I caved this year and purchased a Asian permission tree. This is a non-astringent variety called Ichi-Ki-Kei-Jiro that is supposed to be hardy down to our zone 6. I have it growing in a pot that is the size of a half barrel. I know, I know - I'm not expecting much from it in this potted state but I couldn't find it in me to plant it in the ground. If we end up purchasing a new home within the next few years, I wouldn't want to leave it behind just when it was starting to produce. Call me selfish. As a result, it'll have to spend the next few years of its life in this pot. I will however plant two less-exotic fruit trees from Home Depot and leave them for all future owners of our home.
The only things seemingly unaffected by the weather are the wild strawberries. Hopefully we'll be able to pick some of these tasty little yellow and red nuggets of strawberry goodness soon.
My red onion sets are looking good. I have a feeling I planted them too close together though (about 4 inches apart). As you can see, some critter did away with two of my Brussels sprouts! I had to buy transplants today to make up for this loss.
My Napoli carrots have germinated very well - close to 100%! I'm excited to see how they will grow in my raised box. On the other hand, only 50% of my Paris market carrots germinated. I hate having to reseed gaps.
The fig trees I purchased last year are showing signs of life. I really hope we get some fruit this summer. To increase the chances of this, I really should move all of my fruit trees to a sunnier location.
We are having thunderstorms and heavy rains tonight... and the forecast for the next several days is also for rain. We get one day of sunshine and warmer and then five of rain to pay for it. things are growing despite that... but it is a bit of a challenge. Your garden beds and plants look great (as always!).
ReplyDeleteHi Thomas, you're not alone. Spring in the Pacific NW is at least a few weeks behind last year. *sigh* I hope it makes up for things with a nice indian summer. Your carrots look good, even if only 50% of your Parisian ones sprouted. I'm hoping to have carrot sprouts when I get back. They hadn't sprouted when I left for Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteSpring just won't arrive here in the northeast. First it was so cold and now all it does is rain!
ReplyDeleteWe finally were able to till our garden (we use a farm tractor and tiller) on Wed. Up to this point it's been too wet and now, more rain!
So far not a good year for veggie gardening.
Dreary, dreary, dreary!!!
I wish I didn't have to keep pulling off the strawberry flowers on my strawberries. I would love to have strawberries. But I'll have to wait for them to grow up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI am finishing up cool weather crops in the South and the early tomatoes are starting to ripen. However, I have notice things are a lot slower this year also. I bought a great book called "Grow Fruit" by Alan Buckingham and I am experimenting with growing almost all my fruit trees in containers. I think it is going to be the way of the future because everyone cannot stay in one location now.
ReplyDeleteI love the tiny signs of new life! Your garden will be huge before you know it.
ReplyDeleteLots of rain here, too. Messes with my "plans", but I guess we could always use it! The garden looks great, I understand about potting up your favorite things, I think that way too, since there are several things that would break my heart if I had to leave them behind when we move!
ReplyDeleteYou should see my Pearl D'Or that is still in a pot. I posted a photo of it one or two posts back. We had not planned on staying here as long as we have so that is why it is in a pot along with a few other things. I talk about taking it out, but my hubby said it looks so happy! When we moved here I had over 200 potted plants, and slowly things have been planted as it looks like we are not going anyway.
ReplyDeleteWe need rain here in the south as it has been hot, no rain, but for the next few days it will be getting into the 40's at night. Strange for here.
I've enjoyed seeing what you have been growing!
My garden is slower than usual as well......my fig has done nothing yet, it looks dead. I don't think there will be much of a pea harvest this year for me either.
ReplyDelete(And I love that we were blogger buddies from the get-go, your garden is so inspiring Thomas!!)
It's definitely a slower growing season for us. This time last year, I was pulling radishes out of the garden. But the radishes are just starting to get their true leaves now. The only things in our garden that look great are the garlic, strawberries, and grapes. Wow, your strawberries grow wild? Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen figs that can be grown in pots here. All we have (or at least those I am aware of) are trees that grow to herculean sizes!
ReplyDeleteWe have been growing figs for seven years and we highly recommend that you dig them into the ground for the first year, just before the first frost dig them out and put into a large plant pot about 16" in diameter, we leave them in our stone basement through winter and water once a month and I give them fish fertilizer once a year. Ours have been in this pot for the last six years we take cuttings every year and go through the same process we have the best figs ever! The one thing we have found is treat them mean and they seem to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteYes, this weather system we have in New England is most bothersome. It sure reminds me of 2009, the notorious year of late blight. The good news is that it's still early in the season so there is time for a turn around. In the meantime I am just pushed to my limits trying to squeeze all the gardening chores into rain-shortened weekends in between carting the kids around to their various activities.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.media-organic.com/garden-week-in-review-6
Looks good! Seeing your fig tree reminds me that I want one again. For some reason I lost my small one last year. I notice yours is in a pot. That's what I was thinking. I must try again. Nice blog!
ReplyDeleteSun! yes...:-)
ReplyDeleteMy first crop has already dropped, so if yours does, don't panic. The second one - on new growth - always sets well.
Figs and persimmons...what could be more delightful?
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