Fruit trees are fantastic planners. Just as we humans start hunkering down in our winter-y way of life (turning on the heater, spending more time indoors, eating a little more), my fruit trees are also losing their leaves and looking their most bleak. But under that stripped-down exterior something fascinating is already taking place. The promise of spring, even when winter has just started, in the form of swelling buds.
Royal Lee Cherry
This being only my second soon-to-be spring with my 2 cherry trees, I’m realizing that their buds may have a head start on my other fruit trees, probably because they are the first to blossom and fruit.
Eva’s Pride Peach
And of course I have some other winter veggies here and there, such as carrots, lettuce and sugar snap peas.
These two seem to be relying on each other for mutual support.
One of my flower pots with some extra room is now more beautiful for winter thanks to these lettuce.
Here is a tally of my mini orchard to date:
- Red Baron Peach-the matriarch of the backyard having been planted about 6 years ago
- Minnie Royal Cherry
- Royal Lee Cherry-these two require each other for pollination
- Snow Queen White Nectarine
- Gold Kist Apricot
- Burgundy Plum
- Thompson Red Flame Grape
- Eva’s Pride Peach
This coming spring is one of my most anticipated yet because I think that maybe, just maybe some of my two year old trees (Eva’s Pride Peach, Thompson Red Flame Grape, Burgundy Plum, Snow Queen White Nectarine) will fruit for the first time. And that would be the most bountiful with fruit my backyard will have ever been.
PS: My sweet Silkies started laying again after a two month hiatus about a week ago on my birthday. Thankful!
Bountiful Backyard 