The orchard was one of the first things planned when we started up at Raincatcher’s garden of Midway Hills. Six different trees were chosen and then planted in January 2015. Most of these were purchased, but the pomegranate was brought over from our previous location. One of the things about planning and planting an orchard is to realize that it usually takes 3 years for the trees to bear fruit. So we planted, pruned, and then waited. The first season was as expected – we could see the growth pattern of the different trees, but there was no fruit.
Our Very Own Pom Transplant
The winter came, and the trees lost their leaves and once again we waited till early February – and we pruned according to the type of tree – pears wrap around and grow vertically, while plums and peaches are pruned to a bowl type shape.
The last 2, persimmon and pomegranate, are more shrub-like and were not touched by the pruners. They were about 2-3 feet tall at this time.
By March new growth was appearing and the effects of pruning was taking shape — a few blossoms appeared on the plums and peaches, but fruit did not follow. The pomegranate, however, was a different story – it began to grow, — and then blossoms appeared in March and April with this beautiful orange bud which then became a flower – the bees came to pollinate , and then fruit started to form. The shrub is now over 5 feet tall and is laden with beautiful orangey pomegranates -Yes it’s only the second year, but we will have pomegranates in the late Fall.
Pomegranate Flowers Followed by Fruit
Pomegranates are ready to harvest about 6 months after the flowers appear, so come later October or November our pomegranates will be ready. They should be the size of an orange and the color will vary from yellow to bright red. We are looking forward to celebrating this harvest by making some pomegranate jelly !
Pomegranates Ripening!
Starla
Orchard beginnings here.
As with many plants, Tagetes lemmonii is known by so many common names (Copper Canyon Daisy, Mexican Bush Marigold, Mountain Marigold, Mount Lemmon Marigold, tangerine-scented marigold, and Perennial Marigold) that it is almost easier to refer to it by its Latin nomenclature. Yet even its Latin name has a fascinating story behind it.
There is one word of caution when pruning or working with Tagetes lemmonii. Some people are extremely sensitive to the oils in the leaves and can develop a painful, itchy rash when their skin is exposed to sunlight. Sometimes this rash can continue for several days. Therefore it might be best not to plant Tagetes lemmonii where it can be brushed against, be sure and wear gloves and long sleeves when working with it, or at least wash your skin well with soap and water after handling.
Broccoli and cabbage went in first along with a few herbs, followed by lettuce and arugula in October. I had some success with broccoli, but not so much with the cabbage, lettuce or arugula ( they bolted). Radishes and carrots were planted from seeds. After the first of the year onions were added and then potatoes came and went (I had the wrong soil, so they never sprouted). There was minimal success with the radishes (not properly thinned), but the carrots – I waited, looking for a glimpse of the carrots(roots)? under the leafy tops — until right before Mother’s day, and then I pulled them. Once again the results were mixed; I had a range of carrots from 1/4 inch to over 6-7 inches long and counted 26 of the prettiest multicolored carrots I have ever grown.
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 