In Good Thyme - by Mariana Graham

Our State of Washington is famous for its apples, but most of its prestige as a fruit-producing region goes to the eastern side of the mountains. While we admire the dry-siders' renown, we don't do too badly on the damp side, either. The moist coolness of western Washington is hospitable to many varieties of tree fruit, berries, grapes, nuts and even some exotic and unusual fruits.

We Islanders are fortunate to live close to Washington State University's Mount Vernon Research and Extension Unit's Fruit Horticulture Department. WSU-Mount Vernon's experts evaluate fruits and berries to determine which ones are best suited to our marine climate. These horticulturalists look for high quality varieties that ripen well, show good disease resistance, and overall productivity. They also perform cultural trials in the Skagit Valley's fertile floodplain to discover growing methods and materials that prove best for both commercial growers and us suburban Johnny Appleseeds. Fortunately, our fruit friends have taken time out from the fields to produce an attractive new web page of interest to the home orchardist as well as the pro. If you're tired of doing battle with apple scab or just want to try something new, you've got to see "Alternate Fruit Crops for Western Washington." It lists some intriguing fruits that have been tested and evaluated at the WSU Mount Vernon Research Unit, then rates them as either Very Promising, Some Risk, Still Promising, and, for the gamblers of the garden, Insufficiently Tested, With Potential. Even if your knowledge of fruit is limited to Fruit of the Loom, you'll find this site easy to read and spiced with beautiful color photographs. It covers crops ranging from Asian pears to aronia, kiwis to currants. For those who would like to produce their own pinot noir or Gamay Beaujolais, wine grapes are discussed in detail. If hard cider is more your cup of, um, cider, this web site will tell you which are the best apples to cultivate and ferment. It also has a special section on organic fruit growing. Get there at http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/frt_hort/altcrop.htm. If you don't have a home computer, your local library will let you log on for a small fee. If you're a fruit fanatic, this web site is well worth it.

'Can't get enough of that "alternate" fruit? The Mount Vernon Research Unit's web site also has a page on what they describe as "unusual fruit." There you'll find 15 varieties of figs, a dozen kiwis, another dozen currants, persimmons, paw paws, pomegranates, quince, mulberry, almonds, elderberries, and more exotica to satisfy the fervent fruit freak.
FRUIT FIELD DAY

Home orchardists interested in visiting the Research Unit and literally tasting the fruits of its labor are invited to join the Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation. Members learn from the pros and participate in special events, including several bountiful harvest days. WWFRF (not to be confused with the WWF) is hosting a field day open to the general public on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Mount Vernon Research Unit starting at 8:30 a.m. For $15 admission, experts will teach the correct way to prune fruit trees, how to control orchard diseases and pests, and help you do some hands-on pruning and grafting in the field. You'll also be able to purchase scionwood, rootstock, grafting supplies and other orchard-related goodies. For further information, go to http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/frt_hort/friends.htm.

If all this talk of fruit has made you hungry, I apologize in advance for ruining your appetite. But I feel it's only fair to warn the faint of heart that the next column will be all about worms. Worms are nature's recyclers and are very good for your garden. Next week I'll introduce you to the Whidbey Worm People and tell you how to start your own squirmy little worm farm under your kitchen sink (not MY kitchen sink, thank you!).

If there are gardening topics you'd like to see discussed, or questions you want to have answered in this column by your WSU-Island County Master Gardeners, please contact me through the fax or web site listed below. Your input is welcome!

Mariana Graham is a WSU-Island County Master Gardener and a member of the Garden Writers Association of America. Send her your garden questions, hints or comments via the Whidbey News Times, 675-6611; fax 675-2732 or wnt@whidbey.net.

MASTER GARDENER CLINICS (click on picture)
Master Gardener plant clinics are being held at various Island locations throughout the summer. On the North end, bring questions and plant samples to The Greenhouse Nursery each Saturday in July from 9 a.m. to noon, Cenex on Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the Navy Exchange Garden Shop June 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Central Whidbey, it's at the Coupeville Farmers Market each Saturday through the end of July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. South end clinics include Freeland Ace Hardware from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. You can also find Master Gardeners at South Whidbey Tilth on July 7, Aug. 4, and Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Clinics are held at Bayview Farm and Garden June 30th, July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Clinics may be scheduled at other locations when volunteers and resource materials are available. 'Can't make it to a plant clinic? Call the Master Gardener hotline (360) 679-7327 each Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September.