Experienced gardeners suggest that in the spring you need to pay close attention to the condition of the whitewash on fruit trees, even if they were whitewashed at the very end of autumn.
This is one of the main procedures for preparing fruit trees for winter, otherwise burns or frost cracks may appear on their trunks.
In order for the garden to bloom in the spring and then produce a bountiful harvest, you need to take care of it and renew the whitewash after the winter.
When to update
Whitewash can be washed away during rains, and protection from sunburn is needed until the crown can provide reliable shade.
Spring is also treacherous in that daytime warmth is often followed by nighttime frosts, which can cause damage to the bark.
Therefore, there is no need to wait until April or March, but to renew the whitewash in mid-February or at the end of February.
What and how to whiten
It is necessary to choose a dry and bright day. Whitewashing is allowed at an air temperature of up to 5 degrees below zero.
There is no need to scrape the bark. Simply brush off dust and other dirt.
To renew the autumn whitewash, you can use industrial garden paint. It allows for normal air exchange and contains additives that protect the tree bark from fungus and pests.
Acrylic and water-based paints are also used, but they can only protect against sunburn and are ineffective against pests and diseases.
