July 22nd, 2010
Once the Ranch opens for the season the action never stops. There are only so many hours of sunlight in the day to get the job done. Even though we have been open only one month the crop of Blenheim apricots is coming to a close and we are already on the third variety of both white and yellow peaches as well as nectarines. The memories of the fruit from last season are once again brought to life with the first bite of the delicious, tree ripened, chin dripping peach. One cannot eat a ripe peach standing straight up for it requires bending at the waist and letting the juice fall to the ground. With each bite the flavor makes your taste-buds explode and ask for more. Each peach and nectarine variety lasts, at most, only 2 weeks and some even less. I am often asked, “What is your favorite variety of peach?” Honestly, I would have to say that each time a new peach comes into the fruit shed from the field it is my favorite.
To keep the fruit coming and the Fruit Shed stocked requires hitting the ground running the moment the sunlight shines on your face in the morning. Please note the “Farmers Foot-Wear apparel” as he begins his day.
Farmers Foot-Wear apparel
On the top step is the “slip-on” for easy access first thing in the morning to make a quick check of the shed. On the second step is the “irrigation boot” perfect for changing the ever present irrigation pipe to make sure all waters are going the right direction. Next in line is the traditional “Lace-Up Work Boot” that carries the farmer throughout most of the day. Finally is the “Dress Cowboy Boot” for the occasional visit to a nearby restaurant for a relaxing dinner at the end of a long, productive day.
Blenheim Apricots
As mentioned earlier, the Blenheim Apricots are completing their spectacular show for 2010. They have not only been beautiful but absolutely delicious. We will be able to continue the tradition and flavor of the Blenheim through the season in our Apricot jam as well as wonderful dried apricots.
We look forward to seeing at the ranch!
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June 14th, 2010
Erickson Ranch would like to take a moment to thank those that work with us. When a family owns and operates a farm it can be a challenge to say the least. There is never a dull moment once our season gets underway. There is certainly never a lack of activity whether it is ordering the seeds for planting, preparing the soil for starting the seeds in the hoop-house, watering, fertilizing and finally transplanting the young seedlings into the ground. In addition to the vegetables of course there are the fruit trees. There is the pruning, grafting, fertilizing, watering, thinning and finally the gentle harvest of the fruit at the peak of ripeness to be sold to the customer.
In addition to keeping the fruit stand stocked and open 6 days a week we will also be participating in the Benicia Farmers Market every Thursday, making deliveries to several markets outside Suisun Valley, prepare our jams at the local commercial kitchen. The pace that is set during the peak season can be enough to make our heads spin.
The reason I mention the activities and the busy schedule we keep is to let folks know that we would not be successful if it were not for those that work with Erickson Ranch. We are blessed and extremely fortunate to have a tremendous crew of employees that have been with us for many years. They are dedicated and have the same work ethic we do. They hit the ground running and don’t stop until the job is done.
I would like to introduce you to Juan and Felipa. They are our powerhouse couple. Occasionally their daughters work along- side them and we have a powerhouse family. Short order is made of any task. They are a lovely family.
Maggie in the Garden
Please meet Maggie. She has been part of our family for over 30 years. Maggie always has a quick smile and a welcoming attitude. She is a permanent fixture around the ranch.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for helping to make our business such a success. When we open June 26th this summer we know we couldn’t have done it without you.
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May 3rd, 2010
I have been part of a book club, “The Book Club Betties” for almost 10 years. Our club was formed before book clubs were all the rage. It is a group of 5 nurses, some retired and some of us still practicing. What a wonderful way to have an excuse to visit with good friends every month. I must say I don’t always finish the book but I try to never miss a gathering. Nothing beats good books, great friends, good food, good wine, and the camaraderie that has developed over the years.
One of the members has a daughter that attends Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. For several years The Betties have spoken of taking a visit up north. It was perfect timing as the Shakespeare Festival had begun and the weather couldn’t have been more accommodating. It was a four and a half hour drive through some absolutely beautiful country. Viewing the snow covered Mt Shasta was an extra added attraction.
Everything was within walking distance as we stayed in a lovely refurbished home two blocks from downtown Ashland. The cuisines provided by the many restaurants made for delightful dining. There is nothing better than live entertainment as we watched Hamlet as well as the play, Ruined. This weekend vacation was a welcome break from the increasing preparation of the ranch for the upcoming season.
Each morning we would walk through Lithia Park, which surrounds part of the city of Ashland. What a beautiful way to start the day. The mornings were brisk with the ideal temperature for a walk. In addition to nursing my second love is gardening and of course farming. As we strolled the pathways in the park I was impressed with the size and absolute beauty of the Dogwoods, Rhododendrons, Hostas and Azaleas that grew seemingly without effort lining Ashland Creek as well as the grounds of the park.
As we returned to the reality of our lives, post vacation, I am reminded of the beauty we have at home. Our climate of course is a bit different than Ashland but it affords us beautiful gardens and some of the best farming around. Suisun Valley is absolutely beautiful this time of year and worth a “vacation getaway” for the outsiders. The gardens at the ranch are lush and as we sit on our porch we are at times amazed at what greets our eyes as we take the time to appreciate our surroundings.
Our hoop-house is full and the raised beds are bringing forth lovely produce for the 2010 season. Though it has rained a bit later into the season than we want Mother Nature is moving the season along nicely.
