Showing posts with label fruit trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit trees. Show all posts

Friday, July 8, 2016

Well, I'll be!

It's common knowledge among my friends and followers that my fig trees froze out every winter except one since I planted them six years ago. I was pondering just ripping them out and putting in some flowering bushes, maybe a forsythia and maybe another hibiscus. The birds obviously like the fig trees (bushes, really) as it's their look-out spot in the yard. Okay, change of plans. I think I will let them be. I have a poke plant in with the one fig to feed the bluebirds. Bluebirds eat poke berries, they don't eat seeds.

Was very surprised to find 3 figs on one of the new stems this morning. I didn't think they would make fruit when they had to start all over! Fun surprise. Dora, Peppylady, mentioned she hadn't seen figs growing or a fig tree. I hadn't either before I put these in, so these pictures are for you, Dora! (Also anyone else who is curious.) The figs are only about half an inch across right now, they get considerably larger. (IF they don't fall off)

 A few days ago, I started some 'trimmings' or 'slips' in sand to propagate some blueberry plants and flowering almond. It's just an experiment, so no big loss if they die. I checked them this morning and they are doing just fine, I don't see any sign of wilting or dying. It gives me some hope. I want to start a few scuppernong to fill in empty spaces and maybe a couple of the concord grape, also hibiscus. If they survive, that's great, if not, no great expense has gone into it. 

I can't be outside long, that air out there is toxic when it heats up. My best time is before it gets ungodly hot, but after the humidity of the night lifts. It's a pretty short window of opportunity.

Have a great weekend, folks!
 

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Country Living with a City Boy

This would be a great little family fruit farm, but ...
Blackberries - could have used some rain (or watering)

Bronze and Purple Scuppernong, just starting to set fruit.

Jill and Tacky Cat

Old Fashioned Grapes

This is one (1) out of hand muscadine with honeysuckle and elderberries growing in it.

The shy cat who adopted us this spring. He stays to eat ...

Some of the trumpet vines that took over the grapes and blackberries on the north side of the house.

This was a surprise wild plum, next to the apple tree that has no fruit this year.
 Everything needs to be pruned, cleaned up and straightened out. When the house goes on the market, the new owners will have their work cut out for them, don't you think?