Navel Oranges Splitting Open

Question from Jon: I trust you are enjoying your Sunday and rooting for the Chargers. I noticed today that some (or most) of my naval oranges have split on the bottom. Can you tell me what you think might be causing this? There is some white “fuzz”...

Purchasing a grafted Avocado Tree from Nursery

Question from Alyssa: I am interested in purchasing an avocado tree for my father as well as one for myself.  He lives near the Sacramento region. I am having issues finding the right place to find one that is an A and B already grafted together. I...

Peach Trees

Question from Dan I live in Massachusetts.I recently pruned my two 11year old trees because they were getting way to big. I topped them at about 6 feet. my mother in law fears that I may have ruined them. they have plenty of new growth on them. I read...

Spraying of Peach Trees in Southern California

Question from Stennis: My peaches have brown spots and some worms inside this year; what is the appropriate time for spraying? What kind of schedule do you recommend and with what? Answer from Pat: It is too late to spray fruit at this time of year with...

Corrective Pruning Fruit Trees

Question from Michael: My peach trees are about 7 yrs old and I have never trimmed them because I do not know how. I live in Illinois . About 4 yrs ago I had a good yeild of peaches and i canned them. Every year after when I get peaches, they seem to...

Kiwi Problems

Question from Mary: my kiwi vines, both male and female are exhibiting the same symptom: the leaves in the sun are turning yellow from the middle out, then drying up completely, dying and dropping. At first I thought it might be mildew, given a very...

Strange Apple Tree Experience

Question from Dave: Last year you were very helpful regarding an olive tree concern I had here in Lafayette that ultimately work out fine. This time I am really confused about an unusual apple tree experience. I planted the tree about 30 years ago. Over...

How the Weather Can Make a Barren Peach Tree Bear Fruit

Question from Diana: My peach tree is about 8 years old. It has never had peaches until this year. It rained a lot. I started picking peaches on June 10-July 26. I have no peaches on my tree-just picked the last few. What can I do so that I will have...

My Ruby Red Grapefruit

Question from Elizabeth: I have a beautiful dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree (15) gallon which was purchased yesterday. I noticed on the purchase receipt was stamped: citrus trees have been treated with Admire Pro & Movento. This tree is loaded with...

Newly Purchased Lime Tree

Question from Rachel: I’ve just purchased a Bearss lime tree. It’s supposed to be–eventually–a full sized tree, but right now it stands at about 6 feet. I picked it up yesterday from the nursery, constructed a wire basket for...

Fruit Trees

Question from Elizabeth: What book should I buy that goes into veggie gardening as well as fruit trees. I am not sure which one of your books I should purchase. Answer from Pat: If you live in California and do not have any of my books the one to purchase...

Where to Plant Avocados

Question from Chuck: Live on the Central Coast about 7 miles east of the ocean on Santa Rosa Creek Road. This is just east of Cambria, CA. The sunset zone is 15 to 16 I believe. Chill hours 400 to 500 and temperatures go below freezing into the 20′s...

When to Feed Apple Trees and When to Thin the Fruit

Question from Robin: I put worm tea on my apple trees this month. I was going to add compost around them but don’t want to overdue the nitrogen.  What else should I add to their schedule? Nothing until early spring? Also, thinned the apples...

Edible Landscape Planning

Question from Dave: I have a friend at work who is planning on re-landscaping her yard. Can you recommend a book on edible landscaping? Also, do you have some advice on peaches, nectarines, plums and cherries? I have trees that are two years old –...