...the planting begins

The orchard will be a work in progress for years to come, but we are so excited to begin the process next week as we head down to our property 700 miles away.  We will only stay for a week this trip, so a little concerned how the new transplants will fare once we depart.  The final move is getting ever closer, but still at least a couple of months away.  So, this first year, we plan on a deep mulch garden, hoping the clay will hold the moisture in the mulch to give us a fighting chance at this long-distance gardening.   If we lose some of it, we are no worse off than not trying to plant at all this year, right?  Or so our thoughts.

Our daughter who lives in the area picked up our first fruit trees for us and I am anxious to get them in the ground.  So our orchard will begin with these trees this season.  Hoping to add a few more in the Fall.

Gala Apple
Honey Crisp Apple
Belle of Georgia Peach
Red Globe Peach
Kieffer Pear

We also picked up a few starter plants for our Berry Patch:

• 4 blueberry bushes
• 6 red raspberry canes- 2 are everbearing
• 5 black raspberry transplants that are already thriving on the property
• 20 strawberry plants
• Goji berry bush

The seeds I started inside are ready for transplant and I am so excited to get them in the gardens.

• pumpkins - for the grandkids 😉
• acorn squash
• butternut squash
• zucchini
• mixed colored peppers

We plan to direct sow this year:

• yukon potatoes
• red potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• assorted onions & leeks
• rhubarb
• carrots
• spinach
• mesclun mix
• leafy lettuce varieties
• kentucky pole beans
• edible pea pods
• tomatoes - many varieties
• assorted colored peppers
• radishes

The raised herb beds will start with some of my favorites:

• Dill
• Marjoram
• Sweet Basil
• Parsley - curly and flat leaf
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Garlic

What are your favorite things to grow and harvest from your gardens?  And for those of you who are successfully gardening with red clay as your soil base...what are your tips and tricks for amending this type of soil?  I have never had clay as soil base, so I anticipate a huge learning curve over the next few years as I work toward a more plant-friendly fertile soil.  If you deep mulch garden - any advice for a newbie on this style of planting?

Pictures are coming I promise!  We will be at the homestead next Monday but with limited access to the internet.  As soon as possible I'll post a photo update on the property and what we are able to accomplish in a week of working on the house as well as what we are able to get started in the gardens.

Until then, blessings to all.

Planting update - the Orchard has a few trees!