Spring Care:
The first year clean away the mound of soil once approximatly 1" of new growth has emerged, and all risk of a killing frost has passed.
As the weather warms up and days increase, your fruit tree will need more a more frequent waterings. Monitor your trees regularly with a moisture meter until you are deep watering approximatly 1-2 times a week. (Occasional misting may be necessary on excessively hot days.)
Your first fertilization should take place when the new growth has reached 6" in length. Follow with an additional fertilization every six weeks through the blooming season.
Many diseases show up in Spring. Be vigilant against any intruders. Peach leaf curl, fireblight, and other diseases usually develop about this time of the year. Read our Fruit Tree Spray Schedule for more info on control bacterial and fungal diseases.
Young Trees should have their stakes checked, as the new growth pushes out and the tops of the trees become heavier, any stakes that rotted during the winter will break, and along with it will go the tree. Check for evidence of rot a few inches above and below ground level.
Summer Care:
In the heat of the summer it is important to protect your trees against heat stress. The best way to do this is through a program of weekly deep waterings, and the use of mulch. A 2" layer of humus or bark cools the roots near the surface, and stops excessive evaporation from the soil. If your trees are wilting, but the soil is wet, mist the leaves down around mid-day. (This doesn't burn the leaves despite the myth.) The extra humidity will protect the tree from the heat.
As the fruit develops, thin the fruit out. You want to the fruit spaced every 6" or so along the branch. This gives each frruit a larger share of the tree's resources, allowing the fruit to develop a much better flavor.
Insect problems become the most severe in Summer. Keep a watchful eye for any damage or unwelcome pests. Read our Fruit Tree Spray Schedule for more info on controlling insects.
Fall Care:
Depending on the variety of fruit, you might not begin harvesting until into October or November. Make sure to keep the area under the tree clear of fallen fruit, twigs, and leaves. Many insects and disease over winter in the debris that collects under the trees, removing it gives you a leg up next year.
One last fertilization of 0-10-10 or another low-nitrogen fertilizer will help the fruit tree build up nutrients for the following spring, without pushing out the new growth you want to avoid.
Monitor the watering with a moisture meter. As the days shorten and cool off, your tree will be using less water, stretch out the time between waterings accordingly.
Winter Care:
Winter pruning can take place in January or February. Generally, you want to remove approximately 1/3 to 1/2 off all the fruiting wood. If you are unsure how to differentiate the fruitng wood from everything else, wait until Spring when the tree flowers. The blooming wood is the same thing as the fruiting wood.
Waterings should only be required when the soil has begun to dry out between rain spells.