Just heard about this exciting course through the HSU Extension:
Fruit Tree Selection & Orchard Maintenance
Delicious fruits round out the ideal garden of edibles, and it is important to know how to take care of fruit trees to have the best harvests possible.
You will learn about apple, pear and other fruiting tree varieties that are ideally suited for the North Coast.
Learn how root stock plays the important role in determining tree height, allowing easier maintenance and harvesting, as well as tolerance to wet soils or drought, disease resistance, durability and productivity.
This course will also cover soil maintenance, which will enable you to provide the best structure and nutrients to feed your fruiting plants and trees.
You will learn how to properly thin your trees for health and harvest. You will also learn how to prune your trees for their best shape and how to manage pests (diseases, insects and gophers).
This course will culminate in a field experience at the instructor’s orchard in Fieldbrook.
date ….. Tues., Thurs., Sun., Oct. 5, 7, 10
time ….. Tues., Thurs. 6-8 p.m., Sun. 1-3 p.m.
fee ….. $60
place ….. Forestry 105 and Fieldbrook
instr …… Peter Haggard
course ….. EENC X022, 46939
More information and registration details here.
Peter Haggard worked for the Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and has gardened in Humboldt County for over 30 years. He has a small orchard of mostly apples and pears, which are all on dwarfing rootstock and espaliered. The orchard also includes plums, peaches, blueberries, figs and European filberts. Pete co-authored with Judy Haggard Insects of the Pacific Northwest, as well as articles for various publications.
