Year 3, Day 223
1) 3 oranges
2) 2 mandarins

Year 3, Day 224
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 225
1) 5 oranges
2) 3 lemons
3) 1 grapefruit
4) 2 limes
5) 1 mandarin
6) 1 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 226
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 227
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 228
1) 1 orange
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 229
1) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 230
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 231
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 1 lime
4) 2 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 232
1) 4 oranges

Year 3, Day 233
1) 1 orange
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 234
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 2 limes

Year 3, Day 235
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 236
1) 5 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 237
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 3 limes
4) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 238
1) 1 orange
2) 1 grapefruit
3) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 239
1) 1 orange
2) 3 lemons

Year 3, Day 240
1) 3 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 241
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 242
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 243
1) 4 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 244
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Year 3, Day 245
1) 2 oranges
2) 1 grapefruit

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Days 865 - 920 Citrus and Climate Change in Northern CA

As we are in the midst of our citrus harvest season I thougth I would write about an NPR story I heard a while back about the concerns of climate change among citrus growers in Northern California. I would have thought that a warming of the temperatures would have only a positive effect on citrus with growers always fearing the dreaded freeze. Well, the grower that they were interviewing was talking about how much of his crop (Satsuma Mandarins) is eaten fresh and how we are accustomed to eating citrus that is orange in color (oranges, tangerines, mandarins) and how the warming of the climate will slow the colorization  of the fruit. Here is an article about Degreening of Citrus that I really thought explained what Citrus from Florida has to go through before we consumers actually find it acceptable.

This explains why the oranges that I would buy in Mexico would often be green (but perfectly ripe inside).

Well, for now our mandarins are turning nice orange and we have harvested over 900 to this date. The oranges have been tested and I plan on waiting at least a couple more weeks before starting to harvest them daily. Grapefruit will be at least a month.

A eight-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 18 ($9.00)
Chard: 2.5 bunches ($5.00)
Kiwi: 22 ($11.00)
Limes: 11 ($3.75)
Mandarins: 790 ($197.50)
Oranges: 13 ($6.50)

Eight-Week harvest: $232.75
Total Produce Harvested : $4546.50
Total Honey Harvested: $920.00
Expenses: $480.00
Daily Details
Year 3, Day 134
1) 4  mandarins
2) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 135
1) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 136
1) 7 mandarins

Year 3, Day 137
1) 3mandarins

Year 3, Day 138
1) 7 mandarins
2) 1 lemon

Year 3, Day 139
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 140
1) 9 mandarins

Year 3, Day 141
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 142
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 143
1) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 144
1) 17 mandarins
2) 8 limes
3) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 145
1) 50 mandarins
2) 6 lemons

Year 3, Day 146
gone

Year 3, Day 147
gone

Year 3, Day 148
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 149
1) 7 mandarins

Year 3, Day 150
1) 6 mandarins

Year 3, Day 151
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 152
1) 15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 153
1) 41 mandarins

Year 3, Day 154
1) 2 mandarins
2) 2 oranges
3) 2 kiwi
4) 3 lemons
5) 1/2 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 155
1) 15 mandarins

Year 3, Day 156
1) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 157
1) 8 mandarins
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 158
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 159
1) 6 mandarins

Year 3, Day 160
1) 20 mandarins
2) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 161
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 162
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 163
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 164
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 165
1) 12 mandarins
2) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 166
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 167
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 168
1) 14 mandarins
2) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 169
1) 40 mandarins

Year 3, Day 170
1) 9 mandarins

Year 3, Day 171
1) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 172
1) 26 mandarins

Year 3, Day 173
1) 18 mandarins

Year 3, Day 174
1) 32 mandarins

Year 3, Day 175
gone

Year 3, Day 176
gone

Year 3, Day 177
1) 27 mandarins
2) 20 kiwi

Year 3, Day 178
1) 38 mandarins
2) 1 orange
3) 3 limes

Year 3, Day 179
1) 11 mandarins
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 180
1) 14 mandarins
2) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 181
1) 47 mandarins

Year 3, Day 182
1) 5 mandarins

Year 3, Day 183
1) 8 mandarins

Year 3, Day 184
1) 27 mandarins

Year 3, Day 185
1) 50 mandarins
2) 4 lemons
3) 1 orange

Year 3, Day 186
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 187
1) 12 mandarins

Year 3, Day 188
1) 13 mandarins
2) 2 oranges

Year 3, Day 189
1) 4 mandarins

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Days 767 - 864 Busy days!!

