Although we're deep into winter and summer fruit may not be at the forefront of our minds, January and February are the ideal months to tend to fruit trees in your yard as well as the best time to plant a few new varieties. Trimming fruit trees now, while it’s officially still winter, makes them stronger and more disease resistant, and it stimulates new growth for the harvest in spring.
Planting dwarf trees that grow between 8 and 10 feet tall are perfect for the backyard, and keeping all varieties small and manageable through effective pruning gives you the convenience of harvesting fruit within arms-reach, without having to climb ladders!
For an informative workshop on the basics of fruit tree care, including when and how to prune, graft, maximize disease resistance, and more, check out the first workshop in our 2019 lineup,"Bounty From Your Garden: Fruit Trees 101," at Rodgers Ranch on January 17,10am - 12pm. For more information and to register, CLICK ON THIS.
Once spring rolls around, plucking tree-ripened fruit you’ve grown yourself is not only more delicious but more healthy, especially if you know pesticides haven’t been used. Walking a few paces out the door to claim those luscious plums substantially reduces your carbon footprint, too. If you are ready to add some new fruit trees to your landscape, now is the time to take advantage of hardy root stock plants available at your local garden center.
For an online guide on pruning fruit trees and preventing pests from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, CLICK ON THIS
For a guide that shows you which varieties of fruit trees grow best in which zones in Contra Costa County, visit the UC Master Gardener Program HERE
For more timely information on fruit trees, read Gerard van Steyn’s article “Trees: For healthy fruit, shade, and the environment,” from the November newsletter HERE
And don’t forget about our upcoming permaculture series, “Grow More Food In Harmony With Nature.” This six-workshop series occurs on Saturdays, February 2 through March 9,9:30 am to 12pm, at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center in Pleasant Hill. Register for one class individually for $40 each, or sign up for the whole series for $200 (save $40). For more information and to register, CLICK ON THIS.
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