History Of Walnuts

The first historical accounts of walnut trees growing under civilized cultivation was in ancient Babylon (Iraq) about 2000 B.C.; however, walnuts have evidently been attached to mankind much earlier by excavations from cave fossils as suggested by archeologists. There is a reference point in the Biblical record in the Old Testament, that King Solomon was growing nuts (identified as walnuts by some translators), however, the likelihood of these nuts being other than almonds is very remote, because of the almond nut image that was used as symbols commonly in Hebrew icons and stone carving displays in Jerusalem inside Solomon’s temple. The adaptability of almonds is much more likely for almond trees to succeed than for walnut trees in the climate and soils of Israel.

The Greeks were credited with the first certified improvements in the size and quality of the Persian (Iran and Iraq) today called English walnut trees through selection and cultivation. The Romans soon established the Persian walnut trees throughout most of Europe and much of North Africa, that have most popularly become known today as the English walnut trees.

English Walnuts, ‘Juglans regia,’ were brought into the United States by Spanish missionaries in the early 1800’s by Franciscan monks, who settled along the California coast. Because the English walnut orchards, that were rapidly established in Central California came from the seeds planted from those walnuts that grew in the Catholic missions, the walnuts were sold and distributed under the name ‘Mission Walnuts.’

Central California walnut tree growers today produce 99% of the total U.S. commercial walnut supplies of English walnuts. This production capacity of California also produces 65% of the world supply of English walnuts.

Famous chefs of the world use walnuts in many types of cuisines including meats, vegetables, desserts, and soup preparations. A world famous dessert–made from walnuts, honey, and paper-thin, buttered, flakes of crusts–is called ‘Baklava.’

Important commercial types of walnuts that are grown today for profit are ‘Juglans regia,’ the English (Persian) walnut, that is mainly grown and produced in the United States. Trees can live to an age of approximately 60 years and grow to about 60 feet tall at maturity.

Black walnut, ‘Juglans nigra,’ a native walnut tree in America is grown mainly from New England to Minnesota and Nebraska and southwards down to the Gulf of Mexico. The black walnut tree can grow to a height of 60 feet and can live past 100 years. Black walnut trees have been grown mainly for their value in making expensive furniture; the nuts are harvested in considerably large quantities to use in baking, ice cream, and in candy recipes. The nuts can be easily shelled into large pieces if soaked overnight in water. The nuts are known for their crunchy flavor, which is distinctively spicy and enriched in its oil content.

Butternut or White walnut, ‘Juglans cinerea,’ is genetically closely related to the black walnut, ‘Juglans nigra,’ that forms oval shaped nuts, with a thick corrugated shell, 2 inches long with white kernels; richly flavored and preferred by many people to have a superior flavor over other cultivars of walnuts. The white walnut can grow 100 feet tall with a life expectancy of 75 years. The white walnut tree is the most cold hardy of all walnut trees, growing vigorously in zones 3-9. The roots of these trees, like black walnut trees, will exude a poisonous chemical that kills other plants (phytotoxic) growing nearby, thus other vegetation does not grow well if located within 80 feet of the trunk of the tree. The tree has a broader, leafy canopy than other walnut trees, but the wood is soft and inferior.

Walnut kernels are universally known to contain many antioxidants that offer health benefits and will lower cholesterol in the body, thus lowering heart damage from disease and cause a dramatic reduction of fatty coagulants in veins and arteries. The leaves have been used as a laxative since antiquity, as well as to induce vomiting, stop bleeding, stop diarrhea, as a cure to many skin diseases and herpes, and to kill human internal worms. Walnut hull extracts have been used to treat liver problems, to kill ringworms, and to help lose weight. Walnuts are highly beneficial in providing all of the Vitamin B series, Vitamin E, and many minerals that are beneficial to keeping a healthy body.

Walnut hulls have found many uses in a powdered state as a metal polish, as a thermal insulator in rocket nose cones and as a mysterious, secret ingredient in women’s cosmetics. Walnut tree extracts have been used for centuries to make ink and dyes. The Egyptians used walnut kernel oil to embalm mummies by replacing the blood with walnut oil.

Greek mythology records that Carya, (the Latin genus name for walnut), who fell in love with the Greek God, Dionysus, was transformed into a walnut tree at her death. The wooden walnut columns (and later, marble) at the Acropolis that stand above the city were transformed into her human image (catyatides) that today can be seen by tourists in Athens, Greece.

