Spring..

.. has sprung!

I love Spring, it is my very favorite time of year.  Fragile blossoms, new leaves uncurling, spectacular!

California Poppies in the front yard, they re-seed every year and the bees love them

Anyhoo, a couple of years ago Nadim and I decided that we wanted an edible landscape.  Why waste precious space on grass?  So we systematically began ripping out the grass and replacing it with things to eat, California natives or herbs. 

Front yard, more poppies and lavender

The kids have enjoyed this process as well.  I planted a blueberry bush (ok, Nadim actually did the planting, I did the directing) on a north facing wall, right by the front door.  I would find the kids outside having a snack, before ever coming inside the house.

Blueberry bush is flowering and fruit is beginning to set

We've found that the best bang for our buck have been fruit trees.  They are the cheapest to buy bare root and give you fruit for years to come.

Nectarine tree is beginning to flower and leaf out

 Most of the fruit trees we have planted are ones that you either can't buy in the store or the flavor of the store bought fruit just can't compare to home grown.  You haven't lived until you've tasted a homegrown peach or nectarine.

Close up of a nectarine blossom

We have 4 fig trees, yes 4, and no we still don't have enough figs to go around.  Figs are Nadim's favorite fruit and are a close second for me.  We have 3 Black Mission fig trees and one white fig.

Black Mission fig in the courtyard, this tree has the best tasting fruit

 Last year we added this almond tree and it is really doing well.  We are looking forward to eating fresh almonds.

All In One Almond tree - 4 varieties of Almonds grafted onto 1 tree

Close up of an Almond Blossom

 Our latest addition to the garden is this Persimmon tree.  We got hooked on Persimmons up at Nadim's Dad's house.  They are awesome!  I could find persimmons at Whole Foods but they cost $3. each, so we put in a tree.  This is a Fuyu variety and is the pumpkin shaped persimmon.

One of the very first trees we planted was this Loquat tree.  You really can't find Loquats in stores because they are too perishable, but they are delicious!  We cut them in half, peel the skin off, take out the seeds and eat - heaven.  This year the loquat tree is loaded with fruit.

Big Jim variety of Loquat Tree

Loquat fruit

We buy all of our fruit trees from Laguna Hills Nursery, they have a booth at the Great Park Farmer's Market and also at the Old Town Orange Farmers Market.  Gary is the owner and he is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.

I hope I've inspired you to grow some of your own fruit and vegetables.  Even if you have just enough space for a container garden, you have lots of delicious options.

Happy Spring!