Fruit

We often first think of fruit as something we bite into, that we ingest, that sends juice reeling down our chins. However, not all fruit is edible. If we disconnect this word from the object that fills our stomachs and satisfies our taste buds, the word does not become useless. Instead, it develops into an abstract definition applicable to a large variety of objects and circumstances. Suddenly, a fruit might become a great number of things: a vegetable, a formerly rundown house recently (and arduously) renovated, a medical breakthrough, a baby, or even a reformed criminal. Anything that is the result of effort, of work, of struggle, of time.

These definitions are related, both the concrete and the abstract, but in modern times it is harder to make the connection. Perhaps if we were picking our own apples off of the trees, we would give more thought to the miracle of their existence---that it took a generation at least of planting, pruning, and tending to produce such a plant that could produce such a fruit and in such abundant supply. But most of us bring our apples home in little plastic baggies from the grocery store.

There is something special about starting your own orchard or growing your own fruit, even if it consists of only one tree or one bush at first. It shows a cultivating and generous spirit, one that is willing to do the work even if it means waiting for twenty years to fully receive recompense and also understanding that some unpredictable twist of fate may make it so others enjoy the fruits of your labor in place of you.

Fruit is indeed a fruit. It takes time, effort, and work. It is a struggle, both against nature and with nature, but it is a rewarding struggle. At Piscataway Acres, we have several different types of fruit plants working to bring for the fruit, such as the supernally sweet Korean pears we enjoyed this year. Fruit is the result of time, effort, and work, but it is also a delectable edible, a tasty something that sends a stream of ambrosial juice reeling down our chins, but most importantly into our mouths.

On the left you will find a gradually increasing number of links to the different fruit plants we have knowledge or experience with at Piscataway Acres. Please feel free to explore them and write with any comments or questions you may have.