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STFS Free hands-on, in-person fruit tree grafting workshop Sat Apr 5th 10 AM to noon NE Seattle Magnuson Park orchard led by horticultural educator Ingela Wanerstrand. All welcome to attend.

No grift here…FREE in-person, hands-on Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop from a PRO horticultural educator

Sat Apr 5th 2025 10 AM -> noon @ NE Seattle Magnuson Park Orchard

!!!WARNING: This is a FREE LEARNING WORKSHOP for anyone & all to attend!!!

!!!NO attendees are expected to do any WORK!!!

!!!PLEASE: Come, Observe & Learn then LEAVE ASAuPrefer!!!

Bark, bridge, bud, cleft, saddle, side veneer, splice, whip&tongue, … there are many, many different grafting methods for joining parts (scion, rootstock, maybe even an inter-stem between) of similar plants to grow as one plant. That’s the how … then there’s the where…

“Top-working” generally refers to grafting (by various methods) new fruit producing scionwood onto an existing compatible tree already planted outside. “Bench grafting” typically means grafting at a bench or a similar (hopefully warm) interior setting during winter or early spring uniting scionwood and young bareroot rootstock.

On Sat 4/5/25, Ingela will first demonstrate several grafting methods while top grafting plum, prune, maybe apricot scionwood onto a full grown Marianna 2624 rootstock planted years ago in the Magnuson orchard. Later at the nearby picnic table, Ingela will graft apple scionwood onto bareroot rootstock using several additional grafting methods.

A limited amount of free apple rootstock (possibly B9, M111, G41, G935) will be available for the bench grafting demo using apple scionwood brought by attendees. Attendees can take and grow up free apple grafts.

Still want more? After Ingela’s workshop, at least one STFS member will be sticking around to 1) wrap trunks of apple trees with corrugated cardboard for codling moth monitoring, 2) install mason bee cocoons and structures, 3) weed fruit beds and/or 4) layout for upcoming green mulch planting. You can stay to help or to watch or just leave especially if it’s a nice day weatherwise.

Meet at the Magnuson Park demo orchard sign installed by longtime STFS member and one of Magnuson Garden’s bests Jerry Packard (RIP).

Google Maps for Magnuson Orchard by The Brig Bldg, 6344 NE 74th St, Sea, WA 98115 (47.682388, -122.259640)

Free Parking in front of The Brig Bldg and Magnuson Orchard

Bring: *Plum, prune, apricot (or even some almond) scionwood to donate for top-grafting demo onto Magnuson orchard’s Marianna 2624 rootstock tree

*Apple scionwood for bench grafting demo then take graft home to grow up for your backyard orchard

*Additional scionwood to exchange with other attendees

*Old, used pushpins, thumbtacks and “open-face” corrugated cardboard to donate for codling moth monitoring

*Everything you need for being outside 2 hours with a small group of people. Respiratory illness spread probably will be receding, so you decide whether to mask though this event is outside allowing for social distancing. Your own grafting tools and materials if you want hands-on practice with the ready advice of a fruit tree grafting pro. Your own snacks and liquid refreshments. You can decide whether to share or not.

Dress: For weather and definitely for muddy walking surfaces and for gardening chores IF you choose to help with orchard upkeep tasks (NOT REQUIRED!!!)

Facilities: Spare … Closest toilet is port-a-potty by green P-Patch shed behind The Brig. (Got TP?) Don’t expect any heated building access although indoor tennis center across intersection may allow use of indoor plumbed toilets.

Questions?: Email seattletreefruitsociety@gmail.com

Online: Magnuson orchard planted varieties map

Online: Tips on scion harvest and store

Online: Basic fruit tree grafting

In-person, hands-on Apple/Pear Fruit Tree Dormant Pruning Training from a PRO horticultural educator

This Sat (Feb 22nd 2025) 10 AM -> noon @ NE Seattle Magnuson Park Orchard

!!!WARNING: This is a FREE LEARNING WORKSHOP for anyone & all to attend!!!

!!!NO attendees are expected to do any WORK!!!

!!!PLEASE: Come, Observe & Learn then LEAVE ASAuPrefer!!!

… (or stick around to help w/ light physical activities like pruning w/ Ingela W., harvesting scion w/ Ingela W., weeding beds w/ other STFS members, laying out miner bee habitat, removing several dead fruit trees and prepping for replant, winding copper wire around pear branches to experiment with rust control, etc…)

Meet at the Magnuson Park demo orchard sign installed by longtime STFS member and one of Magnuson Garden’s bests Jerry Packard (RIP).

