skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

The newness never seems to wear off

13 years ago

I've been growing my own fruit since the late '80s and had some (unsuccessful) fruits at my parents before that. It amazes me how the excitement is still there.

New grape vines waking up. Grape vines showing their first hint of blush on their first crop. Apples sizing up, some almost ready to pick - another first crop. New grafts taking ... or not. There must be a hundred gallons of cider hanging on my Arkansas Black.

I don't get excited about Christmas any more but everyday cruising the yard is like a kid at Christmas staring at the boxes wondering what's inside.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Embothrium
13 years ago
Good.
olpea
13 years ago
I know what you mean Myk. There is something special about growing fruit, especially tree fruit. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it may have something to do with the "wait"; the time. It's an investment in the future.

Perhaps also it's one of the few things that just about any individual can produce (with some trial and error) that is of better quality than can be purchased. That's sort of unique.

I don't get near as excited growing vegetables.
Related Discussions
A remote question, not electronic -- I wear the print off ....
Q
Comments (4)
not much you can do. if you are using it enough to wear the print off, you should "know" where the buttons are now anyway. i never try to relabel mine, as i know which one is which and if my wife DARES use it she can just figure it out! j/k serioously though, i find that my fingers do knwo where each button is, but if i try to think about it i usually get them wrong.
...See More
Is there a oil rubbed bronze that will NOT patina/wear off?
Q
Comments (18)
Genuine ORB finishes will wear off or patina on the high spots when rubbed, there are "ORB" finishes that are more like a permanent brown coating. I did inexpensive ORB for a client that felt and looked like matte brown paint, to me. I am not sure that ORB is going to go away, now. The first time I used it was about 17-18 years ago in a 170 year old house where the original brass was mostly blackened, and modern antique brass finishes were too golden tan looking in comparison. The door Knobs were fairly shiny because they got touched all the time. Most of the stuff I did at that time was a custom order or custom plated. Some of it got pretty light at the high spots, but that is the nature of the true finish. If you don't want that, I think I would go with black. But I think ORB is here to stay for a while just because it actually has developed over more than a decade.
...See More
Friend seems to never want to drive to visit me
Q
Comments (6)
Thirties are a hard time.. usually new husbands and babies or young kids take much time away from friends. I don't know what her family situation is, but when I was in my early thirties, I didn't have much time for friends that lived 10 minutes away, much less could I even imagine taking a day off to drive an hour to go shopping. Even if she doesn't have kids, sometimes work obligations or gatherings with the in-laws take over many weekends. You say when you drive in, you're generally coming in town to visit your family... but, honestly, how many times would you drive that far and come in just to visit her? Have you driven in just to see her? Have you guys considered meeting for lunch or dinner half way? That sounds like a plan to me... I don't necessarily think that the friendship isn't special to her; I just think there are times in our lives when we aren't able to invest as much time as we like with all our friends. Some years are better than others. Friends don't need to physically see each other all that much. Keep in touch by phone. And one more thing, it may not seem fair but I have noticed usually the friend or family member that moves away does come back to visit more... I mean, that's home, you're coming back to see many people. So don't keep tabs; it's not really fair. I mean, you may come in town 5 times a year..for a reunion, a funeral, a wedding shower, your mom's b-day, a niece's baptism, etc.... but that doesn't mean your friend should have to visit you five times a year. Get the point; you moved away, not her. And, she doesn't like to drive so you will probably be seeing her on her home turf way more often.
...See More
new haircut, new hat and wearing red (two pics)
Q
Comments (13)
Perfect! Looks great, including the hat. I'm due for a haircut later this week. That is how I want mine! I'm assuming it is real short and tapered in the back, kinda like a man's? New cut, new hat, wearing red . . . sounds like you have found the new Moni. Sue
...See More
franktank232
13 years ago
With me its just a sickness. My wife thinks i need my head examined. I've got 50 pear seedlings in gallon pots sitting on the patio table with no where to put them... Don't even ask about the 100 other plants i have no idea to do with. I got this thing with growing stuff. I start seeds of everything, with no where to put them and really no plan laid out. I guess that is my life in a nut shell. I have no plan.

