Friday, May 11, 2012

How To Plant a Plant!!!



Dig the Hole
Remember, proper planting is crucial to the survival of your new tree.
Remove your tree from the container carefully – the roots and soil should not separate too much. If the tree is stuck in the container, jiggle it a bit to loosen the roots.
  • Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the container and the depth should be the same as the top of the soil in the container.
  • Position the plant so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface. Planting too deep could cause your tree to die.
    • Once you have proper depth, either by removing dirt or back filling so the base of the tree is about even with the ground, massage the roots to allow excess dirt to fall off. This allows the roots to spread faster, but be sure no to brake roots, do it GENTLY. If plants had a brain the roots would be it so be gentle...


Fill it in and water it  Place the tree back into the hole.

  • Once your tree is in position, fill the hole with soil until it is half full.
  • Slowly water to saturate the soil (this removes air pockets that could also kill your new tree), then fill the hole with remainder of soil and soak again.
  • If possible, add a 3" thick ring of soil around the outer edge of the planting area. This will keep the water in and help to encourage your new tree to grow.
  • Next, place an organic mulch such as wood chips, leaves, pine needles or pine bark 3 to 4 inches deep around the entire planting area without coming in direct contact with the trunk.
  • Wet down the mulch.
You're done!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Southern Peaches: The Florida Prince (Now is the season to PLANT, fast before they are no longer dorment))


Southern Peach: Florida Prince
Botanical name: Prunus persica
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Asia
Avg. Height X Width: 15’ X 10’ - Max height 20’
Season: Spring
Damage temp: 18 F

Comments: Through a breeding program that began in 1953 the University of Florida successfully developed numerous low chill peach varieties suitable to Florida’s mild climate. The varieties we carry will grow and produce fruit even as far south as Miami. In fact, they have fruited successfully in Cuba and Nassau, Bahamas. The fruit quality is equal to that of temperate-zone cultivars, and small commercial plantings can be found throughout central Florida. The trees are deciduous and lose their leaves each winter, but they are highly ornamental otherwise making them an excellent choice for the home garden. When fruiting water thoroughly. Depending on the tree, to produce a big crop with large peaches (other wise they will be smaller sized) a tree may require between 75-150 freeze hrs. Freeze hrs. are a unit of time, one hour, bellow 5o degrees. Fertilize 10-10– 10 or a close combination. The Peaches are grafted onto a bug and fungus resistant root stock called - Nemaguard Peach.

Health Benefits:
Peaches are high in a number of nutrients your body needs such as niacin, thiamine, potassium and calcium. They are also high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that converts to Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy hearts and eyes. The darker the peach’s color, the more Vitamin A it has in its pulp. The antioxidants may also help in maintaining healthy urinary and digestive functions.
Peach tea is known in Eastern cultures to be a kidney cleanser and uses in detoxification. This isn’t peach flavored tea, but a brew made from the pits. Many people claim peaches are good for relief of stomach ulcers and other digestive issues like colitis and kidney disease. This may be due to their high fiber and potassium content.

A Florida-Prince Peach from the yard 2012

Berries of Miami - 'The Berry Man'

               email for questions or availability: berriesofmiami@gmail.com