Q&A Master Gardeners with the

What is the process and ideal time of year to starting apple, pear, and peach trees from seed? What if you want to plant apple, pear, and peaches starting as small trees?

Many people mistakenly believe that fruit trees grow true to name from seeds. In reality, if you collect seed from a fruit grown on a plant, the seeds will produce plants that will be a hybrid of two plants. The new plant will be the same kind of plant, but its fruit and vegetative portions may not look the same as the parent because the plant is “heterozygous.” Therefore, all fruit trees must be vegetatively propagated by either

from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Livingston County

grafting or budding methods. Grafting and budding require a compatible rootstock or stock plant onto which you attach your desired variety of fruit plant. An inexpensive way to obtain a seedling rootstock is tocollectseedsfromthetypeofplant you are propagating. The seeds of all common tree fruits (apple, pear, peach, and cherry) require a chilling period before they will germinate and form new plants. Grafting and budding are relatively easy for apple trees, though for us that are more interested in having a fruit tree to plant purchasing a bar root tree is a preferredmethod.

Time of planting: We have routinely advised growers to plant bare rooted trees mid- to late March, April, or May. Several research studies have demonstrated the advantages of planting as soon in the spring as the soil conditions will allow. Trees planted in April have a decided advantage over those planted even one month later. As temperaturesincreaseinlatespring, trees planted late will break bud sooner and struggle initially without a regenerated new root system developed. Avoid planting trees in frozenorwater-saturatedsoils.

Kenneth Glenn Estes, Jr, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County

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Common Grilling Mistakes

Playing with food: Grilling does not require much intervention. Repeatedly flipping and squeezing meat and poultry can cause flavorful juices to leak out. Then you’re left with dried-out food. Resist any urges to prod and poke food. And minimize how many times you lift the grill cover to take a peek, as that can cause temperatures to fluctuate. Use a thermometer to determine when food is done. And don’t forget that meat will still cook a bit after it’s taken off the grill.

Helping Heroes

(NAPSI)—The Department of Defense reports that 1.3 million Americans serve in the military.

If you or someone you care about is ever among them and sent overseas,youmaybegladtolearn about an organization that’s been assisting members of the U.S. armed forces, veterans and their families since the early 1900s: the American Red Cross. It provides emergency communication services, resiliency programs and morale activities.

“We are committed to delivering critical services with a caring touch wherever and whenever they’re needed—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year—for military members and their families at home and around the world,” said Koby Langley, seniorvicepresidentforServiceto theArmedForcesattheRedCross.

Now, the organization is expandingsupportforU.S.military personnel in Eastern Europe with a new office in Romania.

In addition to aiding military members and their families, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to disaster victims; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; and provides humanitarian aid. A not-for-profit organization, it depends on volunteers and the generosityoftheAmericanpublic.

Learn More: The free Hero Care App helps members of the military and veteran communities access emergency and other Red Cross services anywhere in the world.

Go to your app store or text GETHEROCARE to 90999 to download the app. For further facts, visit www.redcross.org.

Make The Most Of Limited Space

Reconsider your furniture. Furniture can make rooms feel cozy, cramped or spacious. For homeowners with limited space in their homes, furniture that also can be used as storage can save space without sacrificing comfort. For the bedroom, choose a storage bed if the quarters are cramped and it’s difficult to find space for two dressers. Such beds also can be used to store bed linens if closet space is limited. Purchase storage ottomans and/or end tables with storage beneath to make living areas feel less cramped.

Masonry

• All water heaters including tankless

• High efficiency furnaces, AC & boilers

• Water conditioning systems & Goulds well pumps

• All general household plumbing

• Drain cleaning

ROOFING

How To Stay Safe On Diy Projects

Make sure you choose the right ladder. DIYers may spend ample time shopping for drills and other electronic tools and gadgets that are fun to use. But ample time also must be afforded to the type of ladder you intend to use on a project. Estimates from the West Bend Insurance Company indicate that roughly 90,000 people visit the emergency room due to ladder accidents each year. Never use a broken ladder or an aging ladder that’s uneven. In addition, do not use a ladder that forces you to reach far away. If you’re leaning while using a ladder, the ladder is either too short for your project or positioned too far away from the wall. The National Home Security Alliance advises DIYers to place their ladder one foot from the wall for every four feet it rises above the ground. Test your ladders for their sturdiness prior to beginning work so you aren’t tempted to use a subpar ladder.

Sticky Grape Schiacciata

Serves 6

1 cake compressed yeast, 1 packet active dry yeast or 1 packet quick-rising yeast

A pinch of sugar

1 cup warm water

4 1/4 cups Italian “00” flour or cake flour

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup brown sugar, plus extra to sprinkle

Finely grated peel of 1 unwaxed lemon

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped 8 ounces black grapes, seeded (Sangiovese wine grapes, if possible)

2 cups heavy cream or mascarpone

3tablespoonsconfectioners’sugar

6 tablespoons Vin Santo

1 jelly roll pan, 9 x 13 inches, oiled

Ifyouareusingcompressedyeast, mix it with the sugar in a medium bowl, then beat in the warm water. Leave for 10 minutes until frothy. For other yeasts, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture, egg yolks, olive oil, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together. Tip out onto a lightlyflouredworksurface.Wash and dry your hands. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should be quite soft, but if it’s too soft to handle, add more flour. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel, and let rise until doubled in size - about 1 hour.

To make the walnut butter, cream thebutterandsugartogether,then stir in the lemon peel and walnuts. Keep at room temperature.

Uncover the dough, punch out the air, then shape into a ball. Roll or pull the dough into a rectangle to line the prepared jelly roll pan. Spread the walnut butter over the schiacciata crust, add the grapes, and sprinkle with brown sugar. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour until puffy and doubled in size.

Preheattheovento400F.Uncover thedoughandbakefor15minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 F and bake for 20 minutes more or until risen and golden. Let cool slightly before turning out.

TomaketheVinSantocream,beat the cream, confectioners’ sugar and Vin Santo together in a bowl until the mixture forms soft peaks. Cut the focaccia into wedges and serve with the Vin Santo cream.