To: NAFEX Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [NAFEX] spring clean-up
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:40:57 -0400
I pruned my grape vine. Just in time - it seems it had gotten all
tangled in the apricot tree, and the apricot buds have already begun
to swell. And some of the apricot branches show minor damage from the
grape tendrils. I think I'll discourage it from growing into the
apricot altogether this year, and I'm glad I got it out this spring.
The cornus mas buds are large, and will open with another day or two
of warm weather. I got one fruit the year before last. I'm hopeful
of a little fruit this year. (I liked the one fruit I got.)
My dad, who nearly died last year, and has been slowly regaining his
health, was strong enough to plant tomatoes in his basement
yesterday. I'll bum some seedlings off of him when the time comes,
but I'm just tickled pink that he was able to do it at all.
My currant appears to still be alive. At least, I'm hopeful I haven't
lost it to mystery blight yet. If anyone knows what causes decline in
red currants, and better yet, if anyone knows a treatment, please let
me know.
The blueberries have a nice crop of buds. I guess I'd better get some
new netting in the hopes of getting fruit this year. The raspberries
are still very dormant.
The new blueberries and raspberries that I put in on the edge of the
property seem to have been extensively prunes by the deer over the
winter. Drat.
There are other, non-fruit, signs of life in my garden, but I think
I'll stick to fruit news for today.