Every year I find excuses to avoid thinning our prolific nectarine tree.  It is a tedious and time-consuming chore, and for me, conveniently postponed until too late. My laziness inevitably results in ripe fruit the size of big cherries.  They are very sweet however, and the tree deserves more attention for its efforts.  

This year (thanks Master Gardener program!) I am trying harder.  Guidelines say to thin stone fruit to one every 3 to 5 inches. An immediate reward was finding the tree covered in ladybugs!  Here's to bigger nectarines. Cheers.