I checked in with Scott to make sure that it was ok to post in this thread, re a job opening at Edible Landscaping. This is in-person, hands-in-the-soil work in Central Virginia.
(if this link doesn’t work properly, please just go to Indeed and put “Edible Landscaping” in the search bar, with “Afton, VA” in the location field)
Their web site:
I have been working there since February 2025. I am not in charge of hiring.
That would be my managers’ purview, which I why I am posting that link to the Indeed listing.
My newish job has helped me a lot with my learning curve, since I have had to discard much of what I know growing fruit in Texas, for growing fruit in Virginia.
As a longtime lurker and infrequent poster, I want to thank all y’all for what I have learned here on this bbs as well. My thanks to Scott and the team for keeping this bbs going.
This is my first season with some apples. When are folks planning to pick their red delicious and golden delicious? I know people say mid September, but that is a national general rule of thumb.
The subject came up in another thread but I could use the knowledge of the regional chat, Is anyone growing hardy kiwis in this group/area? I have an Issai kiwi that is 5 or 6 years old at this point. Beast of a plant but it drops all of its fruit before they are ripe. Has anyone in our region delt with this? I am hopeful that its just the lack of a male plant that is preventing me from getting ripe fruit from it but I could use some input.
Hey all, I’m getting my garden started anew here in Philly. I’m looking for a place with a good deal on fox farm- want strawberry fields, ocean forest, AND happy frog for various plants. Anyone have a recommendation? I drive, also I have to go to south jersey 1-2x/week.
I’m also looking for some more obscure pomegranates- found a guy about an hour north of me but seeing what else is out there. Striking out at my usual places
Happy to be a member here~!
I’ve heard problems of Issai in particular keeping fruit. All argutas can take a while to fruit reliably. Ken’s Red never has fruited well for me in fact. The fuzzy kiwis have relatively been more reliable for me, if you want to grow kiwis I would grow them. They also are bigger and taste better.
I’m a bit confused by your post, but I think you’re possibly looking for a farm while growing some fruit in Philly? And you like pomegranates? @PomGranny is also a big fan. I have enjoyed reading her thread: Pomegranate Success! in Mid-Atlantic. I live in Chesapeake, VA and I know she has quite a few varieties
I’m looking to source some pomegranate trees to grow on my deck in Philly 7b and I am also looking for “Fox Farm” potting mix locally, a place that has all 3 of strawberry fields, ocean forest, AND happy frog varieties.
I am not in your area but price for reference here’s what I have found. Currently the FoxFarm potting mixes vary like crazy in price. The cheapest is $16.95 for 2 cu.ft across the board for all mixes at one place I shop in Virginia. Other places are as high as $35.99. I only buy from places that store the pallets inside as heat and sun will reduce the quality of the product.
I use Happy Frog that I mix with Super Coarse Perlite which unfortunately is extremely hard to find. It keeps compaction down for potted trees. When I can’t find any, I use small pine bark mulch that I screen with 1/2 inch rat wire.
I’ve never heard anyone describe it as a beast. Issai is much less vigorous than most hardy kiwi, so wondering if it is correct. A good simple test is to check for red pigments. Issai does not have any red pigments anywhere on the plant, but many other varieties have pink or red petioles.
At what stage do they drop? Issai definitely produces far better, with larger berries with a male. Flowercloud is the best male for it, and even more precocious than Issai.
“Beast” in that it happily reaches out and climbs trees 10 to 15 ft away. I give the thing no love but it happily chugs along. The fruit forms and hangs into august before they start to come down. Since it is my only reference point I cant compare it to other hardy kiwi varieties. I’ve never noted red pigment on the plant.