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Peachy Pick-Me-Up
Peaches and apricots picked at their peak of ripeness are some of the most delicious fruits of summer. We have both peach and apricots trees and the trick to have a bountiful crop is to pick trees that fit your climate. Our apricot tree has had only a few years of a bumper crop. Apricots primarily mature in early summer making them on of the earliest available summer fruits. Our apricot trees seems to always bloom early with only a few days of warmth. We inevitably have a string of warm days in March which triggers blooming of our tree followed by a mild freeze which damages the delicate blooms.…
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Dog Days of Summer
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the Dog Days of Summer is the hottest, most sultry days of summer. It is usually 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This means we are right in between the two major planting seasons for vegetable gardens. It is typical at this time to see some empty spaces as certain vegetables succumb to oppressive heat and sometimes pests. It seems we have started those hot sultry days earlier than usual as our high temperatures have been above normal. Trying to establish young plants during this time is very difficult as I am experiencing with my tomatoes plants. During this time first…
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Spring Showers
As planting season has come and gone, we now get to sit back (which means spend hours watching and picking as the fruits and vegetables ripen) and see the garden grow. All the hard work that leads to a plentiful crop. But, the work does not stop. We all know the reality of making sure the okra doesn’t get too large, or the tomatoes do not sit on the vine too long. What about the herbs that seem to have taken over and spread like wild-fire? Well, we know the spring showers bring much appreciated moisture to our freshly tilled garden, but it can also bring unwelcome weather. Hail is…
Home Grown is Best
