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A quick buzz...
Mmmm... we could really go for a home grown apple on a day like this.
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Are you interested in purchasing a little dried lavender?
Last week's Herb article was about lavender, so we thought we'd mention an internet source for dried lavender--and just about any other herb, spice, or tea you'd care to buy.
Click here to shop the Mountain Rose Herbs website
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Part II: Special Tips for Apple Trees
Controlling apple maggots to get perfect fruit
Plant two or more apple trees so they can cross-pollinate. Once they're established, they'll produce fruit within a year or two, and are fairly low maintenance plants in your yard.
But, watch out for apple maggots. By far this is the most common pest for home and commercial growers alike. Misshapen apples, holes in the fruit, and brown streaks through the flesh are signs you've got apple maggots.
Don't throw apples away just because they've got brown streaks--they can safely be used for cooking or cider-making.
To prevent apple maggots, pick up fallen apples within a day or two. If you're not using them for cooking or cider-making, bury them at least a foot deep well away from your trees. You may also compost these apples, well away from the orchard.
Use maggot traps, which you can easily purchase online. You'll need about five traps per tree. These red balls are coated with a sticky substance which traps the flies. Traps must be hung up before July 1.
If you've got a lot of time on your hands, put a plastic bag over each apple. A sandwich bag works perfectly and won't break the bank. Apples must be bagged before July 1. Cut off the bottom corners of the bag to allow moisture to drain.
Insecticide sprays are difficult for the home grower to obtain, and of course come with all the usual cautions for poisonous chemicals. To be effective, each leaf and apple must be thoroughly soaked in chemicals. If you feel you must resort to this drastic measure, contact the Minnesota Extension Service to find out what chemicals are legally available and how home growers should use them.
Remember that apple maggot flies don't just inhabit the apples themselves; they live in damp soil, on surrounding trees and shrubs, and on all parts of your apple tree. Trapping should simply become part of your routine. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort, and the beautiful fruits that result are worth the time!
Next week: Pruning apple trees like a pro.
If you missed the first article in the "Tree Series" which we sent on January 25, email us at beiersgreenhouse@beiersgreenhouse.com and we'll resend it just to you. Thanks so much for reading all our emails.
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| Apple, Carrot, and Raisin Corn Muffins
Makes 12 Muffins
1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup raisins
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons melted butter or oil
1 apple, preferably green, peeled and grated
1 carrot, grated
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 12-cup muffin pan, or use paper inserts.
Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and raisins in a bowl and set aside.
Combine eggs, milk, honey, and melted butter. Add the grated apple, carrot, and orange rind to the liquid ingredients. Mix the dry and liquid ingredients together with a few swift strokes (don't over stir).
Spoon into muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, then remove from the pan. Serve with cream cheese, if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Beier's Greenhouse. Adapted from Creative Cooking With Grains and Pasta by Sheryl and Mel London. Copyright 1982 by Sheryl and Mel London. Rodale: Emmaus, PA.
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February 8, 2009
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Call Us
(218) 326-5357
Midway Storage
(218) 244-2491
Extension Office
(218) 327-5958
BEIER'S QUICK LINKS
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Thanks for your time! We appreciate our customers so much. We're always available via email, even if the greenhouse is closed for the season.
Sincerely,
Bonnie and the whole Beier's Greenhouse team |
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