The Gardens of Babylon
Yesterday afternoon I took a container and my step stool out to the yard and deprived the birds of their delicious cherry treats. I pulled down every ripe, non-nibbled cherry I could reach and wound up with almost three pounds of fruit, and since I couldn't reach the very top of the tree (guess I can leave _some_ for the birds) there's probably another pound or so up there. Looks like I have one Rainer and one Bing tree and both are healthy and productive.
Today I did another survey of the yard to check on everything else, and to put out the fruit/citrus food I purchased a couple months ago. More lemons and oranges are nearing ripeness, so I may be able to make another pitcher of lemonade before long, and there's nascent oranges on the trees for every flower there was a month ago - so it's going to be an INSANE crop this year.
The blackberries are ripening quickly as well, and shooting up at a rapid pace. The grapevines are trying to wind their tendrils around everything within 5 feet of them, though disappointingly it looks like only one of them will produce any amount of fruit this year. However, I did find out that I have two more than I thought I did - while clearing the cherry tree I discovered that the vine I thought was climbing over the fence from the neighbor's yard is actually very firmly rooted on my side.
The plum tree should produce soon, assuming I can reach anything on it this year! That tree is TALL, and in a raised bed (3' off the ground), which puts the lowest branches well over my head. Even with a ladder and a long pole (both of which I have), it's going to be interesting harvesting. But they were damned good last summer, so it'll be worth the effort.
And I really hope that the stealth-apple tree will turn out to be a good variety. Now that I know to look for it, it's covered in future fruit and is going to be an awesome harvest. I should be able to make pies from my own yard for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, assuming I don't eat all of them in my lunches!
If you live anywhere near me, yes, I will continue to offer up any extra fruit beyond what I can consume myself - but don't expect to get any of the blackberries. I'm a berry fiend. =D
I may complain heartily about the rain and weird weather we've had this year, but oh my has it been good for my yard, and the more I inspect and watch things produce, the more I love this house. I got really lucky with this one (and I think Shar agrees). There will need to be a "thank you" pie for my real estate agent at some point - or maybe some marmalade.
It's been suggested that if I get around to taking out the palm tree, I replace it with pomegranate - and apparently I need to set up some raised/hanging strawberry vines....and a chocolate fountain so we have self-dipping strawberries. :)
Today I did another survey of the yard to check on everything else, and to put out the fruit/citrus food I purchased a couple months ago. More lemons and oranges are nearing ripeness, so I may be able to make another pitcher of lemonade before long, and there's nascent oranges on the trees for every flower there was a month ago - so it's going to be an INSANE crop this year.
The blackberries are ripening quickly as well, and shooting up at a rapid pace. The grapevines are trying to wind their tendrils around everything within 5 feet of them, though disappointingly it looks like only one of them will produce any amount of fruit this year. However, I did find out that I have two more than I thought I did - while clearing the cherry tree I discovered that the vine I thought was climbing over the fence from the neighbor's yard is actually very firmly rooted on my side.
The plum tree should produce soon, assuming I can reach anything on it this year! That tree is TALL, and in a raised bed (3' off the ground), which puts the lowest branches well over my head. Even with a ladder and a long pole (both of which I have), it's going to be interesting harvesting. But they were damned good last summer, so it'll be worth the effort.
And I really hope that the stealth-apple tree will turn out to be a good variety. Now that I know to look for it, it's covered in future fruit and is going to be an awesome harvest. I should be able to make pies from my own yard for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, assuming I don't eat all of them in my lunches!
If you live anywhere near me, yes, I will continue to offer up any extra fruit beyond what I can consume myself - but don't expect to get any of the blackberries. I'm a berry fiend. =D
I may complain heartily about the rain and weird weather we've had this year, but oh my has it been good for my yard, and the more I inspect and watch things produce, the more I love this house. I got really lucky with this one (and I think Shar agrees). There will need to be a "thank you" pie for my real estate agent at some point - or maybe some marmalade.
It's been suggested that if I get around to taking out the palm tree, I replace it with pomegranate - and apparently I need to set up some raised/hanging strawberry vines....and a chocolate fountain so we have self-dipping strawberries. :)