KTRH GardenLine Newsletter

Nov. 29, 2007 - Issue #44

Here's Randy's Weekly KTRH GardenLine Tip:

UPCOMING FRUIT TREE SALES for 2008

I can’t believe I’m sending this email tip out before the first of December, (albeit that date is only two days away) but I suppose it just goes to prove how big these local fruit tree sales have become.

Whether it’s the unusual or cold-hardy citrus, the correct-chill-hour peach, or the thornless blackberries, there are no other sales that encompass such a wide variety of the RIGHT fruits for this area. Another cool aspect is how there are even more seminars to teach you just exactly what fruit trees are not only available but perfect for this region. In fact, there are two JUST SEMINARS early in January. The Urban Harvest in sponsoring the seminars two weeks before their actual sale, so they can teach everyone what to look for and eliminate the crunch when the doors open for the actual sale. However, many of the other sales still have the seminar before the sale. And much like the last two years (in writing about these fruit tree sales) those that attend the seminars on the mornings of the events are guaranteed a place in the front of the line. For the first-timers to these events, I’ll explain a little more on the importance of that a bit later.

Why do I ballyhoo these Fruit Tree Sales so much? Throughout the year, I will get countless calls and emails from folks wanting to know where they can buy specific fruit trees. And while most nurseries do carry a certain quantity of basic peaches, plums, apples and pears… nothing compares to the fruit tree sales that most of our county extension offices put on through the months of January and February. And 99% of everything you find at these local sales will NEVER be found at a big box store nursery. But the real thing that separates these fruit tree sales from what you can find at the local nurseries is that there's always something newly tested and approved for our area, and most of the stock comes from the true experts in town -- Treesearch Farms.

That stock contains varieties of peaches like May Pride and Tropic Snow that are grown on Nemaguard root stock and will completely produce their crop and bear fruit before the insects and diseases even know they are there. Also there are some unique Asiatic Pears such as Shinko and 20th Century that are self-fruitful and don't need other trees to cross-pollinate with.

And much like last year, Heidi Sheesley from Treesearch Farms says the thing they are most excited about is the ample amount of Citrus trees available. The thing that is most exciting about the citrus available this year is how "cold hardy" they are. Sheesley says that not only are they cold hardy for our area (down in to the 20s) but that they are such heavy producers for such a long period of time. Satsuma Mandarin oranges top the list and the Republic of Texas orange will also be widely available this year as will a new introduction of Kumquats. And this will be the second year of the cold-hearty varities of Avocados that are working so well for Southeast Texas.

Other notable fruits to be on the lookout for this year:

• Blackberries - Kiowa (Thorny yes, but an extraordinarily heavy producer according to Sheesley)

• Grapes - Mortenson Hardy ( A white bunch grape, with few seeds but more importantly very resistant to Pierce's Disease.)

• Peaches - Besides the Tropic Snow and Mid Pride mentioned earlier, look for Red Barron and a bunch of new ones developed by the University of Florida, that have very low chill hour requirements.

• Plums - This year, Sheesley says look for Robusto and Burgandy. But standards like Mariposa, Beauty and any of the Gulf Series (Gulf Blaze, Gulf Beauty, Gulf Rose, Gulf Ruby) should also be available.

• Asian Pears - 20th Century, Shinko as mentioned earlier as well as Shinseiki and Hosui.

• Pears - Tennessee, Atlas Superior, Spalding and Hood.

Last year we mentioned some other interesting fruits to look for this year in the Pawpaws, Jujubes, Pakistan Mulberry and Asian Persimmons. This year, along with those, Sheesley says to look for Blood Oranges, Pummelo, Pomegranates and Edible Barbados Cherries.

The only bad news I have to report on this year’s fruit tree sales, is that the extremely popular soft-skinned Mexican avocado, may not be available as much as it was last year. The report is that the production has been unable to keep up with the demand. However, there may be a scant few available, so keep a keen eye out. But there will be hardy superb varieties of other avacados at some of the sales that Treesearch Farms is supplying.

