White Sapote Fruit at Last??

Somehow I missed the flowers, but our white sapote (Suebelle seedling) **finally** has fruit on it, lots of them! Very tiny ones, but fruit just the same. I am going to be dancing with impatience to see if they ripen; we've only been waiting about 17 years.

Pruning & Care of Landscape Fruit & Nut Trees

A UC Davis Extension course coming up January 25, 2008. From the brochure:

"Learn how to prune all major types of fruit trees for aesthetic beauty, maximum fruit production, good fruit size and optimal annual production. Look at the bearing habit and proper pruning methods used to maintain productive fruit and nut trees. While the program is primarily designed for professional landscapers and arborists, it is an excellent course for home landscapers as well, because of the focus on trees in the home landscape.

"The instructors give specific pruning instructions in lecture format for apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, cherry, apricot, almond, walnut, citrus, persimmon, fig, pistachio and olive trees. The lecture is followed by actual field pruning demonstrations on several of these species in the campus orchards. The curriculum also covers basic irrigation, fertility, weed control, fruit and nut thinning, and pest control of these trees, with an emphasis on organic and minimal pesticide use for fruit and nut trees around homes."

Click here for the brochure.

The Extension website says the course is not yet scheduled, but the brochure is out. It's probably best to call if you want to enroll before they get caught up with themselves.

Açaí in Berkeley

If you're going to our November 10 meeting and don't normally shop at Berkeley Bowl, you might want to consider a detour there on the way. The frozen food section in BB has Açaí mash for use in smoothies.

Lucky Those Who Grow Avocados in Their Backyards

A third of state's avocado crop lost to fire, more threatened

Congratulations to you GG chapter members who have a tree in your yard. Mine hasn't borne a thing ever, sad to say.

Let's all keep the San Diego chapter in our thoughts.

Dates book

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has a new book about dates.
"Based on the pioneering work of Roy W. Nixon, the leading American date scientist of the 20th century, and supplemented by the up-to-date research of UC and industry experts, this is the first comprehensive account of all of the varieties of dates and the date palm industry in the United States. While written with the California and Arizona commercial grower in mind, growers and palm enthusiasts worldwide will find this an invaluable reference."

Click here for more info.

Monterey Chapter Apple Tasting needs volunteers

October 11, 2007CRFG Monterey Bay Chapter AnnouncementsAPPLE TASTING REMINDER: Please, we need volunteers for the tasting! Currentlywe don't have nearly enough people signed up in order to pull off this event. Again, if you come in western dress and volunteer for at least 3 hours, youget a free parking pass to the park and some type of free food offered byWilder. We need help setting up the tasting from 10:00 to 11:00 and thetasting tables need to be staffed from 11:00 to 4:00. Please contact Ellenand Freddy at 831-662-2216 by noon on Saturday, October 13 in order to get thefree parking pass.The event is Saturday, October 27 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Wilder RanchState Park as part of their annual Harvest Festival. Admission to WilderRanch is free, parking within the park is $6 (but free in the big turnoutalong the highway). The Apple Tasting costs $4 per individual, $7 per couple,or $10 per family. Call Ellen and Freddy at 831-662-2216 to volunteer, or formore details. Wilder Ranch is located on Hwy 1, about 1 mile north of WesternDrive as you head out of Santa Cruz. Other Harvest Festival activitiesinclude wagon rides behind draft horses, cider press, small engines &tractors, cow pie bingo, lunch and snacks available for sale, live music,historic house tours, kid activities, and more! See the Wilder Ranch HarvestFestival page: <http://www.parks.ca.gov/events/event_detail.asp?id=1683>

Next CRFG meeting info link

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/290423

Guavas high in antioxidants

For years, there’s been a common notion that you get the best nutritional punch from a few well-publicized foods, such as blueberries, black beans, and broccoli. Well, they can move over now and make room for a surprising new addition: guava.

Click here for more.