Normally gourmet garlic seed is the last thing planted in my garden each fall, but this year a new plant filled that role in my backyard… Goji Berry Plants! Goji Berries have been receiving a lot of press recently for the reported health benefits and high levels of antioxidants that have been linked to this exotic fruit from Tibet.

Following up on a recent theme related to the joys of heirloom apples, I wanted to conclude with a post identifying a few good sources for purchasing antique and heirloom apple trees for planting in the home garden or to start a backyard orchard.

I recently wrote about my experiences at an annual fruit tasting, and posted an article describing the enticing qualities of heirloom apples. Today I wanted to share my impressions on a few specific antique apple varieties that I had an opportunity to sample at the fruit tasting event.

Last weekend’s fruit tasting event provided me with an opportunity to sample many rare and unusual heirloom apples that were popular decades ago, but are pretty much nonexistent in today’s marketplace. It’s pretty amazing to come across so many heirloom apples that you’ve never seen or tasted before.

Strasburg PA isn’t known as a fruit growing hotbed, but over the weekend it was the perfect place for fruit aficionados as the Pennsylvania Backyard Fruit Growers held their annual fruit tasting at the White Oak Nursery just outside of Lancaster PA.

I received a recent comment from a gardener inquiring about harvesting ripe watermelons from plants that had volunteered in her home garden. There’s no guarantee that those rouge plants will produce mature fruits but if they do there are a number of techniques that can be employed to ensure that you harvest the mature watermelons at their peak.

You won’t find elderberries on display at your local market, but elderberry bushes make my list of easy growing organic fruits for the backyard gardener. Elderberries are also very attractive plants that fit well in the ornamental edible landscape.
Why Grow Elderberries
Most berries are easier to grow and less susceptible to insect damage than common tree fruits such as apples, [...]

The year-round ornamental appeal of blueberry plants was covered in a recent entry, today I’ll look at the specifics of growing blueberries in the home garden. Key considerations when growing blueberries are selecting the right variety for your climate, and ensuring that the acidic PH soil requirements are satisfied.
There are various categories of blueberries including: lowbush, northern highbush, southern [...]