Thursday, March 3, 2011

Good News and Bad News...

Well...which do you want first? The good news or the bad? Yeah, I always go for the good first, too! Well, the fruit trees are blooming like crazy here on the OAH. Check out these pictures:

The little plum tree that we planted last year is in full bloom.


Here's a shot of the pear tree where you can see all the swollen little blooms. Do these remind anyone else of pregnancy? Maybe my mind just romances those months with my girls growing in my tummy, but I always equate the excitement and joy of pregnancy with this stage of my trees...when those buds are all swollen and ready to release their flowers and new leaves at any time.


Here are the blooms on the pear tree...I think they'll be opening fully tomorrow or Saturday.


The peach trees' blooms are so pretty when they open. Here they are preparing for their debut.


The apricot tree will be blooming soon as well.


The bad news? Oh, yeah...I was enjoying the good news so much I almost forgot! Well...our last frost date is generally April 15. If we get another hard frost with the fruit trees blooming that will mean no fruit this year. I'm really trying to remember Matthew 6:34 right now!

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

Do you think we'll have another hard frost...or worse one of those freak spring snows? Our first fruit trees will be three years old this summer, so we'll soon have a variety of home grown fruits, but it may not be this year. Time will tell.

4 comments:

JMoore said...

Beautiful pics! Spring is so special, calling us outside to see all the signs of new life. I try to soak up every minute before summer comes and brings triple digits. Too bad there's no way to protect the trees in a frost. Hmmm... there should be covers or something you could use.

Amy McPherson Sirk said...

Unfortunately spring frosts do happen. If you have some bamboo stakes or some t posts you can make a frame around your trees and cover them in sheets or big pieces of cloth. Big pieces of cardboard like refrigerator boxes work too. Yet another advantage to dwarf trees. I think Martha Stewart (yes, I know) has pictures of some of these tree covers on her websites.

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said...

I know. I think a freeze already nipped the peaches, so no peaches this year. Oh well. The apples and sour cherry tree started blooming now.~~Dee

Jeremy and Jenny said...

la nina winters tend to have a more mild spring so you should be alright this year. our last frost date her in colo is june 14. last year (el nino) it was june 20. the year before (la nina) it was may 26.