We're Back!

To paraphrase the great Mark Twain, "rumors of the garden's demise have been greatly exaggerated."   Yes, there is a rezoning request.  No we don't know the results.  No matter the decision, JT and Motors NW have assured us we will be  able to garden (at least) for this season.

So, beds are filling up and seeds waiting to be planted.  If you would like a box we currently have 3 available to the first to pay.  Rental fee for the beds is $25 for a year.  Also, we hope to build three more boxes in May.  To get a box e-mail kwsikes@gmail.com and I'll give you instructions.

Freee Treees

Charrie scored some free fruit trees for the garden.  After extensive research and survey we have chosen the following varieties to plant:

Vandalay Cherry

According to Raintree Nursery: 
Gisela 3 is the most dwarfing of the Gisela rootstocks making a tree that grows to only 8 to 10 feet tall. It tends to make a broad tree excellent for a small area. Its small size and early heavy bearing are great attributes but because of this the tree needs good growing conditions to thrive.  It is very precocious prompting the tree to bear heavily at an early age. It may require fruit thinning to maintain fruit size and avoid overbearing and having the tree stop growing. Regular irrigation is needed. It is not recommended for the heaviest bearing cultivars like Sweetheart. It is recommended that dormant pruning on all dwarf cherry trees be done in late winter before bloom time which reduces the chance of bacterial canker infestations. 


2 in 1 Nectar Babe/Pix Zee Nectarine Tree

Also according to Raintree Nursery:
Enjoy two great tasting varieties on a genetically dwarf tree. The Nectar Babe nectarine has large sweet yellow freestone fruits and the Pix Zee peach has sweet flavorful beautiful orange-red freestone fruits with yellow flesh. Self fertile.


Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

This grafted tree is hardy to -30 deg.F. It sometimes starts producing the first year after planting and bears an abundance of sweet, highly flavored fruit, 1-1/2 inches long x 1/2 inch wide that look like elongated blackberries.

The fruit has a delicious distinctive flavor. The berries ripen continuously throughout July, August, and September, hence its name. The fruit is red and turns black when ripe.

Illinois Everbearing will grow to 35 feet tall but it is easily pruned and kept much smaller. Each is self-fertile.