Early fruit

[Jenise]

Cherries, both red and Raniers--have been around for a few weeks now. And it's still May! Haven't bought any, but I've been binging on something far more rare: apricots, something that's rarely good when storebought, but what I've been buying have been excellent. Well, excellent for not personally picked off a tree at the peak of ripeness.

Strange early summer!

Cherries, both red and Raniers--have been around for a few weeks now. And it's still May! Haven't bought any, but I've been binging on something far more rare: apricots, something that's rarely good when storebought, but what I've been buying have been excellent. Well, excellent for not personally picked off a tree at the peak of ripeness.

Strange early summer!

Here's a factoid for you: when the previous ice age ended about 12,000 years ago, the Northeast was frigid and the Pacific Northwest--and Alaska--was desert-like. Some say that recent weather patterns across the country indicate we may be reverting.

[Jenise]

Sure seems like it, Thomas. In fact I'm counting on it for a big tomato season. I planted six!

Sure seems like it, Thomas. In fact I'm counting on it for a big tomato season. I planted six!

You want optimism: we planted 40. Well, not yet. Next week.

[Jenise]

I'd plant 40 too if I had the room. As it is, I only have room for five, which is why six is slightly overexuberant.

It is odd how apricots, specifically, are so variable, in a way that other stone fruit are not. Plums are the most reliable, ironically, given how often they are crossed with apricots. Peaches and nectarines are somewhat inconsistent, but apricots can be cardboard for entire seasons!

Luckily, the apricots are good this year around here, and the cherry season has been excellent.

Walt