Been 14 weeks since the last post. I guess life has been pretty darn busy!! I was just about to quit this endeavor but I thought I might regret it later...so here it is!!

Anyhow, I have continued to harvest daily and it has been quite the bountiful harvest this summer. Perfect weather we ahve had through the months of summer and fall. Not too hot and not too cool. The early rains of last year did not happen so we have had an amazing Fig crop (480 figs) and right now we are picking the first mandarins (already picked over 100 and the trees are loaded).

A fourteen-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 13 ($6.50)
Chard: 18 bunches ($36.00)
Strawberries: 6.5 baskets ($13.00)
Peaches: 53 ($45.75)
Zucchini: 106 ($78.00)
Cucumber: 52 ($27.00)
Tomatoes: 261 ($136.00)
Cherry Tomato: 3 baskets ($6.00)
Pears: 36 ($32.00)
Asian Pears: 9 ($5.00)
Grapes: 25 lb ($50.00)
Potaotoes: 2 lb ($2.00)
Raspberries: 7.5 baskets ($15.00)
Salad: 2 ($1.00)
Honey: 20 quarts ($400.00)
Kiwi: 2 ($1.00)
Limes: 2 ($1.00)
Apples: 128 ($70.00)
Figs: 480 ($120.00)
Mandarins: 112 ($28.00)

Fourteen-Week harvest: $673.25
Total Produce Harvested : $4313.75
Total Honey Harvested: $920.00
Expenses: $480.00
Daily Details
Year 3, Day 36
1) 7 tomatoes
2) 10 peaches
3) 8 pears
4) 6 zukes
5) 2 bunches chard
6) 1 lemon
7) 4 asian pears

Year 3, Day 37
1) 4 peaches

Year 3, Day 38
1) 6 pears
2) 10 tomatoes
3) 3 cukes
4) 4 zukes
5) 6 peaches
6) 3 lemons
7) 3 asian pears

Year 3, Day 39
1) 10 peaches
2) 10 pears

Year 3, Day 40
1) 4 peaches
2) 12 pears
3) 10 tomatoes
4) 3 zukes
5) basket cherry tomatoes
6) 1/2 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 41
1) 3/4 lb grapes
2) 8 peaches
3) 2 zukes
4) 2 tomatoes
5) basket cherry tomatoes

Year 3, Day 42
gone

Year 3, Day 43
1) 7 peaches
2) 6 tomatoes
3) 1 zuke
4) 3 cukes

Year 3, Day 44
1) 2 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 45
1) 2 asian pears
2) 6 tomaotes
3) 4 zukes
4) 1.5 baskets strawberries

Year 3, Day 46
1) 2 bunches chard
2) 4 peaches
3) 3/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 47
1) 1 lb grapes
2) 3 zukes
3) 1/2 basket raspberries

Year 3, Day 48
1) 2.5 lb grapes
2) 1 cuke
3) 13 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 49
1) 2 baskets strawberries
2) 2 bunches chard
3) 1 zuke
4) 4 tomatoes
5) 2 lb potatoes
6) 1 lemon
7) 1/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 50
1) 1.25 lb grapes
2) 3 tomatoes
3) 1 cuke

Year 3, Day 51
1) 1 lb grapes
2) 11 tomatoes
3) 4 zukes
4) 1 bunch chard
5) 1 basket strawberries

Year 3, Day 52
1) 1 basket raspberries
2) 3/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 53
1) 3/4 lb grapes
2) 13 tomaotes
3) 3 zukes
4) 2 cukes