Luther Burbank in 1893 introduced fast growing walnut tree hybrids that only required 15 years of growth to reach maturity, rather than the usual 50-60 years of growth. One hybrid he named, “Paradox walnut tree,” Juglans x ‘Paradox’ by crossing the English walnut tree, ‘Juglans regia,’ with the California black walnut, ‘Juglans hindsii.’ This walnut tree is used as a grafting understock for commercial cultivars. “Royal walnut tree,” Juglans x ‘Royal,’ by crossing the American black walnut tree, ‘Juglans nigra,’ with the California black walnut, ‘Juglans hindsii.’ This walnut tree still today produces almost a ton of nuts per year.

Other minor species of walnuts include the “Heartnut walnut tree,” ‘Juglans ailantifolia,’ that is as hardy as the American black walnut, easily grown, very productive, especially after the trees grow older. It bears strings of nuts sometimes 30 or more in a single cluster that hangs down 1 foot in length. The kernels of these heartnut walnuts drop out into a container completely intact when the thin shells are cracked. Luther Burbank felt that this walnut was an intermediate variant of the Japanese walnut. The Manchurian walnut tree, ‘Juglans mandshurica,’ was introduced as a variant of the Japanese walnut during the Civil War of the United States. The flavor of these nuts is considered spicy and superior in taste to other walnuts, while being crunchier. These trees grow to 100 feet tall or more and are cold hardy from zones 5 to 10. This walnut tree produces a staple food crop in Korea (Manchuria). Many excellent food products are available using the nuts from this walnut tree.

Patrick A. Malcolm, owner of TyTy Nursery, has an M.S. degree in Botany and has cultivated walnut trees for over three decades.

Riding Lawnmower - Choices are Wide Open

You have a big lawn, the grass is always growing, and now it is time to consider getting a riding lawn mower. The choices in riding lawn mowers are more vast than you might have previously thought. A riding lawn mower is one that you are going to actually sit on, drive and mow the grass at the same time.

If you only have a small area, one that is flat and not more than a few acres you may be able to purchase a cheap lawnmower that is going to last years under these conditions. If you have five or more acres to mow, and the grass is always growing way high, you most likely are going to require at least a mid line lawn mower, one that will cost about $1,500 to do the job. You want to have a deck that is 44″ to 52″ wide to get the job done fast all the time. Remember the smaller the deck, the more you are going to have to cut, the bigger the deck, the fewer passes you have to make on going over that lawn.

If you have a lawn that is more than five acres, and you have rolling hills on your lawn you may want to invest a little more in the riding lawnmower of your choice. A riding lawnmower that is about 48″ to 52″ or more is going to best suit your needs, as it will be one of the largest. You have the options of having it turn in 180 degrees or you can have the regular type of lawn mower that will require steering in straight lines.

A large type of lawn mower is going to have different wheels. The lawnmower with just small wheels on the front and on the rear if for a flat area, without hills. The lawnmower with small wheels in the front and larger wheels in the back is for an area that has hills, so you can climb those hills easier.

Don’t forget if you are mowing more than five or six acres all the time during the summer, you are going to want to purchase a lawnmower with a larger motor so it will be able to haul, tote and pull things as well. Gardening and landscaping over large areas will be nice, when you can pull a wagon with your lawnmower as well. You will find many lawnmowers will actually come with some type of wagon, free, during special promotion times. You can also purchase wagons for any lawnmower at the same place where you are considering purchasing the lawnmower of your choice.

Author:
Magne Bjorklund, http://www.riding-lawnmovers.info/

Also visit: http://www.a-mobility-scooter.info/

http://www.my-snowblowers.info/

Tips On How To Care For Fresh Cut Tropicals

You can do your own tropical flower arrangements and add life to
your office or home. Tropical flowers are generally much hardier
than their softer cousins. They are brilliantly colored and have
a longer shelf life especially if you care for them properly.

Here are some things you can do to maximize their life:

1) Every type of fresh cut flower will produce a certain amount
of ethylene gas during shipping but this can be taken care of by
immediately unwrapping them and submersing them completely in a
room temperature bath or large tub of water for 10 to 20
minutes. This applies to almost all the tropicals except for the
fuzzy protease and most orchids.

