Tomatoes are coming in like gangbusters now. I might just have to process them and make some sauce from scratch. I used to make a big batch of sauce every year and can it up. Most of the time, it would last me all year. That is the result of this years foray into using raised beds and good farm compost. An overabundance of squash, some canned and some frozen. Now loads of tomatoes coming in, which thankfully the jalapenos are coming in so be able to can up some form salsa. Of course, I have long term plans too.

I set aside an area behind the shed to put in an orchard. I have a number of trees planted. Some of the first trees planted were the peach trees. Shockingly, they take well to this area of New England. When you think of peaches, you think Georgia. Heck, I once worked for Georgia Pacific and used to go to Atlanta for meetings all the time. It seemed everything was named Peachtree. So I started peaches three years ago and have had a few peaches the past two years. There hasn’t been many, but in time. One of the things with starting fruit is time and patience.

I have a number of trees planted now. They are varying ages, so hopefully it won’t be like the tomatoes and squash. LOL. I should have made sure to keep a log of the trees and the date planted. Ah well. So far, I have only lost one tree, but it is a fight since we have been inundated with the winter moth larvae over the past few years. They have devastated a lot of the woodland. I almost lost another tree this year to it. So far we have planted three apples. There was one all ready on the property that needs some extreme pruning. We have the two peaches I all ready mentioned. I like variety, so we also have two cherries, two plums, two pears, three paw paws, and two nectarines. The nice part is that there are so many varieties that come in dwarf, semi-dwarf and full size. You don’t need a lot of space.

We didn’t stop there, I have some hazelnut bushes planted as well as blueberries. There are some native blackberries and raspberries.

I also have started a grape arbor. I made the mistake to put it outside the fence, so the critters get them before I can. I guess I can share. LOL.

Eventually we hope to push the fence back to the edge of the pine forest. I will leave a gate to the pathway that goes back into the woods. When we do that, we plan on putting in bees in the back to help pollinate the orchard and other gardens.

I think we will leave that for another post. Some of the best food you can have is unprocessed food that you have grown yourself. There is nothing more wholesome or better tasting than a fresh tomato from the garden. So much better than those unflavorful ones that come from the supermarket these days.

My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit.