Photo by Sarah Arana

Tomato Talk

By Sarah Arana   UCCE Master Food Preserver

I planted some tomatoes this year and I have more than my family can eat. What's the best way to preserve some for the winter? Adam M., Paso Robles, CA

Deliciously ripe, juicy summer tomatoes are worth waiting for, but with a few tricks up your sleeve you can save that homegrown tomato flavor to enjoy later in the year. Tomatoes can be quickly and easily frozen in a variety of ways (whole, skinned, diced). They can be stewed, dehydrated and powdered. Canning tomatoes is a popular way of preserving them, classic tomato canning recipes include salsas, condiments, and pasta sauces. Some of these methods require a bit of time, but none require special skills or anything terribly complicated. We encourage everyone to do their research, or better yet, take a workshop with us if you plan on canning them to ensure food safety.

Here are some recommended varieties:

Slicing tomatoes are a good choice for making juice or crushed and whole tomato products. Paste tomatoes are good for making sauce, ketchup, and purees. Yellow tomatoes are not really any lower in acid than red; they contain more sugar and therefore have a sweeter taste. No matter what tomatoes you have access to, there are great ways to preserve them. I like to dehydrate and powder them for easy storing or to make a flavorful "sprinkle seasoning" combining the powder with a variety of herbs for soups and salads.

Recently on a trip to Italy, I took a cooking class and learned how to make a traditional pomodoro sauce using their beloved favorite tomato, the roma! There are so many variations of this recipe depending on the region, but it was fun to learn about how much the tomato has impacted their culinary culture.  This style of sauce could be made ahead and frozen for use in the winter when vine ripened tomatoes are not as available.  

Make sure you are using research tested recipes and techniques. One way to do that locally is to take a class offered by the UC Master Food Preservers of SLO County. The details for the next class are: Tomato Talk on August 24th, 2019, 10:00 to 12:00 pm. It will be held at the UCCE Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo and there will be a $10.00 class fee. Please register at http://ucanr.edu/tomatotalk   Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Photo by Jutta Thoerner

Tropicals

By Jutta Thoerner   UCCE Master Gardner

Can I grow Tropical Fruit in SLO County?  Maria E., Los Osos

Yes, you can. Did you know that avocados, citrus and figs are considered tropical or sub-tropical fruits? There are many choices for growing citrus, from the cold hardy kumquat to the cold sensitive Mexican lime.  An important first step is to buy your young citrus from a reputable nursey. Because the Asian citrus psyllid pest is in SLO County, all nurseries must have their citrus plants pre-screened by the County Agricultural Department. These inspections are vital to ensure that the spread of this destructive pest is halted. The nursery can also advise you on which varietals are best for your microclimate. Citrus trees are susceptible to insect infestations of aphids and whiteflies, among others. If you monitor and identify the pest early and correctly, your chances of a quick knock down of populations is possible.  

For the avocado, selecting the right varietal and rootstock is vital, unless you don't mind having a 40-foot tree in your backyard. Avocado trees have a sensitive side when it comes to climate and water needs. They are sensitive to salt deposits in the soil and to prolonged heat and cold spells. They do best if the soil can dry out between watering. One benefit of an avocado tree it that it comes with its own pantry! You can “store” avocadoes on the tree as they will not ripen until they are harvested.   

Figs are one of the first plants cultivated by humans. Subfossil figs dating to 9400 BC were found in the Jordan Valley. Figs are popular backyard trees due to their easy cultivation and delicious fruit.  But because the fruit needs to ripen on the tree, many critters love to snack on ripe figs. Additional measures to exclude or trap vertebrates are often required.

If you want to know more about avocadoes, citrus and figs, please join us at the UCCE Master Gardener's Advice to Grow By workshop on Saturday, August 17^th in our demonstration garden at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, 10am until 12pm. If inclement weather, it will be moved to the Auditorium. The garden will remain open and docents will be available after the workshop until 1 pm.

Master Gardeners is currently accepting applications for its 2020 training class.  Applications are due September 27, 2019.  The class runs from January 7 through May 19, 2020.  An informational meeting will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2019, from 1:00 to 3:00 at the UCCE Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo.  For more information, visit our website, www.ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo or call (805)781-5939.

Photo by Leslie E. Stevens

Cajeput Or Paperbark Tree

By Leslie Stevens  UCCE Master Gardener

Melaleuca quinquenervia

Planting area: Sunset Zones 9, 12, 13, 15 -17 and 20 - 24; H1, H2

Size: 20-to-40 feet high; 15-to-25 feet wide

Bloom Season: summer to fall

Exposure: full sun to partial shade

Pruning needs: primarily to remove splitting or damaged branches, as well as minor shaping

Water needs: tolerates wet or dry soils; drought tolerant once established

Snapshot:.

This tall, slender Australian native tree thrives in San Luis Obispo County's coastal zones but won't tolerate its colder inland valleys. Melaleucas are commonly used as street trees and windbreaks, as well as in parks and residential landscapes.

This fast-growing member of the Myrtle family can be identified by its elliptical, olive-green leaves; thick, papery bark that peels in layers; and showy cream or yellow bottlebrush-type flowers in summer or fall. The flowers also prove irresistible to bees.

Another prominent feature of this melaleuca is its clusters of woody seed pods that cling to branches for years and provide food for numerous birds, insects and other wildlife.

Melaleucas suffer from few pests or diseases other than occasional phytophthora and root rot caused by overly wet soils.

The tree is known to cause respiratory problems for some people, and its sap also can irritate skin.

In Florida, where this tree was initially introduced into the United States to help drain swamps in the early 20^th Century, it is now labeled an invasive species by the USDA.

Photo By Polly Nelson

Blue Potato Plant                                             

By Polly Nelson  UCCE Master Gardener

Scientific name: Solanum rantonnetii

Planting area: USDA 9-11

Size: 5-8 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide

Bloom Season: spring through summer to late fall

Exposure: Full sun, partial shade in warmer areas

Water needs: regular

This sun-loving perennial produces unusual purple, 1-inch flowers instead of potatoes! The flowers have gold centers and form on new-growth branches with green leaves and a tendency to cascade. Small red berries follow the flowers. The plant can be in the ground, trained as a shrub, hedge, or shaped into a tree over time, lollipop-shaped or espaliered. Where frost or poor soil is an issue, this plant grows well in containers.

Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location four feet in front of walls or fences. Dig a hole three times the width of the root ball. Place it in the hole and backfill with the excavated soil, tamping gently. Water thoroughly. Subsequent watering for in-ground and container plants should be applied when the soil is dry two inches below the surface. Place a mulch layer 4 inches deep, staying 4 inches away from the trunk, to keep soil evenly moist and discourage weeds.  Too much irrigation promotes excess leaf production rather than flowers.

Increased leaf production at the expense of flowers can also be caused by too much nitrogen in fertilizer. Use a complete, balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring/summer or a liquid fertilizer. Follow label instructions for amounts and frequency.

Prune the plant back by one-third every fall or shape it into a tree to control growth, encourage blossoms, and maintain the desired shape. Wait for blooms to decline in the fall, or shear lightly to deadhead during the blooming season to encourage more flowers.

This plant attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is deer-resistant, with its primary pests being aphids and thrips. Treat aphids with a water spray to remove; thrips may be sprayed with horticultural or neem oil if necessary. This plant can be toxic, so wear gloves when handling and don't allow pets and children to consume.