Orchard Chores and Spray Scheduale

 "You've got to go out on a limb sometimes,

because that is where the fruit is."

Will Rogers

Nothing compares to eating tree ripened fruit from your orchard.  So go out on a limb and plant an orchard.  Each year you will learn more and each year your harvests will increase.  Don't be afraid to try. Rarely are a growers' mistakes fatal to either the gardener or your trees. 

If it is a high priority to eat organic, it is possible to grow beautiful fruit organically in the home orchard.  Apples and other fruit trees have been grown organically for many centuries.  Modern day chemical methods are new.  Most orchard consultants will tell you it's impossible to grow fruit organically but don't let that discourage you. It is not any more work or effort than using chemicals in the orchard, but the results are  healthier and safer fruit as well as avoiding the risk of spraying with chemicals to yourself and family.

I've done a lot of research on effective organic care of the orchard and my go-to resource is Michael Philips.  His books The Apple Grower and The Holistic Orchard are a must read for the serious grower.  Half the battle is understanding what is going on underground as well as above ground.  The schedule below is taken from his book and from the USU Extension's. IPM advisory  I have used it and have had good results: beautiful fruit without chemical sprays.  This schedule also needs to be adapted to local timing of egg hatch and seasonal conditions such as rain.  I will be posting a more detailed spray calendar for my area based on info from my local extension office and their IPM publications and targeted pests. 

Apricots

How Do I Know What To Do?

Bud development is your cue as to what to do in the orchard.