Updates From The Farm

Pear Trees Problems

Pear Trees Problems

We're hearing that many people are seeing problems on their pear trees this year. One pest that seems to be showing up is pear blister mite. This little mite overwinters in the bud scales on the trees, waking up as the trees break dormancy, then feeding on the leaves...

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Orchard Pest Worries

Even though it is early May, people are starting to worry about the two main summer orchard pests in apples- codling moth and apple maggot. The past couple of summers have been warmer than average, and in warm summers, these...

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Living with Deer

Living with Deer

Deer are a fact of life for many of us. They are charming to look at, but they can wreak havoc in the garden. Not only do they browse the plants, but the bucks will quickly destroy a plant when rubbing their antlers during the late summer and autumn rut. How can you...

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Growing Figs in the Northwest

Growing Figs in the Northwest

Though figs are of Mediterranean origin, they thrive and fruit well in the Pacific Northwest. They produce small embryonic fruit each year in late summer that over winters and ripens the following summer. They are self fertile. There are a few tips that can make a fig...

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Scouting for Pest Problems

Scouting for Pest Problems

Scouting One of the most important tools a gardener or orchardist has are his or her eyes. Scouting is the act of observation, with the intent of recognizing disease or pest hazards before they become critical. The idea is to act before too much damage is done. This...

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Upright Fruiting Offshoot (UFO)  Sweet Cherry Training

Upright Fruiting Offshoot (UFO) Sweet Cherry Training

Many visitors to Cloud Mountain are intrigued by our 'cherry tunnel'. This upright fruiting system (UFO) is an unusual way of growing sweet cherries. It was initially developed for commercial growers, but can be adapted to home gardens and market farms as well. The...

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Pruning Sweet Cherries

Pruning Sweet Cherries

One important note: always prune cherries when you will have at least 2 days of dry weather. This can help reduce canker. Most people grow sweet cherries as freestanding 'bush' shaped trees.  In a future post, we'll talk about growing sweet cherries as an espalier or...

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Pruning Stone Fruits

Pruning Stone Fruits

Traditionally, we have been pruning most of our stone fruits in late January along with the rest of the orchard for quite a number of years. A few years ago, we discovered something interesting in our Peach Plum. It has been my youngest daughter’s favorite plum since...

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Frost and fruit buds

Frost and fruit buds

With our mild winter and early spring, most fruit trees are breaking dormancy a bit ahead of normal. This time of year when the forecast is for sunny days and clear nights, it's possible we'll get some frost. Should you worry about those fruit buds? Critical Bud...

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Plant of the Week- July 30

Plant of the Week- July 30

Plant of the Week- Sea Buckthorn aka Seaberry Hippophae rhamnoides or Seaberry is a large, thorny, deciduous shrub native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the family Elaeagnaceae, which also contains Autumn Olive and Goumi. The yellow to orange berries are...

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Plant of the Week- July 3

Plant of the Week- July 3

Plant of the Week- Currants & Gooseberries Currants and Gooseberries are all members of the genus Ribes. This large genus includes all the fruiting black, red, and white currants, gooseberries, and hybrids including Jostaberry, as well as many flowering ornamental...

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Plant of the Week- June 25

Plant of the Week- June 25

Plant of the Week- Diospyros kaki Asian Persimmon The Asian persimmon is native to China, and has been in cultivation for more than 2000 years.  There are many varieties in commercial cultivation, but most of them are unsuitable for the Pacific Northwest due to their...

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