The State of the Figs

Every tree recovered from the coldest winter yet. A couple of Hardy Chicago twigs died, as did the tips of King. Most have quickly-growing embryonic brebas.

Vancouver (probable Brunswick).Lots of brebas. I hope that they develop!

Lattarula (A.K.A Lemon A.K.A. White Marseilles. This is the most brebas that it has had. So far I've never had one mature to ripeness, but it was in a container for the first 2 years, and last year had a late frost. I may have overpruned it last year as well. Esentially no pruning this year.

Hardy Chicago. Still too small to really call a 'tree'. Not many brebas. It's supposed to produce main crop quickly, so if it does that it will still be worth the garden space.

Petite negri. Lots of brebas. A few trials of grafts here and there, just to see if I can. They are not growing yet.

King. Only one breba, but this is only it's second season. This year if I get one, to taste, I'll be happy.

What's blooming

Lots of bushes, trees, bulbs and perrenials blooming now. Lush and almost Garden-of-eden.


Miniature yellow iris - by far the first iris to bloom in my yard.

This lilac was sold as 'double French white'. Not exactly... but fragrant none the less.

Branch of Lilac tree - more and more beautiful each year, but also more and more out of reach. Time for some pruning this year?

Annual Ning Charlie & Baigo under the cherry tree. Each year I think it might die. Each year it's magnificent.

Red dogwood. Candy tuft ground cover. Daffys almost done.

Fig Grafting Update

So far, so good. The little grafted fig tree has started to open its terminal bud. If it was DEAD that would not happen. Still not proof that the graft 'took', but also encouraging.

Cherries are starting to bloom.

Hyacinths and daffodils are blooming. These hve been in place for 3 years. The hyacinths are multiplying, which I think is cool. In the past they just died out.

Forsythia. This is 4 years from the original, tiny 4inch cutting. The cutting had been salvaged from a piece that I found on the street while walking the dogs. It's on the north side of the house, so probably not as full as it could be.

First cherries to bloom. Pruned by the extreme "backyard orchard culture" method. If all of the flowers result in cherries, we'll have a lot.

More Spring Activity.

Will need to post pictures later this week - work beckons.

Today was a rare event, the 3rd day of a 3day weekend. Spent about 9 hours on homework, but was rested for a change. Mid 70s outside - very nice. Took the laptop outside and worked in the shade.

Took a couple of breaks. Planted some sugar snap peas. Left the tomato seed pots out in the warm weather through the day. Fed more weeds to the hens. They do like their greens. There are only 2 now. They lay 1 or 2 eggs daily, between the two. Watered the overwintered plants, took most outside over the past week. Set out a hummingbird feeder, hung from tree in front yard. Probably 30 minutes of effort in the yard, the rest was working the laptop. Still, not bad.

Orchard Mason Bees are active now, I thought that they might have frozen to death this winter. With cherries, apples, pears almost open, and peaches almost at the finishing part of their blooming, they are just in time. Saw a couple of bumblebees too. Beneficial insects are our organic gardening friends.

Strawberry rhubarb smoothie: 1/2 pkg soft tofu, about 1/2 cup frozen rhubarb, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup OJ, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and about 1 tsp salt. Blend to smooth. Yum. tart/sweet/rhubarbie.