Now in the second year our peach tree is no more than a sapling an inch or two in diameter, but imagine our surprise this Spring when we noted about a dozen blossoms. When I checked the tree again after a few days, I ran back excitedly into our Beaverton home to tell Joyce that we actually had tiny, green peaches growing on our small tree.
Urban horticulture has certainly taught me to appreciate the power of nature and to take pleasure in small events. We may have only a few fruit trees and a small, organic garden, but each growing thing is so precious in its expression of some power greater than humankind.
The power of Nature to breed life amidst the asphalt, reminds me of the opening line of the Dylan Thomas' poem by the same name, "The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower." The poem really goes on to discuss the relationship between mortality and the awesome but seemingly impersonal forces of nature.
However, every time I see trees growing along streets, or islands of small flower or vegetable gardens in the urban madness, but especially when I see a small blade of grass "blasting" through a crack in the concrete, I think of the "force" through the "green fuse."
In any event, we now have eight, reddish pink peaches ranging from 3 to 4 inches in diameter beginning to ripen. After the tree started to sag significantly with the burden of its fruit, we staked it to prevent damage to the trunk. Without the stake, we believe the top of the tree would have bent over so far as to touch the ground of our small orchard.
Some academicians believe that Alexander the Great brought the peach to Europe from Persia; hence, the fruit's scientific name, Prunus persica. However, the peach seems to have evolved near western China. According to "Britannica" the wild peaches of China show enormous variability, with fruits appearing flat, beaked, or round with white or red skin.
Our recipes for peaches are very simple. Wash and eat or peel, wash and eat. Sometimes we slice the peeled fruit and add a dollop or two of fresh, organic yogurt. Joyce likes to add a few drops of vanilla to the yogurt and peach mixture. All delicious!
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