Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Bare Root planting day


My order of bare root trees came yesterday from Trees of Antiquity, and I planted them today. I ordered a plum called Bavay's Green Gage from Belgium circa 1832, an apricot called Pink Ume from Japan, a Quince developed by Luther Burbank circa 1899 called Pineapple Quince, and two pomegranates – Sweet, and Kashmir.
I went out to photograph the plantings and noticed I received a pear tree rather than a quince. Both are called Pineapple.
I talked to the dude at the nursery and he was super nice and said he'd ship out a quince right away and that the pear is a good one, is self-fertile, and that I should grow it if I have space, or give it to a friend. So, I think I'll grow it and then plant my quince, when it arrives, in a different spot.

I've ordered trees and berries from this place before and the plants are always in great shape and thrive when I plant them. They have a huge selection of certified organically grown apple trees (I have three different apple trees from them), among other fruiting trees and bushes. Their website is loaded with lots of good information and photos.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Old Olives at Mission San Miguel Arcángel

Olive trees at the mission.


On the way to the central coast of California for some exploration of the oceanic portion of the hydrological cycle we stopped at an old mission site. The Mission San Miguel Arcángel is in a state of restoration and we were able to visit inside the adobe structure. The old kitchen and living area were open to the public, as was the church. The interior courtyard garden was not available to walk in, only view from a roped-off area. I was hoping to see some old fig trees, but saw none. They had olives though. Some had been cut to the ground and were re-sprouting, others were still large and producing fruit that the birds were enjoying.

Exploring the hydrological cycle