Question:
We had a problem with fruit tree borers. They’ve killed a cherry and a nectarine tree. What can I do to prevent the borers from returning as we’re thinking about planting new ones?Answer:
- Borers on deciduous fruit trees such as plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines occur when they come under stress. Healthy trees will successfully fight them off. The key to preventing borers is good cultural practices that minimize tree stress. The stress is caused by drought, excessive summer watering in clay soil and trees that are planted too deep. Signs of the problem are excessive amounts of sap on the trunk and major branches, dieback in the canopy, and a decreasing amount of new growth each spring.
- When planting bare root fruit trees, the final soil line should be at the top of the first root. So, here is how you’ll get it right every time. Once the hole is dug, center a 3/4" by 3/4" by 4' stake in the hole. Lay the handle of your shovel across the hole and make a mark with a Sharpie on the stake. This is the grade level. The tree is attached to the stake so the top of the first root is at the mark and then fill in the hole with the amended backfill. Next year, remove the stake as it has done its job. The new root ball is sufficient to prevent the tree from sinking and being buried too deep. For those trees in containers, the top of the root ball should be a half-inch above the grade to allow for sinkage. You could add a stake to anchor the tree.
- Mulching later will cover any exposed roots along with the canopy of the tree itself. Plums, Cherries, Apricots, Peaches or Nectarines should never be planted in turf areas.
- The constant summer water necessary for grass are very problematical. They should be planted in open areas with nothing growing under their canopies. For the first growing season, fruit trees should be watered weekly when the temperatures are above eighty degrees. During the second growing season twice a month and monthly from the third season on. Large watering basins should be constructed so a sufficient amount of water is applied to each tree every time you water. Except for those trees with late-ripening crop, you stop watering deciduous fruit trees at the end of September.
Question:
While thinning out my carrots, I noticed white/grayish bugs on the small developing seedlings. What are they and what can I do "organically" to get rid of them?Answer:
- The whitish/gray bugs are Aphids. Aphids are a sucking insect that attacks a wide variety of plants and comes in a variety of colors such as green, black, grayish white and yellow.
- To control the problem, I would drench the area with Insecticidal Soap. Insecticidal Soap is a non-toxic remedy used on edibles for sucking insects like Aphids, Scale, and Mites. You should make a repeat application in a week and then as needed.