At one with Ma Nature

[Iowa Dave]

Today, May 12 2022, my apple trees are In full bloom. This is the latest they’ve bloomed in 16 years. I had been concerned about 2 weeks ago when there was significant bud swell and 22 degrees F over night temps but they were ok. And these three 90F days we’ve had popped them and pollination is on.

To paraphrase The New Seekers
“Grow apple trees, and bumble bees and momma Robin nesting out of the breeze.”

The Robin is nesting on the solar controller with 7.2 kWh capacity.. First year for that.
The single tree is a Cortland Apple that bears great fruit and the bumble bee is
Just doing what he does best, assuring us we will have something to eat. Respect the pollinators!

[kavm]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

[Bobbie54]

It's been cooler than usual here and it is odd what plants and birds care and which ones do not. The rhubarb has been up and ready and started bolting early. Asparagus is going to town though it started a bit later. Strawberries are blooming (pinching them off for now.) But I planted (after hardening off) my squash and hail took out the spaghetti squash plants. Barn swallows have built nests about two weeks early (though not sitting yet and I just relocated their finished nest from the top of a rose fertilizer can on my porch cabinet).

Way not warm enough for tomatoes and apparently, squash. Roses are just starting to bud (had blooms at this time in other years.) Tree swallows are here but not sure where they are nesting. It's all so confused. Oh, and the white pelicans have arrived. (Not in my yard but in my wider back yard!)

[Fender]

Cortlands are my favourite apple!
Last year was a spectacular year for apples in our area. I was getting Cortlands as big as grapefruit from our local orchard.
Typically larger fruit doesn't mean better but these were delicious.
Happy growing!

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Fender

Cortlands are my favourite apple!
Last year was a spectacular year for apples in our area. I was getting Cortlands as big as grapefruit from our local orchard.
Typically larger fruit doesn't mean better but these were delicious.
Happy growing!

I have a couple Wolf Rivers too. Here’s one of my granddaughters last Fall with one she tackled but for some reason couldn’t finish.

The advertising slogan on the Wolf River (developed in Wisconsin) was “One apple can make a pie”

Rain or watering at critical times, good soil with natural drainage and worm aeration and pollinators at bloom all work together I’ve found.
Those Cortlands knock me out. I really like them
Iowa Dave

[peter]

I think for sure shes the apple of your eye!!!!

[Mike G]

We usually have had a week of ripe mulberries by now. This year the green ones are just showing up, looks like I might have some to eat in another week.