Robson's Farm, Purple Farmstand
Hours and Location
Hours
Thursday and Friday 12-6
Location
33 Rahilly Road
Wrightstown, NJ 08562
Monday, September 28, 2020
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
PawPaw Season Questions Answered: What they taste like. What to do with them. How to grow them.
I'm going to answer some of our most common PawPaw questions....
EATING QUESTIONS
Q: What is a PawPaw?
A: They are our nations largest native fruit. They are found in Appalachia area, northeast (but not above lower New York State), parts of the Midwest, and Southeast.
Q: What do they taste like?
A: They are their own thing for sure. Super fragrant! It's hard to say exactly what they taste like but kind of like a cross between a mango and banana with a fermenty finish.
Q: How do I eat them? What is their texture?
A: You slice them in half and grab a spoon. Their flesh is similar to a thick yogurt.
Q: How do I know if they are ready to eat?
A: Pawpaws are like a banana in that they yellow then turn black with ripeness. Usually you know a pawpaw is ready when they drop off the tree but due to food safety rules we do not pick up dropped fruit. We harvest them as soon as they have a little give when squeezed. So shoppers take them home and let them ripen on the counter.
A: Pawpaws are like a banana in that they yellow then turn black with ripeness. Usually you know a pawpaw is ready when they drop off the tree but due to food safety rules we do not pick up dropped fruit. We harvest them as soon as they have a little give when squeezed. So shoppers take them home and let them ripen on the counter.
Q: Do they have seeds?
A: Yes, a few large brown seeds in the shape and size of lima beans.
Q: What can you do with them?
A: Eat them fresh is how they're usually eaten. They also make a good pie...follow a pumpkin pie recipe and sub the pumpkin for pawpaw. We have a recipe on the blog under the "cooking" tab. You can also make puddings or pastry fillings. And lastly, brewers can add them to beer. There are a few breweries in Ohio area that make pawpaw beer.
PAWPAWS AT OUR FARM
Q: How many trees do you have?
A: 100
A: 100
Q: When are they ready for harvest?
A: Early-mid September
Q: When did you plant the trees?
A: We planted most of our trees in 2014 and then planted a few to replace trees that had died or been severely damaged by deer in 2018.
A: We planted most of our trees in 2014 and then planted a few to replace trees that had died or been severely damaged by deer in 2018.
GROWING PAWPAWS
**I did extensive research before tying up a good piece of ground in a crop that 99% of people of have never heard of. I am still learning and do not have all of the answers. I encourage you to also do your research especially if you're a fellow farmer.
Q: Where do I buy trees?
A: One Green World or Nolan River in Kentucky...there are a few other places too so do you research!
A: One Green World or Nolan River in Kentucky...there are a few other places too so do you research!
Q: Where can I find resources?
A: The book. "PawPaw, In Search of our Nations Forgotten Fruit," Kentucky State University, and through Neal Peterson who is known as the "Johnny PawPaw Seed", Petersonpawpaw.com
Q: How many trees do I need.
A: You need 3 trees of 3 different varieties to get fruit.
Q: How long will it take until I get fruit?
A: From grafted trees it took us 6 years to get a few fruit. 8 years until full production like apples.
A: From grafted trees it took us 6 years to get a few fruit. 8 years until full production like apples.
Q: What do you think are the best varieties?
A: We haven't been getting fruit long enough to give too much feed back here but so far Susquehanna and Shenandoah
A: We haven't been getting fruit long enough to give too much feed back here but so far Susquehanna and Shenandoah
Q: How far do you space them apart?
A: We spaced ours 10 feet apart.
A: We spaced ours 10 feet apart.
Q: I thought they grew in the shade. Are you growing yours in the shade?
A: It's true, PawPaws are an under story tree. However, we grow them in the fields just like the peaches and apples. This means they need a lot of water. We grow them on landscape fabric with drip running underneath. Young trees need about 1.5 inches of water per week.
A: It's true, PawPaws are an under story tree. However, we grow them in the fields just like the peaches and apples. This means they need a lot of water. We grow them on landscape fabric with drip running underneath. Young trees need about 1.5 inches of water per week.
As I get questions I'll update this post with the answers. Hope this helps!
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Robson's Farm Purple Farmstand is Open
Robson's Farm Purple Farmstand is Now Open
Thursday and Friday 12-6pm
Farm Address is 33 Rahilly Road Wrightstown, NJ 08562
You can just come shop or place a pre-order for pick up HERE
All pre-orders must be placed by Thursday at 9 AM.
Credit Card and Cash accepted
Thursday and Friday 12-6pm
Farm Address is 33 Rahilly Road Wrightstown, NJ 08562
You can just come shop or place a pre-order for pick up HERE
All pre-orders must be placed by Thursday at 9 AM.
Credit Card and Cash accepted
