Recap starting in October 2013

I am starting this blog today, April 30th 2018 with my first post being a short recap of the past 5 years....

I first met Dr. Maxine Thompson the summer of 2013 and went to pick berries at her house with my mom and Aunt.  That fall I agreed to a trial planting of 60 plants, 10 different varieties, to plant at my house in Redmond Oregon.  Maxine told me to plant in late Sept/Early October.  I spoke with her about our harsh winters but she stuck to it that I plant late.  I planted the plants the beginning of October 2013.  That following winter was extremely cold, days and days of negatives including into the negative 20's. I didn't have much hope for my plants as I felt they didn't have enough time to get established before such a harsh winter.  When spring finally came.....every single plant came back!  I was amazed!  I had read and learned things about how tough these plants were but this just blew me away.  The first couple of years as the plants grew I only had deer fencing up.  Before last years harvest I put bird netting up as well and our harvest was amazing!  I couldn't even begin to pick all the berries and rallied friends and family to help. I have kept my plants/soil organic and have added organic mulch around the plants and have mowed or pulled by hand the oh so wonderful weeds that love to grow.  Fast forward to this spring, 2018, my bushes are loaded with blooms and all 60 still continue to survive and grow.  I have pictures of my plants from along the years and will post them below when I find them :)  As of now, I hope to update this blog with my current haskap adventures as new opportunities unfold!