Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Garden center score!

This morning, V and I needed to make a run to the bank for some business.  Across the street is a garden center that was having a 50% off end of the season sale.  I've been kind of looking for a peach tree but so far, none of the places I've checked have any left.  Apples, yes, and lots of pears but I don't want apple or pear trees.  We wandered around but didn't really see anything I wanted to took off.
Knowing that I want to make ice cream tomorrow, we stopped at our local grocery store for cream and half and half.  The garden center there is having everything at 75% off.  They didn't have my peach tree but we did pick up a HUGE Burbank plum tree for $9.25.  This tree is about 9-10 feet tall and is quite healthy looking.  How could I pass it up?!  So, tomorrow morning, I'll set my alarm and get up early, wake the troops and go dig a hole to plant it out near the apples.
I did my research and, fortunately, the wild plums we've got in the fencerow will act as pollinators for it.  It is a big enough tree that I'm looking forward to fruit from it soon.  Of course, it will be another 'mouth to feed/water' in this hot weather since we will definitely need to keep it watered until it is established or until we get more consistent rain.  I've also finally decided where to put the blackberries so maybe I'll plant them tomorrow morning as well. I can't plant my hydrangea bushes until we move some dirt in the back to level off the shade garden.  I'll dig a hole in the ground but I'm not really up for moving wheelbarrows of soil up hill in this weather.
I did get a little weeding done in the garden and some straw down under the melons that are starting to vine.  I'm excited to see little melons on the vine.  And my 'billiard ball' zucchini also have little fruits on them.  Too much fun!!  And I harvested the first of the peppers a few days ago to saute with onion for our burritos.  Heavenly!

This afternoon, since it is brutal outside, I'm hoping to do a little sewing along with some laundry.

I'm contemplating a run to the farmer's market late this afternoon to see if I can find some early sweet corn. Hmmm... fresh corn...   The field corn is already starting to tassel.  Amazing.  Hopefully this hot, dry weather won't affect pollination for the farmers.

6 comments:

  1. Great score! We got four nectarine trees two years ago for under ten bucks a piece at the end of the season. Great deals if you can wait (and can stand to dig holes in Africa-hot weather).

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    1. It seems like most of what is out there is apples and pears. Of course, they have them early in the season- I'm just too much of a tightwad to pay $60 for a tree! As for digging holes- isn't that what teenagers are for??

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  2. Good job finding something else! I looked everywhere one year and couldn't find a single peach tree in this city. I finally found a "french nectarine" tree instead, great fruit! Gotta be flexible sometimes :)

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    1. I'm still holding out for a peach tree sometime as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE peaches. Maybe I'll have to spring for one when it's not half price....

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  3. I'm lusting after a peach tree or two. I know most peaches wouldn't make it up here near the tundra but I do know they have some varieties out now that supposedly thrive in cooler climates. Also, our summers are turning so darn hot that I'm thinking a peach tree just might make it. We hit the low 90s again today. Ish.

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    1. It does seem like more hardy varieties are coming out. But with climate change, maybe we'll be the new peach belt soon....

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