Fruit trees often set more fruit than they can support or develop adequately, especially if the trees were not properly pruned during the previous season. Excessive fruit competes with each other for carbohydrates (stored energy) and remains small. This carbohydrate drain, or “sink,” can also weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to pests … Read more
One of the most understated joys in life is growing your very own herb garden. It’s a charming and useful occupation with many benefits. Whether you’re a green thumb who wants to take on the citrus family or simply someone who wants to learn how to grow orange trees in containers, this article is for … Read more
When it comes to defining fruit quality, growers might think a bit differently than consumers. “Fruit consumers are concerned with flavor, texture, the balance between sugar and acid, and appearance (shape, color, russet),” said Dr. Jim Schupp, pomologist at Penn State’s Fruit Research & Extension Center. “We’ve seen an increase in consumers who say that … Read more
No matter the industry, in business there’s always an advantage to being first on the market. In peaches, growers receive prices that are at least twice as high in the first few weeks of the season as they get during the main part of the season. Toward the end of the season, prices rise again, … Read more
Researching the fruit’s health properties Mary Ann Lila, director of the Plants for Human Health Institute at NCSU, says blueberries contain a variety of phytochemicals that may help people with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, to name a few. Mary Ann Lila has never met a blueberry she didn’t like. In fact, if she … Read more