Archive Nut, Prune and Olive Programs

 The "Lost Science" column of the New York Times recently focused on Jenny Carlson Donnelly, a UC Davis doctoral alumna who lost her job earlier this year as a Malaria Outbreak Emergency Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) due to Trump administration cuts.USAID,…

Jacqueline Champa, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County From The Curious Gardener, Fall 2010All summer you looked forward to your first, fresh-picked apple of the season. Picking a beautiful apple off the tree, the only imperfection is a slight red spot on the skin---somewhat like a blossoming…

By Johanne Ryker, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: We recently moved into a new home that has a small orchard with various fruit trees. I was very disappointed when I went to pick my apples and pears and discovered they all had worm holes and what looked liked worm-infested fruit. What would…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I have a lot of nectarines on my tree this year but most have ugly brown and yellow scabby-looking scars on them. They’re also much smaller than the ones in the grocery store. Some of the leaves are curled and distorted, too. What am I…

Dr. Mary Lou Flint, Associate Director Statewide IPM, University of CaliforniaFrom The Curious Gardener, Winter 2011Winter slows down many garden pest problems, but it is also a key time for gardeners to take actions to prevent certain pest problems next spring. One of the most important of these…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: Whole branches of my apricot tree have suddenly wilted and appear to be dying. They are getting the same amount of water I’ve always given them and there doesn’t appear to be any insects attacking them. What is going wrong? A: In areas…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Is it true you’re not supposed to prune apricot trees during the dormant season? If so, why, and when should I prune? A: Apricot trees should not be pruned in the winter because they are susceptible to a disease called Eutypa dieback…

Mike Kluk, UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County From The Curious Gardener, Summer 2011Your main task in the summer orchard is picking and eating all of the delicious fruit your trees produce. There are, however, a few other activities you need to complete to ensure that your trees stay healthy and…

By Elaine Applebaum,UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I recently moved to a house with fruit trees. How do I prune them?A: Most fruit trees should have their heavy pruning during their dormant period, which in our area is January and February. Always use clean and well-sharpened tools…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Several months ago, I bought a home with a pomegranate tree, and I can see fruit growing on the tree now. How can I tell when they are ripe?   A: Pomegranates are ripe in early autumn: October and November. The timing of ripe…