No Peaches This Year

It looks like the mini-orchard at Custom Gardens won't be producing any peaches or apricots this year. This seems strange to me, since last year we had peaches growing thick as grapes, so numerous that they were crowding and stunting each other's growth. This year, nothing.

It is almost certainly a result of our miserably cold Spring and late frosts, or perhaps the ever-present winds have knocked off all the blossoms. I asked Ray why we don't seem to be doing well with stone fruit this year, and honest as ever he says "I have no idea." The rule of thumb is that one in three years is a good year for fruit in Nevada. This just isn't our year.

On the plus side, the strawberries are doing better than anyone could hope for, potatoes are growing well, and corn, melons and summer squash are starting to peek through the dirt. This is the strength of a diversified small farm, particularly in a treacherous climate like ours--even if one crop fails (like our corn did last year), you're just as likely to be having a banner year with something else.