Fruit

Types of Strawberries

Q. What is the difference between June-bearing and ever-bearing strawberries? 

A. Types of strawberries are named according to their harvest time. June-bearing strawberries are the most familiar type and produce the largest fruits as well as large yields. Ever-bearing plants produce two smaller crops, one in June and another in early fall. June-bearing varieties also produce larger numbers of runners than ever-bearing varieties.

Selecting a Good Carving Pumpkin

Q. How do I select a good carving pumpkin for my family?

Pruning Fruit Trees

Q. How and when should a crabapple and peach tree be pruned?

Pear Trees

Q: Do I need more than one variety of pear tree in order for it to produce fruit?

Growing Lemon Trees

Q. How do I grow a lemon tree indoors?

How to Espalier Crabapple Trees

Q. I often admire the crabapple trees espaliered on the Visitor Center. Is this a procedure I could duplicate at home with one or two small trees?

A. Yes, it is. An espalier is an innovative way to soften a brick wall, a trellis or even a chain link fence. If space permits, consider using more than one tree. The Red Jewel crabapple trees on the Visitor Center are espaliered into basic Y-shapes that are then extended into a diamond pattern.

Overwintering Citrus Trees

Q. Is it possible to grow dwarf citrus trees indoors in the winter without a greenhouse? I have a large, sunny patio where they could spend the summer months.

A. In the Midwest, dwarf citrus trees make excellent outdoor warm-weather container plants. Most are hardy to 30 degrees and do quite well when provided with warmth, humidity and full sun. To successfully overwinter these plants indoors, take the following precautions:

Pruning cherry tree

Q. When is the best time to prune a cherry tree?

Apple tree pruning tips

Q. I have several old apple trees in serious need of pruning. When is a good time to do this?

Apple trees dropping fruit

Q. Why do apple trees drop their fruit early? We have an old apple tree on our property that produces pocked, rotten apples. Is there way we can help the tree produce edible fruit?

A. Some fruit trees will naturally thin themselves by dropping excess fruit prematurely. Often, a period of stress (a long, hot summer with very little rain) will cause a tree to abort its fruit in order to conserve energy. Apple trees require deep watering during drought. Lack of pollination can result in pea-size fruit that falls off prematurely.