What are your fruit trees doing right now?

The good news for May is that flowers are waking up and growth is everywhere! The not-so-good-news? So are pests. May calls for preparedness as your plants continue to grow and flower, but don’t fret over battling bugs—as long as you arm yourself with these tips and tricks, you’ll be growing with success all month long! Here’s what to expect from your fruit trees in May:

Energy is Key

• Keep grass away from your trees to lower nutrient competition between your fruit tree and other plants. A good rule of thumb for all trees, no matter their age, type, or size, is to keep the ground within a foot of your tree clear of anything growing, including grass.
• Trim suckers as they appear. Suckers are long, spindly growth that occurs from the base of a plant. This growth will not flower or fruit and takes energy away from the fruiting part of the tree. When you see them, cut them back to the base to keep your tree on track.
• Don't panic if you see fruit drop prematurely. This is very common in trees that are younger or new to an area. On average, it takes around three years for a tree to become fully established. Your tree is simply saying it can’t support all of the fruit, so it will drop a few to maintain enough energy to grow the rest. Just clear the fallen fruit away—less fruit should drop with time.

Peaches prematurely dropping

Protect Your Harvests

• When your tree is flowering and fruiting, it’s best to not use any chemical sprays that could damage tender, new growth. If you notice a pest problem, try other solutions first to keep bugs at bay, like netting or breathable organza gift bags—simply place them over your fruits and voila! Pests stay out and fruits stay in.
• If your pest problem is out of control and you need to bring in extra reinforcements, be sure to read the labels on any products you’re using so that you don’t sacrifice your hard-earned harvest.
• Neem Oil is a great option for getting rid of both pests and diseases. When applying this to fruiting plants, we suggest diluting the mixture and spraying in the morning to prevent harming your growing harvest.

Keep Growing

To Help You Grow