I guess you could say that I come from a long line of gardeners. My Grandmother had a lovely garden and was passionate about flowers whilest my Grandfather had his large vegie garden, orchard and chooks. My mum is also a passionate gardener and I love the garden too. I wish I was more disciplined though as I get easily distracted from working on one area and often wander off to another area just to do something else. My mission over the next 15 months is to get the garden at the shop into tip top condition as Emma and Ryan plan to get married in the garden in 2013. I have made a start and will keep working at it...........Prudence kept me away from it last year which is quite evident by the blackberries that have taken over some of the Pink Bassinio Roses. Honestly I have never seen so many small blackberry plants in my garden as I have this year........like hairs on a cats back!
The orchard at the shop is coming along nicely. I planted a number of fruit trees about 5 years ago hoping that when we eventually live there they will be bearing lots of fruit for us to enjoy. Although we haven't sold the farm we will still be able to enjoy the produce. The trees include 8 varieties of apples including this Cox's Orange Pippin
The fruit is still small of course but last year it produce large juicy apples which were divine in flavour. I can't wait for this year's crop and will be netting them again to keep any would be feathered thieves away.
The best ever Crab Apple is Crab Gorgeous (also still small but lots of them).
If you love crab apple jelly this is the best variety to use as it make a beautiful deep pink/red jelly. I looove crab apple jelly but Russell just calls it sugar with a bit of flavour.......lol!
There are Nectarines and also an Elberta Peach........which I will be watching closely as I lost the lot last year to birds.
Greengage Plums......which I remember my Grandfather used to grow and my Grandmother would make into jam.
I have noticed an increase in the number of pear slug this year so I will be looking at doing something with them.....I know that they don't harm the fruit but they skeletonise the leaves plus they are ugly and remind me of leeches......which I HATE!
My Black Mulberry (x 2) are struggling a bit but I know that they do take a bit to get established so I am just being patient with them.
However my ultimate pride and joy in my orchard is my Stella Cherry tree. It is a self pollinating Cherry tree which means you don't need two different varieties to make baby cherries! Two years ago it produced it's first crop of cherries which were there one day and gone the next.....damn birds. Last year I netted the tree but was a bit eager (and scared) and picked them just a little bit early. They tasted okay but the few that I left on the tree rippened and were delicious. So this year the net is on and I am keeping a watchful eye along with an 'occassional' taste test.
Next year's plan is to plant a couple more Stella's so that in a few more years I will have even more cherries to taste test!
Linda :)
