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Greengirls Helen Yarmoska, Nicole Hvidsten, Martha Buns, Connie Nelson, Kim Palmer and Mary Jane Smetanka are dishin' the dirt from the back-yard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your mishaps, mistakes - and most importantly, your sweet successes - all growing season long.
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Where are all the apples?
Posted by: Helen Yarmoska under Fruit and berries, Weather Updated: August 2, 2012 - 8:35 AM
In years past, I’ve had an abundance of apples dropping off the branches -- so much that I was able to make several cases of apple wine. This year… two apples.
Yes, just two.
The Pessimistic Gardener in me thinks… no apple crisp to bring into my work friends, no canned apples to enjoy in November, no apple wine for 2012.
As an Optimistic Gardener, I think this example shows me that pruning apples judiciously produces better fruit. The two that we have are beautiful. No worms, no scab, no diseases. They’re lovely. I also don’t need to worry about picking up the fallen fruit – that’s one fall chore I can cross off my list. And maybe, just maybe, this will break the cycle of apple maggots in my back yard.
Optimism wins, but doesn’t it always in gardening?
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