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Producing Tree Fruit for Home Use
Growing tree fruit in the home garden or yard can be a rewarding pastime.
However, careful planning, preparation, and care of the trees are essential
for success. This publication tells you what to consider before planting,
how to plant your trees, and how to take care of them to ensure many seasons
of enjoyment.
Fruit Storage Building. 24' X 52'. Cold Storage Room. PDF format
Citrus Fruits UNDERSTANDING CITRUS FRUIT GROWING By Dr. Murray Gaskins.
Citrus fruits can be useful both as home-produced sources of very important
nutrients, and as a valuable cash crop. Well-established trees grow
satisfactorily in favorable environments even when given little care.
However, in most environments young trees die if neglected, and mature trees
grow and produce well only when cultivated carefully. With proper management the trees grow and
produce fruit indefinitely. Therefore, they should be treated as a lifetime
investment deserving constant care.
Training and Pruning Fruit Trees Growers often neglect the annual
training and pruning of fruit trees. Without training and pruning, however,
fruit trees will not develop proper shape and form. Properly trained and
pruned trees will yield high quality fruit much earlier in their lives and
live significantly longer.
Starting Plants from Seeds
(PDF
version) To obtain vigorous plants, start with high-quality seed from a
reliable source. Select cultivars which provide the plant size, color
(flower, foliage, or fruit), and growth habit you want. Choose cultivars
adapted to your area. Many vegetable and flower cultivars are hybrids. They
may cost more than open pollinated types, but they usually have more vigor,
more uniformity, and better growth than non-hybrids.
Overcoming Seed Dormancy: Trees and Shrubs
(PDF
version) Seed dormancy is nature's way of setting a time clock that
allows seeds to initiate germination when conditions are normally favorable
for germination and survival of the seedlings. For example, dogwoods produce
mature seeds in the fall, but conditions are not suitable for seedling
survival at that time. Thus, dogwoods have developed a mechanism that keeps
the seeds dormant until spring when conditions are favorable for
germination, as well as, seedling growth and survival.
Miner Bees
The giant resin bee (Megachile sculpturalis Smith) is a solitary Asian bee
that has been introduced into the southeastern United States. Exactly how is
not known, but it is assumed that the introduction was a result of commerce
and occurred within the last few years. It was first reported in North
Carolina in June, 1994 and is now known in most of the southeastern states.
Orchard Mason Bees The Orchard Mason Bee is the common name of a
nonsocial native bee (Osmia lignaria ssp.) that pollinates our spring fruit
trees, flowers and vegetables. This gentle, blue-black metallic bee does not
live in hives. In nature it nests within hollow stems, woodpecker drillings
and insect holes found in trees or wood. Sometimes there may be dense
collections of individual nest holes, but these bees neither connect or
share nests, nor help provision or protect each others' young. Also, they
are active for only a short period of the year. They are not aggressive and
one may observe them at very close range without fear of being stung, which
makes them excellent for enhancing our yards and gardens. They add beauty,
activity and pollination to our plantings. However, they do not produce
honey.
8200 Blackberries for the Home Garden Homeowners
frequently overlook the possibilities for growing blackberries. They are
often scarce in local markets, and homeowners may have to grow them or do
without! They are relatively easy to grow and they need relatively few
sprays for pest control.
PDF Format for downloading this
article.
8202 Bunch Grapes in the Home Garden
Grapes are welcome summer treats that can be eaten fresh, processed into
jellies, jams, juice or even fermented into wine. Grapes are adapted to many
soil types, and can be quite long-lived. There are basically two kinds of
grapes grown in North Carolina, bunch grapes and muscadine. Bunch grapes
produce berries in large clusters, and grow best in the mountains and
piedmont areas. In coastal plain areas, Pierce's disease kills or shortens
the life expectancy of many popular bunch grapes. Muscadine grapes,
exemplified by the Scuppernong variety and noted for having smaller
clusters, are not affected by this disease. In these areas the kinds of
grapes that may be expected to give the best results are muscadine (see
also:Muscadine
Grapes in the Home Garden - Hort. Leaflet No. 8203).
PDF Format for downloading this article.
8204 Raspberries for the Home Garden
Besides taking care to select only raspberry varieties which have been
successful in your area, be sure to buy plants from a reputable nursery.
Tissue cultured plants are preferred because they are certified virus free
and should be free of Verticillium wilt and crown gall. Dormant canes are
not recommended because experience has shown that they are often disease
infected. Be cautious about accepting plants from a neighbor's garden. All
raspberries are self-fertile and may be planted alone. Plants of red and
black raspberries should be separated by 700 ft.
PDF Format for downloading this
article.
8206 Pruning and Training Thornless Blackberries
Some growers prefer to wait until harvest is over and old canes have been
removed before tying new shoots to the wires. Pruning the old canes is
critical to the prevention of disease. After harvest, prune damaged or weak
canes, leaving 4 to 8 new shoots. Tie these canes to the trellis in a fan
shape (do not bunch them). In the spring before growth starts, prune any
laterals back to 12 inches to encourage larger fruit.
