I have talked about my small backyard in my posts before many times. For few years, I had fun growing herbs, mixed salad leaves, beans, cauliflower, tomatoes and peppers. Sadly, it stopped and took a different direction when the slugs invaded my garden. They started making their meals out of tender leaves and I was left with only plant skeletons. It all started after I planted some marigolds with lettuce. I am not sure how far I am correct because people do companion gardening to repel unwanted bugs but in my case it was opposite. I tried various tips and tricks to get rid of them completely but it was an ongoing process of catching and killing with natural methods. I grow an organic garden and have a pet so chemicals were out of the question. Eventually, after two seasons I surrendered to them and started container gardening, instead. I planted couple of fruit trees in the barren yard with tomatoes.
A fruit tree looks attractive along a fence but it is challenging to grow in a limited space. I chose two trees to experiment around, actually the other one is kind of a bush. All nurseries sell dwarf and semi dwarf fruit trees for small yards but they have to be carefully pruned to keep it compact. My backyard is sunny so one thing was favorable for growing any kind of fruit tree but I wanted something that do not need to cross pollinate so peach tree was perfect.
I planted this tree three years ago and it is my first year getting the fruit. I honestly know nothing about growing and pruning any fruit tree. I had to do a bit of research and the books from the library helped me gain insight into the basics. The tree did well in 3 years and I must say it was a joyful experience for me to watch green buds bloom into pink flowers and then into brilliant peaches.
I picked my first bounty of the season last week, though the size of the fruit is small because of my mistake of not thinning, but the juiciness and sweetness is unsurpassed. I was supposed to thin out my fruit as I do for roses but by the time I realized it was too late.
I already picked four times of the fruit what you see in the picture above and shared with my friends. And, there is still sufficient for me to enjoy this summer.
One of my favorite way to eat fresh fruits is in salad. Even though, summer fruits are perfect by themselves but a good dressing boost up their flavors. I saw a recipe of fruit salad with cheese, it surprised me and I simply wanted to try it out.
So, I take pride in sharing with you, an elegant peach fruit salad that celebrates my garden’s bountiful peaches, which is so much refreshing than just plain cut fruit. I drizzled it with honey balsamic mix which had fresh basil and mint from my container garden. It was amazing how flavorful the fruit and cheese combo came out with mild honey balsamic dressing. This salad is great for any combination of fruits but make sure you add peaches, soft mozzarella or ricotta cheese to it, that makes all the difference.
Have fun creating your own fruit salad!
FRESH PEACH FRUIT SALAD (serves 3)
adapted from Coast to Coast flavors
Ingredients:
3 peaches
1pear
3 plums
1/2 honeydew melon
2 bocconcini balls, quartered
Dressing
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp white balsamic vinegar (more if the fruits are too sweet)
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tsp mint, chopped
3 tsp, sweet basil, chopped
Method:
1. Using a melon baller, scoop out balls from melon. Cut all other fruits the way you want, and place it in a large bowl with melon balls.
2. In a small bowl, mix honey, walnut oil, balsamic vinegar and the herbs.
3. Add bocconcini to the fruit and pour dressing over fruit. Toss gently and cover with plastic wrap, place in fridge and allow to macerate for 1/2 an hour.
4. Serve.
I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions for me regarding slugs or fruit gardening.
Linked to Foodie Fridays.
Asmita
Congrats! The peaches look gorgeous and so does your salad! I love the cheese and balsamic vinegar in the salad. This one is a must try!
DivyaGCP
Nothing compares to the satisfaction of eating homegrown fruits/veggies.. Lovely refreshing salad.
Divya’s Culinary Journey
Jenn Kendall
this sounds like an absolutely delicious fruit salad, so many wonderful flavors in here!
Shirley Tay
I’m allergic to insects. I freaked out even at the sight of ants. Hahaha! Hence, I can never have plants. What a healthy & colourful treat, my dear!
Thks for your entry @ my National Day August Bellabox + Int’l Giveaway! Don’t worry about the FB step, I’ve entered your name into the draw. Good Luck!
Balvinder Ubi
I am scared of touching any critters so wear gloves while working in the garden.
Thanks for entering my name without the facebook thing.
Swathi Iyer
Neetu, I don’t have much advice to offer. I have orange tree standing for about 6 years still no fruit yet.
Delicious peach salad, love the fruit.
Guru Uru
Your photos smell of summer and relaxation my friend, I look forward to it 😀
Your fruit salad has everything to make anyone smile!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
yummychunklet
I love ripe, juicy peaches. This salad looks fantastic.
Navaneetham Krishnan
I wish I had the space to plant fruits but not possible with the small plot of land I have. Those herbs are plenty because they don’t need much space and its great to go into my garden and plucked them to use for my cooking.
I can understand how great the feeling to reap such beautiful fruits from your own tree. Fruit salad and I will always say yes.
