Yesterday, I noticed this little fig on one of three fig trees that I have growing in pots. Today, on further inspection, I noticed two more smaller figs on the same plant. I'm so excited, yay!
Years ago, Vinomaker was given a Mission fig (
Ficus carica) as a gift; it was planted out in a low spot in Vinoland, down by the creek, where it was promptly killed by the first frost of the winter.
The next spring, I noticed three small plants growing under a large oak tree by the house with leaves that looked suspiciously fig-like. As I do with 99% of all growing things I find that pique my interest I potted them up and put them in the
nursery, alongside an assortment of potted grapevines (my emergency reserves). And there they have remained for the past four or more years, protected from severe, low temperatures by their proximity to Vinoland's barn. I have made a promise to the fig trees that from now on I will take better care of them.
Everything seems to be thriving in Vinoland. I picked my first ripe tomato today and it looks like I should have enough for a salad by next weekend. The figs are going to take a bit longer.
No, it's only just begun, but it is time to put the picking knives away until harvest 2009. We brought our own Cabernet sauvignon in last Sunday. Vinomaker was ready this morning for the last batch of a friend's Cab, but it didn't materialise...Mother Nature had other ideas. Timing, in life, is everything. Whilst Vinomaker and I were enjoying 90 plus degree temps last May, the grapevine flowers were not. Things got hot, the flowers did not pollinate properly, a percentage of berries did not form thus resulting in poor fruit set and consequently a reduced crop. It's a condition called shatter. Hence not enough Cab to go around, (same problem with the Cabernet franc two weeks ago). We will have to be content with the Cab, Syrah, Pinot grigio, Semillion, Orange muscat and Viognier we already have...hic!
