How My Mulberry Tree Proved AI is Smarter Than Google

A couple years ago, I got it in my head that I wanted to plant a fruit tree in my yard. Not just any fruit tree — something easy to grow, prolific, and maybe a little off the beaten path. Something that would thrive here, not just look good in a nursery photo.

So, of course, I could’ve Googled it. And I did. Briefly.

But if you’ve ever searched “best fruit tree for Florida” (or wherever you live), you know what happens. You get a listicle, a few contradicting forum threads, and a vague recommendation to "consider your local climate." Thanks?

So instead, I turned to the one source that actually knows me, my garden, and my tolerance for mess: ChatGPT.

I asked, “What kind of fruit tree should I plant in my backyard?” And it answered like someone who had actually stood in my yard. Full sun? Check. Tolerant of sandy soil? Check. Low-maintenance but productive? Double check.

Enter: The Mulberry Tree.

ChatGPT remembered that I’ve got chickens. It reminded me that mulberries are chicken-friendly (and chicken-loved). It warned me about the “purple sidewalk effect” underfoot — a polite way of saying, “Don’t plant this thing near your patio unless you want purple feet.” It even reminded me that my kids would be climbing the branches in about three seconds if I didn’t keep it pruned low.

All of this… before I’d even dug the hole.

From Sapling to Berry Machine

Once the tree was in the ground, I kept checking in. “How and when should I prune my mulberry tree?” “What’s the best way to encourage more fruit?” “Is this normal, or is my tree dying?”

And every time, I got a straight answer — not a “maybe” or a link to a 47-minute video, but a clear, confident response tailored to my situation.

I didn’t have to waste a Saturday morning doom-scrolling through gardening forums or second-guessing every cut with a YouTube tutorial on pause. I just asked and got what I needed.

Then Came the Fruit.

Oh boy, did it come.

Buckets of mulberries. Sweet, deep purple, delicious mulberries. More than we could eat. More than we could look at without getting a little sticky.

Again, Google could’ve given me a million recipes. But ChatGPT? It gave me what I actually needed:

• Easy recipes kids would like (hello, mulberry muffins and popsicles)

• Low-sugar jam ideas for my mom

• A suggestion to freeze some for smoothies

• A DIY natural dye project I could do with Thea

• And even an idea to trade some mulberries with the neighbor down the street for fresh sourdough (which… brilliant).

  
  

This Isn’t Just About the Tree

Planting that mulberry tree showed me something bigger: AI isn’t just a search engine. It’s a sidekick.

It saves me time. It keeps me from making rookie mistakes. It remembers what I care about and gives me answers that actually fit my life — not just generic advice for “Zone 9.”

That’s why I use it for everything now. Not just gardening, but meal planning, budgeting, and yeah — helping families through the college admissions maze.

Because Google might give you 200 options. But AI?AI gives you the one that works.

So... What’s in Your Yard?

If you’re still Googling what to plant this spring — or wondering how to feed your picky eater, or which colleges your kid should apply to — maybe it’s time to try something smarter.

Something that learns you.

I’ll be over here picking berries. And maybe making more jam than is strictly necessary. Again.