Plant Sciences Commons^™

Sp307-N-Selecting Quality Grapes, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The grape is a very versatile fruit. The wide array of uses for it include fresh consumption (table grapes), raisins, jellies, jams, pies, juices, wines or blends with other fruits in numerous products. The degree of fruit ripeness needed will vary somewhat, depending on the intended use of the grapes. Therefore, an awareness of the ripening process and its impact on fruit quality is important for consumers as well as home and commercial grape growers. Grapes undergo many changes during the ripening process. As this process proceeds, it may be difficult to select the time at which the grape is …

Sp307-L-Selecting Quality Apples, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Apples, often called the “King of Fruits,” are grown commercially and in home orchards in all parts of Tennessee. Most varieties of apples can be successfully grown, although some may present special challenges. The primary harvest period for Tennessee apples extends from about mid-August to mid or late October. Some producers have varieties which will ripen either earlier or later than this time. Growers having cold storage facilities can supply markets with quality apples for several months after harvest. Currently, no Tennessee apple growers are using controlled atmosphere facilities which allow storage of fruit for up to 10 or 12 …

Sp307-K-Pruning Neglected Fruit Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

When trees have not been properly pruned and trained, fruit yields and quality may decline. As trees grow taller and more dense, lower limbs and interior limbs lose their ability to produce quality fruit, due to increased shading. Many of these weakened limbs will die. Over time, most fruit will be produced in the outer periphery of the tree, primarily in the top, as this is the only area exposed to adequate sunlight.

These trees often can be pruned back and restored to a point where quality fruit may be obtained once again. It may require several years to restore …

Sp307-D-Fruit Tree Management Timetable, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Fruit production is a “year-round” job. For optimum results, each task should be done at a specifi c time of the year. These are shown in the diagram on page 3.

Pb1622-Disease And Insect Control In Home Fruit Plantings, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Growing fruit in the home garden can be an interesting, fun and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect fruit off trees in their yards. This does not happen without a great deal of work. Control of pests (insects and diseases) is an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results.

This publication provides guidelines for spraying home fruit plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the only action taken. Cultural practices such as pruning, sanitation, variety selection and selecting open, sunny sites for planting are necessary for good pest control. Specific cultural …

Sp307-J-Landscaping With Fruit, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Fruit and nut crops may be valuable additions to the landscape if proper attention is paid to crop selection, site preparation and cultural practices following planting. By adequately addressing these points, an edible landscape may become a reality. The following guidelines will assist you in determining which fruit and nut crops to use and where to plant them to meet your landscape objectives.

Sp277-X-Black Knot Of Plum And Cherry, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Black knot is common disease of plum, prune and cherry. Both cultivated and wild species of these plants are susceptible to this disease. Trees severely infected with black knot become an eyesore and are almost worthless as an ornamental plant after several years. This is particularly true in small home orchards or yards, where no control measures are attempted.

Sp307-M-Selecting Quality Peaches, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Fresh peaches provide a real summer taste treat. With proper preservation, they may be enjoyed all year long.

Peaches are called the “Queen of Fruits. ” They are grown commercially in most areas of Tennessee except for the Cumberland Plateau and the higher elevations of East Tennessee. Most years the peach harvest in Tennessee will extend from about June 1 through August.

Peaches may be purchased at grocery stores, at fruit and vegetable markets and at the farms where they are grown. On-farm markets may offer harvested fruit for sale or give you the opportunity to pick your own. Since …

Sp307-E-Thinning Tree Fruit, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

No abstract provided.

Sp284-G-Pruning Raspberries And Blackberries In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Brambles include raspberries and blackberries, plus many hybrids of the two. Although the term bramble indicates thorniness, both thorned and thornless bramble varieties exist. Likewise, some brambles have an erect growth habit, while others are classified as semi-erect and even others as trailing. In Tennessee, erect and semi-erect brambles are widely grown, but very few trailing brambles will be found.

Proper pruning and training of brambles require knowledge of their growth and fruiting habits. The root system and crown of brambles are perennial, meaning that they will live for many years, while the canes are biennial. The first year of …

Sp284-E-Pruning Blueberries In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Proper pruning practices in blueberries are important to maximize yields and quality throughout the life of the planting. Pruning should be done every year, beginning at the time plants are set. During the early years, the objectives of pruning are to promote both plant survival and growth. Once plants have attained full size, pruning is used to promote fruit yields and quality, as well as to maintain plants within desired size limits.

Sp284-B-Renovating Strawberries In The Home Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The one production practice that Tennessee home gardeners most often neglect with their strawberry planting is renovation. Strawberry plantings are usually allowed to develop new runners with no effort to control weeds or to renew existing plantings. Many home gardeners feel mechanically removing weeds may disturb new strawberry plants and is a damaging practice. Unfortunately, failure to renovate is a more damaging practice when long-term production is desired.

Sp307-A-Fertilizing & Liming Fruit Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Application of fertilizer to fruit trees is essential to maintain adequate tree growth and good fruit production. Insufficient amounts of fertilizer result in a decrease in tree vigor, fruiting intensity and fruit quality. Excessive amounts of fertilizer may mean a loss of fruit quality, primarily due to shading and poor spray coverage resulting from the lush growth.