February 11, 2010 Newsletter

Cold Hardy Fruit Trees

There are so many different types of fruit trees that grow well in central Florida. Below is a sample of some of the cold-hardy fruit trees that do well and don't require cold protection during the winter months. For more in depth information on proper planting, pruning and general care of these types of fruits, come out to the workshop this Saturday, February 13th at 10am.

Peaches & Nectarines - There is nothing better than eating a fresh peach right off the tree and letting the juice drip down your chin. Here in central Florida, we can grow a number of delicious varieties including, Flordaprince, Flordagrande and Tropic Beauty. Nectarines are the smooth-skinned cousin of the peach, but just as delicious and nutritious. Sunraycer and Sunmist are two great varieties that will fruit in our climate.

Apples & Pears - An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and with your own tree, you won't have to see the doc all year! Anna and Dorsett Golden are a great apple combination and are our version of Red Delicious and Granny Smith. Apples and pears need pollinators, so you need two trees in close proximity.

Persimmons - With a delicious orange flesh that's a little like jelly, persimmons are yummy fresh or can be used in a variety of baked goods. Fuyu is our favorite variety for its large size and consistent production.

Figs, olives and pomegranates - This Mediterranean combination will add a healthy punch of antioxidants and omega-3s to your diet, and they are all cold hardy. All three are easy to grow, and love well-drained, sunny areas.

Berries - There are lots of berries that we can grow here, including delicious mulberries that grow on large trees to healthy blackberries that grow on brambling vines. This year, we've gotten in some Heritage raspberries that are actually fruiting now! Of course you can't forget about blueberries, a superfood with high amounts of antioxidants. They are starting to flower now and will be fruiting soon.

Grapes - Whether you enjoy making wine or eating them fresh, Florida's muscadine grapes are a delicious treat. Try Ison grapes for a large deep purple berry with lots of sweet flesh. Grapes are great for growing up a trellis, arbor or for covering a gazebo.

Kiwi - Kiwi is a unique plant because there are male and female plants, and both varieties are required for fruiting. These delicious fruits are great in smoothies, fruit salads or just cut up as part of a healthy breakfast. They were once called strawberry peaches because of their flavor.

Pecans - Pie, sticky buns, coffee cake, pancakes . . . what can't you add pecans to? These large trees provide beautiful shade for picnics and play, and yield bushels of pecans in the fall.

Citrus - Tangelos, tangerines, oranges, grapefruits and kumquats are all hardy citrus trees that produce lots of fruit year after year. Citrus are one of the easiest fruits to grow in our area.

Upcoming Events

Workshop: Growing Peaches, Apples, Pears and Plums
Saturday, February 13th at 10:00 am

If you've ever wanted your own backyard orchard, but didn't know where to start, then this workshop is for you! We'll talk about the great varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums and nectarines that can be grown in our area and discuss the best ways to plant and care for them. These trees aren't just for our friends up north!

Workshop: Spring Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, February 20th at 10:00 am

Healthier, tastier vegetables are easy to grow, and in this workshop, you'll get all the information you need to get your vegetable garden going this spring. Also included is an Earthbox demo, showing you how to grow veggies, even with limited space.

If you've attended our veggie workshops before then you already know how to grow healthy, happy vegetables. But if you've ever wanted to dig a little deeper into vegetable gardening, then this workshop is for you. We'll discuss organic gardening, composting, natural pest control and other vegetable gardening issues that will give your garden the best harvests ever this year.

Looking to freshen up your landscaping after winter? Look no further. We'll show you all of the hardy alternatives that you can use to make your garden beautiful all year long.

It's hard to believe that this year will be Kerby's 30th birthday. We're celebrating with a weekend-long birthday bash on the boardwalk. More information will be posted soon.

Juicy and delicious, there is nothing like picking fruit from a tree you've grown and eating it on the spot. Whether you like mangos or jakfruit, kiwi or papaya, or nance and custard apple, there is a fruit to fit every taste. After the workshop, you'll be able to sample some of the delicious fruits that can be grown in our area.

10% Off Any Fruit Tree

Bring in this coupon and receive 10% off all fruit trees.

Offer expires February 19, 2010. Please present coupon. Click here for a printable version, or if you don't have a printer, mention that you saw the coupon in our e-newsletter.


From our Garden to Yours	February 11, 2010