MAX FACTS GROWING TIPS, NEWS AND TRIVIA
Reporting Citrus Diseases
Checking your citrus trees regularly is extremely important to prevent the spread of citrus
diseases. The most serious citrus diseases found in the United States include citrus
greening, citrus canker, citrus black spot and sweet orange scab. These diseases are
a threat to the health of the US citrus market, and finding them early is critical, even if
you’re just a home grower. Being a citrus detective is quite simple. Inspect your trees
thoroughly, being sure to look at the fruit and the leaves. Keep your eyes open for a tiny
pest, the Asian citrus psyllid, which likes to hide on leaves. To help you diagnose any
maladies you might find, download the USDA’s Save Our Citrus smartphone app, which
makes it easy to report and identify the major citrus diseases. Report your symptoms,
upload a photo and receive a direct response from citrus experts.
(Source: blogs.usda.gov)
Organic Blueberries More Profitable
Is going organic the answer for blueberry farmers? From 2009-2012, organic blueberry acreage in Washington state increased by 130%, while
production tripled. In the same period, the farm-gate value of the state’s organic blueberries rose from $7 million to $23 million. Washington is now
the leading producer of organic blueberries in the United States, according to a fact sheet recently published by Washington State University. The
sheet was made to help growers decide if they should enter the organic blueberry market, or expand their current organic production. When making
those decisions, there are some factors to consider. Average yields for the state’s organic berries are lower, partially due to the high proportion of
young plantings, but average market prices are higher. In the next few years, a large increase in the supply of conventional and organic blueberries is
expected, which could lead to a supply-demand imbalance that might depress prices in the future.
(Source: fruitgrowersnews.com)
Free Roadside Veggies
In Iowa City, tomatoes, herbs and other locally grown edibles
from front yards are free for the taking, thanks to a new spin
on the community garden. Anyone willing to plant vegetables
where pedestrians can harvest them can get free seedlings
from Backyard Abundance, a local non-profit that promotes
ecologically beneficial landscapes. The plants come with
“Pick Me!” signs, encouraging neighbors to help themselves.
“Most of our front yards aren’t doing anything for us,” says
Fred Meyer, director of Backyard Abundance. “They’re just
sitting there being mowed.” The annual garden giveaway was
inaugurated last spring as part of the Iowa City Blue Zones
Project, the city’s bid to become one of 10 Blue Zone areas that receive
national assistance with transitioning to a healthier way of life. The Pick Me!
initiative was inspired in part by the Food is Free Project in Austin, Texas.
(Source: civileats.com)
Pick Me!
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Maximum Yield USA | November 2015