- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Take a break from the heat and check out the wonderful presentations, recipe demonstrations, even a fun activity for kids and adults creating costumes for this versatile fruit, from our Virtual Avocado Festival held last month at http://ceorange.ucanr.edu/avocadofestival/.
We would love to hear how you like to enjoy this tasty treat.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Be sure to join us for a week of virtual fun and education for the whole family - contests, presentations and more!
Click on the following link for more information: http://ceorange.ucanr.edu/avocadofestival/
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
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.
Tool Sharpening 2020
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
South Coast Research and Extension Center
Cherimoya Tasting and Orchard Tour
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.
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.