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[This exerpt is the first in a series about Seattle orchards from Seattle's Orchards: A Historic Legacy Meets Modern Sustainability, by Audrey LIeberworth. It's a thesis paper written for Scripps College that explores the historic and new orchards in Seattle.] The origins of the surviving historic orchards are connected to the rich narratives of the early [...]

Starting in 2012, joining City Fruit will not only make you feel great for supporting a worthy cause — it will also save you money. City People’s Garden Store, Swanson’s Nursery, Dish It Up! kitchen store and Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream are offering discounts (and free cones!) to people who join or renew their [...]

Looking for a delicious recipe to serve friends and family at a winter brunch? Try this one out. Spicy Ginger Muffins With Currants and Toasted Pecans Butter for greasing muffin tin 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup dark molasses 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 1 2/3 [...]

Nell’s restaurant recently shared the following recipe with their email list. It is the perfect treat at this time of year. Red Wine & Star Anise Poached Pears with Pear Ice Cream . . . POACHED PEARS 6 Bosc or D’Anjou pears 3 cups full bodied red wine 1 cup sugar 5 pieces Star Anise [...]

In this December fruit report, Don Ricks updates us on the proper timing to prune fruit trees in our abysmal La Nina winter weather, and also advises cleaning up fallen leaves and fruit around your trees.

Believe it or not, actually Autumn is the best time not only to transplant but to plant. Here is what Larry Davis, a City Fruit supporter has written: “As winter approaches, the temperature drops and most plants enter a period of dormancy. In a mild climate, like we have here in the Puget Sound region, [...]

(We post our monthly email newsletter, with tips about fruit tree care, notes about happenings in the area and updates about City Fruit, to the blog but if you want it delivered directly to your inbox, please email info@cityfruit.org.) Hi everyone, Fruit tree tip: Pick up your fallen fruit. Experts say that the single most [...]

Last night’s cider fest was a ton of fun! Thanks so much to everyone who came. It was a great crowd and people really loved tasting the many varieties of cider. A lot of people were surprised at how dramatically different the ciders could taste. We have a lot of people to thank. Special thanks [...]

Every year, just when we think the harvest has ended, we get a call about a major harvest. This time, it was for grapes. A new homeowner discovered that the entire back fence of her yard is covered in grape vines. After giving tons away to her neighbors and picking more than she could eat [...]

Let’s talk about Fall fertilizers. I am including some suggestions here from Norma Connolly, a friend who has some knowledge about this: Potassium: Associated with better fruit color, and more sugar, this is something best applied in the Fall because it does not move quickly in the soil.  Consult with your local nursery about amounts [...]

       Gail Savina updated you earlier on this blog as to many wonderful activities happening this month. I am just going to give a little more “color” on three cider fests coming up…at Beacon Hill, in the Ravenna area and in Northeast Seattle. Consider going to the one nearest you, surprise them, and support them. [...]

There are so many wonderful apples appearing in the markets, it is time to get cooking! Here is a wonderful tart for friends and family. Apple Custard Tart Instead of apples baked in a crust, this apple tart relies on poached apples tucked into a tart that’s baked “blind” or empty. Most fruit tarts like [...]

We have lots going on in October! If you don’t get our monthly newsletter, here’s what’s happening: Hard cider! We’re very excited to invite you to the City Fruit Hard Cider Tasting in Pioneer Square on Thursday, Nov 3 (it’s also Art Walk night). Alpenfire, Finnriver Farm and Cidery, Snowdrift and Tieton Cider Works will [...]

     If you protected your apples from bugs this summer, congratulations ! Not only can you now harvest your labors, but you have set an example for our community.   You might enjoy them yourself, give to family or friends, or even give to a local charity.       http://cityfruit.org/harvest/share.htm      If you do not have apples worthy [...]

Saturday turned out to be a great day for one of the biggest Festivals of Fruit yet. The crowd turned up for Susan Dolan’s fascinating talk about her work researching fruit trees in the U.S. for the National Park service. Thanks to everyone who came and especially to all the folks from Friends of Piper’s [...]

      Okay, we’re still in pear time and getting into apple picking time now. Are you wondering when your apples are ripe? Try tasting them. Or look for the “background” color against the green. Or cut one open and look at the seed color.       http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/tree004/tree004.htm        One cautionary note, though…..if your apples were not [...]

Saturday is going to be a spectacular, sunny, warm day in Seattle. Why not get outside for a some fun, food, music and urban farming education, and a cup of freshly pressed apple cider, at the Seattle Tilth Harvest Fair. City Fruit will be there with many other sustainability organizations, nurseries, local chefs, authors – [...]

Written by Freya Manfred

      A note on Pears: It is time to start thinking about your pear harvest, if you haven’t already. Each variety of pear requires a different kind of treatment. However, in general know this: Asian pears should be picked when they are ripe on the tree while European pears (like the Bartlett) are picked when [...]

First to ripen are the strawberries. Then the sweet cherries. Then the sour cherries. Then some of the early peaches (for anyone who has them) and raspberries. About this time of the year (mid-August) the next to ripen are the blueberries, Asian plums, and the summer apples, which are ripening now. Then toward the end [...]