Spring must be around the corner!

It’s so great to see blossoms on our fruit trees in our tiny little “orchard”! It surprises me. I didn’t think we’d see new growth and blossoms so soon. We haven’t had the trees in the ground for a full year yet. I think next month at some point will be a year since we planted them. And since we planted them using the Backyard Orchard Culture technique (read about it HERE) I was supposed to prune them at certain times of the year. I’m really squeamish about pruning anyway. I always think I’m doing it wrong or cutting off something the tree needs. I was good for the first one…but then I think I missed one in late Aug./early Sept.; and now I think I missed my chance to do the late Winter pruning. I don’t think I should do it when there is already new growth. I’m not sure though. Anyone know?

The main purpose of the pruning throughout the year is to keep the trees down to a manageable size for such a small space. I did a lot of research beforehand too, to see which varieties of fruits do well in low-chill areas, and which varieties will ripen at varying times throughout the year so we can have a longer crop season! Also, some trees need each other for cross-pollination. Two of our cherry trees need each other to fruit: our Minnie Royal and Royal Lee; and our two pears need each other to bear fruit: Floridahome and Hood.

Of our apple trees, it looks like it’s our Dorsett Golden that’s in full bloom right now. I just looked it up and it seems the fruit is supposed to ripen in June/July.

Our Royal Lee cherry tree is smothered in blossoms, and the Minnie Royal is starting to blossom out. They are supposed to ripen around May/June.

Also, our GoldKist apricot has some blossoms now too! They are supposed to ripen in early June.