The first of the locally grown California Bartlett pears have arrived. In our opinion, we at Earl’s feel that California Bartlett’s are some of the best pears in the world. Pears ripen from the inside out and have a fragrant aroma, but how do you know when your pear is ripe?

Watermelon Gherkin cucumbers are shaped like baby watermelons and are about the size of your thumb. They taste similar to a cucumber with a hint of lemon.

California melons are at the peak of flavor! California melon season begins around Memorial Day. Picking a ripe melon is very difficult and is not an exact science. Melons ripen on the vine and do not get any sweeter once picked although texture and flavor can improve. 

Traceland avocados out of Morro Bay came on a month earlier than usual with a small and fast season. Buyer beware: Late season California avocados will be very mature, high in oil and need to be eaten firm.

Jimmy Nardello sweet Italian Frying Peppers are considered one of the very best frying peppers as they turn creamy and soft when cooked.

Organic corn is difficult to grow because of a major pest, the corn earworm. Patrick Johnston, owner of Dwelley Farms, shares their secret for keeping the corn earworm away!

Earl’s long relationship with Burkart begin over 20 years ago. Picked at optimum maturity with the highest sugar levels, Burkart stone fruit has outstanding flavor and is a real crowd pleaser! Richard Burkart grows high-quality organic stone fruit on 65 acres near Dinuba along the northern border of Tulare County about four hours south of San Francisco.

LaPierre Farms has been family-owned and certified organic for over 20 years in the Yakima Valley, Washington. LaPierre blueberries are harvested by hand and have that classic blueberry flavor. LaPierre sweet Bing Cherries are at peak flavor and are excellent for baking, making jams or even freezing.

Temperatures over the past week reached over 100 degrees in many growing regions including Salinas, Watsonville and Bakersfield and up to 115 in Yolo County and Chico. The heat affects our food production, putting not only the plants and fruit at risk but the people harvesting our food.