Unusual vegetable

I just finished writing an article for the Master Gardener newsletter (the March issue will be posted around the first of the month) on unusual vegetables. I only picked out a few for the article but there were others. The cabbage walking stick was probably one of the oddest. A vegetable as tree! I'm not sure that it will grow in our area, it may be too hot, but it could be fun to try. It is a relative of kale and can get to 10 feet tall by the second year of growth. (Actually I found wildly varying estimates of its size, one source said it can grow as tall as 20 feet) It has been grown in the Channel Islands (England, not California) for over 200 years. The leaves are edible. To collect the walking stick, behead the plant when it reaches the height you want and let it try. The information I found said it needs to dry for a season, but I suspect that it will dry a lot faster here.

To find more information on growing for canes go to: http://tomclothier.hort.net.page32.html

Canes can be carved.

Seeds can be found at Annies Annuals & Perennials

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=2875

Interesting Cactus

When I first saw this cactus I thought they were golden barrel cactus, but I had never seen them grow so wildly before. There were lots of regular looking barrels in the garden also, so was intrigued by the forms these cactus created. Anybody seen anything like this? I know cactus will sometimes create fasciated forms, but not sure if that is what is going on here. Regardless, these were fabulous looking.

Potted Plants

In our climate it is difficult to grow container plants unless you are home to water a couple of times of day during the hottest part of the summer or install an irrigation system. It doesn't stop people from trying though. Sometimes it is simply a matter of finding the right container and the right plant. This container is a bit large for most homes and difficult to find, but creates the perfect match of container, climate and plant.

Pruning WorkshopsTree

University of Arizona Offers Free
Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstrations

It’s fruit tree pruning season and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County is offering three free deciduous fruit tree pruning demonstrations conducted by Extension Agent, Jeff Schalau. Come and learn why, when, and how to prune your backyard fruit trees. Demonstrations will cover apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and more. Fertilization, irrigation and fruit thinning will also be discussed.

Three pruning demonstrations are scheduled. The first will be held on Saturday February 6 at 10 AM at the McLandress Orchard, 850 S. Maricopa in Chino Valley. The second will be held on Saturday February 20 at 10 AM at the City of Sedona Jordan Historical Park, 735 Jordan Rd in uptown Sedona. The third will be held on Saturday February 27 at 10 AM at Chino Valley Farms, 2572 N. Rd 1E in Chino Valley.

Maps and directions to these workshops are also available on the Yavapai County Cooperative Extension web site: cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/. Signs will also be posted prior to the workshops to help participants find the locations. Carpooling is encouraged as parking may be limited. Please call the Prescott office at 928-445-6590 x 221 with any questions.

The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

Yavapai County Cooperative Extension
University of Arizona
840 Rodeo Dr Bldg C
Prescott, AZ 86305
928-445-6590 ext. 221
928-445-6593 Fax
www.cals.arizona.edu/yavapai