December 29, 2017
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by Paul Schwabe
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Training & Pruning Fruit Trees

Training & Pruning Fruit Trees Training and pruning fruit trees is important to being a successful fruit grower. You train early in a fruit tree\’s life to achieve proper/desired shape and form (central leader, open center). The first-early years of a tree\’s life are most important for proper tree training […]
December 29, 2017
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by Paul Schwabe
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Best Pesticides For The Home Orchardist

Best Pesticides For The Home Orchardist Best Pesticides For The Home Orchardist So many people want to grow fruit these days but don\’t know which are the best pesticides and when to use them. It is fun and exciting to plant fruit trees and then wait in anticipation for the […]
December 29, 2017
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by Paul Schwabe
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Cleft Grafting Apple Trees

Content 1 Cleft Grafting Apple Trees Do you want to grow numerous varieties of apples all on one tree? Wish you could grow apples, but your yard is too small, and you only have room for one tree (growing apples requires 2 different varieties in order to set fruit)? Or […]
December 29, 2017
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by Paul Schwabe
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Preventing Cedar Apple Rust

Preventing Cedar Apple Rust Preventing Cedar Apple Rust Cedar-apple rust is an interesting and complex disease involving alternating hosts to complete its lifecycle. This disease is caused by the fungus (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae). Now that is a mouthful to pronounce and something great to discuss with guests while at a party […]
December 20, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Growing Apple Trees in S.E. WI

Growing Apple Trees in S.E. WI Growing Apple Trees in S.E. WI Apples are one of the most popular tree fruit for the home grower. Who doesn’t want to bite into a nice crispy apple picked at the peak of perfection? Based on fruit tree sales here at Johnson’s Nursery, […]
November 15, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Espalier Apple Trees

Espalier Apple Trees Espalier apple trees an exciting style of growing fruit trees that allows homeowners with smaller spaces or urban lots to grow apple trees. Unfortunately, they are a rare site in most home fruit orchards and backyards. Most fruit growers think they are ‘neat’ looking and drool over […]
September 2, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Savoring Summercrisp Pear

Savoring Summercrisp Pear Here in southeastern Wisconsin, we can grow many pear varieties. The majority of them ripen in September and October. A few however, ripen in August. One of these summer pears is Summercrisp. This pear variety was developed by the University of Minnesota and introduced around the mid […]
August 10, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Home Orchard Success

Success With A Home Orchard Ever think of growing your own fruit? Wonder what it entails and how much effort it will be? Will you be successful? Given that the popularity of home fruit production has exploded in the past few years, many people have had these same thoughts. Sometimes […]
July 26, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Cherry Pits of July

Cherry Pits of July July is here. Time for the pits of summer. Hot, dusty, dry, mosquitoes, deer flies, etc. No wait! That is the wrong list. I really mean the pits that I so relish each July. Cherry pits. And lots of them. The best sight in July is […]
April 29, 2015
by Paul Schwabe
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Codling Moth: Apple Menace

Codling Moth: Apple Menace June is the start of our codling moth season. Codling moths are a major pest on apples and to a lesser extent on pears. Here in Wisconsin we normally have 2 generations of codling moths. Codling moths were originally native to Asia but are now found […]
March 14, 2015
by Paul Schwabe
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Controlling Peach Pests, Disease & Insect

Growing peaches in S.E. Wisconsin is not a foolproof task. Due to our cold winters, success is limited by the cold temperatures and peach pests. Best results are obtained by planting very cold-hardy varieties, such as Reliance Peach, Contender, and Veteran. Peach tree flower buds are only winter hardy to […]
February 21, 2015
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by Paul Schwabe
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Plum Tree Fruit Harvest 2015

Plum Tree Fruit Harvest 2015 It is that time of year again. Harvest time. Time to pick and enjoy all those luscious fall fruits that hopefully you previously planted in your backyard so you can reap the fall harvest too. If you did not plan ahead and get fruit trees […]
February 14, 2010
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Everlow Yew

Everlow Yew is a slow-growing, low-maintenance, low-spreading landscape conifer hardy to the Midwest with beautiful dark green foliage. A versatile option, Everlow Yew can be planted in full sun or full shade!
February 14, 2010
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Hicks Yew

Hicks Yew Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’ Description & Overview Hicks yew has a very narrow vertical form and works well for hedges, topiary forms, or any place where a columnar evergreen would be desired due to space requirements. Like all yews, it grows well in sun or shade. Very long […]
January 14, 2010
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Emerald Spreader® Yew

Emerald Spreader® Yew Taxus cuspidata ‘Monloo’ Description & Overview Emerald Spreader® Yew is a low-maintenance Japanese yew that is noted for its short, wide, emerald green needles that are very bright in color. The low spreading stature and extreme density of this plant makes it useful for small areas where […]
December 7, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Honeycrisp Apple

Perhaps one of our most requested apple trees, Honeycrisp is noted for its incredibly crisp texture and juicy, sweet flavor – a taste explosion! There is truly nothing like a Honeycrisp apple which is why it is consistently ranked by the University of Minnesota as one of the highest-quality apples in their sensory evaluations.
December 7, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Cortland Apple