8205 Strawberries in the Home Garden
Strawberries are a welcome addition to any home garden. They are relatively
easy to grow, require a minimum of space, and virtually no chemicals are
needed. From as few as 25 transplants to start a matted row, a berry yield
in excess of 50 pounds can be achieved one year after planting. Strawberries
require a site that is open to direct sunlight most of the day. Try to avoid
very low-lying areas prone to spring frosts, and you should definitely plan
to purchase a white spunbonded row cover to protect open strawberry blossoms
from spring frosts/freezes. The same cover may be used for bird control
during harvest.
PDF Format for downloading this
article.
8207 Growing Blueberries In The Home Garden
Blueberries can be grown in home gardens anywhere in North
Carolina, if the right species and proper soil modifications are used.
Blueberries are typically used in the landscape as hedges for screening
purposes, but they can also be used in cluster plantings, or as single
specimen plants. Blueberries are an ideal year round addition to the
landscape. They have delicate white or pink flowers in the spring, the
summer fruit has an attractive sky blue color, and the fall foliage adds
great red and yellow colors to the landscape. In addition, blueberry plants
lend themselves to the "organic" approach of gardening, because pesticides
are rarely needed in home garden plantings.
PDF Format for downloading this
article.
8301 Growing Apple Trees in the Home Garden
Growing apple trees in the home garden can be fun and rewarding.
Several factors are important to consider before planting for successful
apple production. Apple variety and rootstock, site selection, proper
planting, training and pruning, adequate fertility, and pest control all
contribute to healthy and productive trees. A brief discussion of these
considerations follows.
PDF Format for downloading this
article.
Grapes, Bunch
(PDF
version) Grapes are welcome summer treats that can be eaten fresh,
processed into jellies, jams, juice or even fermented into wine. Grapes are
adapted to many soil types, and can be quite long-lived. There are basically
two kinds of grapes grown in North Carolina, bunch grapes and muscadine.
Bunch grapes produce berries in large clusters, and grow best in the
mountains and piedmont areas. In coastal plain areas, Pierce's disease kills
or shortens the life expectancy of many popular bunch grapes. Muscadine
grapes, exemplified by the Scuppernong variety and noted for having smaller
clusters, are not affected by this disease.
Grapes, Muscadine
(PDF
version) Muscadine grapes are well adapted to the Coastal Plain of North
Carolina, where temperatures seldom fall below 10°F. Considerable injury
generally occurs where winter temperatures drop below 0°F. Some of the more
hardy cultivars such as 'Magnolia', 'Carlos' and 'Sterling' survive
northward to Virginia and westward to the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. Muscadines have a high degree of tolerance to pests and diseases
that makes the production of bunch grapes nearly impossible in eastern North
Carolina. There is no other fruit with such strong personal associations for
so many native North Carolinians. The fruit has a distinct fruity or "musky"
aroma, while the juice by itself is sweet with a light taste and aroma. The
fruit is very popular with native Southerners for making into wine, pies and
jellies.
Kiwifruit
The kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is a large, woody, deciduous vine native
to the Yangtze Valley of China. Seeds from China were taken to New Zealand
and planted in 1906. Plants developing from these seeds first fruited in
1910. Commercial planting began in New Zealand in about 1940 and by 1970
there were 900 acres. Commercial planting in California began in the late
1960s. From 50 acres in 1970, the industry in California had grown to more
than 8,000 acres by 1988 (University of California Cooperative Extension
estimate). US kiwifruit production has been declining since the 1990s.
Acreage in 2006 was reported as 4,300 by the California Kiwifruit
Commission. In 1974 kiwifruit became the internationally accepted name,
replacing Chinese gooseberry and kiwi.
Nursery List Of Small Fruit Cultivars for Home Use in North
Carolina
(PDF
version) As a service to our readers, we have cross referenced small
fruit cultivars with the nurseries where they may be purchased. If any of
the nurseries included in this list sell a particular cultivar, the
corresponding letter code will appear after the name (e.g. Sweet CharlieEdi,
Nou, She). Some cultivars have not been fully tested by NCSU and are
included here as worthy of trial. Please consult your local agricultural
agent for specific cultivar recommendations best adapted to your area.
Growing Peaches in North Carolina
The peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, is native to China. From China,
peaches were introduced to Persia, Greece, and temperate European countries
including Italy, Spain, and France. Peaches were introduced to the
southeastern United States more than 300 years ago when the Spanish visited
the Florida region in the 1500s. It is believed that in the northeastern
United States the early English and French settlers brought peach seeds with
them. See also:
Peach Cultivars Introduced in North Carolina
Growing Pears in North Carolina
(PDF file) Fears are one of the best known and well liked fruits in the
world. Although they do not rank first in the United States, pears are still
a delectable and desirable fruit even in this country. Their many desirable
features make them popular for fresh fruit, processed fruit, and eating out
of hand. As an adjunct to salads, pears have few equals.
