We were extremely pleased to discover fruit trees on our newly acquired property. The property itself is a smaller, subdivision sized with a good sized house and above ground pool. This will place restrictions on how we can set up our gardens. There are some established ornamental front and side garden beds and a good size (about 10' x 20') traditional bed for vegetables. I will be turning that area into raised garden beds using small space gardening methods. I have a few new ideas I want to try but they will have to wait until spring.
There are three peach trees on the property. I suspect they are Red Haven and know they are cling-free so will have our local nursery help identify them. Two are nice sized but the third is small enough that we are considering moving it. I think two peach trees will be sufficient. The peaches were ripe to over ripe when we started moving in. They were small but plentiful with a lovely flavour. The biggest problem was the yellow jackets helping themselves to the over ripe peaches. Within a couple of days both of us had been stung so I knocked the remaining partially eaten over ripe fruit from the tree to get rid of the yellow jackets. It was a good decision as the fruit was not salvageable.
Over the winter months I will be researching how to care for peach trees. With proper pruning we should get fewer but larger peaches. I will also be researching on how to discourage the large number of yellow jackets that are not welcomed with a pool and outdoor entertaining. I suspect on of the easiest ways is to do a clean pick each day as the fruit ripens as well as remove any over ripe fruit. I can't tell you how excited I am to begin another new gardening adventure!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Unless you are really fond of peaches, I would think 2 trees would be enough, too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with them!