Rowan County 4-H is now taking orders for its annual Fall Plant Sale. Varieties available include blueberries – Brightwell, Climax and Premier; blackberries – Apache and Arapaho; muscadines – Cowart and Triumph; and figs – Celeste.
Blueberries, blackberries, muscadines and figs are in one-gallon containers and are well adapted to the Piedmont growing conditions. The cost for each plant is $9 each or $8 if five or more of the same variety are ordered.
When planting blueberries, it is recommended to plant at least two varieties to ensure cross-pollination. Varieties available include Brightwell, Climax and Premier. Brightwell blueberries ripen mid-season over a long period. It is very productive, with large fruit and excellent quality. Growth is vigorous and upright. Climax blueberries ripen early over a short period and produce a medium-size berry with a sweet flavor. The growth is upright with an open, spreading crown. Premier blueberries are large in size with excellent flavor. They ripen early to mid-season and are light blue in color. Plants are upright with good foliage.
Both blackberry plants are a thornless variety and are erect-growing plants. The Apache produces large fruit with good flavor and typically ripens over a five-week period. The Arapaho is an early ripening blackberry with a firm, medium fruit. It typically ripens over a four-week period.
Cowart muscadines produce large black fruit in large clusters with good flavor. They are good for eating, making juice, jelly and wine. Cowart ripens early to mid-season and is disease resistant, vigorous and productive. The Triumph muscadine has large, thin skinned, greenish-bronze fruit with high sugar content. The plants are winter hardy and productive. The fruit ripens early to mid-season and are good for eating and making wine.
The Celeste fig produces fruit that is small to medium in size with a light brown to violet skin and a whitish-pink color flesh. It contains very few seeds and ripens early summer.
If you would like to help support the Rowan County 4-H program, please call the Extension Office at 704-216-8970 to place your order today. Orders must be received by Nov. 7.
Sara Drake is an Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development.