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Garden Gate:  Need Organic Apple Tree Help  |
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 12:57:03 PM
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We're finally getting apples on our tree (Whoo Hoo!) & the birds are taking nips out of the tiny green apples. What *organic* things could you suggest in keeping the birds away.
Also, do you know what kind of organic fertilizer that apple trees need? Do I need to spray them with anything (organic) to keep any type of pest away? I'm just so excited & want to take care of our apple trees!! Thanks!!
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 1:58:59 PM
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hang old CD's, pie tins, little bags of dog and cat hair, will help discourage the feathered free loaders, take old belts and lay across branches to mimic a snake, but remember to move them around or the birds will figure out they are fakes real quick,lol.
As far as organic sprays etc, I can't help you there, since I can't grow apples here, I just don't know...
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4572 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4572 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 05:11:48 AM
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To keep pests off, you can take a sandwich baggy, with a zip top. Put over the apple, staple the baggy to keep it on the apple, and snip the 2 corners off the bag. My husband learned that in a pruning class.
Michele |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 06:41:01 AM
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I've got 3 really old apple trees and I never have sprayed them. They need thinned really bad. That will be next. I think that helps alot to thin the branches. I know a couple who have an orchard up on the mountain. He said there really isn't alot of organic sprays that will work like conventional sprays. Like for Cedar Apple Rust, which we have here. I also have 4 newer trees and a few have that. So I will have to get something to help with that. I don't much bother the bugs though. Or the birds. they have to eat too and there are plenty to share with.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 4:18:20 PM
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here to get an apple is such a joy. so hard to grow here. i use a soap and oil combo for my trees. michelle is right about the bags too. you can use paper sanwich bags they breath too. baking soda is helpful for rust and bacterial issues. pruning is helpful since air can move through the branches. taking some apples off when small helps the stress on the tree. you can get larger apples that way. just a thought happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 6:43:16 PM
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hey there my farm girl neighbor :-) Thanks, Sherry & everyone. Looks like I need to get busy putting bags on my apples :-)
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 10:44:37 PM
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hey jewel lets meet and visit. i am between bend and redmond. any way i would wash your tree. first. 1 tablespoon non toxic liquid dish soap 1 tablespoon light oil. such as canola or your choice to 1 gallon room temp water. put in sprayer wash top sides limbs bark leaves fruit in am before sunlight hits leaves. this is mon. tomorrow not too hot. am would be good. or you can use a liquid dish soap ;like palmolive but its actually pretty toxic. you will be washing mites bugs etc off tree. do not rinse. water tree well from ground not in air. just a thought. come over lets chat. you can email me and i will give you my number happy days sherrye i think you could skip the bags if we can get the tree healthy naturally. everything in central oregon desert is thirsty and hungry all the time lol so where are you. do you have a farm?
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2010 : 09:49:19 AM
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I'll email ya, Sherry 
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2010 : 8:20:23 PM
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well i never got an email? jewel i am gone in am and home in afternoon tomorrow happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Garden Gate: Need Organic Apple Tree Help |
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Need Organic Apple Tree Help
