Also, I bet once your trees are planted and begin to take on a forest environment the grasshoppers wont bother you too much. From what I understand, grasshoppers like open spaces with dry weedy grasses.

I am the proud owner of a Mackintosh fruit tree now and four blueberry bushes.

what kind of fruit does a Mackintosh fruit tree have?

Apple?

I have on orchard and small fruit gardens, too! There are apples, pears,plums,and peaches in the tree area.The small fruits are arranged cuttage garden style along with the herbs and vegetables. I have grapes on arbors with strawberries in raised beds under them.There are blueberries,rhubarb,and blackberries. There are some feral plum and pear trees farther out in the yard.

That sounds wonderful! We also have a forum dedicated to fruit and vegetables and your photos would be very appreciated and would surely spawn much new conversation.

Thanks so much Dave! I am new to the site and appreciate the advice on posting on the fruit and vegetable forum!

Reading this thread and wondering about up dates
Did the small trees get in the ground? and where did the grapes go ?
And anyone get produce(fruit)from their gardens?

No fruit on any of mine yet except for the pear trees. I found some muscadine grapes and blueberry plants Ill be putting in from pots this year.

Lots of chinaberries to get out of the way before I can procede. The muscadines are going along an old fence line that cuts across the width of my 3 acre property. When I moved in back in the 1980s there was a grape arbor back there. Some time I should rebuild it.

What are chinaberries? Not familiar?

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/nod...

China berries are perverse invasive trees. The berries form seeds that can remain in the soil for years, then sprout when you are least suspecting. The berries are poisonous and can cause a goat to vomit for days after eating them.

Sound nasty , especially because I love goats.
I do remember seeing some of those in Florida once when I was visiting (always good to learn something new)

Ok sticking with topic :
I will be transplanting 2 of three peach trees. Last year I had volunteers come up in my new perennial bed . It was planted on a spot I use to have a peach tree , the tree died , and it looks like these came up from some pits. The tree was a Georgia Peach and had yummy peaches.

milkmood said:Haven't considered vertical layering yet, except that I definitely intend to grow lower perennials under the shade of any/all fruit trees. The sun here is so harsh in the summer, it's a miracle that anything survives.

*I* think running grapes up a tree would be okay, as grapevines don't tend to be constrictive or parasitic. I would, however, be concerned about the vines not getting enough sun down under a tree, but I'm far from a grape expert.

We have wild mustangs and muscadines growing up and under several Pecan trees. They are prolific fruiters and don't seem to mind. The pecans are large and stand pretty much by themselves. We back the truck underneath and stand on the tailgate to harvest. Grapes also grow on the water oaks by the river.

Starting a berry patch! Have 16 blackberries and 14 raspberries - dozen or so cultivars - going in the ground this weekend! Has anyone tried/grown honey berries?

Hi
and welcome to ATP
I have heard of honey berries and considered them but have never tasted one and don't know anyone who has ...so I am a bit reluctant to try them.
If you do Please report back so we all can know

Sounds like you have the making of a great berry patch. Will you be making jam or are they all for fresh eating?

I've wanted to grow honeyberries but I have heard from many sources that they won't do well in the heat of Texas so I haven't tried it yet.

Thank you for the welcome! Honestly, it depends on the yield - we'll eat all we can and make jellies and jams with the rest. I'm not sure what to expect this first year. We ordered from Berries Unlimited and everything looks happy and healthy, but predictably small. The exception are the Brazos Blackberries purchased at our local Co-op. They have a bit more growth and have started flowering and should fruit. I'm just excited to finally have a berry patch!

Thanks for the feedback on the heat tolerance - I may be a sucker and try them next year anyway!

Mel McJames
" wild mustangs and muscadines" do you mean wild mustang HORSES eat the grapes (muscadines)?

In that area of Texas there is a wild grape called Mustang Grape and they are actually very useful for making wine. Back when we lived in that area we made a 5 gallon batch of the best grape wine I've ever had. Loved it.

Thanks for the enlightenment, Dave! The only mustangs we know about here are the one's that the BLM is rounding up! Got any handy references for making wine? I will have a good batch of muscedines late this summer--the purple one's.