Late winter and early spring rains made 2019 a great year for the persimmon harvest here at South Coast REC providing a bountiful harvest of fruit.

 

A group of twenty-seven attended the Persimmon Hoshigaki Workshop & U-Pick held on November 23, 2019 at the South Coast Research and Extension Center. The attendees were treated to a lecture and hands-on demonstration preparing persimmons for drying using the Japanese Hoshigaki method with the assistance of Isabel Barkman and fellow Master Gardener volunteers.

Following the lecture and a tasting of selected varieties, participants took a tram ride out to the South Coast REC persimmon germplasm collection for a rare opportunity to harvest Hachiya varieties in addition to others while learning about pruning and getting helpful tips from UCCE Master Gardener docents.

 Many thanks to the staff and Master Gardener volunteers who assisted with this workshop and the orchards year-round.