All deciduous fruit trees need to be pruned at least once a year for good shape and to bear fruit. The time to do major pruning is during the winter. The rule of thumb with pruning deciduous fruit trees is to prune while the trees are dormant, after the leaves have fallen to the ground but before new buds have swelled.

Each type of fruit tree needs to be pruned differently, so it's important to know which kind of tree you're pruning and how to prune it properly. For example, apples bear their fruit on spurs that bear again and again, sometimes for as long as twenty years. If you whack off all the spurs you'll have no fruit. However, peaches and nectarines bear their fruit on one-year-old wood. By pruning them hard, you encourage new growth to replenish fruiting wood.

The best shape also differs among types. Apple and pear trees, for instance, do best with a central trunk, with shorter branches at the top, longer ones on the bottom. Peaches and plums do best with an open-center shape (kind of like a bowl).

No two trees, even of the same type, can be pruned exactly alike; basic guidelines will apply differently according to the placement of their branches, their age, and their overall vigor. If you're not an expert, follow a pruning manual (one that contains charts) that applies to your climate and type of tree.

When you buy a fruit tree, ask us for the best pruning method to use for that tree. Pruning a young tree properly to start with will save you a lot of time and effort later.

If you are dealing with a large old tree that has been neglected for some time, keep in mind that it may require several years of pruning to bring it back to where it should be.

Your primary goal is to open the tree so that sunlight can penetrate inside of the foliage during the fruiting season and to shorten the taller limbs to bring the fruit production down to a more manageable height. It is safest to call a professional to do the high work and any large branch removal for you. They have the experience and equipment needed.

Remember after pruning deciduous fruit trees to clean up the ground under the tree and follow up immediately with dormant spray.

Now is the time to:

• Spray deciduous trees and shrubs with dormant oil and lime sulfur.
  Benefits of Spraying are:
  • Kills wintering stages of many bugs and diseases, minimizing problems later.
  • Saves time and money compared to treating bugs and diseases in summer.
  • Be sure to apply when temperatures are above forty degrees.
• Also the time to prune most deciduous trees as needed. If doing your own pruning, get information from the County Extension office on proper timing and techniques.
• Gardeners who can hardly wait for spring can garden indoors with houseplants, or start flowers and vegetables indoors from seed.
• Lack of significant precipitation in the winter is drying outdoor plants. Remember to water trees and shrubs with slow deep soaking, at least once a month. Plants less than two weeks old should be watered every two weeks.
• Be sure to disconnect hoses from hose bibs to prevent pipes from freezing inside walls.

For those of us who like to grow from seed, it's about time to start - and we've probably got some seeds left over from last year. The question is: are those seeds from last year - or even two or three years ago - still any good?

The answer is: maybe.

One way to tell if your seeds are still viable is by performing a germination test. All you need are some paper towels and plastic sandwich bags.

Moisten a towel and arrange your seeds on it, spaced well apart. Big seeds should have a second moist towel put on the top. Fold or roll the paper towel(s), slip inside the baggie, seal, and put in a continually warm, but not hot, location.

Once a couple of days have passed, check the paper towels to see if the seeds have started to germinate. Re-moisten the towels if necessary by sprinkling a few drops of water carefully over them. Most seeds will germinate within 3-5 days at room temperature.

Generally, vegetable seeds will keep for at least three years if they've been stored in a cool, dry place, such as air-tight jars in the fridge. Some seeds that don't store well include sweet corn, parsnips, Swiss chard, spinach, and alliums (onions, leeks, scallions, chives).

If you find that 50% or more of your seeds aren't germinating, don't take it personally; throw them away and come down to Moana for a new batch. Considering the joy a packet of seeds can bring, it's a very small price to pay!

All Seminars are on Saturday at 10 AM at the Moana Lane store.

February 24th – Landscape Design and Water Conservation
How to make your yard more environmentally friendly.

March 3rd – Spring Cleaning for the Outside
Tips on getting the yard and garden ready for spring.

Moana Nursery is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

Do you remember Moana Nursery in the good ol' days?

We welcome stories, photos and any memorabilia that you may have of Moana Nursery in the early years. Please share with us, and help us put together a collage of Moana Nursery over the years. Rewards will be given based on entry.

We have many celebrations planned in the upcoming months. Stay tuned!

We will keep you posted.

By Tamara Galbraith

Bunnies are, of course, just about the cutest thing on Earth. (Incidentally, their poop makes great fertilizer too, and doesn't need to be composted before use.) But what to do when Peter Rabbit spends his evenings munching on your beautiful lettuce, peas and beans?

First, conduct a thorough examination to see whether or not you really have a rabbit problem. Rabbits generally browse no higher than a couple of feet off the ground. Their pea-sized round droppings are their calling card.

There are several critter-ridder products on the market that work with varying degrees of success. Many contain diluted fox urine, an ingredient that is safe to use around plants, people and pets, and acts a repellent for all small furry animals that foxes usually dine on.

Vinegar, clumps of human or dog hair, and diluted aloe vera gel are also said to be effective rabbit repellents when placed strategically around the garden. Garlic pepper spray - the kind also used as an organic insecticide - is a big turn-off for bunny taste buds, as is any bottled hot sauce.

Show support of our best Wolf Pack team ever with your very own Wolfie!

Limited time at this great price (normally $255). While supplies last.