San Bernardino County Master Gardeners and Fruit Preservers brought their Fruit Trees, Drought Efficient Trees and Shrubs Seminar to the Crestline Library, on Saturday, February 24. The well-attended workshop provided information tailored to the gardening needs of mountain residents.

Yucaipa Master Gardeners Jillian Kowalczuk and Adam Wagner began the day with fruit trees. Why do some trees love the mountains more than others? Looking around our neighborhoods, we see many healthy apple and cherry 

trees. We find the occasional peach, or nectarine, while fruits like pomegranates and figs are most common in the lowlands. The types of trees we can grow in the San Bernardino Mountains, the presenters explained, is partly an effect called chill factor, or the number of hours at temperatures below 45° F between November 1 and February 15 that a tree needs to thrive. With the right number of yearly chill hours, trees develop healthy buds, blooms, and fruit. Conversely, without sufficient cold days in a season, trees may be weakened so plant pathogens can set in. Selecting the right tree for the grow zone is crucial. A bit of research can help before we set out to visit the nursery.

 

Tree Selection & Care

Among cool weather-loving trees, we have many choices. The local nursery staff can help identify trees best suited to the specific area. Today new varieties are developed for flavor, tree size, and hardiness. They range from tasty hybrids, to dwarf trees that give fruit that can be harvested from the ground, without using a ladder. Once you have settled on the right tree, Jillian and Adam offered best-practices for preparing soil, planting, and caring for the tree. Nursery-bought trees don't always arrive in top condition, especially container trees which may have crowded or damaged roots. Bare-root trees are often less expensive, and can be easier to establish. Jillian and Adam concluded with tips on setting up drip watering for fruit trees, and pruning methods that promote both healthy trees and bountiful harvests.

Fruit Preserving & Canning

San Bernardino County Master Food Preservers is a sister program to Master Gardeners. Once we establish our

backyard orchard, we'll want to preserve each year's fruit harvest, not to mention tomatoes and chili peppers from the garden. Master Preserver Dee Denton discussed both traditional and new techniques that streamline the canning process, and ensure better food safety. Most fruits, for example, have a high acidity, and require little extra preparation. Low-acid fruits like tomatoes, however, require special measures to ensure the fruit is safely preserved. Master Preservers receive training in health and safety, and the creative aspects of their craft. Dee introduced a new pectin product that allows her to make delicious jams and jellies with a fraction of the sugar. She shared her low-sugar cherry preserves and discussed canning equipment available today, from canning jars, to gear for both heat-bath, and pressure cooker methods. The Master Food Preservers offer ongoing workshops at their teaching kitchen at the San Bernardino headquarters at 777 E. Rialto Avenue. The upcoming April 19/21 Grow and Preserve session takes place from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. It's free and open to the public (for more info, visit //ucanr.edu/blogs/sbmfp/index.cfm).

Finding the Right Plants for Mountain Locales

Local Master Gardeners Shelly Eagan of Big Bear, and Ken Witte of Lake Arrowhead, led the afternoon session with a focus on sustainable practices for mountain gardens. Shelly is a garden and landscape designer with a wealth of experience helping mountain residents select and care for trees and shrubs. Among her tips was to have your correct USDA and Sunset zone information in hand when choosing plants. In communities from Big Bear to Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead to Crestline, Shelly pointed out, there are a variety of zones, and several micro-climates can exist side-by side in our own yards. In observing such factors as wind direction, slope versus flat land, filtered or reflected sunlight, and so on, we can map our yards for hydro-zones, where plants are grouped according to water needs. Shelly gave examples of tried-and-true trees and shrubs, reminding participants that though a tree or shrub may be labeled “drought resistant,” new plantings need to be watered in the first two years, so their roots can take hold. Trial and error is part of the game for mountain gardeners, and attendees shared stories of hard-to-grow plants. Ken Witte concluded the day, sharing his work with the Heap's Peak Arboretum in Sky Forest. The Rim of the World Interpretive Association has collaborated with local scout troops to place educational signage along the trails at the Arboretum. Ken showed a series of Internet-based resources that feature mountain ecology, with information on native plants and their animal communities. For those of us hoping to establish native gardens at home, the Arboretum demonstration garden is a tremendous resource. While walking the trails, we can observe plants, birds, and insects in their ideal habitats, and figure out what species might suit our micro-climates. The Heaps Peak Arboretum offers a bi-yearly native plant sale, and is open year-round to visitors. Ken's information on mountain species is available at the Heap's Peak Arboretum web site: http://www.heapspeakarboretum.com/.