A stunning turn around

After the heavy frost damage in April, we've bounced back, almost. The pomegranate orchard has growth but little production at this time. We'll take the win that they didn't completely die. A few tiny flowers is better than none. Art has worked on cutting the hay back around the perimeter of the orchard. The big cut will come in June. We've had a dry May so the orchard required a few rounds of watering. When checking the lines and nozzles we did find a few turtles that have returned.

A few dragonflies following Art around the orchard.

We've been in full weed and pest patrol mode with in the garden. Art worked the bush beans and onions reducing the weeds. We've each taken a turn tying the tomatoes to the installed wood supports and smashing the bugs on the potato leaves.

We've enjoyed the fruits of our labors. Harvested a few potatoes, they were stunning and so tasty. Strawberries have been steadily producing and they are delicious. We've collected a few rounds of mint for tea and several rounds of chamomile. And the salad greens, spinach, kale, and collard green are nice and fresh. Tomatoes, pepper and eggplants are flowering. The beans are climbing.

So not only are we eating very well from the garden our food forest has been activated with the start of mulberry season. On property we have four large mature trees: two white wild mulberries, one wild black mulberry and one white domestic mulberry. Art has taken to the ladder on most days to collect a bowl full at a time to snack on. He has climbed the tree a few times but we saved the big shake down for a round of pekmez (molasses).

Art managed to climb and shake three out of four mulberry trees. We make mulberry molasses from the mulberries each year. It's called mana pekmez here in Albania. The thick sweet syrup is great with salads, pancakes, toast, and so much more.

The process from tree to table

We also collected some white plumpy mulberries to dry.

Drying mulberries

We had our busiest month yet with guests staying here at the Orchard Guard Tower. We've added guests from South Africa, Belgium, Switzerland, 4 from Germany, Poland, Albania, and the US (Colorado). We've shared a bottle of wine and many great conversations with our guests and are always fascinated to hear what drew them to our corner. Some were were seeking a quiet refuge from the city, one chose our place because of the tiny home appeal and another wanted some time with nature near the border. The one thing these guests all had in common is their desire to stay longer. We love hosting and will gladly welcome our guests back anytime.

I mean check out the views.

Inspecting the walnut, hazelnut and chestnut trees and we are happy to report we have success.

A few plums, thana, and pears are still growing.

The persimmon trees have recovered from the frost. However, the fruit growth on the mature trees is very very light so far. The great news is that the four new persimmon trees we planted this spring are doing well and one has a fruit. WINNING!

Our June figs are coming soon and the other figs are thriving with new growth.

The apple trees are thriving but we've been proactive with little pouches to protect the fruits from wormy pests.

The bees and butterflies are loving the continued growth of wild flowers, roses and grape blossoms.

The pomegranates in the garden are getting lots of love from the bees.

The vineyard has filled in quite nicely over the last thirty days. We spent a few days clearing excess leaves, undeveloped grapes and empty stems from the vines. We have a new variety of grape called manakuqe (red grape) that is producing for the first time this year. Bringing our total to five varieties of grapes: merlot, çylek, pink, white and manakuqe. I am looking forward to taste testing these in a few months.

In animal news. We were blessed with five mama hens so far this year. The last two hatched in May, adding another 11 to our growing population. We are still averaging eight to ten eggs a day. But they have gotten a wee bit more crafty choosing where to lay. We found two in the hay on top of the compost pile at the end of the garden. Despite two perfectly built coops with laying boxes it is still a hunt every evening. And our little chicks from April are finding their own personalities. Some more aggressive than others.

Houdini and Camel aka the pigs are enjoying the bounties of mulberries, especially on windy days.

We did manage to take in a new attraction this month. A new coastal highway opened up between Shengjin and Velipoje. Two of the northern beach towns near us. A few sites look like they are under construction adding seaside view villas to the landscape.

And we had a date at Lake Shkoder that is ten minutes from the house. There are two lakeside restaurants that attract a lot of weekend traffic. So more often than not we go mid week and have the place pretty much to ourselves.

We've added the camera back to the woods and caught this fury a guy in the day and night a little too close to our hoop coop in the back.

Fox has been chattering behind the house as soon as it is fully dark and now we have eyes on him.

Overall May has been pretty great between the garden, vines, chickens. mulberries, and guests. Below is the beginning and end of the month. We look forward to our guests in June and additional fruits of our labor.

If you are visiting Albania. Stop by and say hello. We'll give you the grand tour. Cheers.