Busy?

Firstly I would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to those who have or will sponsor trees (it's not too late :). I will be putting up a plaque of some kind in the garden with names.
 
I was going to call this post 'A busy time of year', but I thought that would be an understatement, and anyway, I am almost always busy.

As a working teacher we are fast approaching the report deadlines so much marking and correcting, filling in forms and so on. I am also happy to be taking a group of students to the theatre to see a traditional (or maybe not as it is in France!) pantomime next week, it has been interesting trying to organise, as some teachers think it is great to take students out of the school environment especially in such an impoverished area where some have never set foot inside a theatre, whereas others think it is a waste of time and should not be allowed. I think it is obvious where I stand. Outside the school :)

http://www.letheatredanslesvignes.fr/#/Les_rendez-vous/Les_spectacles

The garden is being prepared for winter, in my spare time I am preparing beds and sowing winter crops to feed my family next spring hopefully - and not the (stupid/annoying/beautiful/ethereal/fantastic - delete as appropriate) peacocks or my naughty chickens which keep escaping from their admittedly temporary and bodge job fencing. Garlic, onions, lettuce, peas, broad beans. For the moment.

The newly insulated house is definitely warmer than last winter. Phew.

The trees have been pre-ordered;

pommiers sur       apples on              M111 :

Gravenstein x 2

Belle de Boskoop x2

Pomme Raisin Rouge x1

Belles filles de salins x1

coquette x1

rainette de Brive x1

rainette d'amboulne x1

rainette doréé x2

cerisier sur merisier - blanchard x1 et noir de meched x1 -             2 kinds of cherries

2 amandiers              almonds

je voudrais aussi commander des porte-greffe.

 

These are the rootstock for when I finally learn to graft (I have found a local guy and

franc de poiriers x 3 (pear)

M111 x 10

M106 x 5

myrobolan x3 (for plum and apricot)

amandier x3 (almond!)

The almond is a local unnamed variety! I am quite excited by that!

I will, as already posted, buy some modern varieties too.

A wonderful opportunity

“If what I say resonates with you, it is merely because we are both branches on the same tree.”
W. B. Yeats
 
Why not sponsor a tree? Imagine, you can help contribute to the healing of the planet - just a small gesture, and one which has widespread consequences. You can always visit your tree/s and don't forget, we are situated in a rather beautiful spot in the South of France...

For those of you desiring/thinking about or wishing to sponsor a tree, now is the time to choose which variety you would like. It is time to act.


'The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is now'! (no idea who said this!)

Most of the varieties I have chosen in advance are local, rustic, and older varieties, although I am up for planting just about anything, variety being the spice of life (and biodiversity being essentially spicy!). I have already ordered two Pink Lady apple trees by special request, and a braeburn is also on the books, hopefully making several people happy - you know who you are :) If you have a favourite variety and would like me to try it out, just let me know.

“Do not be afraid to go out on a limb…That’s where the fruit is.”
Anonymous

 Click here for a general guide to apples
Lien pour identifier les pommes

HOW TO SPONSOR - First choose your variety and the number of trees you are willing to sponsor - each tree will come in at about 20€, depending on the variety chosen and the supplier. Of course you can pay more and cover the costs of the watering for the first season if it proves to be too dry.
Email me with the information, I will get back to you with how to pay for your trees.
emanwela@yahoo.co.uk
I will be buying a first lot of trees on the 11th November, at a fair in Mirepoix, to which the supplier will bring me the trees order in advance. People are already ordering, and they are sold on a first come first served basis, so I will be ordering the first trees in the next few days.

“My heart is glad, my heart is high
With sudden ecstasy;
I have given back, before I die,
Some thanks for every lovely tree
That dead men grew for me.”
V.H. Friedlaender


Here is the orchard...

The photo is taken from the Tour de Fa, a ruin above the village. The valley is the vallée du Faby, the name of the river running towards the Aude River. And yes, Fabien (number 2 son) was named after this river - amongst other reasons.

The local tree supplier is on this site. I will also be buying some rootstock for when I finally get around to grafting - watch out world - gardeners really are the best thieves!

If you are interested in apples I highly recommend this book - it is fun, informative and a great read - by Pete Brown click here.

Using a M111 rootstock, as this is best for light well filtering soils:
 APPLES
Queen of Pippin = Reine des Rainettes

Gravenstein 

Belle de Boskoop

Rose de Berne

Pomme Raisin Rouge

Belles filles de salins

Coquette

Courte pendu rouge OR gris OR both???

Rainette de Brive


PEARS I will try to buy some of each type of rootstock, depending on their position in the orchard (oooh I love that word!)
Doyenne de Comice

Conférence

Beurré d'Aremberg

any other from this site



CHERRIES probably on merisier...

a variety from this site :)


APRICOTS on myrobolan (no choice at this tree supplier!)
Bergeron

Pêche de Nancy

Rouge du Roussillon

Tardif de Bordaneil

We will also be planting almond and pomegranate, a few peach and some plum trees... 

Some FAQ's :

WHO ARE WE?

myself, Emanwela, and whatever help I can get! Sometimes the children, sometimes friends, nothing but the best <3

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE PRODUCE?

Eat it, make jam from it, make juice from it using a local cooperative (les jardins de la haute vallée) and sell/exchange any excess.

ARE WE 'ORGANIC'?

We are beyond organic (Hi Walter :) The orchard is part (will be part) of a smallholding, we already have chickens, and the garden is slowly taking shape. Please note that the land was bought in 2016, after having NO culture since 2000, and is just a (desert) lawn. The garden is walled in, so the trees will be protected - one small section of fence will need to be erected.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein