MARILYN CORNWELL: apricots

It is time for me to track Spring in Niagara for those who want to follow the Blossom Trail. Our calendar photo today comes from May with Magnolias blooming mid-month. But the Blossom Trail has already started with the Witch hazel and Daphne blooming now. Lovely little Snow Drops are finishing, typically blooming in March.

Our first orchard blossoms are Apricots, and there is a lovely row of them on Jordan Road in Jordan Station/Jordan. Just exit the QEW highway and drive up Jordan Road towards the escarpment, and they are on the west side. I took a picture of the location last year - Pineview Orchards - (pinevieworchards.ca) just beyond Bayview Greenhouses and before Chestnut Street. My GPS information from the picture says the trees are between Pearl Morissette restaurant and the Jordan Arena, so just before Fourth Avenue. I will be at that very spot on Friday - at Pearl Morissette. Why is that?

Brian (my brother) and I are having lunch at Pearl Morissette on Friday. It is one of Canada's most innovative restaurants. We are amazed we are able to get seats for their first opening since Christmas time. We were able to get in before the lockdown - a big tent had been set up for outdoor dining. We knew it couldn't withstand winter winds in Niagara, but then the Christmas 'shutdown' happened, and everything closed.

The diptych below is what you will see along Jordan Road as the Apricots bloom mid-April. They are a delicate pinkish-white and these trees seem to be quite young, so will be bearing fruit for quite a few years.

On Jordan Road, and closer to the QEW is the Upper Canada Cheese Company, so stop in. I am told the Guernsey Girl cows are particularly well-cared for (I am concerned about industrial milk production methods as being inhumane). Cheese-making happens on site and you can watch through the glass wall. Of course, you can taste cheese. Restaurants often use their Niagara Gold cheese.

This area is full of outstandingly-cared for orchards. I drive along Honsberger Avenue regularly in any season to see the farms. Maybe it is Blossom Bakery at 2323 Honsberger Ave - the barn behind the house is the converted bakery and their creative flat bread "pizzas" are highly prized - there is always a fruit version.

I am now wondering where more apricot orchards are located. I see Cherry Avenue Farm listed - they are in Vineland, so their orchards likely stretch between Jordan and Vineland. There are lots more that retrieve with this search, so I'll do some research for an Apricot Route.

This is our last day of March, so time to turn the page and enjoy a foolish day tomorrow!

Our April Calendar image of the Apricots is followed by a diptych of the 13th Street Winery in 2012, and blossoms in the grass. 13th Street has transformed into a modernist palace - white barn and open patio that are beautiful. What a comparison with the old-style greenhouse behind the ancient Magnolia.