2019 gardens

[Reinhard]

I have a question on fruit trees.  Plum and apple.  Two plum bushes and one apple tree.  The last two years I haven't gotten any fruit at all.  I have some friends who do not spray their trees and have good results.  I think with me it's some kind of insects that are causing this.  Blooms are out and what kind a spray should I use to help me get fruit.  Thanks  good luck.

[deadeye]

I use a fruit tree spray made by Bonide.  It contains Captan, Malathion and Carbaryl.  I usually spray after the blooms have fallen and fruit is evident.  Generally end of May and again two weeks later.  This is both a bugs and mildew.  As I do with most plants, if I feel I need 10 plants (Trees, bushes, tomatoes, etc) I will plant 20 and hope to make up any shortfalls with volume.    

[mike89]

I have apple trees and do not spray any more...  apples every year!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reinhard]

Thanks Deadeye.  I will get some today.  Ya some folks don't spray and do fine.  Maybe it's just where you live, who knows.  But I'm spraying this year and hope for the best.  Thanks again. good luck.

[KEN W]

Frost here this morning. Covered everything up. We will see if it did any good.

[Dotch]

I don't spray my apple trees either and for the two of us with four bearing trees, we have more apples than we can eat or give away. Not that I don't want to spray them, it's just not in the cards with everything else going on. Maybe when I retire. We are fortunate in that we are relatively isolated without a lot of people with apple trees nearby. Have noticed some scab become more prevalent as the growing season have been wetter and we've planted more crabapples for the wildlife. Have more bird problems than insect problems on the eating apples. 

[deadeye]

Although I usually spray, I see nothing wrong with not spraying.  I would get plenty apples either way.  The main reason I spray (in my yard not at my land) is to help prevent the black spot fungus that causes the crab apple trees to lose their leaves in August.  Mostly cosmetic but they do look bad when all the leaves fall and it's still summer.  I Have planted around 40 regular apple trees and 20 crab apple trees at my land.  I'm going for numbers here and couldn't afford the time or cost to spray them all.  I plan to plant an additional 12 trees this Wednesday and then maybe be done for a while. 

[Dotch]

The Indian Magic crabapple tree in our yard gets that black spot and it's likely scab. The worst part is the variety is supposed to be relatively resistant. However, like most of our 15 - 20 crabapple trees, I don't prune them as aggressively as I probably should and that tree is getting good sized. I did prune the snot out of it this spring to improve air flow so we'll see if that helps. The problem is worse some years than others and recent wet springs and summers haven't helped. Sounds like you've got matters well under control deadeye but for people like me who don't, here are a couple links for disease and insect control: 
 
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/managing-apple-scab-ornamental-trees-and-shrubs#cultural-control-1165361


https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/198130/Apple%20Home%20IPM.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

[LPS]

So DE when you plant the apple trees on your land the deer don't kill them while munching on them?  Don't they eat the buds off of them?

[mike89]

fence them to keep the deer away I would say...

[deadeye]

Yes, fencing and trunk protection from mice and other nibblers is mandatory. 
Here's a few pictures of how they look.

[Reinhard]

That's really nice!!!  Don't have a deer problem since I got my lab Lucy but guarding the bottom for nibblers is on the agenda.  My yard is fenced.  Going to get me another apple tree this week.  good luck.

[LPS]

That's great.  Nice job.  Those deer have it made at your place.  That must be 5' high wire it looks like.

[glenn57]

Days a big Apple garden!!

[glenn57]

Well my plants survived the frost!

[Gunner55]

How are they at swimmin? High wind warning here since late am & it's been rainin pretty steady for the last hour so. 'Sposed to get worse later too.

[Dotch]

deadeye, where did you get your tree tubes and do you leave it on year round? Bunnies nailed three of my crabs pretty good last winter but they must've only eaten the outer bark. The trees leafed out and flowered like normal. Next year I might not be so lucky.

[deadeye]

Dotch,
I hope you were lucky. Frequently, if they were griddled they have enough stored energy to leaf out and bloom but will die off later.  The tubes can be purchased at fleet farm, runnings, home depot and the like.  They are not cheep.  I am trying something new this year.  I'm planning on using the sewer drain tubing.  It has small slits for ventilation and can be cut to the length you need from a 10 foot piece.  Only issue is the tubing is black but I think it will have enough ventilation.  Yes, I leave the tubes on all year round.  Haven't had one chewed up yet. 

[mike89]

I have seen others use the sewer tubes too, hope they work too!!!

[Dotch]

A lot of people use drainage tile here. Finding someone who has some laying around is the trick. It needs to be slit as well which shouldn't be too tough using any number of means. I just like the looks of the stuff you had deadeye.

Fingers crossed on the crabapples that were bunny damaged. The snow swirled around them this past winter making a perfect hole for bunnies to sit and gnaw in. It looked like someone had put mulch around the trees this spring. They are Siberian crabs. They're tough. I've chopped them off with the rear mount tractor mower, the bunnies have pruned them off, and I've brutalized them when pruning because with their spines, they really suck to mow around. They just seem to keep coming. It'll be interesting to see what they do after this latest episode. Maybe tomorrow a.m. when I'm reading the cutworm trap I'll photo the damage.

Another question, are your cages made from welded wire? I'd love to put some trees in the sheep pasture like that, maybe some autumn blaze maples, more crabapples or even regular apples. 

[glenn57]

How are they at swimmin? High wind warning here since late am & it's been rainin pretty steady for the last hour so. 'Sposed to get worse later too.

it just started raining here. I went out to new London about 5:30 tonight and it was just dribbling. Just a light drizzle now.

Remember I live that honest lifestyle.

[Bobberineyes]

How are they at swimmin? High wind warning here since late am & it's been rainin pretty steady for the last hour so. 'Sposed to get worse later too.

it just started raining here. I went out to new London about 5:30 tonight and it was just dribbling. Just a light drizzle now.

Remember I live that honest lifestyle.

And you didnt stop in!!! Oh wait we weren't here yet. Light rain here but its blowing like  crazy,  the lake is just plain old mad. Good thing the boat is holding the lift in place..

[glenn57]

Hey don't threaten me with a good time!! some day, but first I'd have to find da place!

[Gunner55]

Boober, do you have a big pot & wooden spoon? Then glenn could have a real good time & probably be right over.  

[glenn57]

Boober, do you have a big pot & wooden spoon? Then glenn could have a real good time & probably be right over.  

[deadeye]

Yesterday I finished planting the gardens.  Tomatoes, peppers, Cukes, gourds, pumpkins, and a few other plants.  I usually don't plant until after Memorial day but I plan to gone for a few days and didn't want the plants to die in my garage. 

[HD]

I got the pickling cuke seeds in the garden. I have radishes, beets and lettuce already coming up. Asparagus..... I dunno, lots of skinny spears   
Rubarb, seeding out this year ?

[attachment deleted by admin]

[LPS]

Our rhubarb is barely 10" tall.  Your is already seeding out??  Is that normal at this time of year for you?

[HD]

It seems to do it when we get to much rain.
I don't know if that's a normal thing for rubarb to do?

[LPS]

We have had one asparagus bunch putting out a spear or two a day.  That has been happening for a couple of weeks.  Another just started and the one we usually get the most from hasn't even had 1 stalk come up yet.  ???