Year 3, Day 54
1) 2.5 lb grapes
2) 2 bunches chard
3) 1 basket strawberries

Year 3, Day 55
1) 3/4 lb grapes
2) 16 tomaotes
3) 1/2 basket Raspberries

Year 3, Day 56
1) 1/2 basket strawberries
2) 8 zukes
3) 1/2 lb grapes
4) 4 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 57
1) 1.5 lb grapes
2) 8 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 58
1) Salad greens
2) 1/4 lb grapes
3) 1 lemon
4) 5 tomatoes
5) 1/2 basket strawberries

Year 3, Day 59
1) 1 lb grapes
2) 4 zukes
3) 1 bunch chard
4) 10 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 60
1) 3/4 lb grapes
2) 10 tomatoes
3) 1 cuke

Year 3, Day 61
1) 1/2 lb grapes
2) 3 tomatoes
3) 2 basket raspberries
4) 2 figs

Year 3, Day 62
1) 2 lb grapes
2) 1 basket raspberries
3) 6 figs
4) 4 zukes
5) 3 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 63
1) 2 zukes
2) 12 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 64
1) 8 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 65
1) 1/2 lb grapes
2) 1/2 basket raspberries
3) 1 bunch chard
4) 1 zuke

Year 3, Day 66
1) 7 tomatoes
2) 2 bunches chard
3) 3 zukes
4) 3 figs
5) 1/4 lb grapes
6) 1/4 lb green beans

Year 3, Day 67
1) 1 basket raspberries
2) 4 tomatoes
3) 1 fig

Year 3, Day 68
1) 4 figs
2) 1/4 lb grapes
3) 2 tomatoes
4) 3 zukes
5) 1 lemon
6) Salad greens

Year 3, Day 69
1) 5 tomatoes
2) 5 zukes
3) 1/4 lb grapes
4) 3 figs

Year 3, Day 70
1) 1 basket strawberries
2) 4 tomatoes
3) 2 figs

Year 3, Day 71
1) 4 cukes
2) 2 tomatoes
3) 1 basket raspberries
4) 1 fig

Year 3, Day 72
1) 5 zukes
2) 4 figs
3) 1/4 lb grapes
4) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 73
1) 1 bunch chard
2) 8 tomatoes
3) 1/4 lb grapes
4) 2 apples
5) 8 figs

Year 3, Day 74
1) 7 figs
2) 1/4 lb grapes
3) 3 apples
4) 1 lemon
5) 1 zuke

Year 3, Day 75
1) 8 figs
2) 5 apples
3) 1/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 76
1) 8 figs
2) 3 apples
3) 1/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 77
1) 3 apples
2) 17 figs

Year 3, Day 78
1) 3 apples
2) 10 tomatoes
3) 3 cukes
4) 6 zukes

Year 3, Day 79
1) 1/2 lb grapes
2) 5 apples
3) 11 figs

Year 3, Day 80
1) 13 figs
2) 5 apples
3) 1/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 81
1) 9 figs
2) 5 apples
3) 2 tomatoes
4) 2 cukes

Year 3, Day 82
1) 7 figs
2) 5 apples

Year 3, Day 83
1) 3 apples
2) 5 zukes
3) 1 cuke

Year 3, Day 84
1) 18 apples
2) 6 tomatoes
3) 1 lemon
4) 30 figs

Year 3, Day 85
1) 6 figs

Year 3, Day 86
1) 12 figs
2) 1 cuke
3) 1/2 basket cherry tomatoes

Year 3, Day 87
1) 11 figs

Year 3, Day 88
1) 12 figs
2) 4 apples
3) 1 cuke

Year 3, Day 89
1) 8 zukes
2) 7 apples
3) 3 cukes
4) 1 lemon
5) 15 figs

Year 3, Day 90
1) 17 apples
2) 25 figs

Year 3, Day 91
gone

Year 3, Day 92
1) 7 figs
2) 4 zukes
3) 4 cukes
4) 3 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 93
1) 20 figs
2) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 94
1) 17 figs
2) 8 apples

Year 3, Day 95
1) 15 figs
2) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 96
1) 19 figs
2) 4 zukes
3) 6 apples
4) 2 bunches chard
5) 5 cukes
6) 2 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 97
1) 10 figs
2) 1 apples
3) 1 kiwi

