I just walked out to the garden today and noticed my fruit trees in bloom!

Fruit tree Blossom

It was like it happened overnight.  This is always a sign that warmer weather is coming and not a moment too soon.  For years without realizing it I had been neglecting my fruit trees, and the poor things were starving.  A mistake of an amateur gardener!  Well, those days have long past and I aim to keep well fed forever.

This is what I have learned and I would like to pass it on to you.  Unlike vegetable gardening, caring for an orchard is somewhat of an art form.  There are some rules that should be followed to keep your fruit trees producing well and growing.

Here they are:

• In spring wait until after your trees have bloomed before you fertilize.  Here's why, fertilizers can inhibit production of blossoms and that means no fruit.

• If you do not have the trees well protected deer will devourer all the blossoms in one morning.  They even stand on two legs to reach the top to ensure you won't get fruit. How thoughtful!

• If you have forgotten to trim the very top of your tree and it is 12 feet tall.  Don't worry you can do it now it won't do any damage.

• Tree stake fertilizers are not evil.  If you read the ingredients it's all basic stuff your tree needs.  You do not have to make a crazy concoction to keep things "All Natural"

• If your fruit trees look different from last year, like they have leprosy. Do not dunk it in  water 7 times.  Simply go to your local nursery and ask for help.

•   A bad haircut is better than no hair cut!  Prune your trees in the fall.  It is easier than you think.  Simply take a branch just above a node with the bud facing outward and chop it off.  That's it!  Do this to all the branches and wait for new ones to form.  You can also ask around, you would be surprised at how many people have info you never thought they did.

To sum this all up, I learned fruit trees are a wonderful addition to any garden.  You should not be afraid to give them a bad haircut, it will grow back.  Feed them every year and don't be afraid of over doing it.  Ask for help and advice, people are a wealth of info.  Never watch Bambi it will give you a tainted perspective on deer.  Last, but not least you will most likely screw something up along the way, that's OK!  There's always next year!

Pear Fruit Tree

Enjoy the fruits of your labor,

Corinne

Spring is here, and I am so excited to finally see my seedlings emerging from the soil, I worked so hard to prepare.  Every spring I spend hours getting my raised gardening beds ready for a new garden season.

This year however, I was more ahead then usual.  In the fall after pulling out the weeds I put down layers of straw to protect my soil from heavy rain that leaches vital nutrients.  Straw also inhibits weeds from getting out of control and I think we can all use a little help with that.

Here is my little routine I do every spring before I plant one single seed.

1. Remove all weeds in the beds and start a new compost pile.
2. Dig in the soil to check and see if you have earthworms. (if not add tons of compost and mix well)
3. Take last years compost and spread it 2-3 inches on top of the beds.
4. Spread a organic granular fertilizer all over the beds.
5. Now it's time to plant your seeds or seedlings.

Once your seedlings sprout make sure you check on them regularly.  Seedlings are the most vulnerable to drought and pests.  Especially slugs, snails and puppy dog tails (or paws.)  A healthy vegetable seedling should be a green short fat little guy.  If he looks yellow or tall and scrawny you probably have a deficiency of some kind.

Water your plants only when you can feel the soil is dry over watering can do as much damage as under watering.  In the northwest we get plenty of water in early spring so be careful.  I water to a depth of 4-6 inches once a week if need be, and that seems sufficient. It is always better to give plants a deep watering as it encourages the roots to spread down deep.

Here are a couple of vegetable seedlings that are doing great in the garden.

Lettuce seedling in the garden

Happy Planting!

Corinne

We decided it was about time to set up a gardening blog, so here we are.  Actually, we're still in the middle of setting this thing up and incorporating it into the website, so stay tuned!  Thanks for the visit!