Grower Guidelines: Growing fruit trees successfully
When working as an Extension Agent, people would inquire about growing fruit trees. I would tell them that it is hard work and a person should have the time to devote to their proper care. (more…)
The crunch and heart of it – evaluating your business
When it comes to evaluating your business, are you more of a numbers cruncher or an introspective learner? Can you be both? Should you be both? (more…)
Dealing with deer on Christmas tree farms
by Sally Colby
Jeff Owen, North Carolina State University Extension Christmas tree specialist, knows that growers battle damage from deer, and has done extensive research on what works to minimize deer damage. (more…)
Understanding Paecilomyces Rot of apple and its effect on processed apple products
by Carl Cantaluppi
Apple growers need to spray fungicides to control destructive apple diseases that are present on leaves and fruit. Paecilomyces niveus is a fungus found in soil that can survive in orchard soils and can infect fruit through wounds. (more…)
Optimizing fruit quality via intensive nutrient management
No matter what kind of tree fruit you are growing, many factors influence the end-quality. Managing the nutrient levels during differing stages of crop development is one important aspect that can strongly influence fruit size, firmness and quality whether you are growing pome or stone fruits. (more…)
Squelching the Heat
Mid-summer marks a busy season for many direct-marketing businesses, so discussing taking on even more heat may sound illogical – especially if the heat refers to crisis management. (more…)
Healthy pumpkins for healthy profits
by Sally Colby
There’s no doubt that pumpkins herald a new season and consumers are anxious for the arrival of this age-old icon of fall. Although most consumers still seek bright orange fruit, pumpkins of all colors, shapes and sizes are selling well. (more…)
Nursery incorporates technology to increase efficiency
by Catie Joyce Bulay
Alongside the Walla Walla Valley’s farmlands, where friendly neighbors share private road access and pheasants and quails are often spotted running between rows, sits Walla Walla Nursery Company, situated partly in Washington and partly in Oregon. (more…)
Stay ahead of Christmas tree health and vigor issues
by Sally Colby
Christmas tree growers devote considerable time and effort to bringing a crop to harvest, but even the most seasoned growers have periodic issues with fertility, disease and insect pests. (more…)
First, middle and lasting impressions
by Sally Colby
Perhaps no one truly knows when the ‘everything pumpkin’ craze began, but it’s become tradition for consumers to seek pumpkin flavors, designs and decorations not long after children are back in school. While selecting the perfect, traditional orange fruit is often the highlight of a family’s visit to your farm, fall isn’t just about pumpkins. For many families, a chance to pick apples, tackle a corn maze or simply enjoy the tranquility of a farm is enough reason for a visit. (more…)
Orchard Insights: Fruit trees under stress and fire blight 2018
When fruit trees are stressed, so are the growers. Getting to the root of the issues, investigating what went wrong and taking measures to correct the situation can be a lot like solving a crime. There are the usual suspects, but things can get complicated when further insult is added to initial injury. (more…)
Grower Guidelines: Be on the lookout for vegetable diseases
by Carl Cantaluppi
As the vegetable growing season continues, we know that diseases will start to appear on vegetables, so we must practice constant vigilance to assure that we can control them when they are first noticed. (more…)