2) Cut the stem of your tropicals about an inch from the bottom
at about a 45-degree angle. The slant ensures that the stem will
draw the maximum amount of water. Do this several times during
the week and you will extend their life.

3) Tropicals grow in warm rainy climates and they enjoy being
wet. For this reason keep your tropicals away from drafts and
cool places and direct sunlight. Spray mist them daily to keep
the moisture content up. In nature tropical blooms have pods
facing upward, as they like to pool water in them. You can also
do this with your fresh cuts.

4) If you find that the water gets cloudy then put a few drops
of bleach in the water. This helps to prevent bacteria from
growing and this will not hurt the flowers.

5) Make sure that when you design your flowers in a vase that
you do not have any greens below the water line. This will
rapidly decay the rest of the arrangement.

6) If you have purchased bird of paradise for your arrangement
and they are not open, you can gently ease them apart by taking
your index finger or thumb and slowly push your way at the base
of the flower and force the blooms up.

Most tropicals will last between 7 to 14 days if properly taken
care of. I have seen cymbidium orchids last as long as 3 weeks.
So enjoy these vibrant exotic flowers in your home or office.

Controlling Spider Mites

Appearance:

Spider mites can be found in most species of spruce but are predominately found on Colorado or White spruce. Spruce spider mites are tiny and very difficult to see. They are approximately .5 millimeters and are a dark green to dark brown in colouration. The best method to find out if your spruce tree may have mites is to place a white piece of paper under a branch and shake it repeatedly. Fold the paper in half, if red smears appear after opening the paper, chances are you have spider mites living in your trees. Ensure you check your trees on a regular basis as mite populations can grow quite rapidly.

Damage:

By using their sucking mouth- parts the spider mites pierce the needle and extract sap from within. This feeding causes the needles to take on a bleached look to them. If the population is large enough the feeding can cause the needles to become a yellow to brownish colour. These needles eventually dry out and fall off. Spider mites begin feeding on the lower branches of the tree, feeding from the inner needles outward. They use a silk webbing throughout the area they are feeding on. Most trees are able to withstand an infestation, but a newly planted tree or one that is under stress from other factors is more likely to be injured by this pest.

Controlling the problem:

As with many tree pests’ weather such as wind rain and temperature are a great help in controlling an infestation. You may also be able to achieve acceptable control by using your garden hose to spray down any trees that may be under attack. Looks for the silk webbing the mites create which is found on the underside of the lower branches. If you are using a chemical control it is advisable to hire a reputable tree service to perform this task. The reason for this is that any insecticides used must be applied at high pressure to ensure the chemical reaches the inner branches of the tree. Most garden hoses will not achieve the type of pressure needed to achieve good control.

Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of Alberta, Canada. He has over 15 years experience in the lawn care industry.

For more lawn care information, please visit http://fairyring.ca/

Extending the living space outdoors - working with color

As suburban gardens become smaller, outdoor areas have evolved into more of an extension to our interior living space. Much more thought needs to be given to decorating the available space so that it becomes a totally integrated area. Colour in particular greatly affects our moods and changes the feeling of the space within which we relax, play and entertain. And for plant lovers there’s a plant that’s suitable for every colour scheme and every location.

If you already have a dominant architectural or color theme indoors that brings you pleasure, try to extend this to the outdoor area so it becomes a natural extension of the indoor living area by using the same cushions, pots, furniture or other decorative features. If you have a wooden floor you can extend this theme to the outdoors by using interlocking wood deck tiles which are simply laid over any existing concrete or wood surface. There’s a range of wood species available so you should be able to find a color that comes close to your existing flooring. And if you have ceramic or porcelain tiles indoors, there’s now a range of similar interlocking tiles available with ceramic tiles on top which also comes in a variety of colours and styles.(see for example www.ezydeck.net)

Experiment by using neutral colours for walls, fencing and paving and then by changing decorative accessories and garden plantings, you can create a different look for each season until you’ve found what works the best and give the most pleasing result.

