Spring has begun to flower out here in Sonoma! Always the first to make it’s appearance is the cherry plum tree, but the nectarine and plum aren’t far behind.
This year we are hell bent on not having peach leaf curl on our trees, like last year. Last year we were bad about spraying through winter and our nectarine tree took the brunt of the peach leaf curl the worst. All the leaves were affected and all curled up and fell off. With great luck a new batch of leaves grew out and were fine, however the fruit we received was smaller than usual and had some damage to it.
We spray with a copper spray, which is probably the most inorganic thing we do in our yard, however peach leaf curl has become something of an enemy to us, so we’ve loosened our reigns on our ‘only organic’ stance on that nasty fungus. The rule of thumb is to spray on the three winter holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentines. We missed Thanksgiving, but we got Christmas in and Valentines. Just in time too because the trees are just about to burst forward in bloom and you want to get your spraying in before that happens.
Did you spray this winter?
Don’t you just love this weather. I’m sure it is a tease, and we will have more rain, but that is good to keep things green much longer and prevent the need for watering.
My poor raised beds are so empty and calling to me. Have some weaving/knitting/fiber sorting to do, but hopefully the garden is next.
Best,
Debbie
Argh. I forgot dormant oil. Crud.
I have spent the last few days reading over posts for the last few years and I love this blog. Thank you for putting the time and effort into it! My husband has been encouraging me to begin my own blog after I spent all of last summer making detailed journal entries everyday into one of my old college notebooks.
In addition to being an aspiring pro-gardener, I am also an aspiring pro-photographer. I think it is your images in your blog that I connect with most. I love your choice in focus. Whether it is a plant, a child, or a chicken you choose you point of interest and allow the rest if the image to fall away-very beautiful! I am wondering what camera you use? and what lense you use most?
Thanks again- VT
Hi VT – I use a Canon EOS30D and my favorite lens is my 50mm. Please do start a blog. I’d love to read it and took at your pictures!
Hi,
I wanted to thank you for posting your deodorant recipe. Unfortunatelly, my family was struck with cancer. It happened to my first cousin; she was only 32 yrs old. After that we all have tried to live a healthier life and as much as possible getting rid of products that have harmful chemicals, like deodorant with aluminum. I have tried so many storebought natural products, but they didn’t work, hated the smell, or where too expensive. I tried your recipe and LOVE IT! The only think is that I see my shirts somewhat stained and it doesn’t come out with the wash. I don’tknow if its from the shea butter, do you get the same?
Thanks for your beautiful blog. I enjoy it very much.
Gabriella
Hi Gabriella, I’m sorry to hear about your cousin, what a young age! I’m glad you love the deodorant, me too! I haven’t noticed much underarm stains on shirts….but you are right, it might be the shea butter. I have a homemade detergent recipe that I’m going to share soon that’s been really great about getting things clean, so keep your eyes posted in the next week or two for that.
We were able to get in 2 applications this winter.
Hi! Thanks for posting this and showing the pictures from last year. We are newly renting a house in the East Bay and given we have such an usually big back yard, feel compelled to garden! My kids and I finally got out there today to begin preparing the beds and noticed our fruit tree leave curling. Too late to help them now (plum, peach or mango (can’t tell yet! & apple). But we’ll know what to do in the winter! We are brand-new to gardening, but I love to cook & eat healthy, so it’s going to be a fun project. Can’t wait to read through your other entries!