Last weekend, when the rain stopped for about 42.5 minutes, we all trundled out in to the garden to get some of my fruit trees in to the ground. They had been in large pots and trugs for almost a month and if they were to have any chance at all of making it then we needed to get them in to the ground. The spot Robert and I chose for the trees was down towards the bottom of the garden. An unassuming space but one with a great deal of potential.
I see a path, outdoor lights and two eating areas that, although will take a while to take shape, will be worth it in the end. I’m sure of that.
I also have to confess to a rather romantic feeling towards orchards, even orchards of only four trees as this one is. But we’ll have to wait a while until we are able to picnic in the shade of the Cherry tree as it is currently quite small.
We had four trees to get in to the ground. A Cherry, an Apple, a Pear and a Plum. I shall go in to much more detail on each of the trees another time as each one has specific needs if you are to get the best performance from them but today I’ll show you how we manged to get them in to the ground in between torrential rain and the kids jumping in to the holes we had dug for the trees.
Oh, and in between the kids jumping in to the wheelbarrow and insisting on a ride, obvs!
My Victoria Plum had manged to pick up a passenger in the form of a sucker which we think was Damson and coming from the rootstock it was grafted on to. It was removed rather swiftly with secateurs so as not to cause any damage.
Truly and Daisy were breaking in the swings that had been left behind by the previous owners. I have to say these swings rock and I felt almost travel sick having been on them for a nano second myself.
A
t a certain point the wheelbarrow was given over wholly to the transportation of children.
But it was worth it. I’d rather lug those trees around by hand and brute force than miss the opportunity to see the kids having a great time with their Dad.
Once the trees had been brought down from the terrace up at the top of the garden we played about with the positioning of them. Leaving the tallest at the back, making sure they will have enough room to grow and thrive as well as enough sunlight and moisture. This is an experiment to a certain extent and there are some other trees towards the far edge of the garden that may need to be cut back a bit. But we’ll keep a close eye on it.
I’ve moaned non-stop about the rain but I have to admit it made the ground almost silky soft and digging the holes for the trees was tremendously easy.
It also felt very good to be outside and getting on with something so physical. It’s what Spring and Summer in the garden is all about surely!
Well that and drinking Pimms under the gazebo but that’s for just before lunch and just after supper.
This was the afternoon so we dug up the ground.
Robert had some help from my sister’s twins.
And then our twins jumped in to check that he had dug his hole correctly. They are quite exacting, the four of them.
By the end of the day the trees were in the ground. They are not varieties that will grow very tall and the Victoria Plum at the front is more of a shrub. But I’m excited to see how they do.
Can you see the small square pond to the right of the picture? This is going to go as it serves no real purpose there and Ned has already tried to walk on water. Luckily there was a wire grid over the top but if we’re going to have a pond I want to have a proper one. A safe one and one that we can all enjoy. This isn’t that.
I’ll keep you updated on the progress of our orchard of four trees. I’ll also break down the planting and care of the trees included. I’ve gone for a classic orchard selection that will keep us in crumbles, jam and jellies for many years to come.
I love you and thank you so much for reading today.
Have a great weekend.
Cherry x
************************************************************
Join my Facebook page!
Feel free to add me to your links list. Here it is ! - http://www.cherrymenlove.com/
Facebook – Please feel free to join my page
Twitter – please feel free to follow me
Related posts:
we have a decent garden in our backyard for our family of 7, that keeps me in snap peas and green beans:) we just planted 2 dwarf apple trees and a blueberry tree this year-I love the idea of the kids asking for a snack and being able to go pick an apple off of the tree!
What a joy it is to see Robert so fit and healthy! He is obviously a strong man who is also blessed with a supportive, loving wife. Support and love from family is the best medicine in the world!
I also can’t believe how big Ned and Anais have gotten and, of course, wheelbarrows are for riding as they have pointed out to you.
How wonderful it will be to watch those trees and your beautiful twins grow and blossom.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
I have a teeny, tiny back garden and two old but very fruitful apple trees which I LOVE – considering you have to do so little for them they produce amazing rewards – we had sooooo many apples last year! http://www.angiemuldowney.co.uk/2010/08/august-break-ix/
Cherry – I just wanted to say how much I love reading your blog. My husband and I are expecting our first baby and move home to England shortly before he/she is born. I’m longing to start building our family and home and your posts give me a little vision into what life is going to be like (hopefully!). Thank you so much. Sarah
That is the smartest thing ever, getting trees into the ground immediately after moving in. Such a beautiful garden.
Great beginnings! But you need a real shovel! I’m a farm girl and that one in the pictures looks like a toy to me. It made me laugh. (Sorry) The twins are so adorable–both sets. I don’t know how you get anything done. Have a great weekend with lots of sunshine.♥♫
I think it was a toy! We couldn’t locate any of decent spades that day. One of them was even facing backwards. Hee hee!
Those are exactly the same (except the pear) trees that I planted in my garden a few weeks ago – great minds! Love trees – can never have enough.
an orchard – big or small – is a lovely idea. I’ve got a teensy apple tree in the garden, one that will stay tiny. And I love it. I call it my orchard! ha ha ha!
fab pics, but the best has to be the one of the Wheelbarrow Children. Exactly how it should be out in the garden!
have a lovely weekend. I’ve heard a rumour there may be sunshine!
x
Growing trees and growing children! As well as harvesting lovely fruit, you will be able to look out onto beautiful blossoms in the Spring.
Happy days,
Betty (Melb)
Your right, Betty. Happy days. I’m glad we have a record. I’d live to visit Melbourne one day. Heard so many great things. Cx
I’d love a plum tree but I only want a small, patio sized one that could perhaps be grown in a pot. Checked my local garden centres and found an apple tree which fit the bill but no plum unfortunately!
Great! I cant wait to see how they get on. We planted a dwarf apple, plum and cherry last year. This year we’re waiting and watching with anticipation as there has been a lot of blossom on all of them, though I wonder if they should still be getting established and not letting them set too much fruit.
It’s a lovely bright start to the day here, not a rain cloud in sight, HURRAY!
Lovely post! Wish I had a bit more space to do that. I have an apple tree in my front garden and I’d like to add a pear or cherry to the back x