Trees - Past, Present, and Future

Just thought I'd recap what happened in this last year with our trees. As previously stated, some trees were eaten by goats, others by geese, some caught fireblight (I like it when they later post oh, by the way... this tree is highly susceptible to fireblight.. thanks) and some just couldn't keep up.

Those who did not make it this year: Apple Fuji (goats), Apple Honey Crisp (geese), regrowth of rootstock on one of Trees of Antiquities tree (geese), Navel Orange (geese), Grapefruit (geese), Lemon (geese/freeze), Apple Pink Lady (fireblight), Plum Santa Rosa (geese),

Those who were damaged by geese or goats include - Apple White Pearmaine, Apricots Patterson, Pistachios, Pear Bartlett, Pear White Doyenne, Apple Granny Smith, Cherry Rainer.

Actually, the more I review this list, the more I want to punch a goose in the face. I'll just have to remind myself that I'll just have to eat all their tasty, tasty eggs and children.. in front of them. Some of the trees that were damaged also managed to come back and seem poised to have a good growth year for 2013, for that I'll only eat the remaining non breeding pair geese.

The remaining fruit trees include: Apple - White Pearmain, Apple - Golden Delicious Combo, Apple - Granny Smith, Apple - Braeburn, Apple - Summer Rambo, Apple rootstock from pink lady (to be grafted with different apple),  Pear - White Doyenne, Pear - Keiffer, Pear - Bartlett, Peach - Ranger, Mulberry Pakistan (2), Blood Orange, Mandarin (2), Pomegranate (2),  Mango, Orange - Valencia, Pistachios (3), Cherry - Rainer, Cherry - Bing, Pecan, Almond, Apricot - Patterson (2).

Just planted include: Walnut Franquette, Walnut -Hartley, Almond (Nuplus).

On order: Peach - Muir, Plum - French Prune, Quince - Russian, Persimmon. 

Will pick up more to propagate: Pomegranate and figs, possibly some apples to graft.

Would really like some olives, nectarines, and possibly some other nuts. We also planted some pine nuts and some chestnuts to see if they grow from seed. My goal is to actually have fruit/nuts all year round from our trees. Having them be in season just seems to give them a better flavor and helps us savor them that much more.

Epic Fail 2010

So this year has been the year of epic fail when it comes to plants and trees. Between the pigs, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, guineas, and the cats the only trees that have seemed to thrive have been the ones up front. The almond is bearing fruit, the apple tree has grown over 3 feet, the citrus trees have grown or have started to sprout new growth. But other than that....

At last count I think the ash and the poplar in the back are still alive, the sycamore closest to the house is still mostly alive, as is one of the olives. The willows have been munched and snapped as have the cherries, nectarines, apricot, and pears. The pigs had a field day with the evergreens and the chestnuts (all gone) and so really, we're down to just a handful of trees. I think I'm going to pick up some eh trees today at home depot just to get some fruit trees going. I'll go ahead and order some trees from Trees of Antiquities this next year so that we can get them started. We're hoping that those apples and other heirloom trees will grow well in the back yard. As long as the goats don't get out again we should be good with the new trees and hopefully they should be sturdy and strong enough to survive a lot longer. Sheesh.. and I was hoping for some fruit this year. =P

Out front

As a short update... May was a month of ups and downs. I might post more about that in the future, once it doesn't hurt as much. We slaughtered some guineas for a really neat event and they were nummy! We're left with a pair but they have not started laying again. I did see them mate so I know the guy is at least in a breeding state of mind. We'll see if they give us anything. The ducks are still laying on the eggs. I'll have to post the egg story. =) And also the chicken story. =(

Sooo, up front I planted a lot of items from seed so now we have the following coming up:

4 types of beans
onions
grapes are doing a lot better now that Bugger is no longer sneaking in and eating them
We ate our first loganberry the other day
herbs are growing well
strawberries got burned with the sun but we have two hanging on
trees are doing well (3 citrus, almond and the apple)
melon and watermelon

I'm waiting on: corn and carrots to come up

Need to plant: tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, tomatillos, chilies (I guess others call them peppers...), and pickles. I'll see about doing this on Friday since I have that day off.

I love getting to see the seedlings come up. It's like christmas every time I see a new seedling sprout.

In the back we have all the trees growing, asparagus and mint hanging on, the onions spreading their seeds so that we have wild onions next year. We're harvesting mustard leaves and the grains. We're also saving some of the hay for summer food. Bees are thriving as I have to keep adding boxes as they keep filling them up with brood and honey. I need to build more boxes. Again, something I can work on on Friday. .. So much to do, so little time. If I totally can't sleep tonight (ate indian food for dinner... aka will not sleep due to tea) then I'll clean the house.

Goats + Trees = Unhappy Rosie

Sooo, it's been raining and Jed didn't want to put the goats on the leashes because then they would not be able to get out of the rain. Solution: Keep the goats indoors with food until it stops raining. They were out yesterday because it was raining and the little snots snapped my plum tree(not clean off so I'll try to repair it) and cleared off my peach tree.

Putting wire and posts around my trees is next on my list of things to do so that I can at least have some fruit this summer.. Bummer too because the plum was coming along so well and it was just jam-packed (no pun intended) with fruit.

I put them out on the leash today, I doubt that they'll drown if it does.

I mended the trees tonight when I get home.... bums.