Don’t overlook using textures in addition to colour, as contrasting textures play a very important role in a pleasing landscape design. Opportunities for experimenting with texture effects could include tables, chairs, pots, wall hangings, cushions, paving, plants and practically any decorative accessories. Foliage in particular offers a multitude of textures and interesting shapes. Choose plants with a theme in mind: are you creating a tropical wonderland, a place to sit in the sun and dream of holidays in Tuscany, or a stark modernist approach with grasses and cacti? But before rushing out and spending a fortune at the nursery, remember that each plant has specific requirements in terms of soil, sun, humidity, temperature and rainfall. If you can’t provide these, your plants simply won’t flourish. Consider how each plant will look in each season, especially the main season when you want to be using your exterior spaces the most. And remember, too much of anything, whether it’s patterns, textures or colours, can be confusing. Too much variety in small spaces can look excessively “busy”. And with plants, large groupings of just one or two varieties will usually create a much greater impact and look more balanced in a small area than a host of different plants with a riot of different colored flowers.

About the Author

Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an exporter of landscape materials including modular decking tiles. For further information see www.ezydeck.net

Relaxation in the garden starts with a Hammock

This summer’s new product for relaxing in the garden or by the
pool will be the hammocks. The hammock has been penned by many
designers as the “garden chaise lounge”.

Hammocks come in many different styles and finishes, although
the overall theme is the same, allowing the user to lie flat out
in comfort whilst rocking gently.

How to choose a hammock

1. Firstly take into consideration whether you will be using the
hammock on your own or whether there may be times when two
people will want to use it at the same time, maybe those
romantic moments. If there is going to more than one person on
the hammock then you definitely need a double hammock. 2. Some
hammocks come with removable fabric which may not be waterproof,
so ensure that if you intend leaving it outside all year round
or even at nigh, you need a waterproof fabric such as Textaline,
which is made from plastic. 3. You should always measure the
area where you are going to locate the hammock and ensure that
it will fit comfortably and allow for easy access around the
hammock. 4. If you intend sleeping on the hammock then try to
buy a model that comes with pre-installed cushions. 5. Ensure
that the make up of the metal frame parts are powder coated as
this will lengthen the products life. 6. If you opt for a wood
hammock, remember that it may need treating with a stain or
preservative every year and if you are not prepared to undertake
the work, then opt for a powder coated metal framed hammock. 7.
Make sure that the hammock can be easily dismantle if you intend
storing it inside during the winter months.

A lot of people buy hammocks instead of a camp bed and use them
for accommodating guests. This is particularly useful if you are
short of room in your house as most are fully collapsible. One
point worth remembering is that the bed does rock or swing, so
you will have to put something under the rockers to stop the
movement.

Unlike the hammock which gives a sideways rocking movement,
hammocks give a forward to back rocking movement and do not hug
the body as much as a hammock. They are a totally different
concept to the hammock and provide an equally enjoyable sitting
or lying space.

In recent years they have become extremely popular around
swimming pools and set to become a great must have product for
the coming seasons.

Mini Roses Are Going To Change The Look Of Your Home

Your home needs some great flowers out front and there are no better flowers to choose than mini roses. These roses are fragrant as flowers get and they are pretty as well. They are easier to take care of than their larger varieties and they are just as pretty. There are tons of great things that can be done with these kinds of roses and as soon as you hear about them you will be able to use them yourself.

Mini roses make the perfect borders for driveways and flower patches. Since the roses are so tiny they can border just about anything and look fabulous. They do not grow very high and each little bush has many little bunches of flowers on it. This makes for a profusion of color and smell that will make any home more attractive to the eye.

There is no end to the colors that you can find mini roses in. They come in all colors and shades from white to red to peach to yellow. No matter what colors you choose they can be combined with others successfully. Having more than one color in your mini rose garden will add depth and beauty to the garden.

There is even more that makes mini roses so great. They are tough little flowers that will grow just about anywhere and that do not need a whole lot of pampering. They even come back year after year so you do not need to buy new ones.

No matter what kind of yard you have or what kind of style of gardening you prefer, mini roses are going to fit in with ease. These are going to take the look of your yard to a whole new level and that is why they are just the thing you have been looking for all of these years. The look and the lovely fragrance of these pretty little mini roses are going to fix your yard up right once and for all.

Dana Goldberg is the owner of Gardening
Design Pros. On her website you fill find a wealth of gardening information and resources including articles by top garden writers, seasonal tips and advice.

Separating The Good Weeds From The Bad

In your fight against weeds you’ve probably come across any number of different types. And chances are equally likely that you went straight for the herbicide, or started pulling them up as soon as you saw them. But believe it or not, some things that look like weeds can actually help be helpful to keeping your lawn green and healthy. And conversely, things that look like flowers and add color to your lawn could be hurting it.

