Berries at left, fig at right and stone fruits down the middle.

It has been a very pleasant winter in Norcal. By pleasant, I mean warm and almost no rain (no snow either, a bummer for skiers and boarders). We all enjoy this balmy weather, but we also know that we need some rain. California has been called the “Caddilac Desert” for a reason, there really isn’t enough water to go around, but we just use it anyway. We are always one or two bad years away from brown lawns, timed showers and “strategic” flushing.

New fig tree. The gophers got the last one. Where is Bill Murray when you need him?

So now the rains are here, and it looks like they will stay for a while. This is good news, but I am already missing the sun (it never gets old for me). I did run out and take these pictures of the orchard and berry patch. The blossoms are just out, and they are beautiful splashes of color. We have a new fig tree that looks great and will, hopefully, be productive this year. And we have new berries in the ground. The rains will be good for the trees and berries, but I wanted to capture them while still in the sun. It may be a while before its back…

Peaches, cherries and nectarines. Last year was the first good crop. I am hopeful for this year.