Over 700 high school students descended upon local nurseries October 29th.L.E. Cooke Co and Monrovia Nurseries hosted the 8th annual "Futures in Horticulture" day which was attended by over 700 agricultural and science students from San Joaquin Valley high schools. First bus arrives at L.E. Cooke for tourThe day started out with tours of L.E. Cooke Co, Monrovia Nursery, Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens in Woodlake, Urban Tree Foundation and Recreation Park - Home of the…

Question: When do I trim back blackberry bushes, this was my first year with planting the Chester's last spring (we had no fruit this year) - Glen Answer: Glen, I see I need to take time to write a more detailed article on berry pruning (later). For now the quick answer with links to others. Chester fruits on second year wood (Floricanes). This means the new growth that you see this year will produce the…

Question: I am interested in sugar cane Jujube. Since it is a brand new variety, would the pricing on these plants be substantially more than other varieties of Jujube?Paul. Answer: Since the Sugar Cane variety will not be available until January 2011, I suspect there will be minor inflation adjustments over today's Jujube costs but not significantly different. Of course the prices the retail nursery charges is up to them and some of their charge…

Question: Interested in Mulberry and Jujube trees. Would order thru local nursery, but need information.Prefer small to moderate. One party lives in Solvang, CA; 90's typical in summer and can freeze in winter. The other is in Santa Barbara in a location that rarely freezes, and average highs are in the 80s. What varieties are most desirable? I had a Pakistan Mulberry and it tasted sweet but blah. Answer: Leslie, thank you for your question.…

Several questions have come in on the Keith Davey Chinese Pistache Question: What is the difference between Keith Davey and the Chinese Pistache Seedling?   Answer: The Keith Davey Chinese Pistache (Pistachio chinensis) is a budded selection chosen for its superior fall color and seedless nature.  By budding the wood from this tree we can duplicate these consistent and predictable characteristics for each tree planted.  On the other hand, the seedling Chinese Pistache is variable. …

Question: I love peaches but do not have any to harvest after August. What late season peaches are available? Answer: Over the years there have been many late ripening peaches offered through the nursery trade but the number of people passionate like you for late season peaches are fewer in number. Once school starts and the heat of summer fades, so does some of the gardening interest - at least until the Pomegranates and Persimmons…

October Ripening Fruit This time of year I wonder if we would be smart to open a roadside fruit stand. From May through the end of November we have fresh fruit at our fingertips (tough job isn't it?) but it is this time of year the local Farmers Market street vendors knock on our door seeking permission to pick fruit.  All summer, when we have mouth watering fresh apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums, they are…

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