The good

Clover is a plant that most lawn owners immediately think of as a weed that needs to be killed. But before you start digging up or spraying your clover patches, consider the fact that it may be helping your lawn. Contrary to most other weeds, clovers can actually add nutrients to your lawn, and even help to keep other weeds at bay. By taking up space on your lawn that could otherwise be occupied by malicious weeds, clover can promote a healthy yard. It even has the added bonus of looking nice. So next time you see clover on your lawn, before you immediately start pulling it up, think about its benefits to your lawn first.

The bad

Dandelions are to most people, a nice looking plant. They add a bit of color to the lawn, and can even be eaten. But they are actually a weed, and a bad one at that. The presence of dandelions in your lawn means that it has a problem, either with the soil or the grass itself. You should remove dandelions as soon as you see them, because they are deep rooted and take up a lot of space that should be used by your grasses roots. They take up more than a fair share of nutrients and water as well, making it harder for nearby grass to grow the way it should. After pulling or killing the dandelions, be sure to check the soil and maybe add some fertilizer to it to ensure your neighboring grasses grow in strong.

The ugly

While not technically a weed, when different species of grass start growing on the same lawn the effect can unattractive. Just imagine a whole lawn of perfect Bermuda grass, with spots of wild growing meadow grass. It throws off the whole look of your yard. It is risky to kill the intruding grass with herbicides, because it can kill your existing lawn as well. You need to make sure you get the whole root pulled up, or the grass can easily grow back. After you get the other grass out, make sure your soil has the appropriate nutrients and plant the type of grass that is in the rest of your lawn. Be sure to keep an eye out for intruding grass, because you may not consider it as a weed.

Not all weeds are created equal, as we can see. Some are malicious, such as the dandelion, while others can actually help your lawn stay healthy like clover. And still others aren’t even weeds, but can make your lawn look unattractive. Whatever the case, be sure to be constantly checking and maintaining your lawn and weeds won’t sneak up on you.

Adrian Titus is a software engineer and webmaster of Lawn Care How To, a site dedicated to lawn care and maintenance.

Roller Blinds

What makes the roller blind the most popular window blind around today ? Is it because they are the value for money window treatment or is there anything else in it. There is not doubt they do provide a cheap and efficient way of blocking out the light and the heat that’s comes with the light. Also the glare can spoil the enjoyment of that room, particular a TV or computer room, and damage valuable furniture and favourite plants.

The operation of roller blinds is simple especially compared to venetian blinds or roman blinds. The blinds can be rolled up or down depending on how much light is needed at any time. They are best mounted inside the window recess and can be effectively teamed up with curtains; drapes or valances to add that extra bit to the room’s décor. They are very flexible and can be used in any room of your house as well as in the conservatory. They are ideal for windows where the depth is narrow and are also the perfect way to cover storage areas. They are very easy to adjust.

Roller blinds with special reflective aluminium backing are the most popular for conservatory blinds in the UK. The sunlight in effect bounces off the back of these blinds providing effective heat protection and glare control. This means you have an effective protection for valuable furniture and plants, particularly in the conservatory.

What criteria should be taken into account when selecting roller blinds ? Well the most crucial factor in selecting a roller blind is choosing the right material. Most roller blinds are crafted from relatively translucent fabrics, so that the light entering the room is not completely blocked and some light manages to filter through giving a pleasing subdued light. If this is not enough and complete black out is needed for say small children or developing photographs then blackout blinds are also available, and these as you would expect block out the light completely. These are also effective in keeping the room cool in the summers and warm in the winters. Also the room the blinds is needed for is important. Kitchens and bathrooms require much more robust frabics which are colourfast. In general the blind should be closely woven and lightweight. Roller blinds come in a huge selection of colours and in many different styles.

Another great thing about roller blinds is that they are quite easy to maintain. The blinds are constructed of fabric that is hard wearing and will only require a simple wipe with a damp cloth.

Installation of roller blinds is relatively simple - certainly easier then other types of blind. Almost anyone can fit these with ease and in no time at all.

As mentioned previously Roller blinds are versatile with plenty of decorative possibilities and while they may lack the attractiveness of pinoleum or pleated blinds, they are an immensely practical solution. They are a great value for money and are usually priced at the lower end of the budget range. Thus, they are an affordable and practical solution for low-budget window treatments.

