In the past several weeks we have discussed sweet and sour cherries, citrus, cling and free-stone peaches and nectarines. We were asked, “What about apples? After all, apples are the most popular non-tropical fruit in the U.S.” In the early years of the U.S. when pioneers were still settling the Midwest and the Far West, apples were far and away our most popular fruit of any kind.

All of us grew up knowing about the popularity of apples and the role Johnny Appleseed played in promoting this popularity. Many of us were told that Johnny Appleseed collected apple seeds and cast them indiscriminately on his wanderings. Not so. Johnny Appleseed was a nurseryman. He collected bags and bags of apple seeds from cider mills in the east and then headed west ahead of the farmers, loggers, miners and other settlers. He planted as many acres of apple seeds as he could and by the time the settlers caught up to him, he had apple trees to sell. Since the trees all grew from seeds, no two were ever exactly the same. The farmers, miners and the rest didn’t care so long as they had apples!

You may think the farmers, miners, loggers and settlers lived large on apple pies, fritters, apple sauce and eating apples. Not so, again. The apples were grown as the main source of alcohol for people on the frontier. There was little corn or grain available from alcohol production, so apples became the accepted source of raw material used to product alcohol. Hard cider had an alcohol content of about 87% and could be distilled or frozen up to about 30% more. So much for Johnny Appleseed and the folk stories surrounding his activities. (Read The Botany of Desire for a complete description of his adventures.)

From Johnny Appleseed's medley of thousands of different kinds of apples, several hundred have been selected to be propagated and sold in the different geographical areas of the U.S. From Johnny's thousands have come varieties such as Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, Arkansas Black, Gala, Granny Smith, Northern Spy and all the others sold at local garden centers. To ensure that you get the right kind of apple, all apple trees are grafted onto a regular or a dwarf root stock. Your apple tree is a clone of one original, selected variety, and we at Wegman's offer only the varieties most suitable for this area.

In addition to the wide selection of apple trees on hand we are providing a service called First Pick. If, for example, you want an Arkansas Black Spur apple tree which we don't normally stock, our grower will provide one of that root stock for your garden in January. We also have available four or six different varieties (such as Fuji, Gala, Mutsu and Jonagold) grafted onto one rootstock. This enables you to grow four varieties in one hole. Or as mentioned last week, you could plant two or three trees in one hole.

Apple trees are long lived and relatively trouble free. See our Care Guide for Apple and Pear Trees for the care and grooming of apple trees. They should receive a dormant spray in December or January and then a spray with Carbaryl Insecticide 30 days after full bloom to prevent wormy apples (coddling moth). Fertilize with Master Nursery Fruit Tree and Vine Food twice a year (Memorial Day and Labor Day) and water to keep the soil moist below 12 inches.
As with all home grown fruit, the longer it stays on the tree, the more sugar the fruit will contain--and the acid content will also increase to give you that snappy, tart flavor. Supermarket apples are picked before being fully ripe and can never compare to home grown--so enjoy your own!

Need a great bloomer for a border or just a color splash? Try petunias. Petunias are low-growing, bushy-to-spreading plants with thick, broad leaves that are slightly sticky to the touch. Flowers vary from funnel-shaped single blooms to densely double, ruffled ones. The color selections range from pure white, through reds and blues, from soft pink to deepest red, light blue to deepest purple.

These versatile annuals thrive in full sun with regular water and like to be spaced about 8-18 inches apart. Petunias are great in containers, and there are trailing varieties perfect for walls or hanging pots. After the plants are established, pinch back halfway to encourage compact growth. Fertilize monthly with Master Nursery Rose and Flower Food.

Now is a great time to plant a red, white and blue border or containers for your 4th of July BBQ!

1.5 CU FT PREMIUM POTTING SOIL With MYCORRHIZAE

Primary Uses:
• For use in all indoor and outdoor container planting applications.
• Also excellent for hanging baskets and raised bed planting.
• May be mixed with existing garden soil to enhance soil texture, drainage and fertility.

Features & Benefits:
• 100% natural, completely organic peat-based formula that includes alfalfa meal, worm castings, kelp meal and bat guano.
• The extra absorbent, fine-textured blend keeps tender roots moist and aerated between waterings.
• Abundant essential plant nutrients promote quick growth and long-lasting health for all types of container plants.
• Increase air space and excellent drainage in the root zone.
• Includes several species of beneficial Mycorrhizae

Bird Netting, Holographic Tape and Inflatable Snakes and Owls

Reduce your crop loss with these easy to use but effective deterrents. Bird netting protects fruits and berries from birds and other garden pests. Holographic tape creates a moving circular motion to help protect gardens as it flashes in the wind, helping to protect gardens and orchards. Inflatable owls and snakes deter birds and small animals from decks, rafters, barns, and docks. They also can protect your fruit trees, berries and vegetable gardens.