sherwindu wrote:

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Climate may determine when you spray and for what purpose.

Fertilizing may depend on local soils. It also depends on climate,
since you don't want to encourage new growth when frosts are
likely.

Not doing either may limit the size of your fruit crop or even what
varieties will thrive. Remember, most fruit varieties are not
found in nature; they are not natural. Thus, you have to have
lower expectations when trying to grow them via natural-only
methods.

However, the original thread (below) did not explicitly mention
spraying or fertilizing. It did mention pruning, but it did not
mention the fruit varieties or climate.

Where I live (mild winters), I prune my peach tree and grape vines
around New Year, to enhance the crops. I prune my dwarf citrus
lightly throughout the growing season (March through October), for
appearances and to keep the foliage from exceeding the ability of
roots to supply water (growing in containers). I prune my guava
about once every 3-4 years, usually in February or early March, for
appearance. My loquat is not yet big enough to prune.



David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/