About the Author

Garry John has written articles about blinds and double glazing.

Sampler of Rare Fruits for Fun or Profit

Here is a sampler of unusual fruits showing up on temperate climate farms and in nurseries. Their rarity in your location, of course, depends on your growing region.

Sea Buckthorn (Hipprophae rhamnoides)

A very productive northern fruiting plant, sea buckthorn, also called sea buckthorn berry or simply sea berry, is actually widely grown and yet very few in America are aware of it. It’s an attractive small tree or shrub native to the Russian Far East. It grows up to ten feet, with narrow silver leaves, spaced seven feet apart unless creating a hedge with plantings three to five feet apart. It is very hardy to minus 50 degrees F., and is easy to grow and resistant to disease. Prolific round yellow-orange fruits from the female plants are very high in vitamin C. In Europe they are made into sauces, jellies and used as a base for liqueurs. The juice is tart and is sweetened or blended with other fruits. Branches are also used in florist displays and the cosmetic and medicinal industry uses oil of the kernel and pulp.

Quince, Tree and Bush (Cydonia oblonga)

On Dog Mountain Farm in Carnation, Washington, owners David & Cindy Krepky have added quince to their sustainably operated community supported agriculture farm, which offers a large variety of better known vegetables, fruits, herbs and cut flowers as well. Nurseries offer several varieties of quince tree, some of which describe the fruit of the quince as a wonderful pineapple-like flavor. Value added products made from quince include jelly and jam, and they are sometimes mixed with apple cider. Almost every rural family had a fruiting quince tree in the early 20th century. The trees grow up to15 feet, some closer to eight to 10 feet, are self fertile with large white blossoms in late spring, and big bright yellow fruit ripening in fall. The late blossoms allow them to avoid spring frost damage. The quince bush is a winter hardy, disease resistant shrub also covered in fall with pineapple and/or citrus flavored fruits used to make jellies, jams or syrups.

Huckleberries (Vaccinium species)

Closely related to blueberries, huckleberries are rarely found in nurseries and yet huckleberry jams, pies and preserves are considered highly prized products. Sometimes more often called wild blueberries in the eastern U.S., they have much the same growing requirements as blueberries. Their berries are small and have a distinct wild flavor. Varieties native to the Pacific Northwest coast, sub-alpine and mountain regions are available, with some being evergreen, and some deciduous. There is at least one variety that grows well in USDA zones 4 through 10.

Kiwis (Actinidia species)

Although becoming well known, the kiwi is still considered a very special fruit, especially with the added novelty of being grown locally and organically. Native to Asia with the fuzzy kiwi introduced from New Zealand and hardy varieties from Russia and Japan, the vines are fast growing, with a variety of sizes of bright green-fleshed sweet fruits. The fuzzy, larger kiwis are hardy in the Pacific Northwest, but colder climates can grow the Arctic Beauty and the Arguta Hardy Kiwis. A male vine is needed for the females to set fruit, with one able to pollinate up to eight females. The fruits ripen in fall, and are usually picked after the first frost, still hard, when they can be stored in refrigeration for months, and then set out to soften. Growers report no significant pest or disease problems, with mature vines producing 25 pounds or more of fruit.

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Lingonberries are a native European evergreen ground cover. Each plant grows from 12 to 18 inches and when planted in groups, they eventually form a dense mat, which can choke out weeds. They are a delicious cranberry-like fruit ripening in late fall, about the size and shape of a small blueberry. Some varieties are very productive and easy to grow. They’re used for sauces, preserves, pickles, syrup, jelly and wine. They are self-fertile although better production is reported from growing more than one variety. Extremely hardy, growers say they withstand even arctic temperatures. In warm climates, they can produce in semi-shade, and in fact may do better in these circumstances, making them a good second crop under larger crops such as orchards or forest crops trees, although they do need acid soil and cannot take overwatering.

