#orcharding — Public Fediverse posts

#ThreeGoodThings #3GoodThings

1. The #applejuice (actually a medley -- there are some #pears, #plums, maybe a little bit of banana pepper in it) has not gone off and there is still time to can it for later use, will get more jars tomorrow. 2 gallons. We did not have that many #apples but the neighborhood provides by dropping fruit at my feet as I ramble along the sidewalks with my two sticks. The juicer died so I blended everything and let the pomace drain through a screen basket. It's nice stuff. I pre-wash the sticky utensils with the hose over a bin and the #pomace and the wash water go to garden beds and trees.

Along with many #horticultural, #orcharding and #farming terms, Mastodon's speller does not seem to know "pomace." But it knows more of them than most of the competition. It is forgiven.

2. The last #potatoes are lifted. We were to hit 94F today, so I hurried a little. There may be orphans. These were a batch that sprouted after a family member bought them -- Pontiacs. I was out of garden beds and planted them close along the paver pathway down the middle of the caged (deer proof) garden. Deer don't bother them but there being no space elsewhere, in they went rather late. Did not do badly at all.

3. While walking, I passed a young girl who had just fished a book out of a free pile beneath a catalpa tree and was reading it already as she went by. I stopped at the same pile and came away with a pretty mug whose handle fits my fingers just right, and does not burn my lips with hot tea, just I hoped.

see it through

One should not have an orchard and
Not care for it; so she tries,
Even lurches from the depths of a chair

She's found at some thrift, pre-softened; from
Her house, warm or cool as she might wish,
Out into too much sun or too much rain; from
Under the kind roof of a porch she'd built,
Leaving tool after tool there to gather
Dust and webs, marks of a new will to

Neglect. Beyond the weed-bent fence, an
Orchard of sorts awaits her care, each
Task having skipped two years at least.

Hands grasp lopper and saw. She visits
Apple, quince, pear, plum, cherry, clipping
Vines, tall weeds, watersprouts, suckers;
Even designates branches for her stove.

As the forenoon warms, she strips off
Now her hat, next jacket, shirt and gloves,

Old skin offered to thorns, thistles,
Rough bark. Really she'd meant to hire it done,
Children of neighbors being short on cash.
Habit, she could call it. Habit, and the way
Apples come best that see right sun,
Ripe enough to pay her for some pains.
Do a thing yourself to see it through.

-- shonin #poetry #acrostic #gardening #orcharding

#UnityME - #MOFGA #SeedSwap & #ScionExchange 2026

March 29, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

MOFGA’s Education Center
294 Crosby Brook Rd
Unity, ME 04988 United States

Let us know you're coming!

* In the event of severe weather, the Seed Swap & Scion Exchange will be postponed to the following Sunday, April 5 from 12-4 pm.

"Gardeners and orchardists are invited to bring their #seeds, #scionwood and #cuttings to share. If you don’t have any, come anyway! There is always plenty of seeds and scion to go around.

If you’ve been to the event before, you know that space can get tight at the start of the event. We encourage folks to join the event later in the day — we promise, there are still plenty of seeds and scions available over the duration of the event!

Community members and local seed #growers regularly bring an incredible variety of #vegetable, #fruit, #flower, and #herb seeds. We also regularly have over 150+ types of scionwood to share, including scionwood sourced from MOFGA’s orchards. We will also have limited quantities of #rootstock for sale. Custom #grafting is available by donation to the #MaineHeritageOrchard.

Other items for sharing are welcome such as plants, cuttings, #seedlings, hatching eggs, #kombucha and #YogurtStarters, #salves and other homemade items.

The day’s offerings also include #gardening and #orcharding workshops and demonstrations. Our full list of educational offerings for the day is coming soon!"

FMI:
https://www.mofga.org/event-calendar/seed-swap-scion-exchange-2026/

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedExchange #MaineEvents #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #GardeningForPollinators #GardeningWorkshops

Anthracnose virus on a young golden russet. Made me sad to find it too late to save the tree. Need to cut down to the rootstock and see how that’s doing (it is leafed out, so may be ok.). So anthracnose is recognizable by its golden paper edges and stringy bits. #orcharding #Orchards #apples #permaculture