In the Garden

[temporal1]

Tonight we finished planting our apple orchard. 16 trees. We’ll see how they do!
King
Golden/Yellow Delicious
Macintosh
Gala
Red Spy
Arkansas Black
Red Delicious
Gravenstein
Granny Smith
Braeburn
Fuji
Pink Lady
Yellow Transparent
Cosmic Crisp
Honey Crisp
Zestar

what size trees? how many acres? how many workers?

[Somebody]

Has anyone started fruit trees from seed and harvested fruit from them?

We have a volunteer peach tree that had a few peaches last year. This year the tree looks like it has some sort of blight. We have it in a big pot because we weren't sure where we wanted to plant it.

A second volunteer peach tree hasn't blossomed yet. Its also in a big pot and looks very healthy.

I have several little trees started from seeds that were planted the beginning of this year. I saved the seeds when we canned fruit last fall. Put them in moist potting soil in ziplock bags and stored them in the fridge until after New Years day. Hoping we can start an orchard with our baby trees.

[MaxPC]

Has anyone started fruit trees from seed and harvested fruit from them?

We have a volunteer peach tree that had a few peaches last year. This year the tree looks like it has some sort of blight. We have it in a big pot because we weren't sure where we wanted to plant it.

A second volunteer peach tree hasn't blossomed yet. Its also in a big pot and looks very healthy.

I have several little trees started from seeds that were planted the beginning of this year. I saved the seeds when we canned fruit last fall. Put them in moist potting soil in ziplock bags and stored them in the fridge until after New Years day. Hoping we can start an orchard with our baby trees.

Every state has an ag extension department usually based out of one of the universities. You could look them up under "(your state) government agricultural extension office" and give them a call to find out specifically what your trees need. Example: if you live in Texas look up "Texas Agricultural Extension".

Fruit trees vary and some need to be grafted. They are also "heavy feeders". I have never grown peaches but I have found the ag extension agents very helpful on anything I needed to know.

[Somebody]

Yesterday we planted our saffron bulbs and 2 of the peach trees we started from seeds.

[temporal1]

Yesterday we planted our saffron bulbs and 2 of the peach trees we started from seeds.

In recent weeks, i’ve been loving the fresh white fleshed peaches, and now nectarines, found in local grocers. i so appreciate fresh produce, and those who go through the work (and risk) to offer them. these peaches are so tender. it’s a miracle to have them.

each week, i’ve presumed they would be gone until next year. so far, so good.

every summer with my family in washington, my daughter buys weekly boxes of mixed fruit in a coop sort of thing. every fruit “just right” for eating. i wasn’t sure how i’d manage without this year. these peaches are filling in beautifully.

no replacement for being with them, tho. it’s painful. i’m not sure how i’ll last until next year.

[Somebody]

We like white peaches. The place I normally get them is short this year due to frost getting the blossoms this spring. I asked if they could save some white peach seeds for me & I'll try growing my own trees.

Peaches are so expensive around here, we decided not to can any this year. We still have some left. If we use them a little sparingly we should be okay till next year.

[temporal1]

We like white peaches. The place I normally get them is short this year due to frost getting the blossoms this spring. I asked if they could save some white peach seeds for me & I'll try growing my own trees.

Peaches are so expensive around here, we decided not to can any this year. We still have some left. If we use them a little sparingly we should be okay till next year.

My husband’s grandmother lived to just shy of 101 years, she lived independently on a farm with a son until she passed. She took care of him! They had 1 loved white peach tree outside the kitchen door. i’d never known of white peaches before. The tree surprised us every year by surviving, each small peach was prized. They were small, but sweet. So pretty! Delicious, not enough to can. She canned a lot. The farm was about an hour north of us. We’re central, on the Zone 5a/5b line.

My father sometimes spoke of helping with peaches in his mother’s family’s peach orchard in summers in Southern Illinois. Even there, winters are harsh, peaches are not guaranteed.


Are you in Canada? i would guess it would be hard to grow peaches anywhere north of us.

i don’t know where the peaches are from i’ve been buying.
a little sticker is in English/French! that’s unusual here. usually English/Spanish.

they are pricey! i buy 4 at a time. they’re so ripe, if i buy more, they won’t last until i can eat them. so sweet, i can only have 1 daily. a farmer/grocer has to have a lot of customers to make it worthwhile.

[JimFoxvog]

We’re central, on the Zone 5a/5b line.

My father sometimes spoke of helping with peaches in his mother’s family’s peach orchard in summers in Southern Illinois. Even there, winters are harsh, peaches are not guaranteed.

I find your zone map interesting as it differs from the one's I've referenced.
Here's what the USDA has up:



You'll note the top map's 5a approximately corresponds to the bottom one's 5b, and the top one's 5b is similar to the USDA's 6a. I could get confused!

[temporal1]

I find your zone map interesting as it differs from the one's I've referenced.
Here's what the USDA has up:

It is confusing. i saw a variety of maps, including the one you posted above.
it seems the USDA changed their maps in 2012, i did not notice until yesterday.

i think i’ll stick with the old/older ones. i don’t trust the newer ones.

i’m sure you know, Illinois weather can vary drastically. to be unprepared is not a good idea, at any time of the year, for plants and all else.

[JimFoxvog]

i’m sure you know, Illinois weather can vary drastically. to be unprepared is not a good idea, at any time of the year, for plants and all else.

That's for sure!
But I'm amazed at how good the forecasts have become, although we always notice the erroneous ones more.