Having decided to go with a few dozen pecans to fill the gaps in the almond orchard, I’m getting cool (if not exactly cold) feet. It’s the exchange rate that’s making me wobble…pecan trees shipped from Canada, now costing the best part of £30 each rather than about half that when I planted the original 30 three years ago.
They don’t exactly flatter the grower either, doing next to nothing visible for a couple of years while they busy themselves like the proverbial swan, doing their work unseen, sending an extensive root system down and out. If only our banks had invested as sensibly before getting on with the business of growing *does 1990 Ben Elton fist salute*
But they are the only thing that I’ve ever planted in any number that have all survived…apart from the one I mowed flat while singing ‘How Soon Is Now’ in the tractor at the top of my voice. I have previous form on this sort of thing.
This time last year I’d just had the bill for the vineyard framework, two years ago I was wondering about making myself more appealing for TV, three years ago I was having a great night in, and four years ago I was feeling rather too serious and (judging from the quote) reading Perch Hill as I tend to at this time of the year.
Get them! I'll sponsor one! Is there a better nut than a pecan?
i think i will, it's just that everytime i go to press 'send' on the email i think i'll just have another evening to chew over whether another £1000 for trees thsat might not produce in England is really a good idea right now…in one way (investing in your idea and for produce for the future)it's not a lot of money…in another (it's a lump of cash on something risky when lumps of cash are more difficult to come by)it's a pretty sizeable chunk
ttonight is my self imposed (and probably moveable) deadline!
loved the 'previous form' story
So, did you buy them?
Peter.
I'll let you know next week! thanks for asking…
Next week? Ah, those self-imposed deadlines…! 😉
Of course, the later you leave it, the more they'll cost, as sterling continues its not so graceful descent,
Peter.
Peter – all revealed in the post today….no pecans! Although Im still SO tempted!
cheers
Yes, I've seen. Can't you get them off Martin Crawford (for a much more reasonable price)? Or does he not have enough stock?
Peter.
Hi Peter – the perfect place to get anything fruiting! i get lots from Martin, how fab to have someone like him relatively near, but his pecans are v young seedlings perhaps 8 inches tall, adn the ones i was considering are 4 feet tall – pecans are very slow growing, so getng them at a reasonable size is good otherwise you're a long time to harvest. the 30 i already have have been in the ground for 3 years and are only just showing any signs of getting any bigger!