Medlar (Mespilus germanica)

Botanically somewhere between a pear and a hawthorn, the medlar is native to the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the eastern part of Turkey, the western part of Iran and around the Caucasus. Grown in Europe for thousands of years and productive in USDA zones 5–9, the tree is self-fertile, growing up to 10 feet. The fruits are one-inch in diameter, look a little like a crabapple, and are harvested after the first frost. Similar to pears in that they are a fruit that is not picked ripe, the medlar fruit is still quite hard upon harvest. During a process called ‘bletting,’ the fruit is stored in a cool, lighted place to become rich, soft and spicy, described by some growers as having a flavor of cinnamon applesauce and with a wine-like undertone. When fruits are developed enough for eating they are enjoyed raw, made into jelly, folded into whipped cream, and some connoisseurs use them in Old English recipes. Because of their natural storage and need for ‘bletting,’ farmers can offer their customers a late fall or winter crop when other crops are finished.

Mulberries (Morus)

The mulberry is a self-fertile fruit tree that produces abundantly with varieties that are reliable in USDA zones 4–9. The fruits resemble long raspberries or blackberries, and are used most often as fresh fruits, in baked goods, wine and preserves. The trees need full sun, and can be maintained at 15 feet. One warning is that fruit-eating birds are particularly fond of the mulberry, and their brightly colored juice stains very easily, so don’t plant a row of these over your customers’ parking area! The trees produce a summer crop, July through September, and the fruit is described as chewy, sweet and highly flavored with a pleasing, unique aftertaste.

Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa)

A cherry relative, the Nanking cherry is considered a ‘tart cherry bush.’ It is a beautiful flowering shrub that produces edible tart-cherry-like fruit. Products from the fruit are commonly fresh fruit, pie fillings and jellies. The fruits ripen in summer and are around ½ inch in diameter. The plant is also sold as a wildlife and windbreak plant. This deciduous shrub grows in USDA zones 2—8 and matures at six to 12 feet. It is native to Asia, tolerant to drought, and requires a soil that is well drained.

Elderberries (Sambucus species)

Elderberries are shrubs that prefer full sun, and are considered to be the easiest of all fruits to grow and care, and also possibly the most consistently productive. Extremely prolific, both the blossoms and berries have been used for centuries in cultures throughout the world for both medicinal and edible products including baked goods, cordials, jellies, tea and wine. The teas are also used in baths as an herbal treatment and the berries have also been used in dyes. Most recently, the elderberry has been explored and come to the forefront as a possible treatment for winter ailments, and the fruit is reported to be higher in vitamin C than oranges. As a nursery plant, the elderberry can be sold as a multi-purpose plant with many uses for both humans and as a wildlife sanctuary plant, as birds enjoy the berries, also.

Pomegranate (Punica)

The Pomegranate can be grown as an arching shrub or small tree. Although mostly adapted to desert climates, needing good drainage and hot summers to produce a crop of fruit, some growers sell them as potted porch plants to bring indoors to finish ripening. They thrive in USDA zones 4—10 but in cooler climates are brought inside to obtain the large ripened red fruits, which are juiced or eaten fresh in a very special manner. The seeds within each fruit are covered with sacks that are juicy, red and sweet, which are eaten and then the seeds are discarded. The trees are self- and insect-pollinated and are harvested usually starting early October. The cool fall nights help develop the bright color. The trees are thorny, and mature trees are reported to yield more than 15 tons of fruit per acre.

Paw Paws (Asimina triloba)

Paw paw varieties can grow as small tree to 10′ tall, with some native varieties reaching 40 feet or more. Their leaves are long and tropical looking. Native in much of the eastern United States, they are not well known in other parts of the country, although they grow and produce well in most of the nation, USDA zones 5–9, including the Pacific Northwest. The fruits are three to six inches long, oblong, and the pulp is described as tasting like vanilla custard. They are harvest when fruit color turns from green to yellow, and the soft fruit is most often eaten with a spoon, with the large seeds discarded. They grow naturally as an understory tree but can also grow in full sun, making them a possible secondary tree crop among other tree crops. In areas of much hot dry sun, the younger trees do better with partial shade. Fruits are harvested usually in late September and October.

Mayhaw (Crataegus aestivalis)

The Mayhaw, from the hawthorn family, is native to the United States and grows in USDA zones 6—9. Certain varieties of the mayhaw produce heavy crops of small red fruits, about ½” in diameter, that make delicious jelly, pies and juice. Growing only about 15 feet tall, they can tolerate wetter soils that other fruit trees, making them a possible sideline crop for marginal growing areas, although areas of late spring frosts can cut production because the tree blooms very early in spring.

Barbara Adams
Author: Micro Eco-Farming: Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth (New World Publishing)
http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com