Nutrition & Health

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I have a lot of nectarines on my tree this year but most have ugly brown and yellow scabby-looking scars on them. They’re also much smaller than the ones in the grocery store. Some of the leaves are curled and distorted, too. What am I…

Dr. Mary Lou Flint, Associate Director Statewide IPM, University of CaliforniaFrom The Curious Gardener, Winter 2011Winter slows down many garden pest problems, but it is also a key time for gardeners to take actions to prevent certain pest problems next spring. One of the most important of these…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: Whole branches of my apricot tree have suddenly wilted and appear to be dying. They are getting the same amount of water I’ve always given them and there doesn’t appear to be any insects attacking them. What is going wrong? A: In areas…

By Elaine Applebaum, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Is it true you’re not supposed to prune apricot trees during the dormant season? If so, why, and when should I prune? A: Apricot trees should not be pruned in the winter because they are susceptible to a disease called Eutypa dieback…

Mike Kluk, UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County From The Curious Gardener, Summer 2011Your main task in the summer orchard is picking and eating all of the delicious fruit your trees produce. There are, however, a few other activities you need to complete to ensure that your trees stay healthy and…

By Elaine Applebaum,UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I recently moved to a house with fruit trees. How do I prune them?A: Most fruit trees should have their heavy pruning during their dormant period, which in our area is January and February. Always use clean and well-sharpened tools…

By Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: Several months ago, I bought a home with a pomegranate tree, and I can see fruit growing on the tree now. How can I tell when they are ripe?   A: Pomegranates are ripe in early autumn: October and November. The timing of ripe…

By Gay Wilhelm and Trish Grenfell, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyQ: In 2009, I vowed to eat better and save money by growing my own fruit and nut trees. When is the best time to buy these trees? Any helpful hints to pass along? A: Bare root fruit and nut trees should be appearing in local…

By Sharon Ross, UC Master Gardeners of Placer CountyFrom The Curious Gardener, Spring 2008Blueberries, native to the US, are not only an excellent food source but also the clusters of white flowers in the spring make them a pleasing ornamental as well.Before considering blueberries for the garden, check the…

The California Nutrition Incentive Program, or CNIP, matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or SNAP and also known as CalFresh in California—dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at certified farmers’ markets and other retail locations. This program is known in many places as Market Match…