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ApricotKing News
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2024 FRESH BLENHEIMS
FINAL AND LAST PICK WILL BE SUNDAY JULY 21.THAT'S STRETCHING IT A BIT....BUT …
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Fresh are coming!
Fresh Blenheim apricots will be available after July 4.,Frequently asked …
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Spring time!
Nothing is more beautiful than apricot trees in full bloom. See our …
About ApricotKing
Since 1946, the Gonzales family has grown the rare and fabulous California Blenheim apricots. Grown on our Hollister ranch, we continue to be the farmer, pruner, dryer, packer, and seller of the vanishing Blenheim apricot. We produce the best tasting apricots in the world all "Home Grown in the Flavor Zone"!
In addition to our incredible dried apricots, be sure to discover our variety of nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds) and other dried fruits (peaches, pears, prunes, and more). For those who believe less is more, we have dark and delicious unsulfured dried apricots. And don't forget our sweet and tart selection of apricot jams and syrups as well as our decadent chocolate covered fruits and nuts. Simply delicious! Everything here on the ranch is organically grown.
Enjoy!
AK News
And we're off and running......
The Beautiful Blenheim season has begun......and of course, we're having a heat wave. ha!Blenheims are picked in three separate pickings....the first is where you tip the trees (just the farthest-outfruit) . The second pick is our big one....where all the fruit is ready at one time. T(hink of theKentucky Derby out there) The final pick is [...]
Blenheim Season 2018
And now we're ready. First pick of the season starts tomorrow and will last until July 18 weather permitting. All the markets will have freshfruit for sale in small quantities. You need to preorder cases by calling or texting Patti @ 831 801-5275. Feel free to leave a message.....my hands are always busy.Because this is [...]
Still waiting for that first pick
It's hot...97 degrees.....then it's cold 65 degrees......so the fruit still is not ripe.Looking for a July 1 first pick....hardly anything prior.
Washing boxes and trays
Getting ready for the harvest involves washing 2000+ picking boxes.We also have 7000+ trays to wash and dry. Lots of hands, lot of work,tons of preparation for the first day of cutting. Predicting a few cots in before July 1..........weather permitting.
Update on the Fresh
The Blenheims are always worth waiting for....this year our ETA will be July 1 for the fresh season to begin.Yes, you can pick them up at the ranch or at the markets.No, you cannot climb an 11 foot ladder and pick your own. (no U-Pick)Call ahead for large orders. $3 a pound (same as previous [...]
We're Excited.....Update on the Crop
It's looking good folks.....lots of clean cots out there.....slowly ripening up....enjoying this pleasant weather. Looking at an ETA of June 25th.We want no rain, less wind, nothing higher than 85 degrees. We'll keep you posted.
Looking at the 2018 crop.....predicting 75% of a crop.
It's thinning time now. The men are out there gently smacking the big bunches of green marble-sized apricots with a bamboo thinning poleThey're knocking part of the crop on the ground.We don't want a harvest of peewees. By knocking off part of the clusters, the cots will have roomto grow and plump right up. In June the bigger apricots [...]
Notice the reduced shipping charges?
ApricotKing struck a deal with UPS for a reduced rate for UPS shipping......hooray......this is a win-win situation for our customers. We've been UPSing and USPOing for 15 years and we always try to give you the best deal in shipping.
No More Bulk
We're running out of cots at an alarming rate.....we'll be out in a few months.I took all the bulk orders off the website to slow down the depletion.Plenty of Unsulphured Apricots in the Bulk....but nothing else. Sorry.
A Full Bloom....and then RAIN????
We're worried now. A few weeks ago, we had a full bloom....a lovely, full, rich, set.Now, we're having two weeks of steady rain. I ask you, how can the trees pollinate?Apricots are self pollinating.....don't need bees like the almonds do.....but how canthey self pollinate in this rain?Although we love and need rain, this is the [...]