Fruit Tree Tips

Host: Joanna Coles, Warren County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

Guest: Kristin Hildabrand, Warren County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Topic: February Fruit Tree Tips

As a home gardener, you play a crucial role in the quality of your fruit production. February is the prime time for general maintenance practices, and you can make a significant impact. Pruning, fertilizing, and spraying are not just tasks but essential steps towards a bountiful harvest. Prune fruit trees and grapes in late February or early March after the severe winter weather has passed but just before new growth begins in the spring. Thinning out cuts and heading back cuts are needed to improve airflow and maximize sunlight potential through the canopy to help fight off harmful diseases. Train the tree in a specific shape depending on the type of fruit tree being grown. A prominent central leader, a single, upright trunk with lateral branches, is ideal for apple production. An open vase shape, with an open center and several main branches, is required for peach trees. After the meticulous pruning, it's time to apply dormant oil spray to your apple and pear trees. This refined petroleum product is a powerful ally in your fight against red mites and scale insects. Dormant oil spray ensures a healthy start to the growing season by suffocating these pests before they can harm your trees. Just apply it before new growth begins and when temperatures are above freezing for at least 24 hours.

To keep fruits healthy, fertilize fruit trees in February after the ground thaws before blooming. The exact time for fertilizer application will vary according to location, so the best indicator is to watch the buds. As the buds swell, apply fertilizer based on soil test recommendations. This way, nitrogen fertilizer is not wasted, and the grower gets a better timing of fertilizer for plant uptake.

Your local county Extension office is a treasure trove of information about maintaining homegrown fruits. It offers research-based advice from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, guiding you on the best and proper pruning, fertilizing, and spraying methods. The office's resources, available on the UK Extension website, support you in your fruit-growing journey.

Видео Fruit Tree Tips канала Warren County Agriculture