Summer’s Edible & Colorful Garden – Part 1 (edible)

It’s been at least 8-10 years since planting 2 Hass avocado trees on a very steep 40-50 foot hill in our backyard. We had all but given up there would ever be precious avocados from our plantings and already planned a couple newer plantings for next year. Imagine our surprise when Hubbs found these two beauties hiding amongst the leaves!

I’ve written in the past about some of the fruit trees, herbs, and vegetables that this novice gardener has been working on. Among the fruit trees added to our landscape, the chosen types of trees were added not only for our fondness of the varieties, but for their flavors, culinary uses, and challenges in their resonable availability in markets (both in price and accessibility).

On this Sunday morning, please take a virtual image tour with me through my southern California garden (labor-of-love) and allow me to share just some of things I’ve been working on with my Hubbs…

There are so many images I wanted to share in this post that I ended up splitting the post into two parts. The next post will feature some of the colorful plants in the garden, while this post will feature some of the edible plantings. No long narratives…let’s take a stroll!

The prices for fruits in the markets have been criminal! We’ve added half-a-dozen different dwarf citrus trees and set them up in large whiskey barrels fitted with wheels for easy relocation of each plant (especially important during the colder months). See this older post regarding the use of whisky/wine barrels (An Edible Garden).

Of some of those citrus trees, the sweet Kishu seedless mandarin and the juciy, tart seedless Bearss lime trees are already teasing us with promise for winter fruit.

Is there anything as uniquely tasty and interesting as figs? I was a little worried when there were no signs of fruit on the Black Mission Fig tree. With the help of organic fertilizer and fruit tree food, there are now so many little figlings decorating the tree that I lose count. The Kadota fig tree has been an easy plant so far and we’re looking forward to some ripe ones soon.

The seedless Nagami kumquat tree has been decored with hundreds of creamy, sweetly fragrant blossoms. Flowers mean fruit, lots of fruits! Just starting to see sprinkles of flowers all over the young Fukushu kumquat.

Our poor, overworked youngling Babcock peach tree was so over laden with fruit, that the tree was tilting over. Just as the peaches looked ready for our enjoyment, the ground squirrels decided to play greedy and have all but ravaged most of the sweet Babcocks! No fresh peaches, peach cobbler or peach pies for me!

Serrano peppers for homemade salsa and the Anaheims? For chile rellenos, chile relleno casseroles or grilled for sandwiches.

The garden’s archenemy. Snails are a testament that no matter if you’re moving at a glacial pace, if you’re tirelessly persistent it will pay off. No doubt this little guy thought he was inching his way towards my tomatoes or herbs (Note: He was not harmed.)!

Redid some of the herbs this year to freshen up some favorites. Regular thyme, variegated lemon thyme and mint have been some of the easier herbs. However, nothing is easier than rosemary (out in southern California).

Still having challenges with cilantro. My cilantro is in a sorry state (so no pics). Sweet basil…challenged as well. Tried growing dill this year, but I think they’ve also seen their better days.

Sage and Oregano are also on my list of hearty and easy herbs to grow out this way.

Garden Blueberries have been good. Not enough to make a pie, but enough to sprinkle here and there in things like salads and yogurt.

Tried an everbearing variety of strawberries this year. It’s been okay so far. The Sequoia variety I planted last year was much better (even though they were June bearing berries).

Tomatoes. Can eat them everyday. First time trying Roma tomatoes and so far, so good!

Oh, and here’s a sweet, first-time, guest appearance from the Corgi kids of Corgi Tales. My garden wouldn’t be the same without my precious furkids!

A lovely quote from the very beautiful and elegant Audrey Hepburn:

Isn’t that a hopeful and promising thought? It’s so optimistic.

Thank you for joining me on this virtual image stroll through places in my garden. Tomorrow, let’s do it again and take in the beautiful garden colors of summer!