We are looking forward to the summer. The ranch will begin in late June once the Blenheim Apricots are ripe. Until then we will be filling the grounds with many varieties of vegetables, Dahlias and nurturing the trees to provide us with delicious fruit as we anticipate your visit.
Posted in Lifestyle, Seasonal | 1 Comment »
April 22nd, 2010
Anticipation of the upcoming seasons creates the groundwork that keeps the farmer on track.
Amongst the many changes that remind us of the upcoming spring is the return of our many feathered friends. The varieties of birds that choose to make a stop by Erickson Ranch to raise their latest generations are the Blue Birds, Wood Ducks, House – Finches , Owls, Ring-neck Doves and the Barn Swallows . The air is filled with the sounds of each bird from the first rays of sunlight through the sunset of evening.
Several years ago the local Boy Scout troop made a variety of bird houses for the ranch. Our favorite has been the Blue Bird Box. We placed it high on a telephone pole that we can view from the kitchen window. It took a year but box has been in use every year like clock- work. Their magnificent blue color is almost explosive as the sun reflects on their feathers. The entrance or opening of the box is a very specific size that prevents other species of birds from entering and disturbing the growing family. Once the family is grown the Blue Birds are gone until the following season.
We have a new guest on the front porch this spring. Ray noticed that each time he went on the side porch a small house finch would nervously fly away. We have several potted plants on a shelf in the general area of the bird. He said, “You will never believe this”. As I stood on the chair next to the shelves and gently peeked into the flower pot, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The female finch had proceeded to built a lovely nest and fill it with 3 beautiful light blue eggs. We will quietly watch her raise her young and keep the nest as a reminder of her visit to the ranch.
Porch Finch
The Wood Ducks return each and every year. Their boxes were specifically built by the California Waterfowl Association. These boxes were strategically placed along the banks of the Suisun Valley Creek which flows adjacent to the Ranch. Like clock-work, the Wood Ducks return, lay a large clutch of eggs and it seems just as quickly they hatch and leave the “nest”.
For years the swallows have returned to Erickson Ranch. We have had the pleasure of watching a family of swallows set up housekeeping in one of our original buildings we call, “the Cabin”. The building has been on the property since its’ purchased by the Erickson family in 1958.
Swallow Cabin
We watch with delight as the swallows build their nest and raise their young, right before our eyes. They spend the summer and one day during the fall they are gone. It is as though a signal spreads through their community and off they go.
The more attention we pay to the nature surrounding us the more we realize how fortunate we are to be part of the mix. We will continue to provide the environment that our feathered friends have come to expect from us each and every year.
Victoria and Raymond Erickson
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April 7th, 2010
It seems that showers in March bring April showers which will eventually bring us May flowers , or so it seems as this growing season begins. To quote Raymond, “March came in like a lion and went out like a lion”. It has certainly been cool, overcast and the misty sprinkles and rain certainly present a few challenges .
We heard there may have been some hail earlier in the week and fortunately it didn’t come our way. Hail this time of year could create damage to the very young immature fruit that is just beginning to form. The damage would not be evident immediately but as ripening occurs it would leave blemishes on the fruit making it very unappealing to the customer. It does not destroy the fruit but it can weaken it therefore making it susceptible to disease. Unfortunately there is not protection from the hail.
Rain doesn’t actually knock the fruit off the tree as we often hear. Damp weather and rain at the wrong time for the farmer can cause the tree fruit to develop “brown rot”. This destructive disease is caused by the growth and spread of the monilinia spore. If the brown rot isn’t stopped or better yet prevented from growing it will destroy the fruit. The proactive treatment is to use a Copper spray. Timing is everything, so to speak, to stop the growth of the spore. If the rain continues the farmer must be on his toes (as well as on his tractor!) to maintain a spray program in an effort to fend off the spore and prevent brown rot and its devastating effects.
Leaf Curl
Another troublesome disease for the fruit trees is the infamous, “PEACH LEAF CURL” caused by the spoe Taphrina deformans. This is perhaps more familiar to people as many folks have fruit trees in their back yard. The key to prevention of this pest is to spray Copper while the fruit tree is dormant to kill the spore before the tree begins to leaf out. If the spray is missed the spore will spread and curl the leaves as seen in the picture. It is to no avail once the disease is on the tree. The tree will eventually outgrow the disease once the damaged leaves dry and fall off.
Fortunately we have the protection of the hoop-house for our vegetable seedlings. The peppers and tomatoes are off to a great start and once the soil warms up and creates a nurturing environment for the young plants they will be transplanted. The garlic and onions have been in for some time and seem to be able to ward off whatever changes mother nature throws our way. Beets, carrots and potatoes are in the ground and waiting for the inviting warmth of late spring to break through the soil.
We are fortunate the California weathe provides the perfect climate for growing and therefore allows Erickson Ranch to continue to bring prime produce for our customers. We realize we have absolutely no control over Mother Nature and therefore it is a waste of our time and energy to complain or spend valuable time worrying about it. Much too much has to be done! It seems every year, without fail, something doesn’t grow as we had intended . Chalk it up to another year and move forward is our motto.
We look forward to seeing our returning customers and welcome new visitors. Our intention is to provide you and your family with a genuine family farm visit and a taste of the best Suisun Valley has to offer.
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