Tree Bagging

I have decided to fight back by bagging our fruit. Andy and I have read about using pantyhose to bag, so I dug down deep for hosiery. Of course, the only hose I have was this witchy, wenchy pair. I cut them up knowing I actually have a new pair still in the package deeper in the drawer! Ha! 

Don't judge me. Enough about my underthings. The hose bags will protect our fruit, stretch as the fruit grows, and quite possibly hypnotize any would-be thieves. Soooo smart! Hoooope it works. 

It never stops.

Well, I thought we had a bug problem. Then, I thought we had a squirrel problem.  I realize now the Donnas are my problem. I must protect our remaining pear (singular) and THREE apples. Yes, friends, this is a test of strength, wits, and perseverance.  But hear me now and know that I WILL taste sweet fruit from our trees this season. I will! If I do not, those birds will pay! Maniacal laugh! MANIACAL LAUGH!!

My oh Meyer!

This is a sweet little blossom from my new Improved Meyer Lemon tree. Andy bought it for me because he's sweet on me. 

I want this tree to survive. We have one little lemon on it now and a few blossoms, so I'm crossing my fingers we get something! I've been hunting for the perfect pot to transplant it into. It must be perfect. I've wanted this tree for a couple years now, so not just any old pot will do. It has to have personality. I'm waiting patiently for it to call my name. When it does, I'll send you a photo. Don't worry. ;) 

I love lemons!!

Almost there!

Well, this berry anyway, but where there is one there will soon be many! Matilde has already "called" this one, so the rest of us will have to wait to taste the sweet juice of an organic homegrown strawberry. 

Strawberries

The strawberries returned this year and they are bigger than ever! The plants not the berries... I'm not sure, but I feel like we should be seeing little green berry nubs by now. Isn't the end of June strawberry season?  Maybe I'm just a tad antsy and anxious for those sweet little berries. *sigh* 

Pear Blossoms

So beautiful....

I don't remember blossoms last year.  This tree is quickly becoming my favorite. 🍐

An AZ Tomato

I love getting photos of what others are up to!  Here are a pair of photos of Aunt Laurie's tomato plant about a month or so apart. That plant is huge! I can't believe (well, I guess I can given your location) you have tomatoes growing in February! Way to go!!

What are YOU growing? Send me a pic! 

FREE Blackberries

Here are a few blackberries I found today. They are from the neighbor's overgrown, out of control bush. It hangs over the fence and is growing over our rabbit hutch. I absolutely love these berries, and I cannot wait for the yummy jam that will be made from them! 

Raspberries

I cleaned up the raspberries a bit. Weeded and removed the bricks that were lining the far side. The family that owned the home before us REALLY liked to decorate with broken bricks and chunks of concrete. Yikes! They are (were) everywhere. We plan to box the berries in and possibly line it with mesh of some sort to keep the chickens from eating all of our leaves and berries. Those sneaky little Donnas!

A good sign.

We have leaves and buds growing on our pear tree and apple tree! It is such a beautiful sight to see when you waltz through the backyard. I knew they would grow, but until I saw leaves, there was a lingering feeling of possible failure! Not this time. Not these trees. They are perfect! They will not bear fruit for a couple more years, but just seeing leaves gives me a growing sense of accomplishment. Evan picked them out with the dream of walking into the backyard for a piece of fresh fruit for her own lunch box. What a great dream to have! Wish us luck!