Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
led by AC Master Gardener Sarah Miller, Asst. Manager at Farm2Market, & Marla Koss, Farm2Market Orchard Volunteer
August is a great time to perform summer pruning on plums, or annual pruning on apricots*. Citrus can be pruned virtually year-round in our area, but now is as good a time as any to lighten up the densely-crowded and twiggy interior of a semi-dwarf Meyer lemon tree for better aesthetic value in the landscape as well as its overall health.
After a quick tour around Farm2Market‘s orchard, we will focus on pruning citrus (Meyer lemon) and stone fruit (plum and apricot).
Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes (preferably hiking or work boots); stickers abound and will quickly turn mesh athletic shoes into pin cushions). You might want to bring a sun hat and/or sunscreen. A water bottle is also highly recommended. Also helpful: eye protection (clear safety goggles/glasses).
Equipment to bring: bypass pruning shears*, gardening/work gloves, other pruning equipment such as a pruning saw or loppers if you have them.
*The difference between the pruning needs of apricots and other stone fruit will be explained at the workshop and in an accompanying handout.
ABG Monthly Meeting on Zoom with Paige Benveniste
Join us for a behind the scenes talk on the organic food label. We’ll be discussing the history of the organic label, how it’s regulated, and what it means to buy organic (hint: it’s more than the absence of pesticides/herbicides). We will also discuss the current state of organics, why some people think the organic label doesn’t do enough, and the emergence of “add-on” labels like The Real Organic Project and the Regenerative Organic Certification.
About Our Speaker: Paige Benveniste is an International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) certified crop and processing inspector. She currently works as an organic inspector for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). As an organic inspector, she travels throughout the Bay Area inspecting a wide variety of farms and food manufacturers. Prior to becoming an organic inspector, she worked on an organic farm and was a local food buyer/educator at a tech campus in San Francisco.
View the recording below.
Please join us!
– Bring at least one plant to donate to the swap.
– Plants should be clearly labeled, in good health and in healthy soil.
– Other garden related items welcome: books, magazines, tools in good working order and clearly identified seeds or bulbs. These will be placed on our FREE table.
– Bring a small box or box lid to carry home any plants or items you select from the swap.
Masks are optional, but social distancing will be strongly encouraged.
Registration is required – click here.
Location to be announced 48 hours prior to event via email reminder to those who have registered. Please be sure to register with a valid email address that you are able to check.
Some new rule changes in 2022:
Please bring nothing larger than 5-gallon container size.
No cuttings.
Please keep track of any plants or items you bring, because at the end of the event you’ll be asked to take back with you anything you brought that is not claimed by another attendee.