In previous videos, Freddy covered the basics of grafting technique, and demonstrated and described the process of cleft-grafting a seedling avocado. In this video, we go through the entire operation of cutting back a full sized avocado tree and grafting it over to a new variety. This method yields a high success-rate, and should help turn a lot of poorly performing trees into valuable assets. Use this technique in any green-grafting situation, to topwork White Sapotes, Loquats, Pineapple Guavas, or any other non-dormant, graftable tree.
Avocado Grafting with Freddy Menge
If you’ve ever wondered how — or when — to graft a seedling avocado, this video is for you. Freddy Menge walks through the steps to select a scion, prepare it, and graft it to a seedling avocado.
Note that this video assumes you know the basics of cleft grafting. Check out other links on this site for more information.
Fruit-A-Palooza 2023
Fruit-A-Palooza 2023: Growing Tropical and Subtropical Fruit on the California Central Coast
(Proceeds Benefiting Gardening Education at Pajaro Valley Schools)
SOLD OUT! We are thrilled to announce that tickets are SOLD OUT for Fruit-A-Palooza 2023! The waiting list is CLOSED. If you are no longer able to attend the event, please let us know so we can allow those on the waiting list to register. If you have any questions, please contact us at montereybaycrfg@gmail.com.
Ever wished you could enjoy home-grown tropical and subtropical fruit? Wondering which ones are viable to grow in our temperate climate? Come to the first-ever Fruit-A-Palooza to learn more!
Continue reading “Fruit-A-Palooza 2023”2022 Holiday Party Highlights Year’s Events, Members’ Successes
The Monterey Bay Chapter of the CRFG met Dec. 17, 2022 for the annual holiday party and election. Members contributed to the annual potluck with a wide variety of dishes.
What is a year like in the Monterey Bay CRFG? Our members participated in these activities:
Continue reading “2022 Holiday Party Highlights Year’s Events, Members’ Successes”Local Apples Highlighted in Radio Interview
Monterey Bay CRFG member Freddy Menge was interviewed October 1, 2022 by Joe Truskot on KSQD Radio’s “In the Garden” program. Check out Joe’s video, which includes the audio program plus photos of the assorted apples Freddy highlighted during the program. This lively, informative show brings to light various apples that were included at the MB CRFG’s annual apple tasting (see Andy Moskowitz’ article reviewing the event and the apples) on October 8, 2022.
Monterey Bay Apple Tasting 2022 – Rankings and Highlights (72 Apples)
Monterey Bay CRFG Presents Jason Sutor and Sharon Zo, Discussing Quick Weather Station Setup and Soil Prep for Winter Planting
September 18, 2022: Monterey Bay CRFG members Jason Sutor presented information on Quick Weather Station Setup and Soil Prep for Winter Planting. Best practices were discussed for both topics.
Additional materials provided by the presenters include:
- PDF of Jason’s presentation on weather station setup
- PDF of Sharon’s notes and links on soil prep
- PDF of a sample soil test report from Sharon’s Santa Cruz garden
Epicenter Orchard Tour and Tasting
The Monterey Bay CRFG recently visited Epicenter Orchard in Watsonville, the home of Freddy Menge’s apple, pear, plum, and cherry collection/orchard, the source of many of the apples offered for tasting in the annual MBCRFG apple tasting (cancelled this year due to Covid).
During this tour and fruit tasting, members walked through the trees and discussed growing fruit holistically, pruning styles, wildlife and insect habitat creation, irrigation, varietal selection, weed control…
The approximately hour long tour was followed by a discussion and tasting of different varieties that are ripe at the time, many of which are shown and named in the video.
Apple Cider Presentation by Jim Rider
If you’ve wondered how to make apple cider, what equipment to use, or what apple varieties that thrive locally may make a cider you’ll enjoy, then check out our September 2021 meeting video, featuring local apple specialist and cider enthusiast, Jim Rider.
Jim Rider is a power hitter in the local fruit world and beyond. A 5th generation Pajaro Valley, California, apple grower with a master’s degree in Pomology from Cornell, for decades he’s been a local leader as an innovative and influential organic orchardist, a pioneering red-fleshed apple breeder, and longtime MBCRFG member. He’s also a mainstay provisioner of apple and pear wood for our annual scion exchange and major contributor of unique varieties for our yearly apple tasting.
Jim has taken a serious interest in cider making over the last decade, and when Jim Rider puts his mind to something, it comes out good. It’s truly regrettable the group wasn’t able to taste any of his fine, dry, delicious production, but Jim will be gracing our chapter with a zoom presentation to discuss the ins and outs of fermenting our own.
His talk was tailored to the backyard fruit grower wishing to make cider from their own fruit. All aspects of the process were covered, from handling of the fruit, selection and suitability of apple varieties, yeast strains, juice handling, fermentation management, bottling, sanitation, carbonation, storage… Watch the You Tube video and enjoy hearing Jim talk about this fascinating topic.
White Sapotes in Northern California
The Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers presents Tom Addison on growing White Sapotes in Northern California. Many varieties are discussed!