Fig trees come in many varieties, including the Mission fig shown here. Figs tolerate most soil types and require only minimal water once they are established.




Photograph by Shari Kaplan







It's time to taste tomatoes and plant winter vegetables

By Tony Tomeo

No one ever came close to preparing a marinara sauce like Mamma Tomeo, my great-grandmother. (Only my father called her that.) The most important ingredient was, of course, tomatoes fresh from the garden. Those were the best tomatoes ever!

Apparently, someone got some seeds from her. On Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County are sponsoring a "Tomato and Chile Pepper Tasting" with tours of the quarter-acre trial facility. Ninety varieties of tomatoes, 40 varieties of sweet and hot chiles, as well as many recipes will be featured at this event.

Guests may also tour the 17-acre University of California Bay Area Research and Extension Center. The Center is at 90 N. Winchester Blvd. in San Jose. Admission is free. For more information, call Sheila at 408.299.2635, ext. 1004.

Before I forget, I should mention that there are a few gardening procedures that should be performed about now. Rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias should receive their last dose of acid fertilizer. They will not likely be active enough later to require anything more.

Winter annuals may be grown in a greenhouse from seed now to transplant in a month or two. A complete fertilizer may be applied in minor doses after germination. Winter annuals that are easily grown from seed include, but are not limited to, pansy, viola, stock, snapdragon and nemesia. Beets, radishes, carrots, cauliflower, kale and lettuce planted in the garden now will be ready by early winter. This also is a good time to divide bearded iris. Although they are somewhat dormant, new roots of recently divided rhizomes will continue to disperse during mild weather through autumn and winter.

I prefer to plant cauliflower as young plants purchased at a nursery. Kale and lettuce may also be planted as young plants, but seed sown directly is much more productive. Of course, it is much easier to plant winter annuals as young plants purchased at the nursery than to grow them from seed. Some garden enthusiasts, however, prefer to grow their own or desire varieties that are only available as seed.

As the nights become slightly longer and cooler, scheduling of irrigation becomes more important. Generally, irrigation should be performed in the morning so that foliage can dry during the day. Damp foliage in a humid environment is susceptible to fungal infections such as powdery mildew and rust. Of course, no one knows what the weather will be like later, only that it will change. Duration (volume) of irrigation should also be adjusted accordingly.

Tree of the Week: Fig

Every Italian American household should have one. Figs, known as "Dago plums" in horticultural slang, grow as well in the Santa Clara Valley as they do in the Mediterranean. They tolerate most soils that are well-drained. Established trees require only minimal irrigation. Not only do they prefer good sun exposure but may enjoy areas of reflected glare and heat that are too harsh for other trees. High-nitrogen fertilizers should not be used too near to fig trees. Otherwise, vegetative growth is enhanced at the expense of fruit production.

Trees may grow rapidly to 15 feet tall and wide or more. Stout trunks are light gray and smooth. The deeply lobed leaves are about 6 to 9 inches across and rough like a cat's tongue. The "fruit" is actually swollen, inside-out inflorescences. The very small flowers are produced on the inside of the fig and are only accessible to the wasps that pollinate them through a very small opening on the bottom of the fig.

Of all the many cultivars, those that are commonly available are most appropriate for the climate of the Santa Clara Valley. If a cultivar is difficult to find, there is likely a good reason for it. "Black" figs produce fruit that is dark with red flesh. "White" figs are green or yellow with pink flesh. Of course, each cultivar has a distinct flavor.

The first phase of figs ripens in June on stems from the previous year. The second phase ripens between August and November on new stems. Early figs are the largest, but may be scant. Late figs are much more abundant and are usually firmer--ideal for drying and canning.

The quantity of early figs is inversely proportionate to the severity of winter pruning. Some garden enthusiasts prefer to prune off as much of the growth from the previous year as possible to eliminate the early figs but promote a profusion of late figs.

---

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.

---

Photo: Unwanted Delivery

Home buyers finding more for less

Wedding: James and Kimberly Albright

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos Dammit Run

2001 Stead Open Tennis Tournament