Grafting fruit trees

Today, Sunday 11th March 2018  I grafted about 15 fruit trees. Talk about feeding future generations! I have waited so long to try this out, and it has fulfilled all my expectations. Of course, it will take a couple of weeks to see if they have worked or not, but I have everything crossed and well, why shouldn't they!
So Patrick the local lad mentioned in other posts accompanied Ivor and me to the old farm, where there are plenty of wild cherry trees and almonds that have grown from seed.

One day when we had a load of wwoofers and helpxers I sent them off almond picking and they came home happily showing off a trunk full of almonds (literally). However, I had omitted to remind them of the bitter almond. So we were faced with trying each almond, or throwing the lot out. After poisoning myself with cyanide a few too many times, I threw them onto the garden in several spots thinking to myself that maybe some would grow. And they did. And now I am grafting onto them. So perfect. Lesson to be learned, when picking almonds always try one from each tree as bitter almonds are rightly named.

The cherries have grown from seed too, either from cherries we ate or perhaps wild animals. The two older boys argue over who spat out the seed that grew into the cherry tree next to our old kitchen hut - it bears tasty cherries - and today I grafted from that tree onto one of the wild cherries. It may be our very own variety - we will have to name it! sabien?  fabix? random spit cherry? ha ha.

Patrick has suggested that we leave the rootstock that we have planted this year to establish themselves and then we can graft them next year. I still plan on visiting the apple trees in my mum's back garden to take grafts!

Today we also grafted pear and apple onto hawthorn! Excellent stuff. Oh, and apricot onto almond too.

Most of the photos show the crown graft, but we did try one chip bud graft (at least I think that is what it is called in English, will check):

Doesn't look like much, but apparently they are the most successful grafts!


Wednesday  14th March, son number two's 17th birthday, I grafted all on my own. Well, Alex and Ivor came with me, Alex attacked the clematis and brambles, freed a couple of trees and cleared where the old sheep tunnel was, and Ivor filled the water butts from the source, and 'helped' generally.

I only cut myself twice! I grafted cherry onto wild cherry, and then just for fun, onto one wild cherry with three trunks just behind where the old kitchen used to be, I grafted cherry, almond and apricot (from left to right in the photo)! Makes me shiver.

Never a dull moment

We fast approach the exam period and as quickly as spring starts to make itself felt and the snow melts from the mountain side so my students lose any desire to work they may have nurtured! I hope we make it up to the snow one more time at least this winter.

Photo taken on a day racket walking (snow shoes), Domaine de Choula, Le Roc.

I arrived home last night (Thursday 8th March) to an injured Ivor, who, on hurtling home on his bicycle had a head-on collision with a mother cycling to school to pick up her child. Ivor went flying after having totally bent the front forks of the woman's bike then apparently picked both himself and the bike up and walked home.
He is a lucky boy, since he was cycling on the wrong side of the road (no, nothing to do with the fact that he is 'English', as he has never lived in the UK). He suffered a nasty graze on his chin and his jaw hurts (not enough to refuse chocolate). He got away lightly.
So begins the 'I don't want to go to school tomorrow' story. No chance mate! You have to be in bed with a fever and vomiting before that happens.
Too early the next morning he calls me from his bedroom - just once. As soon as I am within earshot: "Mum, I can't go to school today............. my jaw hurts............ I can't speak....... French."
HA HA HA! Too Funny. I could see realisation dawn on him - that he was speaking to me.

Bless him. He went to school of course.

Today, Saturday 10th March, I did my first practice graft! Thanks a million to Patrick, the local lad that is teaching me. The cherry laurel (I think) hedge has been subjected to scientific experiment. Happy and lucky me.
I am sure it is obligatory - I did cut myself, just the once.

My first ever experimental graft, Patrick called it a crown graft (greffe en couronne)

He showed me two other types of crown graft too. Very exciting. Plus tomorrow we are off to the garden to do some wild grafting on the wild trees - cherries and hawthorn. Any pip onto any pip and any stone onto any stone.

Meanwhile the boys helped create a potato patch

and the chicken palace II is coming along nicely

and the new seed/planting area in the greenhouse too

Planting an orchard in two days

Well, life is never dull around here, I can tell you. To go in one weekend from watching the rain fall and thinking the trees were not going to be able to be planted as planned, to spending a night (got to bed at 5am) driving to a hospital over an hour away, to planting 40 odd trees and cooking a quiche for the school fête, oh, and trying to accomplish all the normal, everyday chores, I certainly am not a bored person.

So yes, the most important news is that with the help of several members of my wonderful, blessed family all the trees have been duly planted. On Friday under or between the showers of rain three helpers went poo picking - oh I'm sorry, I mean picking horse manure - I just like to say it how it is. A trailer full of sand was also collected.

Saturday morning Ivor and I went to pick up the 36 trees from the local producer - organic and rustic varieties. We already had a conference pear to plant. We also did a round trip via several shops so the planting finally started in the afternoon of the 16th December 2017. The first 8 of those 36 were duly planted before night fell, with three spaces prepared for the next day.