Cortland Apple Malus x domestica ‘Cortland’ Description & Overview Cortland apple was developed in 1898 at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. It is a cross of ‘McIntosh’ x ‘Ben Davis’. Cortland Apple is known for producing large-sized fruits that are striped red with a yellow […]
December 4, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Bartlett Pear

Bartlett Pear Pyrus communis ‘Bartlett’ Description & Overview Bartlett pear is a very old European pear that is known primarily as ‘Williams’ throughout Europe. When it was brought to America it was mislabeled and got re-introduced as ‘Bartlett’. Same great pear just a new name. This variety excels for canning […]
December 4, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Royal Gala Apple

Royal Gala Apple Malus x domestica ‘Royal Gala’ Description & Overview Royal Gala apple is a sport (mutation) of Gala apple that was selected for its darker red skin color. Like all strains of Gala, the skin is slightly striped. Gala originated in New Zealand in the early 20th century […]
September 20, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Lapins Sweet Cherry

Lapins Sweet Cherry Prunus avium ‘Lapins’ Description & Overview If you’re looking to add a fruiting cherry tree to your home orchard, food forest, or permaculture garden, Lapins Sweet Cherry is an easy-growing and great choice. Large delicious sweet and crisp mahogany-colored fruits are wonderful for fresh eating, baking, or […]
September 20, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Mount Royal Plum

Mount Royal Plum Prunus domestica ‘Mount Royal’ Description & Overview Mount Royal Plum is an heirloom plum variety that is extremely cold hardy. It is a European type prune plum that produces small to medium fruits that have blue skin, sweet yellow/green flesh and are round in shape. Unique as […]
September 11, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Summercrisp Pear

Summercrisp Pear Pyrus sp. ‘Summercrisp’ Description & Overview Summercrisp pear was released by the University of Minnesota in the 1980’s. It is a very cold hardy variety that is a prolific producer of small, crispy pears (3″-3.5″ fruits) that are good for fresh eating only. A unique pear as it […]
August 20, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Montmorency Cherry

Montmorency Cherry Prunus cerasus ‘Montmorency’ Description & Overview Montmorency is an old tart cherry variety that originated in Europe (supposedly France) and was brought to the U.S. in the 19th century. It has become the #1 tart cherry variety commercially grown in the U.S. and Canada. Noted for its very […]
August 19, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Evans Bali Cherry

Evans Bali Cherry Prunus cerasus ‘Evans’ Description & Overview Evans cherry, Bali cherry and sometimes referred to as Evans/Bali cherry. All 3 names refer to the same variety. A very hardy tart cherry that is excellent for pies, jams and cobblers. Originated in Canada near Edmonton Alberta. Thrives in very […]
July 11, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Parker Pear

Parker Pear Pyrus communis ‘Parker’ Description & Overview Parker pear was developed by the University of Minnesota and released in 1934. The fruits are medium-sized, green, and often develop a slight red blush on the sunny side of the fruit. While most pears need to be picked at the green/ripe […]
May 20, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
North Star Cherry

North Star Cherry Prunus cerasus ‘North Star’ Description & Overview North Star Cherry is a dwarf tart cherry introduced by the University of MN in 1950. This selection grows 8′-10′ tall on average. It is a ‘Morello type’ so has very dark red flesh and a nice strong cherry flavor. […]
May 4, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
SnowSweet® Apple

SnowSweet® Apple Malus x domestica ‘Wildung’ Description & Overview SnowSweet® Apple was introduced by the University of Minnesota in 2006. The fruit ripens in early October and is noted for its sweet flavor and snow white flesh. SnowSweet® (Wildung variety) is a registered trademark of the University of Minnesota. Core […]
April 4, 2009
zestar apple malus domestica minnewashta ftimg
by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Zestar!® Apple

Zestar!® Apple Malus x domestica ‘Minnewashta’ PP11,367 Description & Overview Zestar!® is a very cold hardy early ripening apple. Introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1999. The fruit ripens in early September. Outstanding quality for an early apple! Good for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit keeps much […]
April 4, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Empire Apple

Empire Apple Malus x domestica ‘Empire’ Description & Overview Empire apple was developed by Cornell University in New York and released in 1966. Empire is a cross of ‘McIntosh’ x ‘Red Delicious’. It retains much of the flavor of McIntosh Apple but has deeper red skin color and much better […]
March 25, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
La Crescent Plum

La Crescent Plum Prunus ‘La Crescent’ Description & Overview La Crescent is a Japanese x american hybrid plum that is round, has golden flesh and is sweet. The fruit sometimes has a pink blush on the skin when fully ripe. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: No USDA Hardiness Zone: to zone […]
March 22, 2009
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by Paul Schwabe
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PLANT PROFILE:
Golden Delicious Apple

Golden Delicious Apple Malus x domestica ‘Golden Delicious’ Description & Overview Golden Delicious apple is a large, sweet apple with gold/green skin color. For many years it was in the top 5 apple varieties produced by volume in world apple production. It is still a popular variety in Europe although […]
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