Wish I stayed nearby you so that I can get some of those fruits from your tree.
Balvinder Ubi
Everyone is getting peaches who comes to my home, even the painters who are painting our house.
Soni
How lucky you are to have peaches grow in your backyard!!This salad looks perfect for these summer days 🙂
anne
I love gardening as well but I guess plants don’t really like me much ! lol Even herbs tends to die after a month or so tsk tsk 😛 😀 Your luscious peaches make me sigh ….. I wish I could eat some homegrown freshly-picked peaches right now 😀 And that salad ?! Absolutely wonderful ! Love everything you put in there !
Balvinder Ubi
Anne, Plants don’t know who to love and hate, you should learn to love them.
LinsFood
I think you’ve done remarkably well with your peach tree! I do a lot of container gardening too as the main garden is a kids’ zone where they can do what they want. Your peaches look so succulent!
artofnaturalliving.com
Your peaches are beautiful! Do you know your climate zone & what type you planted? I am zone 5 and have been hesitant but this is inspirational! Have you tried beer for slugs–I put some in paper cups and half bury them for easy (slug) access. It did seem to help (though it was a bit disgusting).
Balvinder Ubi
We come in between Zone 7-9. Oh yes I tried trapping them with beer and yeast. They do drown in it but everyday the new ones come up.I read that caffeine spray works but just have to find out if it is not harmful for pet. Thanks for the help.
Juliana
Wow, home grown peaches…so nice 🙂
Your fruit salad looks beautiful, very refreshing! Hope you are having a great week Blavinder 🙂
Cucina49
What absolutely stunning peaches! You’re giving me hope–I have no gardening skills whatsoever and the growing season in Alaska is short, but I’m going to give it a try next year.
Ruth REYNOSO-SANCE
It is wonderful you are growing your own fruit, I know it must taste incredible! Here in the US is so hard to find good tasting fruit, wish I could grow it myself :-(. The recipe looks amazingly good!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
I am so jealous of your peaches! I wish I have a couple of peaches in my backyard. Here it’s pretty windy that nothing seems to grow and if any plants grow, deer or other wild animals from the canyon would eat them. I didn’t know that until we bought this house! LOL. Otherwise I could dream of having some fruit trees and enjoy salad and desserts with the fresh fruits… Your salad must be so delicious – great way to enjoy your harvest!
Eri
Oh those loaded peach trees! Have a nice weekend my friend!
Jaime
How lovely to have a peach tree in the garden! They look lovely, and your fruit salad looks delicious! New to your blog and looking forward to more posts x
Tree Pruning Hendersonville NC
You have very interesting views on gardening, I feel very close with my garden since me and my wife have been together for 16 years, and we were introduced to each other through a gardening club. Your crops look perfect!
-Tony Salmeron
Balvinder Ubi
I feel myself close to nature. It gives us back a lot than we give it to it. The crop looks perfect to me as well but not the leaves. I see holes on some of the leaves, got to check before they are diseased. Thanks for stopping by.
cookingvarieties
hi balvinder – i did not realize that peaches are in season now, ours are imported.
guess great minds think alike- my post is also on peaches. ha ha.
such pretty pics you have here too and your salad simply looks delicious. have a nice day.
Balvinder Ubi
Peaches are very much in season and the fresh ones are available for short period just like berries.
Thank you for the pictures.
Liz
Congratulations on your peach harvest – really impressive stuff. As for the slugs – I do find beer traps work quite well but you have to have them pretty close to the plant you are trying to protect. Also rounding them up by seeking them out – if you are feeling really motivated going out after dark with a torch is a good time. Alternatively taking away their hiding places where possible works quite well. Mine hide under pots so I try and keep the pots a bit removed from the raised beds.
Balvinder Ubi
Liz, Going at night and catching them was the only thing I did not do. I kept the beer filled cups at 3-4 places and would pick them the drowned ones in the morning. The numbers have reduced but they are still there. I sowed some beans plants this year and only two survived. You are right I have to look for their hiding place.
Spicie Foodie
I dream about having a beautiful lush garden, from which I can live off of. But sadly I just don’t seem to be good with plants:( Yours looks beautiful and that tree is so pretty. The salad looks healthy and delicious!
Balvinder Ubi
Even I dream about a lush garden, right now I just have a garden to keep me busy. Do try the salad, it was unbelievably tasty with my really sweet peaches.
Tina (PinayInTexas)
I love fresh fruit salad!
Beautiful peaches you have there, Balvinder! We planted one peach and one apple tree last spring. I can’t wait to see them actually bearing fruits! Hope it won’t take too long!
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, the peach from your garden look lovely. Your fruit salad look appetizing, very healthy and good for complexion.
Beautiful presentation. Have a nice day.
Tiffany
Those peaches look unreal! YUM!!!
Ambreen (Simply Sweet 'n Savory)
The fresh fruit salad looks so refreshing & colorful! Perfect for summer!