Several years ago, not too long after we bought the property, I had a wild hair and thought it would be neat to plant fruit trees in different spots around the property, so it would look cool.
What I didn't think about was that they were far from water sources, far from just being able to check on them with a quick glance and I couldn't get to them every time we were there to check on things.
I got smarter, I began planting close to the house, water hose, etc and created the raised bed mini orchard behind the house. I abandoned them and I let nature take its course.
This pear tree is about 12 feet tall (from about 3 feet originally). We haven't watered it in years.
And now it has two small pears on it!
Hard to see this because of the mesquite behind it, but this is a pomegranate bush/tree. I planted two of these. One died and that's when I gave up on the other one. Now...
...it has small pomegranate fruit on it!
Then, behind the garden near the fence, we had read some things online about growing Mayhaw trees, that they do well in the South and they are supposed to make amazing jelly. Well I found two at a small local nursery, they were the only two they had and the owners said they rarely got them in. I bought both of them dug the holes and planted them.
They struggled. I struggled to care for them. I gave up on them as well.
Here are small fruit all over one of them...
An here is the second one, also surviving...
...and also fruiting!
Now in all fairness, several other trees didn't make it. There were two pear trees, one didn't make it. Two poms and only one made it. I planted an apricot tree elsewhere, it didn't make it. And the original citrus (from a few years back) died as well. I feel guilty that I left them to fend for themselves but hey, I guess they were of strong stock and "nature found a way" after all! Now I need to prune them correctly, perhaps give them some proper fertilizing and watch out for pests and other problems. Maybe I'll bring them a bucket of water on occasion too, ha!
This makes us wonder though, maybe it would be worth just randomly planting things all over the property and hoping for the best? Not just fruits but flowering trees and bushes. I always seem to find good deals at the end of Summer on plants/trees so perhaps some of those good deals could just be scattered around and we'll let nature do its thing!
Daffodil bulbs scattered here and there would be beautiful
ReplyDeleteYou know, every season I think "we need to just scatter some bulbs around and let them naturalize" and then I get busy. I need to research when to plant what and which ones will naturalize and multiply over time.
DeleteWe are always fighting fungus that kills our fruit trees. The only ones left after giving up are apple trees that grew wild, I guess they have a natural way to fight back.
ReplyDeleteAww, that sucks, sorry about that. Wild apples though I bet are wonderful!!! Apple pie!!
Deleterescuing cheap trees at the end of the year is a great way to plant the farm. at least you give them a chance!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point. I could just buy a bunch of trees (they sometimes have trees for 75% off) and just scatter them around. Like you said, if we just give them a chance, nature can take it from there.
DeleteThose living-on-their-own fruit trees are definitely “Texas Tough”! The weaker trees got eliminated by Nature; these have survived through floods, droughts, big freezes, insects, and diseases. So they have won their own version of “Survivor”!
ReplyDeleteTexas Tough, I like that! You're right. Two of the same kind and one makes it, that one was of stronger stock I guess.
DeleteThat's not a bad result for no care planting.
ReplyDeleteTrees communicate with each other underground and help out with nutrient etc so plant your randoms within a reasonable distance to other trees . it's best to water for the first few months till roots get established, I use a large planter with no bottom hole and no glazing on the bottom, inside or out. When it is full of water it will slowly leak into the soil right next to the tree and help it establish.
OOH that's a great idea about watering. Plus rain will fill it up and slow release too. I'll have to remember that. And fascinating about communicating. Thanks for this tip!
DeleteMayhaw jelly is fantastic. I search for it each year and buy it whenever I find it for Son3. It has been his favorite since he was a kid. I thought they only grew on the edges of swamps so you are insanely lucky to have them!
ReplyDeleteI've never had the jelly (need to look for some) but we've heard it is very good. I think if I flooded these with water on occasion they might do even better. I think he good thing is that the other side of the fence from where they are planted there is a lot of standing water after a rain. That might be what had helped them. Maybe the roots have gone "that direction", ha.
DeleteSometimes it's best to just let mother nature do it's thing.
ReplyDeleteThe trees that you had planted that didn't make it, could had been do to the soil conditions in certain areas. Some areas may be better than other areas.
Speaking of experience, twice I had tried to plant a tree in one certain area and it just would not grow and ended up dying so the next tree(same kind) planted in different area and it took off.
For me, I think it's best to do random plantings instead of having everything so uniform, Random plantings gives different textures though out the yard. Just have to remember (future planting) that when the time comes to build out at the farm Not to plant anything on where you want the house to be. That way you won't have to worry about having to cut any trees, shrubs, etc down or have to be moved to another location.
What a lovely surprise. Best warn 2nd Man that he will be spending part of his late Summer/early Fall preserving this fruit. Mayhaw Jelly sounds good! Michelle in Wellington, New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your fruit trees. I live in an area with lots of squirrels and while I have not had pears on my trees yet, they eat the fruit before I can let it ripen. Try putting small little bags over them to protect them before harvest. Since you only have two pears this year, it would not be too much trouble. Good Luck!
ReplyDelete