It was a weekend of digging and prepping the garden. The grass needed to be mowed but we had almost 4 inches of rain at the farm last week and there were some muddy areas. I didn't want to get the Zen Machine stuck in the mud down one of the trails, so I decided to save that for the next weekend. Instead, I decided to dig holes to get some of our fruit trees in the ground.
OK, so I didn't have to dig quite THIS many, but it sure felt like it a few times. Really though, it was only a few holes. I decided to get five of our trees into the ground this weekend. First up was the fence line in the front yard
(2nd Family's back pasture fence) so that all the citrus would be together. If you'll remember THIS POST last Summer, this was part of my planning, to get all the citrus in this spot. And now I have. Yay!
First up, I planted the Mexican Lime tree. It's a great lime tree that is well suited for our climate. It's very prolific and produces limes similar to a Key Lime. I'm sensing lots of key lime style pies in our future.
Then I planted this Meyer Lemon. I'm sure you all are familiar with this ubiquitous lemon tree. It's one of the most commonly grown varieties, it's fairly easy to grow and produces a wonderful tasting lemon.
As for our orange tree, there are not many varieties of a true orange that will grow well here so we more commonly grow Satsumas or Mandarins in this neck of the woods. This one is a Miho Satsuma, the best variety of Satsuma for here.
Lastly, I moved to the back of our property, behind the house, and planted these two fig trees. Hard to see here with all the green, ha, but they are there. Again, the best varieties for our area. One is an early bearing fig called a Celeste, and the other bears fruit later and more randomly in the year, called a Texas Everbearing. These two trees will eventually fill in and provide some privacy with the property behind us. That was my Saturday.
Sunday I edged all around the house which makes it look ten times better. I also set up a sprinkler system for the raised beds (more on that in a post) and then I did a few things inside which was a nice break. To top off the weekend, I met with the man who is going to build my garden fence! Yay! I showed him what I want and he's coming out this week to set the corner posts and stake it all off so I can make sure it's all to my satisfaction. More on that soon as well.
How are you going to water the trees? Are they within reach of a hose? Boy... did I sure learn from planting our apple trees "beyond the hose" four years ago!
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for asking, yes, I do have them in reach of a hose, though future trees might not be so lucky but I've got some ideas flowing around in my head.
DeleteYum, Meyer lemons are among our favorite lemons and they don't grow up here. Neither do the figs. Our sister that lived in Houston had a fig tree in her back yard and they were so good right from the tree. Really envy you the fruit trees.
ReplyDeleteSorry they don't grow in your neck of the woods. They ARE delicious huh? Don't envy yet, I'm not sure how they'll grow, ha. Though figs grow like crazy here don't they??
DeleteMeyer Lemons are fab. We had a large meyer lemon tree in our back garden when we were children.
ReplyDeleteThere are two secrets (or so I was taught) to a good crop of healthy lemons on the tree year after year:
One is to make sure some old tin cans that have had fish in them are planted down by the roots.
The second one is to occasionally pop down there when you need to do a wizzer/wee/pee...
Oh my gosh, that is too funny (and too cool!). OK, I LOVE old garden lore like that. So I guess like a tin of tunafish? Don't rinse it out? As for the other secret, um, well, let's just say that won't make it to the blog if it's ever done, ha. Thanks for the info, love it!
DeleteThose figs are really close, even for a screen. My two are about 13 feet in diameter.
ReplyDeleteI'll measure this weekend but I think it's more the camera angle. They are probably about 20 feet apart. Hey maybe they'll touch someday and create a hybrid fig, LOL!
DeleteWow - I expect great things from you all summer because you're off to a fantastic start!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you!!! Fingers crossed!!! I'll share whatever happens, good, bad or other, ha.
Deletemmmm...figs! i have several of them. nothing like picking a sun warmed fig off the tree and eating it right there!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a fig tree myself, but friends have and yes, figs, mmmm is right! Can't wait. 2nd Man isn't too sure, but he's probably never had a sun warmed fig!!
DeleteI just found your site after searching for pictures of huisache(I didn't steal yours,lol). I love reading about how others are building their dreams. I'm building a straw bale home in South Texas (I call my place "Nopalero"- good with cactus!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you ever what more huisache, just holler!
Well hello!!!! And welcome! You are MORE than welcome to any Huisache pics! A straw bale house? awesome! I will have to check it out. And by the way, love the name of your place. Did you notice ours? Seda Bolsa. I'll have to repost the story of that for the new followers. Thank you for stopping by and hope you'll stay around. Off to visit your blog now!
DeleteThanks for the welcome. I love your name! Great story too!
DeleteOMG! I see my new best friend or stalkee. I am planning to build a strawbale house also!!! Ss Jomama. You're it.
ReplyDeleteHa! Always glad to hook people up, lol. I'm going to have to google strawbale houses.
DeleteLOL Chick, I'm not sure if I should be joyful or scared!
DeleteSo do Meyer Lemons need to have at least two trees for pollination? (male and female I presume)? I'm thinking of at least one lemon and one orange of some sort in our yard here in Tucson... Open to suggestions. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteClifton (beachdaddy101@gmail.com)
No, most citrus trees are self pollinating. So you are ok to just have one of each. That's why we decided to try it this way. A lime, lemon and orange. We'll see what happens!! The meyer is probably going to be best for you, let me research and see what I can find for oranges for your area. I'll email you directly. :-)
Delete