Kids grow Pomegranates

Kids think pomegranates are fun to eat with juicy seeds that pop in the mouth, delicious in salads, on ice cream, in baked goods, and vegetable dishes. Kids have been eating pomegranates for thousands of years, and they are mentioned in the Bible, the Mahabharata, Greek mythology, and Shakespeare. The pomegranates in the picture above are on a young tree that was planted a year ago in the Las Flores Community Orchard. Pomegranates are a super-food high in antioxidants that inhibit inflammation and protect collagen in joint cartilage. Drinking pomegranate juice can reduce the toxic effects of free radicals and protect against heart disease, cancer, and cognitive impairment. The skin of the pomegranate is thick and inedible and is used to make a red dye, but inside the skin are hundreds of juicy seeds. First score the fruit with a knife and break it open, put it in a bowl of water, where the seeds sink and the inedible pulp floats, and whack the rind with a large spoon. In late winter, a pomegranate tree can be propagated from a hardwood cutting about 10 inches long, from year old wood that is ¼ to ½ inch in diameter. Once established, the tree is fairly drought tolerant and suited for mild desert climates, taking 3 – 5 years to produce fruit. Pomegranate season is from October through February, so kids can add this winter fruit to baked goods and delicious dishes for the holidays.

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