Our Christmas Twig

Hubs and I decided this Christmas to order a fruit tree rather than buying a Christmas tree.  We really love a fresh tree and it has been several years since the Christmas season has lent itself to holiday decorating - but we also really like the idea of our own fruit.  So, we talked it over and decided on a fruit tree.

Welcome to your new home baby Tropic Beauty.  Until this time next year I do believe you will be more comfortable in a pot.  Since you are shorter than the boy doggie who hikes his leg; and our backyard orchard designated spot is out beyond easy reach of the water hose.

And, next year you can come inside Christmas week and we'll hang some tinsel and a few of our special memory ornaments on you.  I'm thinking this buy yourself a fruit tree instead of Christmas tree is an excellent tradition for us to start.

Backyard Orchard Culture by Dave Wilson Nursery, a must have can do read.  Very interesting.  Very practical.

January - NOID yummy Grapefruit
February
March
April - Blueberry
May - Sunshine Blue Blueberry, Tropic Beauty Peach (late May); Plum (early)
June - Anna Apple
July - Brown Turkey Fig
August - Brown Turkey Fig, Magnolia Fig
September
October
November - Calamondin
December - Calamondin

The Meyer Lemon and Limequat should both be year round fruiters (?) - ours are babies yet.  And the Calamondin will also fruit in spring; I can't remember when exactly.   And, it looks like conditions are favorable for strawberry harvest in a few weeks!  Otherwise, I've been having some fun researching what kinds of fruit trees to add to our wish list that might fill out those empty months.  Ideas?  Suggestions?

We do plan to add some banana varieties this spring.  I'd like an Ice Cream/Blue Java, Dwarf Namwa,  Chinese Yellow Banana - well not all of them most likely.  I had a Red Cattleya Guava in S. Florida and really liked it; it did very well in part sun; one here would be nice.  Hubs is interested in what we've read about the Cherry of the Rio Grande.  Maybe a Red Lime; they are more cold hardy than Key Lime and bear more than limequat.  I want a mango tree so badly; but it would have to be in a large pot; I've heard that sometimes you can find Mallika at Lowes - so I need to watch the clearance aisle closer.  Maybe have a pot ready and on hand; finding a 25 gallon decent looking pot for TRATEOFD is going to be a challenge.  Maybe something recycled or inexpensive and I paint/stencil/sticker it?

Plan the harvest!  Wait - we just want to eat the harvest.

Fruit & Nut Harvest Dates for Modesto CA

Oh, and just around the bend from us:  ECHO's Fruit Calendar, with more fruit to investigate.  ECHO's Tropical Fruit Information is quite extensive and educational. 

Perhaps next Christmas our tree should be: 4N1 Low Chill Peach - May Pride, Mid-Pride, Eva's Pride, June Pride, August Pride from Bay Laurel Nursery for late season peaches?

We have limited amount of  'full sun' space in the back yard; so for more types of fruit, we have to go small, and/or Espalier.  Since there is a fence there, part Espalier and part small might work nicely.  And pots; some fruit trees will be quite happy in pots; such as a 'condo' mango; key lime or kieffer lime. 

Check this out!  Good eats and good cleans - we can go for that.  To order locally

"Kieffer lime shampoo leaves the hair squeaky clean and invigorates the scalp. The invigorating scent is said to be effective in lifting one's mental outlook as well as warding off evil spirits. Kieffer lime has also been used for ages as a natural bleach to remove tough stains. It is commonly known in Thailand that nothing works better on stubborn stains than a few drops of kieffer lime juice, mixed with a sprinkling of detergent. Not only does it clean effectively, it is inexpensive, natural and sweet-smelling. For rural villagers, a single kieffer lime tree supplies enough limes to keep the whole house and family clean.
In folk medicine, the juice of kieffer lime is said to promote gum health and is recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums. The essential oils in the fruit are incorporated into various ointments, and the rind is an ingredient in medical tonics believed to be good for the blood. Like lemon grass and galanga, the rind is also known to have beneficial properties for the digestive system.”

In the mean time, Our Baby Christmas Tree is potted up in a pretty pink bucket, been gently rained upon for three days and is now setting soaking up the sun in the NE salad bar.

/hug