Most apples require another apple or crabapple variety to produce fruit. See chart at the end of document for more information. Anna: Very early blooming, early ripening and very productive. A Golden Delicious type great for fresh eating or cooking. Sweet, spicy, unusual flavor in a beautifully blushed fruit. Considered partially self-fertile but better with […]
Most varieties of pear require cross-pollination with another pear. While European pear can pollinize Asian pear, they typically are not in bloom at the same time. Thus, it is recommended to have two varieties of European pear or two varieties of Asian pear. A hybrid pear, such as Maxie, can act as pollinator for both […]
*All of these plum trees are grown on semi-dwarf rootstock in order to accommodate most home orchards.* European Plums Blue Damson: Not only does this heirloom variety yield oblong, purple-skinned fruits with yellow-green flesh and a sweet tart flavor that is great for fresh eating and especially cooking, but the tree in bloom is a […]
2024 is going to be a great year for roses at Venture Out! I am really excited about ALL the cultivars I’ve chosen for this year. I did a bit of next-level research to make sure that they all have top ratings, not just for disease resistance and performance in our region, but also for fragrance, rebloom, […]
Top 10 Roses for disease-resistance, fragrance, and repeat blooming I am crazy about roses – but only the GOOD ones! That means cultivars that score high for disease-resistance, fragrance, and repeat flowering. I exclude any variety with low scores in those categories. I also favor roses that are good for cut flowers. For this reason, […]
We kick off spring with a big batch of bare-root small fruits and edibles. Stop in soon to embellish your food garden! Crimson Night Everbearing Raspberry This variety offers prolific, flavorful dark red-purple berries and great disease resistance. Introduced by Cornell University in 2012, Crimson Night is very ornamental, with dark purple canes – try it […]
Nuts are an investment in the long term. Trees need time to mature before they will reliably produce mature fruit. It is important to protect the harvest from squirrels and birds. Hazelnuts (Corylus): Plant in very moist, fertile, well-drained soil for best results. A full-sun to part-shade site should be chosen for optimal results. Choose […]
Late fall and winter bring an excellent opportunity for us to examine our gardens with fresh eyes. Without the distraction of spring and summer flowers, we can clearly see if our plantings provide enough color and interest in the “naked” season. We can also evaluate where we might need more structure. If you find your […]
Top 10 Roses for disease-resistance, fragrance, and repeat blooming Even though I am nuts about Roses, I am also discerning. When choosing which cultivars we carry, I select based on disease-resistance, fragrance, and repeat flowering. I exclude any variety with low scores in those categories. I also favor Roses that are good for cut flowers. We […]
Gardening on Whidbey Island can sometimes be tricky! We are not without our host of challenges: wind, deer, rabbits, and poor soil are just a few of the obstacles many gardeners face. Tough conditions require tough plants, and frequently a Conifer is the answer! Conifers are cone-bearing plants. They are typically (but not always!) evergreen. […]