After a night of celebration cut short by the birthday girl's (Tana, 52 years old :) little finger being squashed inadvertently and exploding needing a night time visit to hospital plus 6 stitches and a 250km odd round trip on my part resulting in a 5am bedtime (I am stifling a yawn as I type, but it is so important that I write this), I woke after dreaming of Gravenstein trees raring to go.

So today, 17th December 2017 the rest of the trees have found their home. A massive shout out to the helpers - Nigel, Salix, Fabien, Ivor and Reuvan.

Highlights of the day - Reuvan lying down on the ground trying to work out how long a meter is.

Ivor managing to not hit anyone with his tool.

Salix having a tool handle snap on him.

Reuvan and Fabien listening too loudly to reggae music as they dug the last few tree holes.

The rain starting just as the last tree went in and I managed to walk around the new orchard (oooh, I can actually use that word now can't I?) to put all 50 trees on the plan. Which I shall share as soon as I have digitalised it.

The soil is fantastic, easy digging, grass and grass roots removed, each tree dipped in a watery mix of soil and rotted horse poo before being placed lovingly in a hole. After much consultation and discussion we have decided to go for the horseshoe swale around each tree, to try to minimise watering. The good news is that Kirsty and John and Nigel, whilst taking a walk around the land 'discovered' another reservoir for water collection, which looks somewhat like a well... We shall see.

A leap forward

Mark the date!

Yesterday the greenhouse went up! With the help of an amazing crew, we have extended our growing season by several weeks! It has taken a few days, the success of such a venture being reliant on good preparation.
From choosing what kind of plastic to put up, to measuring the arches, which as it turns out are not all exactly the same, to having trenches dug, to refilling in trenches and re-digging them by hand, great fun was had by all. Some strenuous effort, some brain work - what position as regards the sun, the prevailing or the dangerous wind - your choice. Best part? The moment when you realise that it's really time to start throwing, raking, shovelling earth onto the edges of the greenhouse plastic :

There was a competition over which side would end up with the least creases... We definitely won :D



The greenhouse is a great environment to work in and with. It's exciting to be planning the ground design, one aisle or two? Having been to visit a few and had my own this takes some thinking!

Here is a photo of the greenhouse in 2008, at the Funny Farm:

and again:

and here is the new one - shall we play spot the difference :D

As I seem to only manage to post every few months, here is a quick run down - yes, I have left things out - of our activities end 2017 beginning 2018.

One of my favourite pastimes is taking cuttings and growing them on (I am looking forward to my grafting lessons) and of course the greenhouse is a great place for this. This spring will see an increase in transplanting from the old garden up the hill. The old garden is helping fill the new one.  We have already brought down a good number of cuttings from established plants, amongst others some from the gooseberry plant that I brought from my mum's garden in London! The boys dug up a couple of plants too - black currant, gooseberry, and a rose. The cuttings I brought into the house are looking splendid.

The trees in the newly planted orchard are closely surveyed, flowers are appearing, one of the almonds is budding furiously - the blossoms will burst out soon, but for the moment all is stagnant as we pass through a cold snap.

The grape vine near the pool has been hacked at - oh, I mean pruned (heavily) - we shall see what we shall see and five new vines have been planted by Noah and Fabien. (Table grapes of varying varieties)
And the cherry was the first to explode into life:

I think we pick an average of five eggs a day and the 8 hens have been joined by a cockerel generously donated by Lolo so it looks like we shall be having chicks in spring. much to Ivor's delight I predict. Having spent so much energy on the amazing Chicken Palace The First, the reality is that the position is not the best (it stinks), so Chicken Palace II is on its way, a whole new design for our girls (and cock).

Also over the last month or so a local lad put up a chicken-proof fence between us and the neighbours - the garden is now completely secure from donkeys or any such-like orchard destroyer. While he was here he couldn't resist swiftly rebuilding this dry-stone wall! He made it look so easy.

An important part of modern farming imho is water recuperation. So the brains of the operation have been busy researching ways of making this a reality reusing one 1000l container from the old farm, plus two 'new' ones bought through the internet.

Music to my eyes. I believe in watering an absolute minimum, and I believe that water is becoming increasingly scarce. So recuperation, storing and minimal use are in order.



Here are my favourite surreal photos of the project so far:

yes that is a gate in the middle of a field

and yes that is a heater in the middle of the greenhouse!

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

Thought of the day

So yesterday I had a day off. I walked round to a friend's house - a 11km round trip. It felt good being out, watching the birds, the clouds, feeling the wind. Whilst drinking a few cups of Verveine tea (actually by the end of the afternoon it was just hot water, but still) we discussed many subjects, laughed a lot, re-knotted some neglected ties, a truly special few hours, followed by a perfect walk home in the evening sunshine. Of course, I could have done many other things with my Sunday, but I think it was the right decision. One of our thoughts of the day was:
Entre ce que nous devrons rêver, et ce que nous ne devons pas oublier, il y a le présent.
Between that of which we should dream, and that which we should not forget, there is the present.

here are some random photos of the last few days...

He insisted on bringing a wooden board up to the Tour de Fa to eat his apple... He carried it of course :)

For those in the know, what is missing from this photo? :( Nothing lasts for ever...

The Queensland Blue is disappointingly orange - Orange is the new blue???

If anyone can guess the picture I will eat the puzzle :D

One of my walks this week... Bugarech in the background