Just Peachy!!

This beautiful peach blossom belongs to my peach tree. 

Peach Blossom "Peach Reliance"

It is the Peach Reliance.  The Peach Reliance is an excellent choice for the northern gardener as they can with stand temperatures to -25 degrees and here in Maine that temperature isn't unlikely.  In fact this year it will be interesting to see how the Peach Reliance does with all the sub freezing temperatures we've had.

 

Peach trees in general take about 4-5 years to start producing fruit which can be a negative for those who want to grow peaches and want them the same year, but on the positive side you don't need 2 trees for pollination as some fruit trees do.  One is sufficient. 

 

Last year was my first full year and we easily got enough peaches to can over 24 pint jars with plenty left over.  Probably would have gotten a lot more if I had known how to treat the tree with some of the issues it had.  I had a hard time figuring out issues such as spots on the fruit, sap on the fruit, canker. 

 

You know I have to say I found it difficult to find the information I needed to know about my problems with my peach tree.  So this year I will try harder to stay on top of things and try to get any pests or diseases as soon as I see them.  In fact I think I will get in touch with some local growers to see what they have done to deal with such problems.

 

I'm going to be pruning this year pretty heavily clearing out branches that are crossing each other and thinning out the whole tree in general.  I will be leaving one year old branches that have three buds on it.  The center bud is the leaf bud and the two outer buds are the flowers.

 

I'll fertilize in May.  When the tree starts producing fruit I will start thinning them out to one fruit every six to eight inches on a twig.  This will be the hard part as I don't want to get rid of any fruit, but to ensure a healthy tree I need to get over it an do it.

 

Growing peaches as with any fruit or vegetable is through trial and error.  I do make it a habit to use as much organic materials as possible including any pest control I may and hopefully may not need.

 

Below are a few products that you can purchase from my Society 6 site.  Beautiful décor for your home or office.

 

iPhone & iPod cases and skins  iPad cases and Laptop & iPad skins

 

 

Mugs, Tote Bags and Pillows

 

Wall Clocks and Shower Curtains

 

Great gifts for that gardener in your life or you!!

Happy gardening!!

 

 

Flower Power Friday.........

Here are some updated photos of my garden in progress.  Previous photos were taken looking at the garden from the house or the front of the garden.  These were taken looking to the house or the back of the garden.  There still is a lot of work to do, but it is a work in progress right!  At this point I will be adding fewer plants and more mulch.  As the garden starts to take shape I can see where I need to fill in and what I want to put there. 

 

So this is what I have so far.........

 

This is the left side of the garden.  In this photo you can see that in the foreground I have a Herbstonne which will grow about 3 feet tall and wide and have a yellow flower in front of that are the 13 Conflowers which are all a magenta color, they will grow about 2 1/2 feet plus tall and will eventually fill in that area.  In front of them which is are hard to see since they are so small are 3 Blue flax which too will fill in nicely.  Off to the right are some Lady's Mantle which are a mounding plant with beautiful little chartreuse flowers.  If you look in the middle near the cement square are 2 silvery mounds which will get to be a large mound. 

In this photo which is the right side of the garden.  I have in the foreground Ironweed which is a great butterfly attraction and will grow about 3 feet tall and wide and have purple blossoms..  In front of the Ironweed are 4 Butterfly Weed which will grow about 24 inches and are yellow and orange.  Alittle to the right I have a Butterfly bush call Black Knight.  This will get about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide and the flowers (pictured below) are a cone shape cluster which smell fantastic!

Butterfly Bush "Black Knight"

 In this photo near the fence on the right are my Lavender Roses "Angel Face", on the left are my Yellow Roses "Julia Child" and in the center are the Garden Phlox which will grow to about 24-30 inches and the flowers are cluster like.  When they bloom I will photograph them for you.  In the cages are tomatoes, 2 cherry types, one roma and 2 regular.  In the foreground are the Yarrows.  They are pink and red and will grow to about 24 inches or so.  To the right of the Yarrow are my Coreposis which are small yellow daisy like flowers and the foliage are threadleaf.  The Coreopsis will grow to about 24 or so inches and form a large mound.

The photo here to your right is of my future peaches.  Last year I only got 2 peaches.  Looks like this year there will be plenty more.  YIPPEE!!!!

 

Tomorrow after work I will be planting some new poppies.  Unfortunately I was able to save only one out of five poppies. 

 

Next week I will tell you about my dogwood trees, also I'll tell you a little more about all the different butterfly plants I've added to my garden and have photos of my roses.  I will also tell you what I use for fertilizer. 

 

If you have any questions or comments just let me know.

 Quote of the week...........

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. 

~Lindley Karstens

See you next Friday!!!

Happy Gardening!