The station is exploring Gourds to be grown and dried for use as a value added product. On April 4 Luffa Gourd seeds were planted in the greenhouse. The luffa was planted in the High Tunnel on May 24. May 24, 2019 a variety of additional gourd seeds were planted in the greenhouse. Once large enough, the plants will be planted in the field. … [Read more...] about Gourds Planted
As the temperatures warm up so does the greenhouse. It was time to put the shade cloth. Our field crew ties a rope to the shade cloth and throws the rope over the greenhouse. The shade cloth is then gently pulled over the greenhouse into place. Once in the correct position, it is tied down to the eyelets in the concrete pad. Our crew has the pull over method down because … [Read more...] about Shade Cloth on Greenhouses
On Tuesday students from Northwest University in Xi'an China visited the Fruit Station. MSU faculty and staff joined the students for introductions, winery, distillery and field tours, as well as wine and product tasting. Some of the students got to practice sealing and labeling wine bottles. Thanks to our faculty and staff for making sure everyone learned and had a good … [Read more...] about Northwest University students from Xi’an, China visit Fruit Station
More storm damage occurred on Saturday May 18th as a quick storm with high winds passed through. The weather equipment recorded 55.3 mph winds. We lost landscape trees as well as 3 apples trees, 1 cherry tree, the blueberry netting, and a fence. Luckily the tree that recently suffered a lightening strike is still standing, just a little bit … [Read more...] about Storm Damage
Each year netting is applied over the Blueberry plants to protect them from the birds. This year the field crew built a larger hoop style frame and sewed the netting together. The goal is not only to keep the birds from eating the fruit, but we hope to have less damage to the plants and fewer berries knocked off since the net is not touching the plants. This should also be … [Read more...] about Blueberry Netting