Google Maps for Magnuson Orchard by The Brig Bldg, 6344 NE 74th St, Sea, WA 98115 (47.682388, -122.259640)

Free Parking in front of The Brig Bldg and Magnuson Orchard

Bring: Everything you need for being outside 2 hours with a small group of people. News reports respiratory illness spread is bad right now, so masking is suggested though this event is outside allowing for social distancing. Your own pruning tools if you want hands-on practice with the ready advice of a fruit tree pruning pro. Your own snacks and liquid refreshments. You can decide whether to share or not.

Dress: For weather which is expected to be warmish (50s F) with possibility of passing shower, for muddy walking surfaces and for gardening chores IF you choose to help with orchard upkeep tasks (NOT REQUIRED!!!)

Facilities: Spare … Closest toilet is port-a-potty by green P-Patch shed behind The Brig. (Got TP?) Don’t expect any heated building access although indoor tennis center across intersection may allow use of indoor plumbed toilets.

Questions?: Email seattletreefruitsociety@gmail.com

Dormant fruit tree pruning … on cold a winter’s day?

Apple and pear tree pruning often occurs in the dormant season (Nov 15 –April 15) which challenges the backyard orchardist when making thinning cuts. Thinning cuts are made to open up sunlight channels into the tree so the best fruit develops throughout the tree and not just at the tree’s top or periphery. Without leaves on the tree during the dormant season, the backyard orchardist must imagine how upper branches may shade out fruit production on lower, more accessible branches. Are you more planner than visionary? An organized backyard orchardist could long-term plan dormant season pruning by flagging branches during the summer for removal the following winter. Doctors are trained to first do no harm, but backyard orchardists aren’t performing brain surgery. Keep in mind the key phrase when dormant pruning: When in doubt, thin it out! Make the most of your thinning cuts and your time spent outside in wet, chilly PNW weather. More online fruit tree pruning tips: “Pruning Tree Fruit – The Basics” by Gary Moulton & Jacky King, WSU Mount Vernon Research & Extension Unit

Online: Magnuson orchard planted varieties map

Online: Tips on scion harvest and store

Online: Basic fruit tree grafting

Learn all about Designing Edible Landscapes from Laure Jansen, long-time STFS member and owner of Alta Rosa Farm Vashon, beginning at 10 AM. Here are some helpful guidelines and checklists from Laure: Laure’s Goals, Laure’s Production Goals, Laure’s Property Survey.

Big, big thanks to STFS President Mike E. for spotting scheduling error with the earlier zoom info even after a probably long, long workday.

The CORRECT zoom link info is:

Time: Jan 25, 2025 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting via computer

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85136778074?pwd=dSplUW2pcMhDj86Mq6i4H0G9hyxmcA.1

Meeting ID: 851 3677 8074

Passcode: 045167

One tap mobile

+12532050468,,85136778074#,,,,*045167# US

+12532158782,,85136778074#,,,,*045167# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 851 3677 8074

Passcode: 045167 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kFjdRygcI

UPDATE: Presenter Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski and STFS Secretary Melinda M. have put together the resource PNW-native-fruit-plants-and-where-to-obtain supplementing Michael’s talk. Thank you, Michael and Melinda.

STFS mtg this Sat (Dec 14th 10 AM) zoom-only is free for all to attend and begins with Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski’s talk on Edible Native Fruits of Puget Sound

Michael Pilarski has worked with over 1,000 species of plants, native and
non-native. He has been farming since 1972 and professionally wildcrafting
since 1997. Some of his specialties are agroforestry, permaculture,
ecosystem restoration and ethnobotany. He currently farms in Chimacum and the Methow Valley.

Join Zoom Meeting via computer or other “smart” device:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81427443488?pwd=cWGPoWsJSEEb0aAP5YYYMHOn2TnAXQ.1

Meeting ID: 814 2744 3488

Passcode: 709113

Join Zoom Meeting via One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,81427443488#,,,,*709113# US

+12532158782,,81427443488#,,,,*709113# US (Tacoma)

Join Zoom Meeting via the humble phone:

Dial by your location

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Same Meeting ID & Passcode as above.