Year 3, Day 98
1) 11 figs

Year 3, Day 99
1) 4 apples
2) 1 fig
3) 4 cukes
4) 1 tomato

Year 3, Day 100
1) 11 figs
2) 4 apples
3) 3 zukes

Year 3, Day 101
1) 20 figs
2) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 102
1) 19 figs
2) 1 apple
3) 2 cukes

Year 3, Day 103
1) 16 figs
2) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 104
1) 20 figs
2) 1 apple

Year 3, Day 105
1) 12 figs
2) 1 tomato
3) 4 cukes
4) 4 zukes

Year 3, Day 106
1) 3 figs
2) 1 tomato
3) 4 cukes

Year 3, Day 107
1) 14 figs

Year 3, Day 108
1) 12 figs
2) 2 tomatoes

Year 3, Day 109
1) 3 tomatoes
2) 17 figs

Year 3, Day 110
1) 9 figs
2) 5 zukes

Year 3, Day 111
1) 8 figs

Year 3, Day 112
1) 33 tomatoes
2) 1/2 basket cherry tomatoes
3) 1 zuke
4) 6 cukes
5) 1 mandarin

Year 3, Day 113
1) 2 figs
2) 1/4 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 114
1) 4 apples

Year 3, Day 115
1) 1 mandarin
2) 1 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 116
1) 1 kiwi

Year 3, Day 117
1) 3 apples
2) 1 lemon

Year 3, Day 118
1) 1 mandarin
2) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 119
1) 1 apple
2) 1 lemon
3) 1 lime

Year 3, Day 120
1) 12 mandarins


Year 3, Day 121
1) 8 mandarins
2) 3 apples

Year 3, Day 122
1) 10 mandarins

Year 3, Day 123
1) 3 mandarins

Year 3, Day 124
1) 4 mandarins

Year 3, Day 125
1) 6 mandarins
2) 1 apple
3) 1 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 126
1) 6 mandarins

Year 3, Day 127
1) 5 mandarins

Year 3, Day 128
1) 4 mandarins

Year 3, Day 129
1) 5 mandarins

Year 3, Day 130
1) 9 mandarins

Year 3, Day 131
1) 13 mandarins
2) 1 lemon

Year 3, Day 132
1) 9 mandarins

Year 3, Day 133
1) 15 mandarins




Sunday, August 5, 2012

Days 746 - 766 Peak Produce

Today I was out picking the daily produce and I was astounded that I picked more than 13 pounds of fruit and vegetables in one morning. Thus the title, "Peak Produce". I have to believe that early August has to be the peak of my garden here in Sonoma County. Surely cannot sustain 13 pounds of produce every day for very long.

A while ago somebody asked me how much time I spent on my garden. Honestly, there is some time that is used for planting seeds, starts and taking care of the weeding...but my answer to him was that most of my time was spent harvesting stuff. I try to do it all in the morning and I find that the plants respond better if I harvest when it is nice and cool as opposed to during the mid-day heat. Each morning I must spend a good 15 minutes gathering from the garden. Due to this blog, I do spend a little more time tallying up the totals each day and weighing stuff that I need to do so I can get a dollar figure. Fifteen minutes may not seem like a lot of time...and it is not a problem right now, but being a teacher, once school starts, the mornings are a bit more time-sensitive and I will have to get up a bit earlier just to keep up with the great stuff that is coming out!! Cannot complain too much though since I get to bring all of this fresh stuff to work with me for snacks!!

Did only three weeks this time since the amount we have been havesting is much greater (as opposed to the winter when we harvest one or two varieties of citrus).

