With a landscape of fruit trees and vines ... it’s difficult for me to understand why the general public doesn’t value the same… “If you have soil, you should use it” – I think most of us agree.

I’d also thought, with increasing fuel cost, fruit trees, vines and gardens would become increasingly popular. …even wondered if there wasn’t some money to be made grafting over ‘flowing’ cherries, plums or pears to productive (fruit producing) varieties… Or, hiring out my Troybilt and self to till up some yards (dodging water pipes) for gardens.

I can not think of one relative -- grandparents to aunts and uncles - who didn’t have a garden and fruit trees as I grew up. Living in one of the best growing regions on earth I’m …disappointed with the lack of gardens nowadays. Arriving at my first place, I instantly began rejuvenating its orchard, planting more trees and have had a successful summer garden every year for decades.

With several local nurseries introducing, at that time, “Exotic” fruiting plants such as figs, kiwi and persimmons, I happily planted some of each. Now, they’re my most dependable producers! …suspect I’m preaching to the choir here … but that’s another reason I’m a longtime active member of the Home Orchard Society

I just introduced several co-workers to Persimmons. Oregonian’s, few knew what they were. I also packed a gallon jar full of freshly dried “Maekawa” persimmons – then cutting up 9 more trays of fresh Fuyu’s to do the same. Those dried Maekawa’s were addictive! Made be wonder why anyone would ever buy ‘candy?’

We need only appreciate Asia to see where a value of fruit growing may lead, for centuries they’ve cultivated the best. A former water meter reader, I’d marvel at ‘yards’ growing the most food/fruit. I’ll never, or I’ll try never to forget the yard of some Asian immigrants – they’d terraced their small front lawn and were growing enough fresh vegetables for everyone on their block –without a single blade of grass. Others had trellised grape and kiwi vines up an over their driveway from a couple of 2 X 2 foot squares of soil - surrounded by pavement… I’ve many a time swung around our entourage while biking a neighborhood to admire ‘an orchard in the city’ surrounded by vegetables.

Steven Spangler and his mother are pioneers, their hearts are obviously in the right place… the only question being -- has our society evolved to the point of valuing their efforts...? I hope so