GardenDC Podcast Episode 82: Persimmons and Other Unusual Fall Fruits with Stanton Gill

In this episode, we talk with Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in IPM and Entomology with University of Maryland Extension, and co-owner of MacBride and Gill Falcon Ridge Fruit Orchard in Westminster, MD, about growing Persimmons and other unusual fall fruits in the Mid-Atlantic. The plant profile is on Cutting Lettuce and I share what's going on locally and in my garden.

EPISODE LENGTH: 56:54 00:45 Meet Stanton Gill! 01:55 “He spent all this time cutting those trees down” — Stanton, on his grandfather and not having a “green thumb” in his genes 03:10 In college, Stanton discovered his love for horticulture from a class — and his love for fruit-growing from seedless grapes 04:10 “Where most people have houseplants out on their little balcony, we had potted grape vines” — Stanton 04:48 The “Persimmon Guy” talks about being in the height of the persimmon season 07:21 When to pick persimmons: before or after they’ve fallen? 09:14 Different types of Asian persimmons 10:21 Flavor differences between native persimmons and Asian persimmons, like ‘Gwang Yang’ 11:18-14:47 “If anybody was the ‘Persimmon Man,’ it was Dr. Bill Preston” — Stanton, on his good friend and mentor - see Preston’s Orchards at https://www.instagram.com/prestonsper... 15:20 The Polar Vortex and Polar Express “killed” their persimmons trees — except for the hardy ‘Gwang Yang’ 17:20 Can persimmons cross-pollinate? 18:30-23:34 All about how to maintain persimmons trees throughout the year 23:50 How to keep wildlife from eating your persimmons 26:04 A “big deal this year” is the European Hornet 27:00 Foliar diseases and other issues 29:29 “I wouldn’t intermingle anything with a persimmon” — Stanton, on planting other plants around the root zone 31:00 Best ways to use persimmons as an ingredient — ever heard of persimmon ice cream? 33:53 Stanton talks about other fruits that are ripening now 34:02-38:56 “It looks like the human brain” — Stanton, on che fruit 37:26 “It’s going to take you six or seven years before it really comes into production” — Stanton, on the seedless variety of che fruit 38:57-44:32 Stanton talks about the unique, East Coast native beach plum, which makes a “wonderful jelly” 40:00 “They’ve eaten all the beach plums down to the ground” — Stanton, on the Assateague Island horses 44:40-46:41 Stanton talks about experimenting with cold-hardy citrus fruit 45:12 “I even have a lemon that came through the polar vortex at 8-below for three days in a row and survived” — Stanton 46:40 How climate change has impacted fruit tree growing 47:54 Digging trenches and covering with carpet are some ways to protect figs during extreme winters 48:35 Advanced Fruit Production course at Montgomery College taught by Stanton 49:15 To contact Stanton, you can visit them at farmer’s markets (information on their Facebook page) or through the University of Maryland Extension office 50:33 Learn about the “flat, ruffled, or curly” cutting lettuce in this week’s Plant Profile! 52:44 Garden update: Kathy talks about finally getting a frost in the DC area 53:40 Upcoming events: Silver Spring Garden Club Veteran’s Day Daffodil Planting, Fall Colors talk for Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club, and a Brookside Gardens talk by our very own insect columnist and past GardenDC podcast guest, Carol Allen

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The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Episode-82---Persimmons-and-Other-Unusual-Fall-Fruits-e19s1qi

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Episode Credits
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edits: Charlotte Crook
Notes: Melena DiNenna

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