Earlier I wrote about the Massively Fruiting Granny Smith Spur Apple.   Today I get to show the real benefits of this tree.       Granny Smith Apples are not only great for fresh eating - they are excellent for making pies. The apple peeler is a life saver -  more pies for less work! The best part of my job is eating the desserts.  The hardest part is going to the gym later.   Seconds…

Over 700 high school students descended upon local nurseries October 29th.L.E. Cooke Co and Monrovia Nurseries hosted the 8th annual "Futures in Horticulture" day which was attended by over 700 agricultural and science students from San Joaquin Valley high schools. First bus arrives at L.E. Cooke for tourThe day started out with tours of L.E. Cooke Co, Monrovia Nursery, Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens in Woodlake, Urban Tree Foundation and Recreation Park - Home of the…

October Ripening Fruit This time of year I wonder if we would be smart to open a roadside fruit stand. From May through the end of November we have fresh fruit at our fingertips (tough job isn't it?) but it is this time of year the local Farmers Market street vendors knock on our door seeking permission to pick fruit.  All summer, when we have mouth watering fresh apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums, they are…

"Stop!  Is that a Pomegranate?" Yesterday, Lloyd, Tom and I took a buyer around the fields from one of the nationally recognized wholesale nurseries.  Of course we were all looking at the shades and ornamental trees - things that they buy.  They were not looking for fruit trees (although in today's economy they were wistfully wishing they were). (1/4 mile long rows of 2 year pomegranates) As we entered another one of the fields, the…

I have got to show you this tree!  Not too impressed?  OK, I should have said the fruit on the tree: Every year at the end of October or early November I bring visitors and staff to see the Granny Smith Spur Apple.  Take a look under/inside the tree: It fruits like crazy!  Perfect, juicy, tangy, Granny Smith Apples.  Look at how loaded it is.  And you have to remember that this tree had most…

Most years we participate in Reedley College's intern program where foreign students come to learn about horticulture and farming practices.   During the summer, teams of 3 to 5 students work at several different places getting hands-on training. This July we had four students from Honduras join us for three weeks. Very delightful and smart kids. My father oversaw their training with frequent classroom (conference room) training and hands on experience in many facets of the…

This is a catch up blog from July - been traveling too much to keep up to date. Photo is of Lloyd Cassidy (Northern California Territory Manager) picking tree ripened peaches (and apricots and nectarines) to make home made peach ice cream for our office potluck.  FYI - we only hire people who can cooke (pun intended). This budwood orchard is one of several around the nursery.  Right next to the main office is the…

I scheduled too much for today and did not think it possible to really do - or at least do well.  My goal was to visit every customer from Central Point/Medford Oregon through Mount Shasta, California.  Ten visits and surprisingly no tickets later I am in Redding (hot - already miss the Oregon weather!).  Unfortunately a few owners were not it, so a few visits were shorter than desired - allowing me to get to…

Mike Spratley and I finished the Farwest Trade Show last Thursday through today (Saturday).  As usual, met a lot of old friends and made a few new ones.  I decided you did not need a photo of us standing in our booth so I didn't take one.  As for the show, it was the first time I have been disappointed in this show - it clearly reflected the economy.  What I missed most was all…

Today I was again dumbfounded by a hidden gem of a nursery, far from the normal flow of traffic. Singing Tree Gardens was supposed to be closed today but I thought I would drive by to take a look anyway.  Fortunately, the gate was open waiting for a service company and I drove in.  Otherwise I could not see the nursery from the road because of a long, winding driveway.  I am thankful that Don…