March 17, 2019: Grafting Clinic

CRFG held its annual grafting clinic geared for beginners and those that would like to improve their technique with hands-on guidance & support. This year’s clinic was held at the beautiful home and gardens of member Dr. Allan Bernstein.

This clinic offered a brief lecture about grafting, with demonstrations of two grafting techniques done at this time of year.  Following that, we broke out with experienced grafters for some individual tutoring & practice.  Participants were able to see that many grafters vary slightly in their techniques & materials.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING PDF TUTORIAL: https://ucanr.edu/sites/camg2011/files/101893.pdf

It was written by the late Chuck Ingels and is a valuable resource.  There are a few names in the fruit growing field that everyone respects – Chuck was one of those.  We discussed three of the grafts that Chuck demonstrates:  Whip ( also called whip and tongue), Cleft, and Chip bud.  T-budding and Bark grafting require that the bark be slipping.  We are not far from that time, but for now we will not do those grafts.

Various rootstocks were available for purchase.  Participants were also encouraged to bring any dormant scions they wanted to graft. We shared various snacks and beverages.

Thanks to everybody who helped make this event possible, especially Allan Bernstein for hosting,  David Ulmer for the wise demonstrations and Keith Borglum for photos and behind the scenes work.

March 10, 2019: Fruit Tree Grafting and Potting Party

We held our annual fruit tree grafting and potting party in the barn at the impressive orchard and gardens of member Keith Borglum.

A couple dozen members rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to create over 200 fruit trees to be sold at our summer fruit tree sale and fund raiser. All of our profits from this event go to fruit-related scholarships and worthy causes.

Experiences grafters grafted heirloom scions to rootstocks, and other members pitched in potting the new trees and otherwise helping out.

A successful group effort resulted in over 200 rootstocks grafted for sale at our summer event. Trees created include heirloom apples, pears, peaches and plums. Thanks to Keith Borglum for hosting, TLC for the potted trees, and pictures; thanks to David Ulmer for sourcing the rootstocks, Bob McCarville for transportation and to all who grafted, potted, and otherwise contributed to this great team effort.

At this members-only event, attendees were also able to tour the 240-variety orchard and get great information from one of the masters including a variety of planting, pruning, greenhouse, irrigation, espalier & grafting techniques.

[Photos by Keith Borglum]:
(Click any image for photo and slideshow.)

January 26, 2019: Scion Exchange

We held our annual scion exchange at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s center. Hundreds of people attended this community event, collecting free scions from hundreds of varieties of fruit trees. Rootstocks were available for sale at a nominal price, and CRFG grafters were on hand to create custom- fruit trees on the spot.

Among the rootstocks offered this year were:

  • Apple: MM111, Bud 9 dwarf
  • Plum: Myrobalan – for Apricots, Pluots, Plums and Almonds
  • Peach: Lovell – for Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Pluots  and Almonds
  • Pear: Calleryana, Old Home x Farmingdale
  • Cherry: Mahaleb, Maxma 14

More than a dozen vendors offered fruit trees, grape vines and other plants for sale as well as fresh citrus fruit and other items. Local businesses and non-profits provided information tables as well.

We continued our raffle this year with a number of fruit-related prizes raising money for our scholarship and grants fund.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped put this event together.

[First Gallery Photos by Christine C.]:
(Click any image to view photo and slideshow.)

[Second Gallery Photos by Keith Borglum]:
(Click any image to view photo and slideshow.)

March 18, 2018: Fruit Tree Grafting Party

A successful group effort resulted in over 200 rootstocks grafted for sale at our summer event. Trees created include heirloom apples, pears, peaches and plums. Thanks to Keith Borglum for hosting, TLC for the potted trees, and pictures; thanks to David Ulmer for getting the rootstocks, and to all who grafted and potted.  Also to Rachel for identifying the Brassica oculopunctorius weed.

February 13, 2018: Sonoma County Seed Swap

CRFG Redwood again had an exhibit at the Sonoma County Seed Swap sponsored by the West County Seed Bank, OAEC, Daily Acts, Permaculture Skills Center and the Sebastopol Grange. CRFGR members donated scions which were gobbled up by attendees, and participated in many interesting discussions.

January 28, 2018: Scion Exchange

We held our annual scion exchange at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s center. Hundreds of people attended this community event, collecting free scions from hundreds of varieties of fruit trees. Rootstocks were available for sale at a nominal price, and CRFG grafters were on hand to create custom- fruit trees on the spot.

Among the rootstocks offered this year were:

  • Apple: MM111, Bud 9 dwarf
  • Plum: Myrobalan – for Apricots, Pluots, Plums and Almonds
  • Peach: Lovell – for Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Pluots  and Almonds
  • Pear: Calleryana,
  • Cherry: Mahaleb

An ongoing raffle and auction offered many interesting and useful prizes donated by local-area businesses in support of our mission.

More than a dozen vendors offered fruit trees, grape vines and other plants for sale as well as fresh citrus fruit and other items. Local businesses and non-profits provided information tables as well.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped put this event together. Photos by Keith Borglum.

September 5, 2017: National Heirloom Exposition

CRFG-Redwood exhibited at Santa Rosa’s National Heirloom Exposition. Dubbed the “The World’s Fair of Pure Food,” it was host to over 20,000 farmers and gardeners! The expo featured over 300 vendors, including thousands of Heirloom varieties from across America. CRFG members again assembled impressive tables full of a variety of fruits grown locally by members.

July 29, 2017: Summer Tree and Plant Sale

CRFG Redwood Chapter held its annual Summer Plant sale and fundraiser in July at the Original Organic Farmer’s Market behind Sutter Medical Center. Dozens of varieties of rare fruit trees and plants were sold, raising almost $2,500 for further charitable works. Other market fruit, honey and mushroom vendors came over to visit and share nibbles and stories of interesting fruit.

July 9, 2017: Summer Budding Clinic and Greenwood Swap

A Bark Grafting and Citrus grafting demonstration was held at the Summer Greenwood Scion Exchange at a member’s orchard.

David Ulmer demonstrated grafting citrus with bud and cleft grafts.

Ray Sheehy sent certified clean rootstock, and Dick Kirk ordered and brought many varieties of certified clean scions of unusual citrus  available to participants to a nominal price. Members had a hands-on opportunity to practice grafting supported by the close attention of the experts.

March 12, 2017: Fruit Tree Grafting Work Party

CRFG member volunteers gathered at Keith Borglum’s place to graft and pot up  150+ trees to be ready for the big sale fundraiser event in July. Thanks Keith for hosting and providing these pictures!