Brian Eshenaur's New Gig

Brian Eshenaur is the UGJ's esteemed, essential, beloved Technical Editor. And whew! Even though he has a great new job, he's going to STAY our T. E. For the past couple of issues he's been concentrating on getting used to being an IPM Ornamental Educator for the (statewide) Cornell Cooperative Extension, so Judy Hubbard, who is also great, filled in (she'd been filling in for Brian at his old job at Monroe Extension, Horticulture Program Leader, as well).

Congratulations to Brian.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

That's right, folks. It's apple harvest season! Nirvana.

I'd like to report on two new varieties I discovered this week. Out at Burnap's Farm Market in Sodus, I picked up a single Zestar, and I could kick myself for not buying out their stock. This apple was so sweet, so juicy and crunchy, it had me talking to myself in the car. According to Mark at Whittier Fruit Farm in Gates, who also grows Zestar, "the side of the fruit facing the sun develops a sweet spot that’s brighter red and wildly flavorful." (Read Mark’s Guide to Apple Varieties.)

What I did pick up a bag of, at Burnap's, was another new one, Sansa. Not quite as sinfully sweet at Zestar, it is nontheless very sweet and juicy, with a lovely texture (I hate mealyness in apples) and perhaps a little more complexity to it, a little tartness.

Also, I understand this summer's been good for the Honeycrisps, which is a relief after last year—they were done at the end of September, it seemed! At least the Crispins were in good supply.

It's HERE!

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Originally uploaded by Jane Milliman.

I've been waiting for ages to see this plant in the flesh. Terra Nova teased me with a slide and a press release a few years ago, but when I asked them please to send a plug, they were all out. Grrrr. So yesterday, I'm taking a quick trip around the back gardens at Sara's in Brockport (quick because it's raining and I'm cold), when this little guy leaps out at me.

Mukdenia rossii 'Crimson Fans' is a petite groundcover for shade (yes, it will grow under trees—I've seen the green version doing well there at Cornell Plantations). I won't describe the foliage as you can see it for yourself here, and I haven't seen flowers or pictures of flowers, but being that it's a close relative, I image they're similar to that of garden saxifrage.

I didn't see Kathy to ask her whether she had any in stock, but if it's in her display garden, it can only be a matter of time.

Bargains Abound

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Originally uploaded by Jane Milliman.

Ah, September. The air cools, the energy soars, and the prices drop. I went around this weekend delivering magazines and found that pretty much everywhere I stopped there were bargains to be had. At the Garden Factory in Gates, there is a whole section of shrubs and grasses that are five dollars and change—I saw some good-looking Panicum 'Heavy Metal' in what I think were #15's. Towards the front they were offering the chelone pictured here, 'Hot Lips', for eight bucks, in gallons. Not exactly cheap, but not too bad, and the plants were healthy and fresh. Up at Harris Gardens on 250 in Penfield, Rosy's having a "yard sale," getting rid of some of the leftover stuff from the previous owners. Some excellent deals there on hard goods.