Growing Pecans in North Carolina
For many generations, pecans have been grown on family homesteads in North
Carolina as part of a means for survival. Today, pecans are still grown in
North Carolina, for income and enjoyment, predominately in the southeastern
part of the state. Growing pecans requires patience and a long-term
commitment. However, pecan trees can grow and produce quality nuts for
decades with minimal effort and expense. Some commercial pecan plantings in
North Carolina are well over 75 years old and still very productive. In
years when a full crop is obtained, North Carolina produces 5 to 6 million
pounds of pecans annually. The level of production ranges from several trees
in the backyard to commercial orchards with 20 acres or more. Holdings of 20
to 30 trees are common. Whether you own a few trees or a commercial orchard,
growing pecans can be enjoyable as well as profitable. However, as with any
venture, planning is essential. This document will explain how to produce
pecans successfully. See also:
Crop Profile for Pecans in North Carolina
Growing and Using Sprouts Sprouts are great to eat for
everyday living and especially so in an emergency situation. Typical foods
set aside for storage are traditionally low or nonexistent in vitamin C and
many of the B vitamins. Yet it is exciting to know the seeds from those same
storage foods can be sprouted to give a rich source of these important
nutrients. Sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin C and also contain
many good B vitamins. And you probably won't find a less expensive way to
get these vitamins than from low calorie sprouts. Green leafy sprouts are
also a good source of vitamin A. Sprouts are a good source of fiber,
protein, and contain enzymes that aid digestion. In addition, sprouting
destroys the seed's natural preservative enzymes that inhibit digestion. See
also
Herbs, Spices & Sprouts On RMSG
Growing the eternal tomato Actually,
there is an easy way to keep your tomato plants alive forever. You can grow
and enjoy the Eternal Tomato by investing just a few minutes and spending a
few extra cents. In the bargain you will have the earliest and best plants
in your area the next season.
Plant a Y2K garden- A guide to growing the best crops for coping
If the Millennium Bug hits hard, one of the best friends you can
have is a practical garden. A key consideration in such a garden is which
types of produce can be harvested and simply dumped into a root cellar or
dark closet, without processing, and left there until needed.
http://www.sproutpeople.com/ People keep sending me this URL - One of
these days I'll have to check it out...
"Organic Gardening Techniques" by R. Rothenberger and K. Hildahl
[1/97] Has a great table on the major constituents of animal manures & their
uses. Good article, too!
The Future is Abundant. (1982) is a resource guide for
sustainable growing in the Pacific northwest. An excellent reference for
people interested in permaculture designs and theories, edible landscaping,
and sustainable agriculture. A good collection of bibliographies, seed and
plant sources, addresses of like-minded people, and short summaries of
alternative gardening and farming techniques. Unfortunately, it is missing a
few parts. Fortunately, what is there, is free. Get it while it lasts!
USDA Hardiness Zones color map of the U.S.
Paul's Pumpkin Page - A guide to growing and cooking
Pumpkins and Squashes.
HOME GARDEN TRELLISED CUCUMBERS. Harvesting trellised
cucumbers is easier than harvesting ground- grown cucumbers since fruit hang
where visible and are easily reached. Production of cucumbers on trellises,
however, involves a greater investment than when grown on the ground.
Weed Control--Identification and herbicides. The handbook
was originally planned as a manual for county Extension agents. However, the
handbook also may be useful to company field representatives, commercial
spray applicators and consultants, herbicide dealers, teachers, and some
producers. Persons needing similar information pertaining to a few crops,
sites, or situations should request Extension bulletins, fact sheets, or
chapters from this handbook from their local county Extension office. Costs
for publication and copying should be expected.
Oregon Irrigation Management Guide--This is a brief
summary of management practices for irrigated agriculture. Its purpose is to
help irrigated agriculture in its effort to protect ground and surface water
supplies in Oregon. Both point sources and nonpoint sources contribute to
water contamination. It is focused on best management practices, supported
by a catalog of relevant reference publications to which the reader can turn
for more detailed information.
How to Prune Brambles. Pruning raspberries and blackberries can
be a snap if you follow a few simple steps by Lee Reich. See also:
Why Prune Brambles?
"The Rooftop Garden" Chapters 2-4 of a
masters thesis on urban rooftop gardening by Joseph St. Lawrence. These
chapters contain the meat & potatoes of building & maintaining a rooftop
garden from experiential data by the author.
"Urban Food Production" by Luc J.A.
Mougeot. Interesting report on Urban Farming and the aspects surrounding
food supply to urban areas.
Pest Management of Fruits and
Nuts (North Carolina Cooperative Extension):
Insect Management of Fruits and Nuts
Disease Management of Fruits and Nuts
Weed Management of Fruits and Nuts
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