Improving your pawpaw patch

ALBANY, Ohio-A free horticultural workshop on improving your pawpaw patch, will be offered from 2:30-4 p.m., April 28, at a farm south of Albany.

The afternoon will feature Neal Peterson, founder of the Pawpaw Foundation and grower of the largest developed variety pawpaw orchard in the United States.

Topics that will be covered include pruning pawpaw trees, grafting on pawpaw trees, soil nutrient needs, pawpaw genetics and hand-pollination techniques.

Chris Chmiel, owner of a local pawpaw growing company, Integration Acres, will lead tours of established wild pawpaw patches along fence rows, in pastures and in wooded areas. These tours will illustrate how orchard-style techniques have been applied successfully to these wild trees.

The workshop is recommended for anyone interested in learning more about pawpaw trees and their agricultural and income-producing opportunities.

To register or for more information, contact Chris Chmiel at 740-698-2124 or pawpaw@frognet.net.