Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Spring Cleaning

DSC_0132
A few weeks ago, we began the task of cleaning up the raised beds behind our townhouse.  The beds had been left unattended to for at least the past year so much of the work involved lots of weeding.  Here, Marc is clearing out the crowded strawberry bed.  This is where I'll be growing much of my tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and string beans.  

DSC_0211
I haven't done too much planting up until now.  The snow peas, shell peas and fava beans have sprouted but are growing rather slowly.  I also transplanted some spinach, lettuce and Asian greens not too long ago.  The rest will have to wait until May as temperatures are expected to reach down into the low 30's later on this week.

DSC_0183
A while back, I also began work on cleaning up the overgrown soft fruit bed beside our unit.  I pruned back many of the shrubs, removed lots of dead branches and cleared out most of the weeds. Now all it needs is a top dressing of some good compost.

DSC_0189
I wouldn't say that I know all that much about pruning fruit trees and shrubs.  Mostly, I pruned each shrub to a manageable size and shape and removed dead and crossing limbs.  I'm looking forward to seeing this elderberry bush in fool bloom.

DSC_0188
As you can see from this picture, the raspberries have taken over much of this bed. I suspect that it's an everbearing variety because I remember seeing some fruit on the canes when we visited last December. In any case, I pruned back the tops and will wait to see if they produce an early summer crop as well. It's hard to see in this picture but there are also two black currant bushes behind the raspberry canes.

DSC_0182
In addition to the black currants, there are also white and red varieties in the bed. The "Red Lake" currant bush in particular is loaded with buds. Hopefully it will produce well this year.

DSC_0225
In addition to two dwarf cherry trees beside our unit, there's also a shrub that's described as a "bush cherry" in this bed.   I'm not quite sure what this is but it's flowering profusely right now.  I'll have to do some googling.

DSC_0213 
Finally, the four sorely neglected blueberry bushes don't look like they've done much growing thus far. Hopefully that will change as I would love to take some green wood cuttings this summer.

17 comments:

  1. Welcome back to the blogging world Thomas! Hope you've settled in! Love the new gardening space!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sadly I don't know much about pruning such things either and I've planted them in my yard. I'm trying to learn.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a nice variety of fruit you have at your new home! Hopefully you will have some great harvests from them!

    ReplyDelete
  4. wonderful variety of fruit and your blueberry seems to be late variety ( i have one too) that has lots of flower buds forming :) just feed it some acid food and it will be happy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The blueberry plants are flowering now. I took the picture a couple of weeks ago. :)

      Delete
  5. If it helps, in my experience "bush" cherries usually mean sour cherries (like for pies) that are naturally dwarf-like in their growth habit. I guess the only way to know for sure is to taste one, though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right. I wonder if it's what they also refer to as a nanking cherry.

      Delete
  6. Looks great and congrats on the new space! Pruning is my specialty! I saved an apple and a peach tree in my yard, and work diligently at protecting an old holly bush, and "sculpting" my rose-of-sharon trees.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing you have so many fruit bushes. I've very jealous! Such a cute picture of Mark and your son cleaning the raised bed.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You really lucked out with the move, getting not only a great green/sun room, some growing beds, AND a bunch of established fruit plantings! The bush pie cherry is a shrub type plant that grows smaller sized tart cherries. Often the birds get to them, but if you have a good producing bush (or several) you can get some nice harvests to make a cherry jam with. The smaller sized fruit makes it a little harder to pit them and they tend to get a bit mangled - hence jams etc are the best use of them as they don't need to be "whole" for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laura! Now I know what to do with them!

      Delete
  9. Looks exciting, especially the currants...I love seeing how weather and climate edge up and down this East Coast. NYC was where you are a few weeks ago...this early time of suspense is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You must be very excited about all the new fruit bearing bushes and trees you have. They might be a little neglected, whatever potential they have I'm sure you'll draw it out!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everything looks really great, Thomas. I know everything will flourish with you there.
    Hope you're all doing well! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good luck wiht your raised bed, Thomas! I have found this a great way to have a kitchen garden. We put a series of raised beds on our deck and absolutely love it. I look forward to seeing your progress!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice to see you all out working and see Johnathan is still a willing helper! Things will come together don't worry, always a chore getting a garden just where you want it :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. what a lovely veggie blog
    love it
    greetings from north wales!
    (and a small allotment)

    ReplyDelete