Where I live in Provence, apricots, plums, peaches, sweet cherries rule. Apples come in second with pears. Since we are close to the Cevennes mountains and the Apilles, we do get some cool to cold nights during the winter; Apples are grown in a columnar fashion, while all stone fruits are grown ‘open vase’ . Our varieties are very different from those at home in the Northeast. Many of the fruits look quite perfect when sold in the markets; so they do care about the look of their produce. There are crates simply labeled ‘confiture’, meaning these fruits are good for jam only. The French throw out very little.
During the winter there is a ‘citrus’ madness that includes at least seven différent varieties of mandarines, the favored citrus here. We are told it is best for your health to eat five fruits a day year round. Our French citrus comes mainly from Corsica and Menton. But, if there is a terrace or tiny balcony, you will usually find a potted lemon tree on it .
The French are excellent growers and orchards are neat as a pin. Fruit grows easily here so there isn’t much spraying that is necessary. I spray copper and bordeaux mixture only. I have learned the hard way, that water is the best killer for aphids, the only insect I have to fight.
Citrus is grown in bagged soil just for citrus ( if you grow in pots). and fertilized with a specific citrus fertilizer of your choice, there are many. Roasted ‘bulls horns’ that are ground into powder is used as fertilizer for stone fruit and pomme fruit. And I thought ‘fish emulsion smelled bad!!!’ My dog loves it, my neighbors don’t!
It has been for me finally a pleasure to grow fruit here. My Mirabelle de Nancy is loaded with fruiting spurs which I could not say in the past. From zone 7-a is is a real jump to zone 9 a-b.
Storing fruit is a big part of growing fruit. Here storing apples is not very good. Since all fruits are crated and driven around from town to town on a daily basis, they get knocked around, sometimes picked over, but mostly the crates are refreshed with new fruit. All of the marchés are outdoors so all of the fruits and veggies are subject to the daily weather, heat or cold. Our big weekly marché is every Saturday, a prime day, so we get an excellent selection. Apples are poorly cared for during the winter. They are mealy and not worth eating.
The grapes, during their season are excellent. We also get all of the Italian varieties. All nuts are fabulous. No black walnuts! I miss them. Our pineapples are on the smaller side and come primarily from Morocco as do our dates. All the other dried fruits are French. All are delicious.
There are so many olive tree groves! The olives are sensational. Again, many varieties. The olive mills are just as plentiful as the vineyards. The competition for the best oil is always ongoing.
The French really grow most of the fruit they eat. Afterall, its included in breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pastries are really saved for holidays and occasions. Yogurt with fruit on top is a key dessert in all restaurants.
I miss sweet corn. They grow a variety to feed to animals only.
In all, growing fruit here is like growing fruit in California and Arizona with a French accent. I don’t show many of the different varieties as I know
I cannot ship them to you . Xxoo Mrsg47
on the cob. They have this notion that only animals eat corn (yes, they eat corn but only dried corn, right?) and most of them relinquish this new eating activity but they have no choice since there is only fresh corn to eat and nothing else so they try it but one can see that they are certainly not confortable doing it. I laught every time!!!
or elsewhere in Europe.