The upcoming 2009 Pecan Crop looks to be a "bumper" crop for the state of Texas and especially for the area around us. Pecan trees that are not commercially managed will typically follow a 3 year cycle of a bumper crop year, lean year, and then medium size crop year. Of course Mother Nature can have a hand in influencing this cycle. Too little or too much rain can harm a crop, late freezes in the Spring or early freezes in the Fall can also cause damage, insects such as weevils can wipe out a crop too, and many other factors can have a determining factor on a pecan crop.
The Montz Orchards that are managed by Tim and Jake Montz as well as others are done so in a way to try and avoid cycles. The goal at our orchards is to have the trees produce a standard amount (or as close to it as possible) year after year. Again, we too have to deal with Mother Nature, but with lots of good management techniques, plenty of prayer, and a little luck we can have a steady crop of top quality papershell pecans year after year.
As you can see from the pictures, even our trees are pretty loaded with pecans. The limbs are getting heavy due to the pecans transitioning from the water stage to the stage where the actual pecan meat forms. These pictures are of Pawnee pecan trees which come off very early (sometimes 30 days before the other varieties).
Right now our major concern is weevils. This is the time of year when this insect will try to infest the pecan crop. We have 7 to 10 days of intense monitoring to do to ensure we do not lose our crop to this creature!!!
All the trees around Wichita Falls look to be really loaded. This will make November - January a very busy but fun time at the Pecan Shed. We always enjoy cracking pecans for our customers and seeing those kids who have worked hard all day picking up pecans in either their yard, a neighbor's yard, or perhaps Grandpa's yard get rewarded for their labor!
Take care,
Jill
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Fudge Flavor of the Month for August is...
...Key Lime! If you like Key Lime Pie for dessert, you are going to LOVE our homemade Key Lime Fudge any time of day! Kathy is our famous fudge maker and she herself claims that this is her favorite flavor. Stop in today for a free sample!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Texas Pecan Growers' Association
I just got back from the 88th Annual Texas Pecan Growers Association Conference and Trade Show that was hosted in Mesquite, TX. Mom, Dad, Jake, Keri, Presley, Tony, Dotty, and I were all in attendance and boy did we make one heck of a group! Dotty and Presley were a big hit with all the growers. The girls were soooo cute and only acted really bad about half the time...Just kidding...it was a little less than half.
Both Dad and I gave speeches at the event. Dad talked about the trip he took to China with TPGA. The Chinese market is really wanting fresh and flavorful Texas Pecans so Dad went over there to meet with some buyers, learn about how to ship and sell pecans to China, and to educate buyers over there about pecans. He did a great job on his talk and I know he loved the once in a lifetime trip.
I gave a talk about retail marketing. I am sure I talked way too fast and way too much but I tend to do that. I was really nervous and I know my voice showed it at times but all in all I had a real good time giving my speech and it is always good to get outside your comfort zone from time to time and that was definitely not something I was comfy doing.
According to all the growers I talked to it looks like this year will be a great crop for Texas...Lord willing! We all could use some rain and a break from this heat but I know the rains will come when they are supposed to. Until then I am just thankful for the irrigation we have on our trees. However, I do continue to pray for rain!
Both Dad and I gave speeches at the event. Dad talked about the trip he took to China with TPGA. The Chinese market is really wanting fresh and flavorful Texas Pecans so Dad went over there to meet with some buyers, learn about how to ship and sell pecans to China, and to educate buyers over there about pecans. He did a great job on his talk and I know he loved the once in a lifetime trip.
I gave a talk about retail marketing. I am sure I talked way too fast and way too much but I tend to do that. I was really nervous and I know my voice showed it at times but all in all I had a real good time giving my speech and it is always good to get outside your comfort zone from time to time and that was definitely not something I was comfy doing.
According to all the growers I talked to it looks like this year will be a great crop for Texas...Lord willing! We all could use some rain and a break from this heat but I know the rains will come when they are supposed to. Until then I am just thankful for the irrigation we have on our trees. However, I do continue to pray for rain!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Dallas Market Madness!!!
WoW! What a trip to the Dallas Market I just had. This was my first year to ever do the Dallas Market all by myself and let me tell you...it was fun and scary all at the same time! In the past, I have always gone to Market with either my mom, Molly, and/or Kathy. But this year I was solo...I can't wait to see how the new items I ordered do in the store.
I got several new fun lines like Servant's Heart, Glory Haus, and Planet Cowgirl. Of course I still ordered from those great lines that we have had for many years such as Texas Products, Cactus Rose, Truly Texas, and many, many more!
We already have items arriving in the store and new stuff is expected every day. This is one of the best times of the year at the Pecan Shed. It is like Christmas in July for us!
You need to stop in soon to check out all the new items! However, you had better hurry. Yesterday we could not keep up with our customers. As soon as we unpacked the new products to put them out our customers were buying many of them as soon as they hit the shelf!
I got several new fun lines like Servant's Heart, Glory Haus, and Planet Cowgirl. Of course I still ordered from those great lines that we have had for many years such as Texas Products, Cactus Rose, Truly Texas, and many, many more!
We already have items arriving in the store and new stuff is expected every day. This is one of the best times of the year at the Pecan Shed. It is like Christmas in July for us!
You need to stop in soon to check out all the new items! However, you had better hurry. Yesterday we could not keep up with our customers. As soon as we unpacked the new products to put them out our customers were buying many of them as soon as they hit the shelf!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Things are Moving Along...
Hey All,
Things are just moving right along with the new addition to the Pecan Shed. The exterior of the building is up and done! Now we have a LONG white wall to look at all the time. I am hoping that some signs and plants might break that up and help with its appearance. Keep your fingers crossed!
Yesterday we had the sidewalk poured around the new addition. I even got to write the date in the cement since Dad was out of town at the Oklahoma Pecan Convention. It was very exciting! For those of you who may need that type of service in the future I am available for a reasonable fee. Just Kidding!
We got some rain yesterday and are expected to get more during the next few days. This has caused some of the plans to be put on hold. I believe the next part of the project is to pave the parking lot. They have already torn up the ground in order to prepare for it. Of course, after the rain we got we have just one big mud hole out there right now. My 21 month old daughter would be in heaven if I would just let her in it. Just think of all the mud pies she could make!
Things are just moving right along with the new addition to the Pecan Shed. The exterior of the building is up and done! Now we have a LONG white wall to look at all the time. I am hoping that some signs and plants might break that up and help with its appearance. Keep your fingers crossed!
Yesterday we had the sidewalk poured around the new addition. I even got to write the date in the cement since Dad was out of town at the Oklahoma Pecan Convention. It was very exciting! For those of you who may need that type of service in the future I am available for a reasonable fee. Just Kidding!
We got some rain yesterday and are expected to get more during the next few days. This has caused some of the plans to be put on hold. I believe the next part of the project is to pave the parking lot. They have already torn up the ground in order to prepare for it. Of course, after the rain we got we have just one big mud hole out there right now. My 21 month old daughter would be in heaven if I would just let her in it. Just think of all the mud pies she could make!
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