Sydney writes:

“So I have a jerk of a nectarine tree. Has yielded nothing in zone 9b. Thinking it could be chill hours, could be it’s near the house and oak tree so even if we’ve gotten the chill it’s got a microclimate to avoid fruiting. Been there for four years. Should I graft a plum to it? Or move it? (Rude gestures has not improved it production)

Another question, I’ve tried garlic a few times unsuccessfully. I have society garlic but ya know I’d like garlic garlic. Recommendations?

let’s talk survival situation oil sources. While lard is an option…plant based ideas? I’ve grown sunflowers with the idea but not pressed oil.

Yerba mate, wet feet for summer? Or no? The creek running through the back 12 floods the cypress heads there and kisses the back “pasture” so I’m thinking of what might like to live there.”

On Non-fruiting Fruit in Warm Climates

The nectarine is likely lacking in chill hours. There are two possible solutions to remedy that:

Solution #1: Try stripping off all the leaves by hand and see if that forces a bloom cycle. This works on apples and pears. I’m not sure about stone fruit, but it’s worth a shot.

Solution #2: Graft that thing. Just take off the top of the tree and graft on scion wood from a tree which is bearing in your area. You can graft on peaches or nectarines and they take quite easily. However, this is the wrong time of year. Do it next year when the tree is dormant. Late winter in your area.

The other possibility is that the tree isn’t getting enough sunlight. Nectarines need full sun – they hate being in any shade. That oak tree could be the problem.

Growing Garlic in Florida

I tried without much luck. UF isn’t much help either. Your best bet are garlic chives. Rachel also planted cloves in Florida, let them grow leaves, then cut and used the leaves in her cooking.

Survival Oil Sources

This is something I’ve studied, especially for soapmaking.

Four years ago I posted an in-depth article on oil sources here.

Yerba Mate and Wet Feet

Yerba mate is grown extensively in the Corrientes Province of Argentina. It is quite humid and wet there, though I doubt the trees are growing in standing water. I don’t know for sure, but I’ll bet the trees can take some moisture. Most trees don’t like standing water, though. If it were my land, I’d plant the area with taro.