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Sweet Satsuma Season Satsuma mandarins, especially the Owari variety, are among the most popular fruits grown in Placer County today. Their local roots reach back to the late 1880s, when mandarins were one part of a varied agricultural landscape. Vibrant orchards in Penryn, Newcastle, and Loomis grew plums, pears, grapes, and mandarins, with plums and pears making up the largest share. Lush land, rich soil, ideal weather, and the farmers’ work ethic, pride, and knowledge help

Persimmons and Spice and Everything Nice There are two categories of people: those who like persimmon cookies and those who don’t. Chances are, those who don’t simply haven’t had a good one. I grew up eating persimmon cookies, as did many Placer County kids back then. Today, there are several variations on the cookie as persimmons enjoy a resurgence in popularity. It’s important to know which varieties can be eaten fresh and firm and which are best used only when very soft. F

Curiosity leads to Creativity The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits, thought to be domesticated as early as 2500 BC. From ancient cultivation to the popular superfruit it is known as today, pomegranates carry cultural symbolism throughout the centuries, throughout the world. Pomegranates can be boldly tart or delicately sweet, bright ruby red or a translucent pink, messy and laborious. How often do you buy a pomegranate? Use it as an ingredient during cooking? Have it i

Natures Golden Hour End of August days are still summer hot, but the early mornings are autumn cool and August evening twilights are golden. The light gives the dry grass and leaves a golden hue and accents the leftover green of the mid-summer. The light is softer around the edges, sunsets a little earlier. This is the transition of the seasons. Soon the summers bold, joyful and vibrant colors that hold heat and a pure energy, will all have turned to rich, earthy tones, deep

The Mighty Mid-Size Farm Did you know that mid-size farms feed more people regionally than large-scale farms? Large-scale farms produce bigger volume, and most of that is monocropping (only growing one thing) and distributed through long distance distribution The USDA research and farm studies have determined that mid‑size family farms have a stronger presence in local and regional food systems compared to large‑scale farms. These farms are often multi-generational and keep t

August is the Sunday of Summer Where are the peaches? August is usually the month where summer crops are still abundant. With weeks until the fleeting thought of fall, the hot sun and long days are still lingering. The farmstand will look a little different this August. Most of our customers noticed the O'Henry peaches were ripe by third week of July, when their usual harvest time is third week of August. Many other stone fruit varieties are having a short season as well. W

The Countryside Farmstand There are many aspects of farming, but one of my favorites is the constant movement. Our growing practices are always evolving—shaped by what the soil needs and what our community wants. More than ever, people want to know where their food comes from and to trust that it’s safe and clean. Building that trust starts with a relationship between the farmer and the community. Inviting people to visit the farm is the perfect way to share what we stand for

Vol. 24 | Issue 07 | July 2026 O'HENRY, O'HENRY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Everyone's Favorite Peach There are certain questions that we count on hearing summer after summer; Is it organic? (Yes, we are certified organic) Isn't it too early for peaches? (No, we grow over 50 varieties for a longer season) Is it sweet? (Are you really asking if it's flavorful?) Is it freestone? (Freestone season is mid-summer, but many semi-cling and clingstone peaches are really delicious) ......

Mid-summer peak Mid-July is hectic at the orchard. Tomatoes and melons are coming in strong, stone fruits are a mix of sweet depth of flavor with brightness and acidity for the perfect balance. With these characteristics, they are so versatile that they can be used in any dish on your menu. I'm snacking on peaches, prosciutto and Marcona almonds as I'm composing this! There may or may not be a crisp glass of wine accompanying the perfect pairing.... This is the time of season

The Summer Season Is Ahead of Schedule Mother Nature has been busy! July marks an early and vibrant harvest at our farm ahead of normal schedule! And did you know that Twin Peaks Orchards is the largest, diverse, organic farm in Placer County?? Science has shown that the superior taste of organic fruit begins beneath the surface. We believe that sustainable agroecology and healthy soil are the foundation of everything we grow. By nurturing our soil through these sustainable p

The Rare Convergence The stars have aligned at the orchard! We are currently experiencing a rare convergence where both white and yellow nectarines and peaches are being harvested at the exact same time. This exciting event only happens a few times each season, offering you a unique opportunity to fill your basket with an incredible assortment of stone fruit. Our harvest features the super-sweet Candy Princess and the richly flavored Elegant Lady yellow peaches. We are also t

Sunday, 21st of June 2026 The Candy Princess Has Arrived As one of over fifty distinct varieties nurtured within our orchard, the Candy Princess yellow freestone peach marks an extra sweet moment in our seasonal calendar. Just in time to finish out the weekend, Candy Princess are available at the farmstand today. This cultivar offers a perfect opportunity for culinary exploration, distinguished by an exceptional sweetness and a velvety texture. While superb when enjoyed fresh

Newcastle, California | June Newsletter Peak Season Nears: The Best is Yet to Come! Anticipating the Orchard's Full Bounty As June blooms and the California sun blesses our Newcastle orchards, we are on the cusp of the fruit season's peak! While some early varieties have already delighted, the best is truly yet to arrive. Our peaches, tomatoes, and melons are thriving, promising an abundance of flavor in the coming days. Prepare for a spectacular harvest at Twin Peaks, where

LATE MAY 2026 UPDATE Resilience in the Rain: An Orchard Report Navigating the challenges of nature to bring you the season's sweetest fruit. This week, we find ourselves at the mercy of the elements. Recent rain has swept through the orchards just as we were reaching a peak harvest point. For stone fruit trees rich in natural sugars, moisture is a double-edged sword. While it nourishes the roots, it also increases the risk of brown rot—a challenge we are meeting head-on with

The Sweetness of May Stone Fruit Season is Officially Here Farmstand Hours Thursday — Sunday | 10am — 4pm New: We are now open on Sundays! A Season Refined by Sunlight This season presented its share of challenges, starting with an unseasonably warm winter, then rain, hail, and colder temperatures in late April, which initially affected the sizing and flavor of our early fruit varieties. While challenges and hurdles are not completely over, we remain optimistic and are lookin

May 2026 Edition The Early Bloom: A Gift from a Warm Winter Peaches and Nectarines arrive ahead of schedule Mother Nature has surprised us this year. Thanks to an unusually mild and warm winter, the orchards have woken up early. We are thrilled to announce that our first harvest of peaches and nectarines and other stone fruit favorites, are arriving much sooner than expected, and the quality is predicted to be absolutely stunning. It is looking like it will be an incredible s

Chasing the Late Summer Sun These early September days are moving in slowly and languidly, golden soft lights smoothing out the sharp summer edges. Is this a gentle transition into shorter days, cooler nights with all the windows open, waking up with a sparkle of dew on the grass? Or is this a "false fall"? Let's hope for the former. A farmer's mantra - Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. (Such positivity!) There are some advantages to the lingering summer temperatures

It's What's on the Inside the Counts I’m a couple of weeks behind on our newsletters—I just returned from Turin, Italy, where I was a panelist at the Slow Food Terra Madre conference. Meeting farmers and producers from around the world, all working toward good, clean, and fair food, was incredibly inspiring, and I had the opportunity to represent US farms. Among the many topics discussed were accessibility, sustainability, and solutions for food waste—all central to how we ru