A Start in the Harvest

November, 2016

Have been doing some spot picking over the last week. Still cold and things are unfolding slowly. Have sold some Empress and Burlat through the stall. I took these photos today November 12.

Our Son Mark picking some Royal Hazel in the photo and Royal Lynn.

Mark and I planted these in July 2013, colt root stock, free standing vase, 6mx 3m. Perhaps the best thing I have handled in this time slot. Maybe these lower chill varieties have a place, good size, firm flesh and they eat well

 From the orchard to the stall

In the open garden at Cherry Dale

Jacobean Lily

Flanders Poppy

Good to get a start on the cherries. Stonefruit not far from starting, weather permitting.

Please come for a visit to our orchard. Walk in the trees, stroll through the nursery and garden. Visit the fairy house where the children can play. Sample our cherries and stonefruit, have a picnic lunch or morning tea in our grounds. Enjoy a nice family day out at Cherry Dale

Best wishes to all

Fruit Set October 26th

It has been a cold and wet spring, still getting the odd light frost in the gullies. Lots of westerly wind patterns I don't think that it has been above 24 C yet this spring. I think that we are damn lucky to have a crop on the trees this season.

 Our first variety to harvest Empress above and below

 Our last variety to harvest Sweet Georgia above and below

 Merchant below

 Lapin below

Mark standing next to a young Royal Hazel cherry tree.

Apricots

Kay Sweet nectarines above and below

Mark worked a small crew on the thinning this season.

 

Will be a late start to the harvest maybe the first weekend in November. Just guessing. A start is one thing, but a good harvest throughout the season on all fruit is the goal. 

Best wishes to all.

Spring Blossom September 2016

Spring Blossom September 2016

I took these photos today, it has been a wet spring to date.

 Cherries in blossom

 

  Placing bee hives on cherry orchards is a must.

 

 

 

 Royal Hazel cherries above and below

Solar Glow Apricots above and below

Same variety that was shown in blossom in the last post.

 Around the Garden

 Lavender

 

 Freesias

Armeria Bee's Pink

 Clivea above and below

 

 Chinese Wisteria

 Some plants ready for the nursery

Past the spring equinox now, there have been no frost issues this September but, it has been wet. Stonefruit has set nicely. The majority of the cherries are in blossom and time will tell how they shape up this season. Best wishes to all.

Apricot Blossom 21st of August 2016

I took these photos today, Sunday the 21st of August. It was the full moon on the 18th. Solar Glow Apricots in blossom. Will take approx. 90 days from here to harvest for this variety of apricot, weather permitting.

 Close up of Solar Glow above and below

Candy Gem Plum Blossom.  Would harvest approx. mid November.

 Princess Time peach blossom (Yellow Peach)

Close up of same peach.

 

  This is the stage of the bud swell of Royal Hazel above and Royal Lynn below.

 Both of these varieties are in the 500 hours chilling units range.

 A look down the row, these were planted July 2013. (see previous post)

 An older block of cherries, planted 1999. Took this photo from my tallest ladder.

 Stage of bud swell, Empress cherries. Full moon in September would see most cherry varieties in full bloom, full moon in October will show straw colour in this Empress variety. Weather permitting.

 In the greenhouse with some of the plants for the nursery. A simple relaxation.

My mum Fay on a Sunday afternoon visit.

 Lily and Molly soaking up the sun.

There is no stopping this thing once it starts to unfold, no steering wheel, no brakes. As we go through the wild temperature fluctuations that spring brings in this country.

Best Wishes to all.