That also hints at that importance of being at the seminars so you will have a place at the front of the line. If you don’t need the seminar, then make sure you are there when the doors open. The "popular" and the "unusual" go very fast, and are mostly gone within the first hour of any of these events.

FRUIT TREE PREVIEW TALKS courtesy of URBAN HARVEST
Saturday January 5, 2008
2:00 to 4:00p.m.
at Emerson Westwood Hall, at Emerson Unitarian Church, 1900 Bering Drive. West of Loop 610 between Westheimer & San Felipe
This is a PREVIEW/INFO SEMINAR, prior to the Urban Harvest Sale on the 19th.

-OR-

Saturday January 12, 2008
2:00 to 4:00p.m.
at Emerson Westwood Hall at Emerson Westwood Hall, at Emerson Unitarian Church, 1900 Bering Drive. West of Loop 610 between Westheimer & San Felipe
This is a PREVIEW/INFO SEMINAR, prior to the Urban Harvest Sale on the 19th.
Both Seminars Feature the likes of Heidi Sheesley, Ray Sher and Dr. Bob Randall.

JANUARY 12, 2008
Harris County Extension Fruit Tree Sale
Harris County Extension Office
3033 Bear Creek Dr.
Houston, TX 77084
281-855-5600
Registration for seminar 7:30 a.m.
Seminar 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (Fruit Trees for Gulf Coast)
Seminar with Dr. Ethan Natelson
Sale 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p. m.
2nd Seminar (Fruit Trees for Gulf Coast) also with Dr. Natelson
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pruning Demonstration several types with pruning experts http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/event/jan2008.htm

JANUARY 19, 2008
8TH ANNUAL URBAN HARVEST FRUIT TREE & CITRUS SALE
EMERSON UNITARIAN CHURCH
1900 BERING DRIVE, West of Loop 610 between Westheimer & San Felipe
HOUSTON, TX.
713-880-5540
www.urbanharvest.org
Sale 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p. m.
This year’s seminars are listed above, a week and two weeks before the actual sale.

SATURDAY JANUARY 26, 2008
MONTGOMERY COUNTY FRUIT TREE SALE & SEMINAR
Extension Center in Conroe
9020 FM 1484, Conroe, TX 77303
936-539-7824
Talk 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 Speaker – Tom Leroy
Sale 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 2008
ARBOR GATE ANNUAL FRUIT TREE SALE & SEMINAR
15635 FM 2920
TOMBALL, TX 77377
281-351-8851
www.arborgate.com
Talk 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Speaker – Heidi Sheesley
Sale 10:30 a.m. till closing

FEBRUARY 2, 2008
GALVESTON MASTER GARDENER 2008 FRUIT TREE & CITRUS SALE
5102 CARBIDE PARK
LAMARQUE, TX
281-534-3413 ext. 1-2
Talk 8:00 a.m to 9:00 a.m. Speaker – Heidi Sheesley
Sale 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 9, 2008
FT. BEND MASTER GARDENER FRUIT & CITRUS SALE
FT. BEND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
4310 HWY 36 SOUTH
ROSENBERG, TX (at Southwest Freeway & Hwy 36)
281-341-7068 or 281-342-3040
www.fbmg.com
Talk 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in Bldg D Speaker – Heidi Sheesley
Sale 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in George Barn

FEBRUARY 23, 2008
PRECINCT 2 MASTER GARDENER FRUIT TREE & CITRUS SALE PLUS TOMATOS & PEPPERS
CLEAR LAKE PARK ON NASA ROAD 1
281-991-8437
www.hcmgap2.tamu.edu
Talk 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Speaker – Heidi Sheesley
Sale 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Until next issue, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively, 6-10 a.m. Saturdays and 7-10 a.m. Sundays, only on NewsRadio 740 KTRH.



Be sure to check out Randy's Event Page to see where else Randy will be for the next few weekends. Bring your plants, bugs, and diseases for identification purpose.



GardenLine Listeners and E-mail Tip Subscribers can purchase a copy of my new book at discounted price! Check it out! "Gulf Coast Gardening with Randy Lemmon"
Garden retailers interested in stocking the book, should call the Nitro Phos Warehouse at 713-228-1868 for wholesale ordering information.



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