SOMETHING IS A-STIRRING IN THE GARDEN

Returning home from a brief trip to the UK, I was struck by how dry my island home had become in the short time that I'd been away. Due to a lack of rain, many trees are already turning brown and dropping their leaves and the grass has turned a pale straw colour. My poor cocoa sapling has no leaves at all and one of the avocado trees finally seem to have given up.  It's sad to see a three year old tree give up when it has done so well thus far. Perhaps it will send some new shoots - I'll give it some recovery time and review the prognosis.  

As with all things, thankfully, there is a balance and whilst some trees have lost their leaves, others are putting forth new growth and all around young fruits are making their debut. Lime, mango, gauva and more, are showing off the cutest miniature versions of the real thing.  Curiously, the Golden Apple (spondias cytherea), has lost all it's leaves but still has a good crop of new fruit. Before long, we will barely be able to spot the fruit amongst the lush new foliage.

In the driveway, although the grass is looking rather rough and unkempt and the temporary gate looks as though it is about to keel over, the young trees seem to be holding their own and the  Cashew has donned her first pretty pink flowers and burnished copper leaves.  Fingers crossed that they will go on to make fruit and eventually nuts!

So all in all, whilst Europe struggles with the snow, here in St Lucia there is almost a sense of spring in the air and I feel spurred on to start thinking about planting seeds. It is also Full Moon this week, so anything potted needs to be transplanted. Using traditional local methods, the weekend will mean that I should decide if I'll be planting any root crops and if so, what? I need to consider whether the time is right or whether I should wait until the next moon.  Perhaps by then we may have had more rain which would give seeds and newly transplanted saplings a better chance of survival.

By the way, it's not just the plants that are a-stirring in the garden - can you tell what the creature in the last photo is?  OK, it's a really poor quality photo - these fellas move like grease lighting - but you might just be able to make him out.....

Cashew with it's new coppery leaves and pink flowers 

One of several baby limes on the potted tree waiting to be transplanted

A mature Golden Apple tree full of fruit but without leaves for now

My favourite variety, Mango Palwee, small, sweet and a lovely shade of bright yellow when ripe.

The three year old Julie Mango tree showing it's first fruit

Cashew, Acerola, Golden Apple, Pomegranate and Love Apple saplings settling in nicely

A very poor photo - these fellas are as quick as lightening....but can you see what it is?

MARGARITA TIME?

Our newest addition, a small lime tree, is sitting patiently in the early morning sun on the verandah waiting for the next Full Moon.

Already heavily ladened with three good sized limes, this little tree purchased from the local Agriculture Department, has burst into the most heavenly scented flowers, some of which have quickly (in just a matter of days) transformed into clusters of fruit buds. I am almost frightened to plant her (it looks like a her to me), for fear that the trauma of being moved may disturb the developing fruit. Then there is the question of whether these clusters of fruit buds need to be thinned in order to produce better quality limes?  I will have to consult the Citrus Guru (my father).

He has already informed me that the fruit, which I assumed to be fully mature and begging to be picked (based on their size), will not be ready for some weeks yet.  Apparently, I will know they have reached perfection when they  become less dense to the touch, their skin will lose its dimples and become almost totally smooth and shiny - only then will they be juicy and full flavoured.  Clearly in all things garden related, patience is a virtue and Margarita Time will have to wait, for this little tree at least.