For many backyard gardeners right now in USDA Zone 9, it’s citrus fruit harvest time. And before you know it, everybody will be in fruit picking mode come summer. Do you have the right equipment for harvesting fruit? Do you know the best ways to do it to help insure that the fruit will last longer in the kitchen? We talk with a fruit picking expert who has organized a tree fruit gleaning program that collects unwanted fresh fruit from backyard gardens and distributes it to the needy. Also, just because it’s winter, that doesn’t mean all you get to do is sit indoors and sharpen your tools. Although that is a good idea, your yard could use a little winterizing cleanup to thwart this spring and summer’s pest problems. We have quick tips, on this, the first episode of Season 3, and we're back to twice a week podcasts, dropping on Tuesdays and Fridays!

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory, it’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. 

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s get started!

Pictured:
Meyer Lemons (watch out for the thorns!)

Links:
 Subscribe to the free, Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery
Storing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Better Taste (UC Davis Postharvest Technology)
Find Out Farms
Community Fruit
Backyard Orchard Culture video (home fruit tree care, from Dave Wilson Nursery)
Orchard fruit pruning shears/snips
Orchard Ladders
Harvest Bags

Got a garden question? 

• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. 

• E-mail: [email protected] 

All About Farmer Fred:
The  Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter
Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

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