Just a couple of weeks ago I was showing you blossoms and bees, and now look — here are next years’ oranges on their way.
Small, but perfectly formed
We think the orange grove was planted in the mid 1980’s by the people who set up the farmlet as it now stands (previously it was probably part of a much larger farm). They must have loved citrus since we have pretty much every type you can think of — lemon (both Meyer and Lisbon), lime, mandarin, tangerine, tangelo, several varieties of orange in the grove, even kumquat and something we think is a pomelo (I’ll keep you posted).
Curiously there is no grapefruit, possibly pointing to those original owners being hypertensive. Since none of the current farmlet co-conspirators are on blood pressure medications yet (despite The Forbearing Husband’s artery clogging potato salad being a family favorite) our master marmalade maker Deborah intends to correct the grapefruit oversight asap.
Yes, I know, I’m obsessed with the bees — here is one on what might be pomelo blossom
I have high hopes for the citrus. Last month I negotiated my first farmlet barter at an eatery in Grey Lynn. I traded a couple of kilos of our limes for a glass of Chardonnay, which leaves me wondering how many kumquats equal a gin and tonic…? Interested parties with something good to swap may leave offers in the comments.
Pretty bees!