Spring planting season is just around the corner and the
Watauga County 4-H Club is offering fruitful opportunities.
The 4-H Club’s annual fruit plant sale is under way, with
several popular berry species and heritage trees. The plant sales
are a fundraiser for the club, which helps young people participate
in clubs, competitions and workshops.
Blackberry and raspberry vines are $4 each, with Bristol and Heritage
varieties of raspberries and Shawnee and thorn-free Navaho varieties
of blackberries. Strawberries are $4.50 per 25 plants, with All-star,
Earliglow and Seascape varieties available.
Blueberries are $4.50 per plant, with Bluecrop, Blueray and Jersey
strains available. At least two plants are needed for proper pollination.
Grapes are $6.50 per vine, with seedless varieties Concord, Thompson
and Reliance available.
Heritage apple trees are once again available, though in limited
supply. The 1-year bare root plants grow to semi-dwarf trees 10
to 15 feet high. They will bear fruit in two to four years and
live 55 years. They cost $15 each.
Varieties include Summer Banana, which ripens in August to September,
with a deep yellow skin with faint pink-and-red blush, and Rusty
Coat, a yellow variety that originated before 1800 and ripens
from September to October.
The Virginia Beauty apple is dark red or purplish, with green-yellow
interior. It ripens in October and is a good keeper. The Yellow
Transparent has smooth yellow skin and fine-grained flesh, ripening
in early June to July. The Gala, a non-heirloom variety, does
well in the mountains. It is medium-sized, keeps well, and ripens
in September.
Plant orders must be made in advance, as the heirloom apple trees
are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders must be submitted
to the 4-H office by Monday, March 30, with plant pick-up days
on April 21 and 22. Plants should be placed in the ground as soon
as possible, as they are shipped with bare roots to reduce shipping
costs.
The North Carolina 4-H Club is celebrating its centennial this
year, with special events such as an ice-cream flavor competition,
a 4-H-designed postage stamp, and compilation of 4-H history.
For more information on fruit plants or 4-H Club activities, call
the Watauga County branch of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service
at (828) 264-3061.
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