A three-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 4 ($2.00)
Chard: 7 bunches ($14.00)
Strawberries: 2.5 baskets ($5.00)
Blueberries: 1.5 baskets ($3.00)
Peaches: 120 ($70.50)
Zucchini: 37 ($34.00)
Cucumber: 27 ($17.00)
Tomatoes: 24 ($27.00)
Cherry Tomato: 2 baskets ($4.00)
Pears: 37 ($32.50)
Asian Pears: 4 ($3.75)
Grapes: 1.75 lb ($3.50)

Year 3, Day 15
1) 1 tomato
2) 1 cucumber
3) 15 peaches
4) 1 basket blueberries

Year 3, Day 16
gone

Year 3, Day 17
1) 6 zucchini
2) 1 tomato

Year 3, Day 18
1) 2 zucchini
2) 5 peaches
3) 1 bunch chard
4) 1 tomato
5) 3 cucumbers

Year 3, Day 19
1) 27 peaches
2) 1 tomato
3) 2 zucchini
4) 1 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 20
1) 36 peaches
2) 2 cucumbers
3) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 21
gone

Year 3, Day 22
1) 5 zucchini
2) 2 cucumbers
3) 1 tomato
4) 2 lemons

Year 3, Day 23
1) 2 lemons
2) 2 cucumbers
3) 3 zucchini

Year 3, Day 24
gone

Year 3, Day 25
1) 5 cucumbers
2) 2 zucchini
3) 2 tomatoes
4) 5 peaches
5) 3 pears
6) 1 basket cherry tomatoes

Year 3, Day 26
1) 2 tomatoes
2) 3 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 27
1) 4 tomatoes
2) 3 zucchini
3) 3 cucumber
4) 1/2 basket blueberries
5) 1 peach

Year 3, Day 28
1) 3 peaches
2) 1 basket strawberries
3) 5 pears
4) 2 zucchini
5) 1 asian pear

Year 3, Day 29
1) 1 cucumber
2) 1 peach
3) 6 pears
4) 1 zucchini

Year 3, Day 30
1) 1 1/4 lb grapes
2) 3 zucchini
3) 1 basket cherry tomatoes
4) 2 cucumbers
5) 6 pears
6) 3 peaches

Year 3, Day 31
gone

Year 3, Day 32
1) 3 tomatoes
2) 5 zucchini
3) 1 cucumber
4) 9 peaches

Year 3, Day 33
1) 9 peaches
2) 1/2 lb grapes

Year 3, Day 34
1) 7 peaches
2) 9 pears
3) 4 cucumbers
4) 5 tomatoes
5) 3 zucchini

Year 3, Day 35
1) 8 pears
2) 1 1/2 baskets strawberries
3) 3 tomatoes
4) 1 cucumber
5) 3 asian pears

Three-Week harvest: $216.25
Total Produce Harvested : $3640.50
Total Honey Harvested: $520.00
Expenses: $430.00

Monday, July 16, 2012

Days 718 - 745 Variety of Life

Coming out of winter it amazes me how much variety can come out of a little backyard garden. This 4-week period saw 14 varieties of produce...almost a grocery store...with quality that never ceases to amaze the senses.

It is this time of the year when we can start seeing a real difference in our shopping habits. I have been doing most of the grocery shopping for the summer and I hardly have to buy any produce. I buy carrots because we do not grow those and the occasional bunch of bananas, but I have been finding that we can eat almost all of our fruit and at least half of our veggies from our yard. The tally for the last 4 weeks is over $200...which is greater than the entire 8 weeks prior. That itself says why my shopping trips have become so much easier.

The summer fruit. That is what we are partaking in right now. Peaches are ripening nicely and we are doing our daily consumption. Lucky for us, the first peach variety that we get is slow to ripen and I can find about 10 each day that are perfect. The aprium though was a different story. How that tree has the quality of a plum!!! All of the fruit came and went in about 10 days. Giving some away and freezing a whole lot...for the kids love them frozen!! What a treat.

Starting the 3rd year of continuous harvest. Here we go!!