Hey... My PAW PAWs popped today (seedlings emerged)!!!! Very exciting. Almost more exciting then watching my daughter born (just kidding!).
marknmt
13 years ago
Yup.

:-)M
alan haigh
13 years ago
Here's a short list of my reasons.

Anticipation is always the majority of pleasure and fruit growing really stretches it out. A kid starts thinking about Christmas in Nov but I'm anticipating how my late apples will taste for 6 months.

Also, every year is unpredictable with bummer and bumper crop separated by a single weather event or a pair of squirrels. Kind of makes you treasure success when there's some struggle preceding it.

The depth of relationship with fruit trees is deeper than annuals as it can last a life time with a single tree and every inch of that tree has your handwork on it.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
Well I can agree with your anticipation of growing your own fruit. I would however suggest you start before your late eighties. A man I know started a new apple orchard at age 75 and lived to 95 and enjoyed a mature producing orchard. After spending his whole life as a chef, he finally became the farmer he always wanted to be. He had never married and had no direct heirs, so he left it to his nephew. I am only kidding about your age. Al
franktank232
13 years ago
Yeah... A bunch of old farts on here! I'm 30 and started 5 years ago... My inspiration came from a friend of mine, his mom grew everything, even hardy kiwis. I started trying them and was amazed at the flavor. The guy's mom had the best peaches in the neighborhood...and fruit too :) I touched her pears and admired her apples...i even got to peek in her grape vine... Am i banned yet?
camp10
13 years ago
I know what you mean myk1.

I planted 4 grape vines last year. Three leafed out on time this year and one looked dead. In fact I was just about to rip it out. Last night, I noticed a few buds and a couple small leaves on it. That made my day!

Related Stories

MODERN STYLE 12 Stylish Kitchen Counters That Seem to Float in Space

By Natasha Saroca

Take your culinary zone to new heights with a cantilevered countertop that’s visually appealing and practical

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Master Bath Wears Its Elegance Lightly

By Becky Harris

This dream ‘hers’ bathroom includes a soaking tub, shower, sauna and toilet room — and a fun vintage movie poster

DECORATING GUIDES Textile Textbook: Is Your Sofa Wearing a Sweater?

By Jess McBride

Discover the joy of weaving knitted and crocheted textiles into your home decor

KITCHEN DESIGN Survey Results: Kitchen Trends That Seem Here to Stay

By Mitchell Parker

More than a third of respondents in Houzz’s annual kitchen trends report now have the means to remodel. Here’s what else they told us

SMALL SPACES How to Make Any Small Room Seem Bigger

Get more from a small space by fooling the eye, maximizing its use and taking advantage of space-saving furniture

CONTAINER GARDENS Patio-Perfect Berry Bushes Like You’ve Never Seen

Small enough for pots but offering abundant fruit, these remarkable bred berries are a boon for gardeners short on space

MOST POPULAR So You Say: 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make

By Mitchell Parker

Drop the paint can, step away from the brick and read this remodeling advice from people who’ve been there

DECORATING GUIDES Fashion Week Trends Your Home Will Wear Well

By Becky Harris

Spring 2014's ready-to-wear clothing collections aren't just for wardrobes

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: 10 Hats Your General Contractor Wears

By Buckminster Green LLC

Therapist, financial advisor, mediator — for the price of a single good contractor on your remodel, you're actually getting 10 jobs done

COLOR Color of the Year: Off-White Is On Trend for 2016

By Jennifer Ott Design

See why four paint brands have chosen a shade of white as their hot hue for the new year

Sponsored

More Discussions

Whats wrong with my apple tree?

18

Beginner apple tree initial care

0

Health Issue with a cherry plum tree

3

Is this a crabapple?

8

New leaves on apples trees shriveling up

1