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Winter Orchard Notes....
Back Yard Edens,
Nothing is quite as gratifying, and as liberating, as to coax food from the earth. And we who live in deep south are blessed with an especially wide range of edibles we can grow. When you grow your own fruit you reap a rich flavorful harvest, and you control everything that goes into producing it. Another benefit of having your own orchard is that it allows you to grow fruits that are unobtainable in the marketplace.
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Rarely do you find such fruits as Pink Pummelos , an ancient grapefruit relative the size of basketballs with a smooth sweet grapefruit flavor, or Sanbokan Lemons , which taste like sweetened lemonade when you bite into them, in any market. But you can grow them right in your backyard. When was the last time you saw a tree-ripened fig in a grocery store? Figs come in such a vast array of shapes, sizes and flavors. Some, like Celeste and Nero , are so rich they’re like eating fig preserves right off the tree. Growing your own fruit means being able to choose old heirloom varieties like Hood and Pineapple Pears for pies and preserves. Or having a Mayhaw tree to make your own world famous Mayhaw Jelly with. There’s just so much to choose from. Starting an orchard with kids teaches them where food really comes from, instills a sense of wonderment for nature, and will give them memories they will carry with them for a life time.
Here are a few things to consider before beginning your orchard;
Pick varieties that are suited for our climate. We’re blessed with winters that will allow us to grow such temperate fruits as Apples , Peach , Pear and Plums . But you’ll need to look for low-chill varieties that will fruit well in our area. We can also grow such subtropicals as Citrus , Bananas and Papayas. You’ll need to choose more cold-hardy citrus that can take the occasional hard freezes we get, or be ready to protect them through the cold spells. Make sure they’re grafted on Trifoliate root-stocks, as this helps keep them dormant in the winter. Banana and Papaya are possible, but you need to know the tricks on making them fruit.
Choosing a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun will give you the best fruit.
No wet, soggy soils. Most fruits, except Bananas and Mayhaws, prefer dry feet.
Remember to ask if your chosen fruit needs a pollinator. Many fruits, including Apple,Plum, Quince , Chestnut, Paw Paw and Pineapple Guava need two varieties to set fruit.
Give them enough room to grow. Most tree fruits need 15 to 20 ft. to mature properly. If you’re short on room and want to get a great selection try planting 2 or 3 different varieties in the same hole. Each tree becomes a “main branch” This allows you to have fruit that’s ripening at different times. Check out our "Multiple Fruit Tree Beds" guide to learn more about this. People who live on small lots can incorporate fruit into the landscape, enjoying both beautiful flowers and good things to eat. Many fruits make excellent patio plants. Citrus, Figs, Pineapple and Pomegranate all produce well in containers.
Workshops....
Thinking about raising chickens and ducks? With a flock of over 400 birds Christina is our local expert on home raised fowl. She'll be in the nursery this Sunday at 1:00 with her two favorite Silkies to answer questions you might have on what it takes to get started raising your own chickens. This a weather permiting visit, so if it raining or too cold for the Silkies we'll postpone....
Visit the Tasting Table..
There is always something to sample on the tasting table in the garden shop. It's the seasonal bounty of fruit from our orchard that we love to share with you. Visiting the tasting table is a great way to learn about what fruits it's possible to grow, and get a taste of different varieties to make a more educated selection for new fruits to plant in your orchard. Here's a sampling of what's on the table this month;
PERSIMMON The fresh fruit season is over, but we still have dried fruit to share. If you've never eaten a dried persimmon you are in for a wonderful winter treat
OLIVES We'll have marinated ' Arbiquinia' olives on the table all winter. Taste a winter bounty that's possible from your own trees..
CITRUS Yes, it's finally citrus season again. Satsumas, Tangelos, Navels and more.. It's liquid sunshine.
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