Crystal River Orchard U-Pick

10/28/2024

❤️ Stop by, check out my art in the Franklin Anderson Gallery of Arts and all the other talented artists ☀️😄 ~ Laura

10/25/2024

🎋 UCut Sugar Cane:
• This Monday, 10/28
• 12pm – 3/3:30
• The sale is 25 canes for $25, or $2 per cane.

• Please, bring your own "loppers" or machete – I will have loppers and can help cut
• Please park by the gate at the front – No vehicle entry into the field – I will load the cane on to our cart and drive them to your car/truck

I have an ad or two on FB marketplace and have had at least 10 people inquire 👍🏼

We accept Cash - or - Venmo, Cash app, PayPal
(no credit card machine)

• There is currently nothing else to pick at this time
• First to come, first to get served
• We will have jams we make from our fruit available to purchase 1/$6 2/$10
• The plant nursery will be available at this time as well for any plant purchases

Please, ask any questions ☀️

Thank you!
Laura and Steve

Crystal River Orchard Upick
2659 N Virginia Rd
Crystal River
352-794-1176

10/17/2024

Birds are known as the singers of the animal kingdom but they also enjoy listening to the music of other birds. Elephants are musically inclined. They sway their trunks to the sound of music they like and they will beat steel drums for their enjoyment. The best however is the cow. You can go into an empty cattle field and start playing an instrument. Those cows will come running to you. Music fascinates them. Music helps everyone and everything be at peace ❤

10/12/2024

Good morning Crystal River! I took this picture this morning from the Wildlife Refuge center on Kings Bay Dr. Twelve months ago today, we woke up to incredible damage from a tornado that ripped through 6.5 miles of our city. Just a month prior we had gone through Hurricane Idalia with over a 7’ storm surge in Crystal River. Over the next 12 months, we would go through Hurricane Debby and most recently Hurricane Helene with over 9’ of water in our city, and then Hurricane Milton. Through it all, our residents never gave up, never lost spirit, and have made this community proud. As the sun comes up today, and we have a gorgeous weekend ahead, many folks will continue working hard and cleaning up. Crystal River is a proud community, whose spirit is stronger than ever! The beauty of our city is amazing. Let’s get to it!

10/08/2024

❤️

We’re beaten up, on the ropes and in a tough spot, but we fight on! I’m Praying for all those in harms way and all that will be affected by Milton, but regardless we will keep on.

The response, preparation, and attitude of our community has been nothing short of amazing! Sometimes we tend to have a negative attitude about the state of affairs and culture of our society. After witnessing first hand the last few days, our people and our community is as strong and good as it ever has been. I witnessed our youth working hard, our people pouring respect out on to others, folks caring for neighbors and loving strangers. It’s who we are and it’s what makes this community so amazing.

Storms may bring floods and destruction, but the base rock of this place is not going anywhere. God Bless, thank you all for making Crystal River proud! We will get through whatever comes our way!

10/06/2024

For those wanting a great hurricane list, here ya go. Please share! Here's what my family does. Hopefully, we won't need all this but better safe than sorry. And remember, shelters are also an option. They fill up quickly in a big storm and some don't allow pets. Keep that in mind if you're in harms way!

1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery backups. ( Glow sticks also provide light for a few hours. Stand them upright in a glass or jar to make a lantern.)
2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill them with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill them with water and store them in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.
3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill the washing machine and leave the lid up to store water.
4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep them near sinks for washing hands.
5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store it in the freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a backup water supply.
6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in the fridge. You can store the rest on the counter and use it before opening any water bottles. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.
7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.
8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for the first day without power.
9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.
10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you'll be sweating a lot. You're going to want clean sheets.
11. Toss out any expired food, clean cat litter boxes, and empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don't have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.
12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.
13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.
14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor-free environment. Store water-filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.
15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.
16. Make sure you have cash on hand.
17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.
18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.
19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.
20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.
21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.
22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you'll have to live in the mess you started with.
23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you'll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.
24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.
25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don't flush them. It's not the time to risk clogging your toilet!
26. Run your dishwasher, don't risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you'll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands.
27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also, put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don't evacuate! Remember to pack for pets as well.
28. Check on all family members, set up emergency backup plans, and check on elderly neighbors.
29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!
30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.
31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.
32 . Use plastic cups and paper plates. 👍 You need water to wash dishes....👎
33 . Also if you run out of water tap your hot water heater it can have up to 30 gallons stored in there.
34 . Put water in balloons and store it in the freezer.
35 . If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown Flush it down!💩
If you can, take a video of your house and contents....walk room to room--open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don't forget anything)...I highly recommend it!!!
I also heard you should freeze a cup of water, and place a coin on top after it is frozen...keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful is you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup--you will know!!
Rule #7 And for those asking, that means "Don't freak out unless I'm freaking out..we're fine". Whatever comes our way, we've got this as long as we stay informed and prepared.

