The Garden Shed

Callery Pears are technically varieties of the genus and species Pyrus calleryana. Bradford pear was the first and oldest variety. There are many more varieties of these ornamental pears called; Redspire, Autumnblaze, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer, Whitehouse, Trinity, Aristocrat and many more. Each of these pears has slightly different and in most cases better tree foliage and flower characteristics than Bradford.
Ornamental pears are probably overplanted as a street and shade tree. Because many varieties are planted close together they have crosspollinated and produce many small fruit. When Bradford was only planted, pollination was more difficult and few fruit were produced. These small fruit with many seeds have been widely distributed by birds and others. Many of these seeds germinate and have produced wild ornamental pear seedlings. Thus ornamental pears have become invasive because of the abundance of thees seedlings and the overplanting of these beautiful trees..

One of the great frustrations of growing a fruit tree in the home garden is not having the tree bear fruit. Major reasons for this occurrence are the lack of proper cross-pollination. While fruit trees may produce an abundant crop of flowers unless they are cross-pollinated by another variety of the same species fruit set and production will not occur. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of the male part of the flower to the stigma of the female part of the flower. If this pollination occurs in the same tree or other trees of the same variety it is considered self pollination. If pollination occurs from a different variety on the same tree or a different variety on another tree it is considered cross pollination.

Details on pollination should be provided on the tag of each tree when purchased, or sales and service personnel should provide this information. Unless you are an expert on pollination, or have an up to date fruit science book, mail order catalogs are good sources of information on pollination requirements.

Peaches,. nectarines, tart cherries, and most apricots are self pollinating meaning only one tree of any variety is needed to pollinate and set fruit to maturity. Most apples, pears, cherries, and plums need to be cross-pollinated by another variety. Thus at least two varieties are needed to produce a full crop of fruit to maturity. Some of the newer sweet cherries and pears are self-pollinating, but will produce larger and better crops if cross pollinated. Varieties must be of the same species or closely related to provide cross-pollination. For example plums will not pollinate apricots and apples will not pollinate pears. Sweet cherries will not pollinate tart cherries

It would be simple to recommend planting any two varieties of the same species to provide good cross-pollination and fruit set to maturity. However, varieties of the same species must bloom at a similar time, shed pollen that is both strong and viable, and cross-pollinate with compatible pollen. Information on the best cross pollinating varieties must be known before purchasing unless you purchase one of those special trees with three, four or five varieties grafted on them.

If the right trees are close enough together wind will transfer pollen but in most situations bees and other insects are needed to transfer the pollen. Sometimes you are lucky because one of your neighbors has the right variety to pollinate your tree. Sometimes you can also be unlucky because you have the right varieties for cross pollination but the weather or some type of pest keeps you from setting a full crop of fruit to maturity.

Author: Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a member of the plant family Liliaceae. Asparagus originated in areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea and was considered a delicacy by the ancient Greeks. In addition to its popularity as a food in early times, asparagus was once believed to be effective in preventing bee stings, heart trouble, dropsy, and toothaches. In 1949, scientists found that asparagus contained rutin, a substance that strengthens capillary walls, thereby preventing hemorrhaging. The content of rutin in edible young spears, however, is not high, tending to increase with maturity of canes in late summer. Nutritionally, asparagus in a good source of vitamin A and C. Additionally, it is low in calories; 5 spears contain about 25 calories.

Top producers in order of volume in the U.S. include: California, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey. In our state asparagus is usually shipped in 20 pound cartons and bunched.

When handling asparagus for storage, temperatures and humidity are important for extending shelf life. After harvest asparagus deteriorates rapidly when low temperatures are not maintained. At room temperature spears develop woody tissue and loses the sugar content that provides its characteristic flavor. Temperatures should be between 37-41 F with relative humidity at 95-100%. Typical shelf life for asparagus is 10-21 days if kept under the proper environment. Asparagus has a high sensitivity to freezing injury therefore never let the temperature go below 33 F.

Author: Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers New Jersey Agricutlural Experiment Station
Cooperative Extension, Gloucester County

The beet (Beta vulgaris) is a member of the goosefoot family, Chenopodiaceae. Other plants in this family include chard, spinach, and common pigweed. Beets are believed to be native to the Mediterranean area of Europe and North Africa, and a secondary area of development was located in the Near East. Many members of the beet family are found in areas with elevated salt levels in the soil, since beets are one of the most salt tolerant vegetables. Beets will tolerate alkaline soils, but are very sensitive to soils with low pH levels. Optimum pH for beets is 6.0-6.8. The roots of wild beets were used in ancient times as a source of medicine. Wild types did not resemble the cultivated forms we have today. In history, the fleshy root type we have today was listed in the sixteenth century. Cultivation of this vegetable did not become popular until the 1800’s.

In the U.S. we produce approximately 14,000 acres of fresh market beets. Beets are a minor crop and are listed as 21st among the top 22 vegetable crops in the U.S. Leading states in order of production include Texas, California, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio. Wholesale buyers of beets look for a good-quality product that is relatively smooth and firm with dark color and unblemished skins. Black pitting on the surface of roots at harvest may be a sign of Boron deficiency. Beet tops should look young, clean, fresh, and tender. Roots should be firm and dirt-free. Tops should not contain any dry, damaged, or discolored leaves. Beets should be stored around 32F with 98-100% humidity. Typical shelf life for beets is 30-90 days when tops are removed, and 10 days for bunched beets. Although this crop is stored at low temperatures it is still sensitive to freezing injury if temperatures fall below 32F.

There are hundreds of varieties of beets. Some specialty varieties may catch the interest of consumers and may fit into some niche markets. One specialty variety with roots containing red and white rings is ‘Chiogga’. The tops are lighter green than other varieties and the stems and veins are more of a pinkish color than the deep purple of red root varieties. Another specialty type is the golden beet. This variety typically has low germination rates and should be seeded at higher rates to ensure good plant stands.

Nutritionally, beets are very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. They are also a good source of dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium and Potassium, and a very good source of Folate and Manganese. For even better nutrient value, eat the green and red tops of beets as they have additional health benefits and taste similar to Swiss chards.