Garden thoughts...

[mrph]

I have space for one more tree. Just one.

Or, more accurately, when the annoying tree at the end of the garden has been removed, I'll have room for one more tree. But not quite so close to the neighbour's garage this time.

...so what should it be? I have apple trees, a damson tree and a quince already.

The current shortlist is a bit random - apricot, peach, medlar, mulberry, elder.

Medlar is tempting. Reliable crops, not really available in shops, looks nice (the tree, not the medlars...) tasty. :)

Peach and apricot are a bit of a gamble, even with varieties that will crop in a British summer. They'd probably do better closer to the house...

Mulberry has all the same plus points as a medlar. But can be eaten straight from the tree. The downside...? No fruit for several years.

And elder...? Well, I can find uses for it. Many of them. But if I really want elderflowers or berries, they're pretty easy to find wild near here.

Hmm... just as well I've got ten months to think about it! :)

Comments

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Bah, if you'd mentioned last week, someone was Freecycling a young pear tree, I'd have nabbed it for you.

Mmm. Pears...

[mrph.livejournal.com]

I like that idea. :)

I'd considered pears, but I don't think they're generally self-fertile, though. And I really only have space for one. :-(

[bitbat.livejournal.com]

Our mulberry is so worth the wait :) Just had mulberries (from the freezer) and custard for supper tonight.

You might like to consider a small fig tree, but if you do, make sure to restrict its roots in one of those special bags.

[belladonna-9.livejournal.com]

What about a nut tree..... Walnut?....I would not have an Elder.... think of your washing and all that bird poop....and the wild fruit is eary to get...

[velvet-nothing.livejournal.com]

How about a plum tree? Yummy plum crumble!

Re: Mmm. Pears...

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was the reason the person was digging it up - they said they had had it for 5 years and it had only ever had 2 pears on it, presumably because most of the blossoms weren't getting fertilised. Not sure how though, there's pear trees all over the housing estates in Brixton that fruit like crazy.

[mrph.livejournal.com]

I did consider it. Actually, part of my brain is still considering it. But...

I've got a damson tree already, which will hopefully fuel a steady supply of crumble. And I can actually buy plums, whereas, say, medlars (the option that's currently in the lead...) are only on sale if I trek to Borough market, farmer's markets in the deepest darkest countryside or somewhere equally diverse...

Which could be fun. But isn't so convenient. :)

[mrph.livejournal.com]

Figs were something else I'd considered - and yep, have read many comments about the need to restrict root growth, especially if want a decent crop. :)

Mulberry's probably my second choice at the moment, just behind medlars. Partly because of the delay - will I still be here when they start cropping? - and partly because I'm not entirely sure what to do with 'em!

Well, other than eat them. :)

[bitbat.livejournal.com]

I can't remember how long it took for ours to fruit but it is sooooooooooooo prolific now! We cover the ground beneath with fleece and pick up the ripe fruits as they fall over several weeks, as well as picking the really ripe ones. We freeze the surplus on a daily basis and store them in empty ice cream boxes to eat throughout the year. Gently poached in red wine we like them with duck, and slowly cooked in their own juice in a low oven for about 30mins (after defrosting) with sugar stirred through whilst still warm, they are good with ice cream or custard as a quick and nutritious desert. Mindst you, coming in from collecting mulberries one does tend to have a post-massacre bloodstained appearance!