July 2024 vol. 3
Before starting Amber Oaks Ranch, we were happily homesteading south of Houston. We called our little slice of paradise “Still Waters,” and it was there that I earned my chops in agriculture. I tend to go all in, so we tried it all – big garden, lots of animals, all sorts of fruit trees, and we even grew a small patch of grain to feed the chickens.
When we first settled in at Amber Oaks Ranch, we took one look at the sandy soil and knew that gardening would offer many challenges. Of course, that didn’t stop us from giving it a try, but with all the other stuff on our plates (and lots of free-range hens), the vegetable garden quickly fell by the wayside. We found it much more convenient to barter with our fellow market vendors for their vegetables – everybody wins.
Growing fruit, however, doesn’t take the same amount of effort as maintaining a garden. At Still Waters, we primarily grew citrus – multiple varieties of oranges, grapefruit, and figs. I love figs! It gets a bit too cold here for citrus and not quite cold enough for apples (though I’ve tried). Central Texas is perfect for peaches, though, and a few varieties of pears and plums. I haven’t had much success with the latter two, but our peaches are wonderful.
I’ve also had success with Black Mission Grapes, Jujubes, and Elderberry. I’ve just planted some fig trees, so hopefully next year… I love figs! Growing wild, we’ve got mustang grapes, dewberries, and prickly pear.
Every morning, I make my rounds and snack on a handful of jujubes and a few peaches. Unfortunately, our free-range chickens often beat me to it, making their way up into the branches and taste-testing just as they ripen. Chickens love to eat the elderberries. You’ll often see them jumping up and grabbing a berry while airborne. We don’t use the elderberries, so we’re happy to share with the chickens. Perhaps the eggs are fortified with vitamin C. The downside to a high elderberry diet is the purple poop everywhere!
We’ve had several folks ask if we sell the fruit at the market. No, but in years past, we’ve made some peach jam and shared it with our Buyer’s Club members. We lost a few peach trees last year and have planted a half dozen more, so in a few years, we hope to be able to share our bounty with you. If you’re growing any fruits and want to barter, don’t hesitate to make us an offer – especially figs. I love figs!
See you at the market!
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