I have been tackling the pruning of the fruit trees. I have to admit that some of them haven't been pruned in the two years we have been here, and are a bit overgrown. I have given an Apricot tree a stern talking to as it has yet to flower and it is well and truly established so it might need to go and make way for something else!
The currants have all been cut right back, cuttings put in pots with fingers crossed, and when I clean out the chook house, the manured hay will be put around the currants for mulch.
The hens are still laying and I have been regularly getting 4-5 eggs a day from 8 hens. As they are all 2+ years old I am more than happy with that at this time of the year. We have been getting some good frosts, so the girls are pleased to see me in the morning with their warm rolled oats breakfast.
I have collected some hazelnuts and almonds and am looking forward to eating them super fresh.
The hazelnuts have their catkins on for winter. They are fascinating to watch as they emerge and open out. Such a nice contrast to the naked branches.
In the next month I intend to have the rest of the fruit trees pruned, the vege garden cleared out a bit and some compost spread about in preparation for spring planting. Then again, it is cold so I may just stay indoors and read some other blogs from the Garden Share Collective.
Really interested to see your almond and hazelnut trees. What beautiful catkins! I'm about to plant a few myself in a small Nuttery (almonds and hazelnuts) in my paddock. Can you recommend any particularly good varieties?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah I'm not able to help with that one as they were established trees when we bought the property and unfortunately no records were kept of the varieties planted. I do know that almonds do not like frosts and you can suffer badly with a late frost when the blossom is on the tree. I have two different hazelnuts, both approximately 2 metres tall and about 2 metres wide if that helps.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you could grow currants, I assumed they were a dried version of grapes. Beautiful almonds and hazelnuts, that tree is divine. Your chicken is cute too. A great winter post :D
ReplyDeleteSorry I was meaning blackcurrants and redcurrants. Just my Kiwi slang shortening the names :)
DeleteWow - hazlenuts and almonds. Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI hope the apricot heeds your warning.
Thanks Bek. Yes no room for slackers round here! ;)
DeleteI have the same trouble you do but with the garlic harvest. It has just been too wet here. I usually like to harvest when it is dry, but no luck on that.
ReplyDeleteIt makes gardening interesting doesn't it Daphne. Never enough rain, then too much, and always at the wrong time! I managed to get some garlic in on Monday afternoon but only about a dozen cloves so will need to plant some more.
DeleteWish it was cold enough to have hazelnut and almond trees at our place. When it rains it pours, we are currently going through a drought - 16mm last month and still none this month.
ReplyDelete