How to spray fruit trees with dormant oil.

Are your fruit trees producing more disease then fruit? Spend one winter afternoon outside with your trees and enjoy the rewards this summer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Lime-Sulfur Dormant Spray.
• A clean and empty pump sprayer.
• Hand pruners.
• Eye protection.
• A tarp.
• One clear, dry winter day.

1. Dormant spray, also called Lime-Sulfur Spray can be purchased at any local nursery. It's considered one of the best organic defenses against diseases because the spray smothers overwintering spores and fungus. Because Dormant Spray can damage leaves and needles on trees and shrubs, you have to spray your fruit trees when they are dormant, before the buds have begun to open (bud-break). The spray can also damage surrounding evergreens and perennials, so it's advisable to cover any susceptible plants in the over-spray zone with a tarp. It's also important to choose a clear dry day, with no breeze and preferably above freezing.
2. This would be an excellent time to prune out any dead or broken branches, before you apply the spray.
3. Put on your goggles and carefully read the instructions on the bottle of Dormant Spray. Different vendors call for different measurements that can be found on the inside label. Measure, according to the directions, into your pump sprayer. Hopefully, the sprayer has measurements on the side of the holding tank, if not get a set of measuring spoons from the thrift store and keep them with the garden tools. Add the recommended amount of water and place the lid on securely. Shake or swirl lightly to mix and pump a few times to get the mixture flowing.
4. Focusing at the top and middle of the tree, begin applying the spray. Avoid standing where you'll get dripped on, work the spray towards the outside branches. Keep pumping air into the bottle so the air pressure makes the spray reach farther away. You should be applying enough Dormant Spray to leave the branches dripping. Finally spray the trunk and your done. Wait until the tree is dry before removing the tarp from the protected plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Dormant Spray treats and prevents overwintering rust, peach-leaf curl, black spot, blight, brown rot, and powdery mildew.
• Also smothers the overwintering eggs of some mites and other pests.
• Good for fruit trees such as: peaches, apples, cherries, pears, Asian pears, plums, and even roses.
• Organic!
• Always read the instructions before applying any garden chemicals.
• Wear eye protection.
• Follow the labels instructions for disposal.
• Keep pets and children away from spray area until it's dry.