A four-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 15 ($7.50)
Salad Greens: 5 salads ($5.00)
Chard: 8.5 bunches ($17.00)
Beets: 40 ($30.00)
Strawberries: 3.5 baskets ($7.00)
Raspberries: 15.5 baskets ($31.00)
Blueberries: 8 baskets ($16.00)
Apriums: 105 ($39.00)
Nectarines: 17 ($12.00)
Peaches: 35 ($18.00)
Zucchini: 24 ($23.50)
Cucumber: 7 ($4.00)
Tomatoes: 2 ($1.00)
Cherry Tomato: 1 basket ($2.00)

Year 2, Day 353
1) 1 basket Strawberries
2) Salad greens
3) 1/2 bunch chard
4) 3 baskets raspberries
5) 5 lemons

Year 2, Day 354
1) 1/2 basket blueberries
2) 5 beets
3) salad greens
4) 1 basket raspberries
5) 1 aprium

Year 2, Day 355
1) 2 bunches chard
2) 5 apriums
3) 1.5 baskets raspberries

Year 2, Day 356
1) Salad greens
2) 5 beets
3) 1 aprium
4) 1 basket raspberries
5) 1/2 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 357
1) Salad greens

Year 2, Day 358
1) 6 beets
2) 1 basket raspberries
3) 1 lemon
4) 1 aprium

Year 2, Day 359
1) 1 bunch chard
2) 6 lemons
3) 1 basket raspberries
4) 1/2 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 360
1) 1 basket strawberries
2) salad greens

Year 2, Day 361
1) 1.5 baskets raspberries
2) 2 apriums

Year 2, Day 362
1) 6 beets
2) 1 basket raspberries
3) 2 apriums

Year 2, Day 363
1) 1 basket blueberries
2) 5 apriums

Year 2, Day 364
1) 6 beets
2) 12 apriums
3) 1/2 basket raspberries

Year 2, Day 365
1) 2 bunches chard
2) 1 basket strawberries
3) 1 basket blueberries
4) 1 basket raspberries
5) 6 apriums

Year 2, Day 366
1) 4 zukes
2) 2 cherry tomatoes
3) 1 basket blueberries
4) 1/2 basket raspberries
5) 30 apriums

Year 3, Day 1
1) 6 beets
2) 1 nectarine
3) 1 zuke
4) 20 apriums

Year 3, Day 2
1) 10 apriums
2) 1 basket blueberries
3) 2 cherry tomatoes
4) 3 nectarines
5) 1 zuke

Year 3, Day 3
1) 10 apriums
2) 1 nectarine
3) 6 beets
4) 1.5 baskets raspberries

Year 3, Day 4
1) 5 nectarines
2) 1 basket blueberries

Year 3, Day 5
1) 6 zukes
2) 1 nectarine
3) 3 peaches

Year 3, Day 6
1) 2 nectarines
2) 2 bunches chard

Year 3, Day 7
1) 4 nectarines
2) 5 zukes

Year 3, Day 8
1) 1 basket blueberries
2) 3 peaches

Year 3, Day 9
1) 3 zukes
2) 5 cukes
3) 1 peach

Year 3, Day 10
Gone

Year 3, Day 11
1) 2 tomatoes
2) 2 zukes

Year 3, Day 12
1) 1/2 basket strawberries
2) 1/2 basket blueberries
3) 10 peaches
4) 3 zukes
5) 2 cukes
6) 3 lemons

Year 3, Day 13
1) 8 peaches
2) 2 zukes
3) 1 bunch chard

Year 3, Day 14
1) 10 peaches
2) 1 zuke

Four-Week harvest: $213.00
Total Produce Harvested : $3424.25
Total Honey Harvested: $520.00
Expenses: $430.00 (seeds and avocado tree)

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Days 662 - 717 BB King

Eigt weeks is just too long of a time. We left harvesting only lemons and we have already harvested our first cherry tomatos!! I will try to commit to a 4 week maximum between posts.

Why BB King? Well, berries and beets are king right now in the garden. Not to mention that I harvested honey early and took nearly 2 gallons. Good stuff!! We have had so little rain in the spring but that has made a greatt berry spring. We are harvesting raspberries every morning and evening with more than enough for everybody in the family (and some for the neighbors). Gotta love that!! Beets are plentiful and the beets and the greens have been feeding our family every 2 or three days. Kids love them and we do too.

I started this blog trying to show that you can harvest something every day in Sonoma County and I am just completing 2 years. Pretty cool. By the time I post again I will be in the third year. I can forsee trouble in October with a small apple harvest...but the citrus crop next winter looks great!!