09/14/2024

09/14/2024

Article summary, c&p, by Laura

What is karst?
The porous limestone bedrock beneath our forests, fields, and yes, cities and subdivisions, a natural sponge holding immense quantities of groundwater deep below our feet... It holds the water we rely upon in this region for drinking water.

An adjoining landowner, a Canadian developer, requested 324 acres of this public land next to their renovated golf course and offered to swap 800 acres of timberland in Levy County for it. The Florida Cabinet – our governor and his executive officers – approved the swap in June.

Obviously, this isn’t a good idea, swapping planted rows of trees for a piece of existing public land that expands the footprint of the Annutteliga Hammock corridor. Nor was extending the Suncoast Parkway along Withlacoochee State Forest north of US 98.
More roads mean more development. More roads and developments mean more surfaces for runoff to pick up oils, fertilizers, and other nasty stuff to end up in the region’s aquifer.

*******
A meeting will be held September 11, 10 AM, at Cabot Citrus Farms, 15801 Hebron Church Road Brooksville which can be attended virtually. As a Community Development District (CDD), the meeting is open to the public and public comments are taken.

It’s an opportunity to put in your opinion about the land swap that the CDD has requested to have happen. Again, the Florida cabinet approved it in June without any public input or disclosure.
.. this land swap has to be approved by the ten member Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC). They have their next meeting on September 12. This line item is not on their published agenda. However, it’s worth sharing your opinion of this project, here:

Acquisition and Restoration Council MembersShawn Hamilton, DEP [email protected]

More members info in article
*******

Plans to let a golf course development expand into Annutteliga Hammock, part of a conservation corridor across Citrus and Hernando counties, isn't a good idea. Here's why.

09/14/2024

This is not meant to make anyone sad. I share life facts I find interesting from time to time. Time plus knowledge and curiosity as made food bigger, more taste, more edible... This is good, in my open ended opinion of life long learning

Nothing we eat now exists in nature. Whether a label says GMO, non-GMO, or organic, virtually everything we eat has had their genes modified by humans. Everything.

09/13/2024

😆

🙄🪄🧙🏼‍♂️

09/11/2024

Interesting

Fear sells. Anything can be made to sound scary if you really want it to.

Behold: the scary sounding, all natural apple. Full of chemicals you can't pronounce! ;) Lol

09/07/2024

Happy !

We think most Floridians would agree that manatees are a super special part of wild Florida 💚

During warmer months, these cute and curious aquatic mammals travel all throughout Florida’s rivers and coastal waters — they can live in fresh, brackish or salt water. During colder months, the majority of their population can be found right here in Florida, taking shelter from the cold in our springs!

Conserving land in Florida protects our waterways and springs, helping this incredible species to survive.

Do you want to help wildlife? Join our mission at the link 🔗https://conservationfla.pulse.ly/9hfov2x132

📸

09/02/2024

• The big trim of the blueberry bushes is complete! We picked piles up today, Steve loaded it into the truck, we went down each row to pick up debris to clear for Steve mowing soon, and I got the bushes out of the truck bed - ready for a fire together - we love a good fire 😄• Next step might be to go back through and prune smaller dead branches or get anything missed
• I serve at Texas Roadhouse, we've been open a few weeks now... Send me a message if you want to know when I work (I love serving; I'm not perfect but I work hard to be the best I can be, to give the best service I can) ❤️

08/29/2024

Trimming down blueberries, loading the truck, soon enough - a bon fire 😄

08/28/2024

Happy 38 Steve 🎉🤟🏼 2010 & 2024

08/20/2024

Yes! This could be companion planting of sorts, or food forest of sorts..

I know a few things would grow better with a bit of shade... Thinking and planning and trying

08/18/2024

I've received some messages recently asking about apples... I will repost some of our info!..

Hi all,

🍏Our apple season here at Crystal River Orchard Upick is about middle of May through middle of June. They are Tropic sweet Beauty and Ana variety apples. We only have about 4 trees in the field to pick from and this year, the squirrels got most every apple before they were big enough

🍐Our pear season is Middle of June through end of July and was outstanding this year in amount of pears, but we had so much interest it was only two days of picking

🫐Our main season is blueberries, about 800 bushes, which is roughly late April- June.. and 🍑peaches nectarines are a short season April-May

🍇Southern Home Muscadine Grapes are August/September

🎋Sugar cane is a Florida autumn crop
🍊Nov-Jan* brings citrus in Citrus County... Here we have Hamlin orange, Navel orange, Valencia orange, plus Ruby red and some white grapefruit

All dates are approximate and change slightly year to year. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for being here!

Laura and Steve
352-794-1176, text Laura (or call& leave a message so I know your not spam lol)

Crystal River Orchard Upick
2659 N Virginia Rd
Crystal River FL 34428

08/18/2024

Interesting info