Several weeks ago, in fact the weekend I got the Zen Machine stuck in the mud, I picked up a couple of plants for the extra two spaces in the raised bed area. We know we've mentioned a few times that we had something special for the two empty rings.
Well, here is what we got:
CHERRIES!
NANKING CHERRY to be exact. It is from the same genus as cherry trees are but has a different growth habit. Instead of a tree, it grows into a large bush form. When we were trying to find another fruit variety to grow in the orchard area, we thought about cherries. Of course those do NOT grow down here. But after some research, we found out about these. They are heat and drought tolerant (once established of course) and are freeze hardy down to a little below zero. We got close recently but hopefully we'll be safe from ever having THOSE temperatures around here.
There should also be two to ensure good pollination and since we have two empty spots, these just seemed to be the perfect choice for our needs.
The only way we could find them here was in the form of bare root plants. Since they were too small to put in the raised beds we put them in potting soil in clay pots and watered them well. We've kept them this way and have let them grow bigger until it's time to transplant them into the raised beds...that way they have a good strong root system going.
And indeed, here they are a few weeks later after being in the clay pots and soil. Bigger leaves, new branches, and taller. So far so good! We're going to give them a couple more weeks before we put them in their new homes so that they have the best chance.
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| Nanking cherries, image via wikicommons.com |
This is what they will (hopefully!) look like when ripe, usually the second year. They are smaller than regular cherries with larger pits but have the same cherry flavor and most of the sweetness. They can be made into jams/jellies and (from what we've read) an amazing cherry syrup and cherry liqueur. Hoping there might be some cherry pie in our future too.
If we can get these cherries producing, add in the newly planted blueberries and then we have the wild dewberries that are growing all over the property, the possibilities for desserts will be endless, ha.
Triple berry cobbler anyone?
The birds will enjoy those too.
ReplyDeleteLOL, we're hoping for some protection for that with some bird netting and pvc pipes I have in mind. We'll see how it goes. I just hope we have some fruit we need to protect, ha.
DeleteThese sound fantastic! You’re going to have so much fun making different things with them!
ReplyDeleteAnd with them being heat, cold, and drought tolerant, they sound perfect for the extremes of our crazy Texas weather.
We hope they work. We'll see how it goes. Yes they are very tolerant of weather and with the way Texas weather is going the last few years, one extreme to the next, we need all the help we can get, ha.
DeleteSweet! Looks like they are really grown and doing well in the posts. Just think how fast they will grow once you get them planted in the rings.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes time to replanting them, don't forget to add some root stimulator to give them roots a good boost and while you're at it you can give all your other trees a good dose as well.
Yep, they are doing well. I think maybe one or two more weeks. Want to make sure they are hardy enough to handle pouring rain or winds. And yep, heading to the store this weekend to get some root stimulator. Need some for the trees and some other things too. Thanks for the reminder!
DeleteColleen .. would that be like bone meal for the roots? If not that, what? Just curious. I live in Tucson Arizona where it gets to 120 / days in summer ... and below freezing mostly just occasionally and would be interested in something like this too .. Cool guys!!! Hope they produce as well as the picture... how great is that??
ReplyDeleteColleen is referring to some specific root stimulator solution. I'll post about it when we get some. I think this would survive in the extreme heat, I'll have to do some research for you. Cold is apparently no problem. Cherries in any form would be welcome for us. We now have four blueberry plants and two of these cherrie bushes. Fingers crossed!
DeleteWe can get down to -35F here in S. Alberta and lots of people have nanking cherry bushes. My husbands aunt made beautiful jelly with them every year.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, great to know. Our weather is changing but I sure don't think we'll ever have to worry about -35, ha. Funny you mentioned that, most of the websites where I would find detailed info were Canadian websites/blogs. Some of the best recipes came from there too. I'd LOVE some great jelly someday. We'll see how it goes!
DeleteThe birds and deer will love you. Have you planned the orangerie yet?
ReplyDeleteWe won't go down without a fight, ha! I think the deer will stay away since the fishing line has worked well. I have an idea with some PVC pipes and bird netting to handle the birds. I suppose it could work for deer in case they got in. If it's war they want, it's war they'll get, ha!!! No orangerie yet!! But not for lack of researching. ;-)
DeleteI just planted some Nanking cherry bushes too! Like you, I'm hoping they thrive.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! We'll have to see how they all do. I'm going to let these get a bit more mature before I leave them to fend for themselves with once a week care, ha. I'll watch for your posts on them, here's to cherries for all! ;-)
DeleteHmmmmm - I'm looking for shrubby type plants - I will have to look for those.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to find but apparently because they sell out quickly and since they aren't as well known or popular here, nurseries/stores never stock up with lots.
DeleteThose will make a pretty and delicious addition to your garden. Thanks so much for your detailed comment at my blog.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Aww, no problem. I'm glad I could (maybe) have helped a bit. And everyone, visit her blog!
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