The Joy of June Jams

One of the first things I suggest to anyone who has a bit of space in the yard is to get some fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and strawberry plants. It sounds so easy, but most people I feel don’t actually follow through because they just don’t believe these things will grow and produce anything real. I’m saying this because I too was a naysayer and nonbeliever. I mean, yes of course I knew where fruit came from; the store. And yes, deep down I knew those beautiful pieces of fruit glistening on the racks, canned on aisle 3, or frozen in colorful bags in the freezers grew in nature and were picked by someone. But that whole world was super exclusive and a bit intimidating to me until I tried it myself all those years ago.

It was pretty unspectacular at first. I mean, it’s super neat to have wee little apple trees, a pear tree, and plum tree; and all the old timers said to grab a bunch of blueberry bushes and plant them anywhere I’d remember to water them. I even went so far as to place a cherry tree in a handmade wooden box (thank you Craig and Mahala) in the half circle of our driveway. Though I planted all these homesteader things, I really didn’t believe much would happen. True, it was a bit of work to purchase the trees and bushes, dig the holes for them, and then of course the watering that’s required to keep them alive during summer is a chore (a good one at that).

I felt like I watered them for years before much happened, but there were small moments of awe that kept me intrigued (though I was still skeptical); like when the blueberries filled more than my hand and a few apples, pears, and plums literally grew out of the most beautiful buds that bloomed in the spring. And then, something shifted. The roots took hold and nature took over.

Needless to say I am now one of the old timers who tells, well, practically begs people to plant fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and strawberry plants. Once established (it takes a minute), you will receive the most beautiful and bountiful gifts year after year after year. It is seriously one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced, and one of life’s greatest joys. Whether you eat them fresh from the tree, share them with the community, can them for fall and winter, it is one of the easiest and most extravagant events on the planet. Even if you have no time at all, all you need is some room in the freezer, and all year long nature is literally at your fingertips! The best part? You don’t need to be a gardener, or farmer, or expert in anything fruit related. Those trees, bushes and hearty strawberry plants just love being alive and love when you come over, say hello, and love them up with a bit of water.

Since building our homestead over two decades ago, my love for the fruit trees took on a life of it’s own. We have four apple trees, three cherry trees, a mulberry bush, a pear tree, two plums, six elderberries, and an almond tree. We also have 20 blueberry bushes, and row after row of strawberries in every garden space (I often dig up the spreaders to keep the walk ways clear and share with the community). We eat lots of the fruit fresh when it first arrives, but then I get busy canning all that love for the winter. It is spectacular to pull out a jar of pears, cherries or blueberries and spread it on warm toast, or warm it up on the stove and scoop it over plain yogurt or vanilla ice cream! All that summer time nutrition packs a punch during those winter days, and I sure am grateful for all the work I put in when the fruit was at its peak.

I hope this months blog inspires any of you who have thought about how fun it would be to step outside your home and pick natures gifts and eat them up. She LOVES nourishing her children, and that includes you! The connection you start building with the earth, and the bees, and the little spiders, and all the creatures who co-exist with you is just as special as your own homemade apple pie; or we can just start with apple slices! Either way, its a gift from nature, but also a gift to yourself. So go ahead, grab that fruit tree and blueberry bush, and don’t forget those strawberry starts, and get that shovel moving. Next year at this time your heart (and tummy) will thank me.