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  • From: "Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>
  • To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] A Homesteading Question
  • Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2004 12:58:30 -0800

----- Original Message -----
From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>

> My preferred part of the world is borderline 6A/6B. Most years we are like
> 6B. Lots of microclimate influence. Heartwood gardens are on a
> south-south-easterly facing slope about 20 feet elevation above the
stream,
> with heavy woods on the hills above. Late frosts are common. Best orchard
> spot would be across the stream, on a north-facing slope.
>
> Many varieties of apples have done well. I got most of my stock from Guy
> Ames, of Ames Nursery, who I believe sold his nursery in NW Arkansas, or
at
> least has pulled back since his divorce. He may teach at the university
> there; he used to be on the ATTRA staff. You might still find him there.
> Highly experienced in fruit trees.
>
> I had two good Bartlett pears before the limbs broke from too much fruit.
I
> have two cherry trees from Stark Bros. One of them didn't grow, I asked
for
> a new one, we did that twice and then they said never again darken our
> door. Fortunately the last one grew and when I was there in June it looked
> good but I won't know about fruit until next year. I would have to crank
up
> the old Mac to get varietal names for you.
>
> My biggest challenge has been peaches. If they get past the late frosts
> they ripen, then get brown rot.
>
> Black walnuts thrive at Heartwood as do butternut, although the latter now
> have a regional blight that smacks them at maturity. I planted two English
> walnuts--hopefully the deer have not knocked down their protective fence
> cages--that have not yet fruited but I have high hopes.
>
> Native fruit includes persimmons, paw paws, blackberries. My favorite
fruit
> flavor is boysenberry and I have a nice row of them on wires. Blueberries
> do well, also, with attention to pH and plenty of acidic mulch and water.
>
We have some baby trees. I have no idea why the person we bought the place
from even bothered planting them as they are planted in some of the weirdest
places ever! Three of the trees are planted within 4 inches of the deck.
Two peach trees are planted within 2' of the base of 100'+ Doug firs and two
apples are planted under a couple of Ponderosa pines. These little guys are
NOT happy where they are. When they all finish loosing their leaves and are
totally dormant they are getting a new home!

Glad to hear about the blueberries. DH and the youngest love them! The
peaches had two little peaches each on them when we moved out here and they
dropped when they got about 2" across. All the rest are too young or the
deer got them. They are now in cages and don't seem too shocked by being
deer munchies.

Lynda
>
>
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