Maryann & Ginger

One of the most exciting crops for Leslie was her first crop of Ruhi Ginger Root.  What a spectacular plant. Really delicious.  We have spicy hot candied ginger, ginger syrup, pickled ginger and frozen extra for later.  Check this out:

What's Been Growing?

Most of the fruit trees will take a few years (some longer) to bear a crop.  But we got some teases.  A handful of blueberries, some figs. We also were able to get great yields from the vegetable beds.  Peppers, hot and sweet, Italian Long Neck Squash, Heirloom Tomatoes, Dragon Tongue Beans, Yellow Heirloom Carrots, White Radishes, a variety of Gourds and Melons. The gourds grew up the fence and got fried on the electric wire.  It will certainly be easier once we make the move to the lake.  Here are some pics.

Orchard Update

The summer and fall have been steadily productive.  Less than a year ago this land was a second growth pine forest on an abandoned tobacco farm.  Here is an aerial of our clearing, the beds for the  vegetables and around the trees.  Since Google snapped this shot we've added another pecan, two more pawpaws, an Ume apricot, some perennial Yellow Alpine strawberries, a Che, Goumi, Jujube and Medlar.  

The Eagle Has Landed

Our nesting pair of eagles may have found a home just behind our point.  

Here's papa heading home. 

Honeysuckle Froze

'Tis the season!  Honeysuckle is blooming and we spent a couple hours harvesting blooms.  What a great fragrance.  Then we made an incredible Honeysuckle Sorbet, recipe from Bill Smith, chef at the famous Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill.  Here's the recipe. If you have honeysuckle nearby, it's well worthwhile.

Mobile Home

Last year I built a Wood Duck Box and put it on a tree next to our cove.  It didn't take long for a family of squirrel squatters to occupy it.

So, this year I've moved it out in the bay.  Didn't know how to sink the pole underwater, so I attached some pressure treated lumber legs for stability.  Unfortunately, all that meant was the whole contraption floated away.  Dropping some bags of concrete on the legs sunk it in place.

It will take a flying squirrel to set up home in there this year.

Fruits of the Labors

First Asparagus

All we expected first spring from the perennial vegetables were green leaves, and those we have.  So what a surprise last weekend to find blueberries, blackberries, asparagus, rhubarb and even some peaches. We're supposed to leave the asparagus for a year or two.  Not sure what will happen with the peaches.  But we can't wait until the berries come in.

As for annuals, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes are looking good so far.

Peachy Keen