Fruiting time would be difficult as the information might not be accurate for everyone. It also varies with each year's rainfall and temperature variations.

IMO we too often forget that we have members in other countries where the seasons are much different.
Late spring or early summer in Canada is quite different than in southern California.

I can see too many variables for using something other than seasons - degree days, days after blossoming, days after transplanting.
We might want to leave some room for individuals to research each plant for fruiting time in their own location.

Do you know if a fruiting tree that is labeled "early" will fruit early as compared to the region regardless.
So early apple season in NY and early apple season middle GA. Either way its early for that regions season.

eclayne said:That is why I was wondering about the usefulness. Pinning down useful seasons data for when the fruit is ripe.

Late winter and early spring
Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Late fall or early winter
Winter
Other

I like this.

I think this information would be best represented by grower reports - that way one could easily see that a particular fruit ripens, for example, in Georgia in early July but mid-August further north. And, since that information is easily seen in the database, it seems redundant to create a separate check box section.

I understand what you're saying Deb but what if there are no growers reports? If I go to the db, looking to find out when X peach ripens b/c I have just bought it or am trying to plan a succession of ripening of different cultivars of peaches then if the field is in there, I can at least get a good idea.

I suppose that could also be said about whether anyone posts an 'estimated' time of ripening. I am hopeful the growers reports will become more used as folks understand them. I've been having a great time entering when plants bloom and fruits ripen (and trying to remember to catch the end date). It will be interesting to see how much it varies from one year to the next for me specifically. I'm not opposed to the idea of a separate category, just wonder if so many different choices will bog down a quick review of the database. (My pet peeve is having to scroll for information...)

I understand. Perhaps we could remove that field in future when we get enough growers reports.

As it stands now, if I were to want to know when these 3 peaches ripen, I would have to go off site to find the info.
Dwarf Peach (Prunus persica 'Belle of Georgia')
Dwarf Peach (Prunus persica 'Jordan')
Peach (Prunus persica 'Reliance')

I keep forgetting how young our DB is. As it ripens it's becoming one tasty treat.

The database does not need to answer all questions for every gardener, IMO. General information from ATP can provide a good starting point for more in depth research by the gardener.

When I want detailed information for my zone and climate I go offsite to trusted places; one example for me would be Walter Reeves who is in Georgia. http://www.walterreeves.com/ I still need to factor in the variables for my micro-climate, but 'down home; information is best for me when I plan a long-life plant like a fruit tree.

Universities local to ones area are helpful. Example: http://extension.uga.edu/publi...

The offsite links contain detailed, specific information that would never fit into a small box on a list here on ATP.

I really like the use of growers reports for this but I agree that there's no way we'll ever have growers reports for every cultivar of fruit in the database. We can, however, see when each variety is said to ripen and at least add a data point for it in the database.

I'll add it in this morning.

It's been added.

Dave.

I've had a bit of trouble deciding on which Edible Parts: to check for a few plants. My difficulty centers around the scientific definition of a plant part vs. vernacular names.

If a plant has an edible rhizome or tuberous rhizome (an underground stem) will checking Stem be clear? Wouldn't checking Roots be better?

Other plants like rhubarb have edible Leaf petioles often called Stems elsewhere (see PFAF-Rhubarb).

These are our current choices:
Edible Parts:
Bark
Stem
Leaves
Roots
Seeds or Nuts
Sap
Fruit
Flowers

Perhaps adding a scroll-over defining Stem and Roots would help.

How about:

Roots (including rhizomes or tuberous rhizomes)
Stem (including leaf petioles)

I can add whatever. Just make a decision and let me know. @KentPfeiffer may have an opinion.

Thinking about Rhubarb it is the petioles we eat and so many people call those the 'stems' or 'stalks'. We would not want to encourage people to eat the wrong part. Yikes.
http://www.botanicalaccuracy.c...

What about something like:
Roots (and/or rhizomes or tuberous rhizomes)
Stem (and/or petioles)
and then use the comment section to make it more clear.

its too bad we can't link a plant part to how it should be prepared. For example the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked but the root must be cooked and the flowers make great tea.

I just assume before someone starts eating an unknown plant the his shown to be edible they do a quick google.

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