Pomegranates perfect for our climate
When we first moved here I went to the farmers market in Cowra. Sadly they didn't have much for sale but I bought the most beautiful, deep red pomegranates. It was at the time when the health benefits of this beautiful fruit were starting to be publicised. I don't think I had ever seen a pomegranate until quite recently and have no recollection of seeing pomegranate trees growing. Around the same time I read a book about a Pomegranate Orchard in Crete. As the fruit were so lovely to look at I kept them in a bowl in the kitchen for ages and then I thought I would have a go at growing some from seeds as I had never seen them in the plant nurseries for sale. I cant remember how many seeds I planted but eventually two little trees emerged. I nurtured these and kept them in pots for about a year when they were about six inches high. When our old cat Mitzi died I decided to plant one of them out and buried her underneath it. The other tree I planted up with the nut trees. both trees have thrived despite the drought and last year I picked the first two pomegranates from Mitzi's tree. They were the lovely deep red of the originals. I have planted a few more trees that I got from the Orange farmers market as well.
Pomegranates are a lovely little tree, glossy green foliage, deciduous, bright orange flowers and marvellous fruit that is very good for you. I wonder why there are not more of them around in this area as they are perfect in this climate. I saved the seeds from this years fruit and have planted them in little pots so hopefully will have lots more trees. this year all the trees are flowering so I think we will get a nice crop of pomegranates in a few months and the pleasure of looking at them on the tree as well.
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