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdZeQz8D3W

Even if you don’t grow orchard blocks of cider apples, you may be able to glean juicy advice from Claire’s talk on strategies for wisely watering your backyard dessert apple trees.

Zoom connect info:

Join Zoom Meeting via computer or other “smart” deivce:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83554223958?pwd=nDOnpHppyhgaKY0t729AxoqULPebPz.1

Meeting ID: 835 5422 3958

Passcode: 319884

Join Zoom Meeting via One tap mobile:

+12532050468,,83554223958#,,,,*319884# US

+12532158782,,83554223958#,,,,*319884# US (Tacoma)

Join Zoom Meeting via the humble phone:

Dial by your location

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Same Meeting ID & Passcode as above.

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keDBwvkMPx

Presentation Synopsis (written by Claire Yost)

My presentation will be on my research thesis titled: Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) conserves water but has limited impact on cider apple fruit and juice quality. RDI is an irrigation management strategy in which the tree is intentional kept in a water deficit, meaning tree water needs (evapotranspiration) exceed water inputs (irrigation and rain). RDI is widely used in wine grapes to conserve water, limit vegetative growth, and improve fruit and juice quality attributes. These positive changes can decrease economic inputs through reducing irrigation and pruning costs. Additionally, fruit and juice attributes such as tannins are increased, leading to a higher value crop. To our knowledge, RDI has not been done in cider apples yet and our research sought to see if cider apples would respond similarly to wine grapes to RDI treatments in Washington state across four cultivars. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of monitoring methods for RDI, which can be used in various irrigation management strategies. These strategies included weather based models, soil moisture and plant water status monitoring.

Here is the complete abstract if you wanted a longer synopsis. (written by Claire Yost) The United States has experienced a resurgence in cider apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) production, with Washington State as the leading apple producer. However, the cider industry is experiencing several challenges, including orchards struggling to meet the demand for cider-specific cultivars, new orchards sometimes having insecure access to irrigation water or only access to high-cost municipal water, and cidermakers trying to differentiate their product in an increasingly crowded market. This project evaluated whether regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) could (1) conserve water while maintaining yield, and (2) increase fruit and juice quality to help producers differentiate their products. The first study evaluated the effects of RDI on tree physiology, fruit yield and quality, and net returns in a partial budget analysis, while the second focused on RDI impacts on juice quality. Trees of four cultivars (Dabinett, Golden Russet, Nehou, and Porter’s Perfection) were managed with either RDI or control irrigation treatments at two distinct locations: Mount Vernon and Wenatchee, WA. In Mount Vernon, no water stress (ψstem) was detected in the trees managed with RDI, though apple weight and fruit phosphorous decreased by 3.9% and 12.5%, respectively, while fruit firmness increased by 1.2% for fruit from trees managed with RDI. In Wenatchee, a decrease in ψstem in trees managed with RDI led to reductions in fruit size (diameter and weight) in both cultivars, bloom density in ‘Golden Russet’, and leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Cu) in ‘Nehou’, as well as increased firmness for both cultivars. Fruit weight decreased by 15.5% and 33.1% for apples from ‘Golden Russet’ and ‘Nehou’ trees managed with RDI, respectively, though there was no corresponding decrease in yield, at least not one that was statistically detectable (P = 0.724 and P = 0.297, for ‘Golden Russet’ and ‘Nehou’, respectively). Irrigation was reduced by 100% in Mount Vernon and in Wenatchee, 40% and 27%, for ‘Golden Russet’ and ‘Nehou’, respectively. These water reductions resulted in a net gain of $347 per hectare with RDI if irrigation was scheduled using a publicly available online tool based on a calculated water balance. However, if irrigation was scheduled based on ψstem for RDI but with the online tool for business-as usual irrigation, the extra labor associated with measuring ψstem resulted in a net loss of $295 per hectare if RDI was implemented. The second study found no changes in juice quality for fruit from trees managed with RDI in Mount Vernon, but in Wenatchee, there was an increase in specific gravity and soluble sugars. However, implementing RDI did not increase total tannins or total phenolics in the juice at either location, nor did it result in meaningful differences in the phenolic profiles of the juice.

SCFS/STFS Growing Figs in PNW talk by Ingela Wanerstrand THIS Mon. (Sep 16th) 7 PM to 9 PM. In-person/zoom hybrid. Free to all.

