Have you ever bathed in tree fruit blossoms? This Fresno County farm will show you how
Every spring, San Joaquin Valley residents and out-of-towners drive through the east side of Fresno County to enjoy the delicate pink and white blossoms that appear on thousands of peach, plum, nectarine and apricot trees.
People get out of their cars, pose for pictures and then load back up and go on their way.
It’s that way every year, except in the tiny community of Del Rey where farmer and author David Mas Masumoto is borrowing a Japanese tradition, known as forest bathing, to give visitors to his farm a deeper appreciation of the blossom period and farming. He calls it blossom bathing.
The Masumotos are organic farmers growing peaches, nectarines and apricots on about 80 acres. As small farmers they have become adept at carving out their own niche of producing quality fruit while also connecting with their loyal customers.
For $30 per adult, you can immerse yourself in an orchard full of blossoms. Masumoto has carved out a winding path through an orchard of nectarine, apricot and peach trees. You can walk barefoot, relax, breathe deep, sit on a wooden bench, write down a wish and tie it to a tree, or just lay back on a patio lounge chair to soak it all in.
The final day of blossom bathing is Saturday, March 16.
“One of the most important things people realize when they visit is the beauty of food,” he said on a recent Sunday on the farm. “This is nature; this is not a factory you are walking through.”
In the Japanese tradition of forest bathing, the idea is to quietly reflect in nature. There isn’t a lot of instruction. In blossom bathing, Masumoto provides a little help.
For instance, there are guideposts that offer suggestions on taking a moment to reflect about your ancestors, or asks what sort of sound does a blossom make when it opens. Other signs give knowledge. One of the apricot trees on the path is known as the mother tree because its young branches have been grafted on to at least 200 trees.
Another sign explains that the field is carpeted with other plant material, including chickweed, filaree and henbit. As organic growers, the Masumotos do not use harsh chemicals to control weeds.
Marie Herzog and her family — husband Austin and sons 13-year-old Devon, 13, and 10-year-old Gavin, 10 — spent an afternoon blossom bathing recently.
She enjoyed the peacefulness of being in the orchard. She said it makes her contemplative.
She is originally from Los Angeles and has learned a lot about how fruits and vegetables are grown in the Valley. She can also appreciates seeing how the trees transform from blossoms to branches heavy with fruit.
In 10 to 12 weeks, the orchard the Herzogs walked through will be ready for harvest.
Devon Herzog said the experience made him think about everything that is involved in growing a piece of fruit.
“You realize how much love was put into growing these trees.” he said.
For more information about blossom bathing on the Masumoto’s farm you can visit their website at www.masumoto.com.
This story was originally published March 12, 2024 at 11:07 AM.
