NMSU to host annual fruit tree pruning workshop at Alcalde on March 8

NMSU to host annual fruit tree pruning workshop at Alcalde on March 8 DATE: 02/23/2018 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Shengrui Yao, 505-852-4241, yaos@nmsu.edu ALCALDE – Spring is just around the corner, so it is time to prune fruit trees but some gardeners may not be sure how to prune. New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has the answer. A fruit tree pruning workshop will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at NMSU’s Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde. “We will have presentations on pruning basics, common training systems and some new developments for each species,” said Shengrui Yao, NMSU Extension fruit specialist. “After that, there will be a hands-on session in the field.” The species will include apples, peaches, cherries, apricots, and plums trees, and blackberry bushes. “Home gardeners, small-acreage farmers and commercial fruit growers are all welcome to attend this event,” Yao said. “However, this workshop is limited to 35 participants.” The workshop is organized by agricultural agents Tony Valdez, NMSU Taos County Extension; Donald Martinez, Rio Arriba County Extension; Tom Dominguez, Santa Fe County Extension; Tory Hougland, Extension associate with the Rural Agricultural Improvement and Public Affairs Project; and Yao. Register online at rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/treepruning, or call Augusta or Ann at 505-852-4241. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews