Backyard Fruit

Backyard Fruit Grower. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Being a home-owner it is always tempting to put in a bigger and better garden each year. Seems like it never happens. But one thing that does happen is the fruit trees and vines I have just keep right on producing bigger and better fruit. But that means more responsibility for me. Even though I live in town my home is just a stones throw from a commercial orchard on the edge of town. That orchard could be at risk from someone like me if we chose to ignore our trees and vines. Pests like fruit flies love places that let their fruit ripen and drop to the ground to lie there rotting. It creates a breeding ground for more and more pests that then turn their attention to the bigger orchards. This year I was away for a couple of weeks on vacation and did not have a chance to get to the cherries on my tree before the fruit was overripe. But I did my due diligence when I got home and picked all the fruit even though it was not edible. Fortunately that was not the case with the Concord grape vine. This past weekend I picked and cleaned a large bucket full of grapes that have been turned into two of the tastiest grape pies. These grapes are for my consumption and enjoyment...not the fruit pests of the area! So take a little care you home fruit growers and we can all enjoy the fruits of our labor. That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.