We are the proud owners of three new fruit trees for our small orchard. Joining the peach tree (pictured above), two plum trees, and a grape vine are a pear, apricot, and cherry tree.
The new trees are a bit spindly looking, so their labels make a better picture at this stage.
They won’t bear fruit for another two years, but I am already greedily anticipating the lovely rows of canned delights that we will enjoy.
Thanks to my husband’s efforts in the hunting and gathering department, and mine in the food preserving area, we have many homemade treats to savour.
The freezer holds its treasures of wild meat, fish, homemade bread and soup, and our own veggies.
The basement stores jar after jar of jam, fruit, salsa, pickles and relish. Alongside the jars is the homemade wine. When the weather gets hotter, we’ll add some homemade beer to the mix.
Growing and making one’s own food is very pleasurable, in addition to being economical. There is a sense of contentment in enjoying tasty food and knowing where it comes from. There is a pride in reflecting “I did this, this is mine.”
Tragedy has struck one of our own.
A delivery truck accidentally knocked a major branch off our plum tree.
The tree doesn’t look too badly shaken up after the incident.
That is, until you look at how many branches came off. We likely won’t know the long term effect of the collision until next spring.
Like many things on the farm, the tree has more of a value to us than may occur to the casual observer (or delivery truck driver).
That tree has grown sweet Italian prune plums for more years than anyone can likely remember.
Its possible demise means the loss of several dozen jars of canned fruit for the winter, as well as cash from any excess fruit.
There are other things on the farm that also have more of a value to us than may be readily apparent (there is a plan here, people).
They are:
- Field grass that was planted after harvest last fall
It’s actually a cover crop (usually rye) that guards against winter erosion of the soil. Once plowed into the soil before spring planting, its nutrients will help feed the soil so we can start the cycle of vegetable farming all over again.
- The (ugly and sometimes smelly) pile of manure, and another of plant trimmings
They are composted and spread on the ground to also help feed the soil.
- The ancient shed that looks like it might blow over in a strong wind
It stores the walk-in cooler, small tools, and provides an overhang roof to shelter the wash stand.
- The stacks of wooden boxes with fading paint
They house hundreds of helpful bees to pollinate the crops.
- The mound of cast off bits and pieces
This isn’t just junk odds and ends. Most will be incorporated ingeniously into some building project or repair job as Big Guy endeavours to “farmerize” the task at hand.
- The mass of weeds growing alarmingly in the flower beds around the house isn’t really..
Wait a minute. I’m looking at the wrong list. I really must get to that….
