Summer pruning in August certainly tames my trees down a bit, but winter pruning merely invigorates them the next season. Reason for this? I usually do not prune the roots of said tree, thus all those pent-up energy reserves come roaring out the following season. Yes, I think pruning is one of thos...

It can be purple polka dotted for all I care, as long as it's large, firm, crisp, and tart! I like Idared a lot. Others think they're too small, too tart, and too "dull." I had my first crop this year, and they didn't measure up to the ones I buy locally, either, but I hope for better fro...

Greyt.Chase wrote: I want a large, firm, tart, crisp apple. Think Granny Smith for an example of what I like.

Does it have to be green? Northwestern Greening is green.

39° — Wind WNW 8 mph

Officially it's too late to winter-prune apples. I say this because I finished today. You need to get your buns in gear now if you haven't already, or you could wait for ice and deer to do the job. Here's a topic, "The Book of Ours," about what's coming up next this growing season. Ever th...

If an ice storm encounters you in early spring, you may have to do some patch-up pruning afterward, so you may want to wait, keeping your options open until later.

• 3° — Wind N 3 mph

What climate is really best for apples? If you've watched The Botany of Desire reruns on PBS or read the book, you've been exposed to the notion that apples are extremely variable, adaptive, and opportunistic. Anthropomorphizing from apples' point of view, they are able to keep up with the whims of...

I'm in USDA Hardiness Zone 5B (barely), and I've planted dwarf trees purchased from a nurseryman in Zone 4B who makes it his business to provide scions for varieties that will bring in crops reliably in northerly zones: Maple Valley Orchards See his descriptions. He lists Hardiness Zones claimed by ...