PERSIMMON TREE FACTS Asian Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is native to China, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Korea and Japan have also been centers of its cultivation, and it was introduced to California in the mid 1800’s. Asian Persimmons usually grow between 13-20 ft tall and wide and are self-fertile. At our community orchards, … Continue reading PLANT SPOTLIGHT: Persimmon (Diospyros)
It’s with deep sadness that we at the Philadelphia Orchard Project offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Roseann McLaughlin of Overbrook School for the Blind, who passed November 2, 2018 in a tragic house fire. Roseann was the enthusiastic and loving cornerstone of the school’s Farm-To-Table program begun in 2013, … Continue reading Honoring Roseann McLaughlin and GrowAbility Honeybee Sensory Lesson Book (PDF Download)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) Tree Facts Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra) is a perennial, stone fruit tree native to Eastern North America, commonly found in riparian zones (area between water and land). Technically the walnut produces a fruit called a “drupe” and is not a true nut! The drupes are harvested in the fall, dehulled and … Continue reading PLANT SPOTLIGHT: Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
If there’s one thing we continually learn in offering our School Orchard Program it’s that culinary classes are always a hit with students and teachers alike! They’re hands-on and sensory-rich, foster team-work, collaboration, and creative thinking, and offer educators a breadth of content integration possibilities. Take for instance a recent summertime lesson on fermentation we offered … Continue reading Getting Funky with Fermentation – MS/HS Lesson (PDF Download)
2018 has been an exciting year so far for the Philadelphia Orchard Project and we thank each and every one of you for supporting us in our mission to create a more beautiful, bountiful Philadelphia. HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 2018 SPRING SEASON -Planted our 1,239th fruit tree and supported our 61st community orchard site -Involved over 700 volunteers … Continue reading POP 2018 Summer Newsletter
We’ve had a busy and bountiful spring season with POP’s School Orchard program and community educational initiatives. Since January, we’ve delivered 17 lessons to 6 school orchard partners (William L. Sayre High School, William T. Tilden Middle School, Henry C. Lea Elementary School, Overbrook School for the Blind, Penn Alexander School, John F. Hartranft School) and reached 210 … Continue reading Teaching Tomorrow’s Tenders – POP’s School Orchard Update Spring-Summer 2018
Aphids are a common pest an a wide variety of fruit trees, shrubs, vines, vegetables, and more! Leaves curled end to end are the most common sign of aphid damage. Ants in your tree are another sure sign of aphid infestation, as their only interest in climbing trees is to harvest honeydew (sweet aphid droppings). … Continue reading Aphids and Fruit Trees
Well, we all know gardeners can be a little nutty, but these next two groups take the cake. The Pennsylvania Nut Growers Association (PNGA) and New York Nut Growers Association (NNGA) asked POP to join them at their spring meeting at Delaware State University in Doylestown, PA this year, and it was well worth the … Continue reading Those Nutty Gardeners: PA & NY Nut Growers Association!
After a rough winter with some single digit temperatures, we’re very pleased to see most of the figs in the city sprouting new growth! The amount of winter damage has been very variable from site to site and even one tree to another. Some are sprouting high on the tree: Some are only sprouting from … Continue reading Fig winter die-back and spring pruning
What green, Japanese terror costs more than 200 million dollars in damage each year? No, it’s not Godzilla…it’s Popillia japonica a.k.a, the Japanese beetle (JB)! This tiny import has entrenched itself as one of the most notorious garden and orchard pests in the United States, devouring acres of fields, trees, and shrubs each year. Grower … Continue reading Beetle Invasion! Coping with Japanese Beetles
Read More
PLANT SPOTLIGHT: Persimmon (Diospyros) 
Honoring Roseann McLaughlin and GrowAbility Honeybee Sensory Lesson Book (PDF Download) 
PLANT SPOTLIGHT: Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) 
Getting Funky with Fermentation – MS/HS Lesson (PDF Download) 
POP 2018 Summer Newsletter 
Teaching Tomorrow’s Tenders – POP’s School Orchard Update Spring-Summer 2018 
Aphids and Fruit Trees 
Those Nutty Gardeners: PA & NY Nut Growers Association! 
Fig winter die-back and spring pruning 
Beetle Invasion! Coping with Japanese Beetles 