Zoom connect link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81937049309?pwd=GafqJWTYV0KV0VWELzUa0OM8gSTd87.1

Questions? Please email SnohomishCFS@gmail.com.

For in-person attendees: Everett Firefighters Hall, 2411 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201, USA (map)

Growing Figs in the PNW with Ingela Wanerstrand covers the selection, care, pest control, and propagation of fig trees for a bountiful yield in the PNW.

Ingela’s fig talk will also be recorded and available via the SCFS YouTube channel several days after the program.

Sat Aug 10th 10AM to noon – Free in-person only summer pruning workshop focused on mature plum trees as well as full-grown free-standing apple/pear trees at Magnuson Park demo orchard adjacent to The Brig building.

Long-time STFS member and Edmonds College instructor Ingela Wanerstrand will lead workshop. Ingela led the dormant pruning workshop this past February which was bursting with helpful advice. This Saturday’s participants can practice pruning skills on demo orchard fruit trees with guidance from experienced horticulturalists.

All (STFS members, WCFS members and members of the public) are welcomed to attend.

In addition to pruning, participants can also help gather and dispose of prunings, weed beds, spread wood chips and help connect more drip lines to the existing irrigation system.

Saturday’s attendees are responsible for deciding their own level of masking, socially distancing and other respiratory-spread disease precautions. Onsite, there probably will be no access to interior spaces. Dress and be prepared for the weather. Bathroom facilities may be limited to outside portable toilets near the P-Patch.

Please bring: 1) Face coverings and other items that you need to help minimize possible spread of COVID-19. 2) Apparel and PPE appropriate for forecasted weather and gardening activities. 3) Pruners, loppers, and saws for fruit tree pruning. 4) Your own snacks and liquid refreshments. You can decide whether to share or not.

Also, bring your underutilized plant/tool/book/other fruit-growing resources to trade/barter/sell with other attendees. Bring what’s good for someone else and look for what’s good for you.

Updated Post: Recording of talk is now available. Rosy’s Soil Health online zoom presentation May 11, 2024 to STFS members is available for public viewing until May 11, 2025.

 

Rosy’s contact info: Rosy Smit, Agriculture Program Coordinator WSU Snohomish County Extension (Phone: 425.357.6024, Email:rosy.smit@wsu.edu Website:snohomish.wsu.edu)

 

Resources referenced in Rosy’s talk now available on the STFS resources webpage.

 

STFS USP newsletter 42 01 2024 Jan includes a list of soil health resources and soil testing resources previously provided by Rosy during an earlier Jan 2024 presentation.

 

Not a STFS member, but interested in growing fruit in the Puget Sound region? Consider joining STFS. Recent STFS USP newsletters are available online for background on STFS activities and resources.

All welcomed to attend. FREE. From Rosy: The presentation will cover soil health basics in Western Washington as well as how soil testing can provide valuable data to make informed decisions about soil management practices to improve soil health.  Learn how to take an accurate soil sample, soil testing parameters, where to send your sample(s), and how to interpret the results. Rosy is the WSU Extension Agriculture Program Coordinator for Snohomish County.  Previously, she worked on multiple local certified organic farms leading food system education programming and vegetable, perennial and livestock production, on various scales.  Passionate about soil, farm-based education and pollination, she loves fruit (growing and eating it) and comes from seven generations of farmers, was raised on a dairy in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, has an BSc in Agro-ecology and a MSc in Soil Science, both from the University of British Columbia. Rosy will be recording and controlling the zoom software through WSU Zoom Meetings. Join Zoom Meeting from computer or other smarter device: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93683989664 Meeting ID: 936 8398 9664 Join by Telephone (long distance) Dial: US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 Meeting ID: 936 8398 9664 Phone one-tap: US: +16465588656,,93683989664# or +16699009128,,93683989664# Share Screen/Content Wirelessly Go to https://share.zoom.us Meeting ID: 936 8398 9664 Guide on WSU Zoom Joining Meetings and Best Practices and more info at its.wsu.edu/zoom Plans are to zoom-record Rosy’s talk and make available to interested individuals unable to attend on 5/11. Any questions? Contact Trent (email trelwing@gmail.com DM/phone 206.517.3118).

Updated Post: Recording of talk is now available at:  Berries in Your Backyard – Growing Blueberries and Caneberries. (Passcode: J*=ywYD9). Resources referenced in DeVetter berry talk as well as talk visuals now available on the STFS resources webpage.

