While there is a little down time, why not clean up your garden tools if you haven't already done so. Many gardeners are diligent about clearing out old, holey gloves, broken tools and doing a little general maintenance during the wet winter months. If you are like me and haven't had a chance to do so, why not start now? Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips:

1. Take an inventory of what you have, is it in good shape? Be honest.

I am all for re-purposing and fixing whatever I can, but holding on to items like those old gloves that are literally falling apart is just not worth it. If you do need new ones, and can't get out to purchase a new pair and have a sewing machine, I found a crafty little site that shows you how to make new ones out of old sweatshirts  https://latelyreconstructed.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/10-minute-sweatshirt-garden-gloves-tutorial/

2. If it is broken and fixable, try repairing it yourself.

It is very frustrating when you need to haul a load around the garden only to find the wheelbarrow has a flat tire. Pump up, or patch, deflated wheel barrow tires now before you get started on any big projects - there are many DIY online sources with easy to follow instructions, if that doesn't work, you can order a replacement online from most box stores.

Don't forget to inspect your wooden handled garden tools too. Are the handles of your rake, shovel, hoes, etc. beyond a light sanding and oiling? Maybe showing signs of splintering apart? Most are easily replaced and are available from your local hardware store or other online sources who also offer complete directions.

3. Dull blades can be dangerous to you and your plants.

Trying to dig with a dull shovel will only make the job harder and rough on your back, just as pruning plants with dull clippers will only cause harm to your plants creating cuts that shred the branches leaving them open to disease and other pests.

Click on the document below from the UCCE Master Gardeners, Orange County, for instructions on sharpening your single bevel tools. 

4. Be sure to organize things so they are easily found.

5. Have FUN

That's all for now, just a few things to help pass the time and make your life a little easier later on.

South Coast Research and Extension Center

Cherimoya Tasting and Orchard Tour

The South Coast Research and Extension Center hosted visitors coming from all over Southern California attending the annual Cherimoya Tasting on December 17, 2019. Through a blind tasting, evaluators were asked to rate the (8) varieties using a basic one to five scale based on texture, flavor, and overall performance to do determine if there is any difference in rankings as a result of an earlier harvest.                             

The cherimoya collection at the South Coast REC contains various cultivars that are not widely available and sought after by avid fans of this fruit. The varieties that were evaluated included ‘Mc Pherson', ‘Ott', ‘Knight', ‘Loma', ‘Nata', ‘El Bumpo', and ‘Concha Lisa'.

Harvest and tasting were done early to collect fruit before the cold December nights, rain and winds hit in the later part of the month and early January when a lot of fruit is lost.

Following the tasting, attendees toured the orchard with volunteer docents learning about the various varieties and cultural practices after which the group was treated to a trip to the persimmon orchard for a quick harvest.

McPherson, a new addition to the tasting panel, was the clear winner this year with Concha Lisa rounding out the bottom three. Based on the compiled data, and with the exception of adding a new variety to the mix, the evaluation numbers were not that far off from tastings typically done in January. The top three varieties for this evaluation are listed below.

South Coast REC Dec 2019 Cherimoya Tasting Top Three Varieties
Rank	Texture	Flavor	Overall
1	McPherson	McPherson	McPherson
2	El Bumpo	Ott	Loma
3	Ott	Knight	El Bumpo

 

Thank you to everyone for supporting this event. A special kudos to our fabulous UCCE Master Gardener volunteers and Center staff for all their hard work.