Apple trees are in bloom. I've never had huge success with them. I refuse to spray so what does take ends up looking gnarly. The kids tend to bake them into things though. Any good non-chemical methods for getting better fruit?
#grownostr #nostr #growfood
Im waiting for my cherry tree, Last year right as we got the flowers we had a hail storm and lost all but 2 Cherrys on a 30 year old tree. Chickens got them
The techniques I have heard of include:
1) Choosing resistant varieties. You could transplant onto your current tree with a number of varieties.
2) Planting vegetation that attracts predators of the problems.
3) Netting
4) running pigs and chickens through during the periods the problems are in their larval state.
5) Diverse plantings of different species and varieties
6) You could use “organic” interventions what ever the industry uses.
The above is what I have read but I have not yet had the opportunity to practice.
If you’re struggling with disease, one technique that both the Permaculture Orchardist Stefan Sobkowiak and Korean Natural Farmers use is spraying whey or Lactic Acid Bacteria (in a dilution) on the trees. This helps promote healthy microbes on the leaves that outcompete fungal diseases. Look up KNF LAB and I’m sure you’ll find some videos.
Depends on what you mean by non-chemical. I spray my apple trees with dish soap/baking soda/essential oil (mint or cinnamon)/(sometimes garlic water) a few times per year. Not all the apples we get are store quality in appearance, but definitely excellent in taste overall. (Our trees are young so we don’t get a ton of fruit yet.)
