How to Spray Fruit Trees in the Home Garden
Spraying fruit trees helps control pests and diseases that can damage or even kill your backyard orchard. Home gardeners have a variety of spray options, depending on the type of pest or disease affecting the tree. Each type of spray comes with its own directions and safety precautions, but several general guidelines apply to any fruit tree spray application.
When to Spray
The winter dormant season is often the recommended time for applying pesticides to your home fruit trees. The spray works efficiently during this time of year and tackles the pests and diseases that overwinter on the tree, according to the University of California. You can safely spray most fruit trees up to the point of the bud swell, which may happen between February and early March in some areas. Waiting too long can kill the bees that pollinate your trees. The chemicals can also hurt the fruit production if the flower buds are already opening.
Prepping the Tree
If you apply the spray during the dormant season, you don't have to contend with all of the leaves and fruit. The dormant season is also the ideal time for pruning the fruit trees. If you plan to prune, do so before you apply the spray. Reducing the amount of branches allows you to better cover the tree with fewer chemicals. Pruning also gets rid of damaged or diseased portions of the tree. Spraying then protects the tree from further damage by getting rid of the pests or disease that caused the problem.
Applying the Chemicals
You need either a compressed air or pump sprayer to properly apply the chemicals. The sprayer allows you to control the stream. Each type of pesticide requires specific preparation that might include mixing and diluting. Read the package directions thoroughly to determine exactly how to prep the chemicals. A Bordeaux mixture that uses copper sulfate and lime is a common fungicide that works well for winter application. Mix 1 pound of copper sulfate with 1 gallon warm water. In a separate bucket, mix 1 pound of hydrated lime and 1 gallon of water. Let it sit at least two hours. Pour 2 gallons of water water in a third bucket. Add 1 quart of the copper copper sulfate mixture, stirring as you add. Add 1 quart of the lime mixture as you continue to stir. Continue stirring for several minutes. Pour the mixture into your sprayer. You need to spray all parts of the tree, not just the affected parts. By treating the entire tree, you are better able to completely eliminate the problem. You often need repeated treatments at intervals of either seven, 10 or 14 days to fully treat the problem.
Protect yourself, other people and plants in the area when applying the chemicals. Wear clothes that cover your skin, gloves and eye protection from the mixing through the application. Choose a calm day for spraying fruit trees so the chemicals don't blow onto other plants. The University of California recommends spraying after foggy or rainy weather but not during freezing temperatures. The package gives you additional restrictions and safety precautions.
- University of California: Calendar of Backyard Gardening Operations for Selected Temperate Fruit and Nut Seeds
- University of Missouri Extension: Fruit Spray Schedules for the Homeowner
- University of California: Winter Pest Management in Backyard Deciduous Fruit Trees
- University of California: Bordeaux Mixture
Based in the Midwest, Shelley Frost has been writing parenting and education articles since 2007. Her experience comes from teaching, tutoring and managing educational after school programs. Frost worked in insurance and software testing before becoming a writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a reading endorsement.