Overwhelmed in the orchard...

I have so many things to post about that I kind of froze up and stopped posting.    Where to begin...

First, I have been planting like crazy.  Before we went to Minnesota, my loving husband tilled between the rows of the orchard and I planted potatoes and sweet corn.  It is dry land sweet corn, as I am not hauling water.  So far after three weeks, nothing.  I still have hope.  We have had PLENTY of rain and warm weather.  The plants have no excuse.  

When we returned from Minnesota the plants I had ordered from the county extension agency arrived.  I got five Zestar Apples, five Caroline Raspberries, and five Souris Raspberries. 

The orchard is my retirement plan.  By the time I retire (17 more years) it should be in full swing (October 29, 2029 to be exact) and I will be sitting on the porch drinking wine and eating toast and jam through the fruits of my labors (and my husbands).  Not that it is something I think about much (ALL THE TIME).  Didn't know a few plants could start such a tirade did you?:)

Anyway back on subject, the apples turned out to be humongous.  It said 3-4 feet, so I was picturing some little twigs. like we used to get when I was a kid.  They were over 7 feet tall.

Most people blog about the photos they take and how their husbands are indulgent of their hobby.  My husband has taken to taking photos of me gardening for the blog.  He is kind of treating it as a new type of hunting season.  He said it was like bow season only he considers it Bonnie Season.  He says I'm easier to sneak up on this time of year, because I'm focused on gardening.  While I was out planting raspberries in the orchard, he snuck up and snapped some pictures of me in action.  I have to admit he is getting good, Ella didn't even see him.  Yes Dad, I'm still wearing the floppy hats.  It hides my face so well, especially when people are hiding behind trees taking photos of me:)

 

I think I am done with the orchard now.  I have 5 sand cherries, 5 wild plum, 7 naking cherries, 7 buffalo berries, 3 apple trees, 1 cherry tree, 3 red lake currents, 5 black chokecherries, 2 mulberries, 10 raspberries, 4 grapes, and 4 black berries. 

Outside of the fence planted around the property are 2 black walnut, 2 hazelnuts, 3 apple trees, 1 grape, 1 high bush cranberry, 2 low bush blueberries, 2 Harrilson apple trees, 1 Dolgo crabapple, 50 tame strawberries, and uncounted tame raspberries.  

Growing wild around the place are tons of Saskatoons, thimbleberries, an apple tree, strawberries, chokecherries, and raspberries. 

Now you can see why I call it bees, birds, BERRIES, and blooms.  If I ever have a good year where they all produce I could be in wine, jam, and syrup heaven and will probably have a hell of a belly ache.  Or I could have a bad winter and the story ends there.  Guess only time will tell.  As I always say, "hope springs eternal."