Be ready to be surprised.
~Loesje quote
“Why do we have peaches growing in our front yard?” The question came yesterday from our sixteen year-old daughter as she was kneeling on the sofa watching for her elder sister to arrive. “Nobody else on our street has food growing in the front yard…weird.” I thought back to three years ago and a frigid, gloomy January afternoon. Sitting on our sofa and looking out at the bleak sky I decided it would be nice to have a small tree near the house. I wanted to observe it changing with the seasons, catch glimpses of birds that settled in the branches and enjoy the snow frosted limbs in winter. The following spring we brought home a dwarf ‘Reliance’ peach tree and planted it out front next to the driveway.
I hadn’t planned to buy a fruit tree, it was an impulse purchase from our favorite nursery and I must confess… the most wonderful one yet! As hubby dug the hole and I added the compost he kept asking “Are you sure you want it here?” Yes, right there. “Next to the driveway?” Yes. Truthfully, we didn’t have a lot of options…we’re almost out of room! Turns out it was the ideal spot… the drainage is excellent, the tree is protected from wind and our resident doe won’t approach it because it’s so close to the house.
It’s the perfect spot for another reason, too. We’ve had many a passerby stop to ask about our peach tree. Two weeks ago our son brought his friend’s father over because he saw it from the road and was fascinated by the thought of growing his own fruit. He’s since returned two more times and has ‘toured’ the yard to see what else he may like to grow. They’re adding a vegetable garden and fruit trees to their yard next spring. Just last night as our same son and his two friends were walking through the yard, one friend turned to our son and said, “You guys live like people used to way back when… living off the land!” I’m not sure if he was joking, but I was thrilled! I know a lot of people that grow food all over their yards, and a fruit tree growing in the front yard isn’t unusual by any means… but it is in our neighborhood and people have noticed. That’s a good thing and though that’s not why we planted it there, it’s a really good reason to grow peaches in the front yard! Happy gardening!
You are right: people are noticing, you are getting their attention, and making them think more about their own outdoor spaces.
I think what we say to others about growing is important, but what we live often speaks much louder. Here’s to hoping a few more gardens are created in my small neighborhood, and thank you so much for reading!
So glad you shared your peach tree with us! I just planted a Red Haven peach tree that I bought from our local farmer’s market…an impulse purchase too! We won’t have edible fruit for 2 years. Your tree is much bigger than mine…is your fruit edible? Also, how do you keep the birds from eating your peaches? Thanks!
Hi Leigh-Anne! Yes, our peaches are edible. Our tree was two-years old when we purchased it and once planted in organic compost it really took off! This is the third year since planting and as you can see it’s loaded! Birds haven’t been much of an issue thus far, but I have seen several squirrels nipping at the fruit as it ripens. One popular (and organic) way to deter them is to hang small bags of organic cow manure from the trees. The small muslin bags resemble large tea bags are are barely noticeable among the branches. The odor isn’t discernible to people, but to animals is certainly is. Another method is to use bird netting to cover the tree until it’s time to harvest the fruit. Best of luck!