Not a STFS member, but interested in growing fruit in the Puget Sound region? Consider joining STFS. Recent STFS USP newsletters are available online for background on STFS activities and resources.

Sat Apr 13th 1000-1100 hybrid zoom presentation – Growing Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries in your PNW backyard.

All welcomed to attend. FREE.

Title: Berries in Your Backyard – Growing Blueberries and Caneberries. Presenter: Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Washington State University. Description: Blueberries and caneberries (raspberry and blackberry) are hallmarks of summer for many gardeners. This presentation will provide an overview of key horticultural aspects to grow these crops successfully in a backyard setting.

This is the same talk given in-person this past March up at NW Fruit’s Mt. Vernon spring event.

With the right dirt, these berry plants are relatively easy to grow yielding bounteous harvests of nutritional fruit that can be very pricey when store-bought (No idea why since these plants give so much for so little).

Plans are to zoom-record Lisa’s talk and make available to interested individuals unable to attend on 4/13.

Join Zoom Meeting by computer/smart device

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026131817?pwd=SWZacGFvMW9MbElkeWxqWGM3dnFidz09

Meeting ID: 890 2613 1817

Passcode: 783000

Or on one tap mobile

+12532158782,,89026131817#,,,,*783000# US (Tacoma)

+12532050468,,89026131817#,,,,*783000# US

Or dumber phone

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 253 205 0468 US

Meeting ID: 890 2613 1817

Passcode: 783000

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbj6LXGbpl

Any questions? Contact Trent (email trelwing@gmail.com DM/phone 206.517.3118)

Like last year, the first in-person indoor STFS membership meeting for 2024 is set for this Saturday (March 2nd) but in the afternoon 2 PM to 4 PM at Sky Nursery (18528 Aurora Ave N Shoreline, WA 98133, Store open 9-6 Daily, phone 206.546.4851 email sky@skynursery.com) just north of Seattle.

Venue is a large, airy glass-enclosed greenhouse space with apparent good ventilation and probably will be cooler than comfortable so wear an extra layer.

Like we’ve done at past in-person meetings, please bring stuff to give away, barter or sell to STFS members including fruit-growing guides and journals, fruit-growing equipment, scion wood and other cuttings for plant propagation, plant starts, … Tables will be set up for this activity.

Please also bring any displays or other items to discuss any current fruit-growing successes or challenges you’ve encountered over the past several years. We all learn by communicating with each other our successes and challenges.

Please bring mason bee cocoons to exchange with other STFS members and spread genetic diversity.

STFS’s remaining inventory of maggot barriers will be available for STFS members. Same price as in 2022/23 ($12 per package of 100 maggot barriers).

Sky Nursery stocks numerous fruit plants, so maybe spend some extra time browsing onsite inventory.

If you adore roses, come early starting at 10 AM for free talks offered by the Seattle Rose Society. More details below.

And maybe take a break between rose and fruit growing talks to drive a mile or so north up Aurora to Shoreline and get your Costco including $19.99 bareroot single variety fruit trees (for example, shiro plum, honeycrisp apple, …) or $26.99 multi-variety (for example, honeycrisp/braeburn/gala/fuji apple, …) from a reputable area nursery additionally vetted by Costco as a purveyor of quality products that Costco members deserve.

From Sky Nursery Event page:

Roses for PNW Gardeners March 2nd, 10am-1pm

Join us in welcoming the experts from the Seattle Rose Society and come for one or all three segments of this FREE series on growing thriving, stunning roses in the PNW. 

Rose Pruning for Success 10-10:50

PNW Rose Variety Selection 11-11:50

Caring for Roses in the PNW 12-12:50

FREE CLASS
No Registration Necessary. Our greenhouse is covered, but still cool. Be sure to dress in layers!

Fruit for PNW Gardeners March 2nd, 2pm-3pm

Expert horticulturist and educator Ingela Wanerstrand will share her vast knowledge on the best fruit to grow in your NW Garden and how to go about growing it well. Whether you’ve got room for one blueberry in a pot or enough acreage to start an orchard, you won’t want to miss this seminar. 

Join the Seattle Tree Fruit Society afterwards from 3-4pm for their monthly meeting, including fruit tree discussion, display plants and more. All are welcome.

FREE CLASS
No Registration Necessary. Our greenhouse is covered, but still cool. Be sure to dress in layers!