What fruits should we grow?

Amid the enjoyment of robins singing, and the general increase in morning bird activity, I've got vegetables and fruits on my mind. We had an excellent presentation last Saturday by our state peach expert, essentially telling us to grow the easy, no-spray fruits at home (many of which are native like blueberries, blackberries, paw-paws and persimmons), and leave the peaches, etc. that basically need life support (my words, not his) to the experts.

Not bad advice, at all, actually, although I continue to be hopeful that my Esopus Spitzenburg bare root transplant that's on its way (for our bit of mountain space) won't turn out to be a donation to Monticello. Esopus Spitzenburg was supposedly Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple, and surely he wasn't spraying on a weekly basis? But maybe he was using copper sulfate, and some of the organic materials recommended today for those of us unwise enough to attempt apples in the Eastern U.S.

We'll see!

Read more...

Heirloom apples

Apples are one of the more time-consuming home garden fruits to grow, according to one of my favorite gardening podcasts, Gardening Conversations, coming from North Country Public Radio in Upstate New York. I download it through iTunes; their Jan. 19 podcast talked about apples (I listened to it this morning while walking).

But I also just received an e-mail notification of heirloom apple availability from Monticello's Center for Historic Plants for 'Esopus Spitzenburg', 'Albemarle Pippen, and 'Hewe's Crab Apple.' Hmmm.

And I've been eyeing the wonderful list of heirloom apples available at Big Horse Creek Farm in Ashe County, North Carolina. Some of the first things I planted as a VERY newbie gardener many years ago in SE Georgia (uh, not apple country) were apple trees - one of them, a Stark golden delicious, was just starting to bear fruit when we moved to South Carolina.

And, now being near apple country in the Piedmont, and having a bit of space in the mountains to plant a few trees -- I'm going to try some apples again. I've ordered some from Big Horse Creek Farm, to be grafted in March and ready to plant in fall. They include Sugarloaf, Carolina Pippin, Ashemeade's Kernel, and Cox Pippin. And maybe I should try the 'Esopus Spitzenburg,' in spite of the variety being a bit difficult. I had some in a heirloom apple sampler box once that were delicious.

And, I really LOVE apples.

Read more...