Gardens are about hope—hope that our efforts will be rewarded and the promise of a plant or crop. In January I found a perfectly shaped low-chill fruit tree at a favorite nursery—a Babcock peach.. As a child, I remember eating the Babcock peaches from my grandparents’ tree in Laguna Beach. They were white with a little red near the center and incredibly juicy.

We planted the Babcock peach and then when a few blossoms set fruit we removed them but one was spared. The peach will be ready to pick soon and I am hopeful.

I’m also hopeful that our marionberry crop will be free of the Botrytis fungus that has plagued the berries for five foggy, cool summers. We were especially careful to tie up and separate canes to promote excellent air circulation and thin weak ones. It has been a breezy spring which may be helpful. So we remain hopeful and expectant.

We’ve gathered a few ‘Dorsett Golden’ apples and next week I’ll be busy with those.

Nectaplums will be ready in July

But what keeps us hustling now are the apricots. We’re thinking this could be a year for 70 pounds of our favorite fruit. Note the good catch by the fennel plant growing outside the fence.