Spring is the time when trees wake up, but not all summer residents understand that it is during this period that the foundation for their health and productivity is laid.
You can water an apple or cherry tree for years, but if you skip a few simple steps early in the season, the fruit will be small and the branches will be weak.
For example, many people forget that tree bark needs special care after winter.
Sunburn and frost cracks are not just a cosmetic defect. They become a gateway for infections and pests.
Take a mixture of clay and mullein (1:1), dilute with water to the consistency of sour cream and coat the trunks to the first branches. This will heal cracks and protect against new damage.
Pruning is another key point, but it is easy to do harm here. Don’t get carried away and cut everything. Remove only dry, diseased and branches growing inward to the crown.
Before work, disinfect the tools with alcohol, and immediately cover the cuts with garden pitch.
If the tree is old and neglected, do not try to rejuvenate it in one year - spread the pruning over 2-3 seasons so as not to weaken the plant.
Fertilizing in spring should be balanced. Do not sprinkle everything under the root: excess nitrogen will cause rapid growth of greenery to the detriment of flowering.
It is better to use compost mixed with ash (1 glass per bucket) - this will give the trees potassium, phosphorus and microelements.
Distribute the mixture evenly around the tree trunk and rake it into the soil.
And to speed up the awakening of the roots, water the trees with warm water (about 40°C) - this is especially important for heat-loving apricots or peaches.
Don't forget about pest prevention. Before the buds open, treat the crown with a urea solution (500 g per 10 l of water) - this will destroy the wintering larvae.
And when the buds begin to swell, spray the trees with garlic infusion: pour 200 g of crushed cloves with a liter of water, leave for a day, strain and dilute in 10 liters of water.
The smell will repel weevils and aphids, and phytoncides will suppress the development of fungi.
