Fruit & nuts from the garden
There
are a number of fruit trees and vines in the garden at varying stages of
maturity, including 29 farmed olive trees. Next to the laundry block is a plum tree producing
beautiful
plums in late spring. There are four vines around the terraces which,
according to the previous owner, are all Rioja grapes. We have not
yet tried them when they become ripe (late September to early October) so
do not know if they are edible or only for winemaking. By the
swimming pool are three young fruit trees, an orange, a lemon and a
mandarin tree. When these start to produce all should be excellent
fruits.
We
have yet to see any of the fig trees produce any fruit.
Behind the laundry block is a big almond tree which, so far, has been fairly sparse on the production of almonds. There are also several smaller almond trees around the pool and the house.
There
are a number of prickly Pear plants (pictured here) higher up in
the garden, two of which are close to the pool. Apparently (not just
hearsay, it is written in the book Gardening in Spain), the juicy fruit is
edible.
Along
the driveway is a variety of
pomegranates, quince and custard apples.
Visitors are free to consume any ripe fruit or nuts they may find in the garden. However, do not attempt to eat the olives. All olives need to be processed before eating or you will end up with a very bad stomach ache.