An eight-week summary if you do not want to read the details:
Lemons: 101 ($50.50)
Salad Greens: 21 salads ($21.00)
Garlic: 61 bulbs ($30.50)
Chard: 3 bunches ($6.00)
Beets: 33 ($27.50)
Strawberries: 11 baskets ($22.00)
Raspberries: 9.5 baskets ($19.00)
Blueberries: 2.75 baskets ($5.50)
Cherries: 0.5 lb ($4.00)
Honey: 8 quarts ($160.00)

Year 2, Day 297
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 garlic

Year 2, Day 298
1) 2 lemons
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 299
1) 1 lemon

Year 2, Day 300
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 301
1) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 302
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 303
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 304
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 305
1) 5 lemons

Year 2, Day 306
1) 2 lemons
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 307
1) 1 lemon

Year 2, Day 308
1) 1 lemon

Year 2, Day 309
1) 2 lemons
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 310
1) 3 lemons

Year 2, Day 311
1) 4 lemons
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 312
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 313
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 314
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 315
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 316
1) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 317
1) 5 lemons

Year 2, Day 318
1) 2 lemons
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 319
1) Salad Greens
2) 1 Garlic

Year 2, Day 320
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 Garlic
3) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 321
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 322
1) 2 bunches Chard

Year 2, Day 323
1) 1 lemon
2) 1/2 basket Strawberries

Year 2, Day 324
1) 1 lemon
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 325
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 garlic
3) 1 raspberrry
4) 1/2 basket Strawberries

Year 2, Day 326
1) 1 lemon

Year 2, Day 327
1) 1 lemon
2) Salad Greens
3) 1/2 basket Strawberries

Year 2, Day 328
1) 4 lemons
2) 1 cherry
3) 1 garlic

Year 2, Day 329
1) 3 lemons
2) 56 garlic

Year 2, Day 330
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 331
1) 5 lemons
2) 4 blueberries
3) 10 cherries

Year 2, Day 332
1) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 333
1) 2 lemons
2) 1 bunch chard

Year 2, Day 334
1) 1 lemon
2) Salad Greens
3) 1 basket strawberries
4) 4 cherries
5) 4 raspberries

Year 2, Day 335
1) 8 lemons

Year 2, Day 336
1) 4 beets
2) 6 raspberries
3) 6 cherries
4) 1 basket strawberries

Year 2, Day 337
1) 1 lemon
2) Salad Greens

Year 2, Day 338
1) 5 lemons
2) 6 beets
3) Salad Greens
4) 1/4 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 339
1) 1 lemon
2) Salad Greens
3) 1 bunch chard
4) 1.5 bvaskets strawberries
5) 1/4 basket blueberries
6) 1/4 basket raspberries

Year 2, Day 340
Gone

Year 2, Day 341
1) 1 lemon

Year 2, Day 342
1) 5 beets
2) Salad greens
3) 1.5 baskets strawberries
4) 1/2 basket raspberries
5) 8 quarts honey

Year 2, Day 343
1) 2 lemons

Year 2, Day 344
1) 5 beets
2) Salad Greens
3) 2 baskets strawberries
4) 1 basket raspberries

Year 2, Day 345
1) 1 lemon
2) 1 basket Raspberries
3) 1/4 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 346
1) 1 lemon
2) 1 basket raspberries
3) 1 basket strawberries

Year 2, Day 347
1) 8 lemons
2) 5 beets
3) Salad Greens
4) 1.5 baskets raspberries
5) 1/2 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 348
1) Salad Greens
2) 1.5 baskets strawberries
3) 1/2 basket blueberries

Year 2, Day 349
Gone

Year 2, Day 350
Gone

Year 2, Day 351
1) 3 beets
2) 2 baskets raspberries
3) 1 cherry tomato

Year 2, Day 352
1) 5 beets
2) Salad Greens
3) 2 baskets Raspberries
4) 1 basket blueberries

Eight-Week harvest: $190.00
Total Produce Harvested : $3211.25
Total Honey Harvested: $520.00
Expenses: $380.00 (seeds)