The Fruits of Our Labors

Well, so we have bought and planted a nectarine tree and a lemon tree.  I am desperately hoping and praying for fruits later this summer/fall.  I'm not expecting a huge bounty, I'd be happy with one or two of each.  However, birds, the weather, and my crazy sons seem to have other plans.  We will begin with my beloved nectarine tree.  When we purchased it, it was full of sweet-smelling pink blossoms.  Those fell off and in their places came teensy fruits.  They actually seem to grow quite quickly, turning a deep purple as they do.  Attached is a picture of these.  Soon the little tree was full of these marble-sized fruits.  I have to admit that I am ecstatic about the idea of fruit; I have always wanted a fruit tree.  I check it everyday to see how it is doing.  Recently I noticed some were missing.  Birds!  It really could be the only explanation as there was no hard winds or rain, plus the fruit was not on the ground.  So now I am busy trying to think of a way to protect my nectarines from these senseless winged thieves.  I am open to suggestions.

This brings me to our poor dwarf lemon tree.  Yes it was small when we bought it and it could have been successfully planted in a pot (according to the tag) but we put it in the ground instead, thinking we would not want to transfer it again later.  Well, almost immediately it was covered with white blossoms that quickly gave way to tiny green lemons.  Get close and you can clearly smell them!  This was about a month ago.  All was well with our little tree.  Then came a severe windstorm.  Several branches, and all of the lemons, we blown to kingdom come!  The little tree was ravaged and leaves began to turn yellow.  We feared the worst.  However, soon more blossoms came and brought many more tiny green lemons.  As I type this I remember that I am supposed to thin them out before they get too big so that the eventual fruits are larger and of better quality.  Something to look into over the coming weeks as the fruits mature.  If the fruits mature that is.  Today as Amy and I were cooking dinner I walk into the backyard to take out the trash.  What to I find?  Jack beating my lemon tree senseless with an oversized badminton racket!  I was not a happy camper.  Needless to say, said badminton racket is currently residing in time-out on top of the refrigerator.

So, fate seems to have it in for any crops of the 2010 nectarine/lemon season!  But not if I have a say first!  I'll even settle for one nectarine OR lemon.  I'm not picky; I just want to say I have fruit trees that produce!  Only time will tell I guess.

All is well, and fruitful thus far, in Drosche Land.

O

Our baby nectarines!