The main part of the work in the garden is to maintain the optimal condition of decorative green spaces and cultivated plants. Pest control, disease prevention, increasing fruitfulness and other measures to care for the country flora are mandatory in the household work on the site. Trees and shrubs are perhaps the least demanding to care for, nevertheless regular spraying is a necessary condition for their development and beautiful flowering. And fruit and berry varieties will provide summer residents with natural goodies, but again, subject to well-trained spring spraying.
Time and conditions
Many gardeners and summer residents are engaged in tree care along with other work on the site. In other words, when time allows. But to get the best effect, you should not focus only on your personal schedule. Experienced farmers recommend spring spraying of fruit trees and shrubs after the snow cover has completely melted and the warm weather has recovered. At the time of processing, the temperature should be at least +5 ° C. In time, two periods can be noted - the beginning of March and the middle of April. Spraying at the very beginning of spring is aimed at destroying microorganisms when the buds are just starting to grow. In April, the preparations will protect apple trees, apricots, pears and other trees from insects, bugs and fungal diseases. May spraying is also possible, after flowering.
Technical means
The traditions of the domestic management of the cottage economy involve the use of home-made devices and spraying devices. Converted watering cans, cans and buckets save on the cost of special devices. But such a path is questionable in terms of efficiency and safety. Since spraying fruit trees, shrubs, as well as cultivated plants requires accuracy and sometimes spot processing, it is more advisable to use specialized units. Firstly, they are more convenient, and secondly, do not pose a danger to the user. The main thing is to correlate the requirements for the chemical treatment of a particular garden and vegetation with the parameters of the apparatus.
Accumulator, gasoline, manual and automatic models allow efficiently spraying fruit trees and bushes with poisonous substances in spring, eliminating the risk of burns or poisoning. Some devices are also equipped with extension cords and other accessories that provide access to hard-to-reach areas.
How to spray?
Despite the development of the chemical industry, the set of preparations for treating garden vegetation has not fundamentally changed for decades. However, some modifications based on traditional drugs make modern spraying of trees and shrubs in the spring more efficient and safer.
The most common tools include the following:
- copper sulfate;
- milk of lime;
- insectoacaricide (the so-called drug 30B);
- soap-ash mixture (urea).
The choice of a specific spraying agent is made on the basis of the effect that is required to be obtained: the destruction of pests, disease prevention, increased fruit bearing, etc. It should also be taken into account how safe the drug is when applied to a particular type and variety of tree or shrub.
Sulphate spraying
This is one of the most famous formulations that professionals also call Bordeaux mixture. Despite the popularity of the product, few people know how to spray trees with copper sulfate to maximize the effect.
Vitriol should be used before the buds have blossomed, that is, in early spring. A three percent solution has the following formulation: for 10 l of water, 300 g of directly vitriol and 400 g of lime base. Regarding the use in processing pears and apple trees, the effectiveness of combating scab is noted. In cases of plums and cherries, copper sulfate performs well against claustosporiosis and coccomycosis. Shrubs also protect with this tool, for example, blackberries and raspberries can be eliminated from spotting.
Spraying with milk of lime
This solution will help maintain the health, fruitfulness and beauty of plants in conditions of late frosts. Properly prepared spraying of trees and shrubs in spring with milk of lime will delay flowering for a week, but will save the buds from death. During processing, a thin calcareous layer forms on the branches, which prevents the eggs, pupae and larvae of the pests remaining after wintering from growing. The solution is prepared from water and freshly slaked lime. Optimum combination: for 10 l of 1,5 kg of active mix.
Urea Spraying
Urea, which is a soap-ash mixture, is quite common in the farms of experienced summer residents. It is prepared in this way: for 10 liters of water 1 kg of sifted wood ash. The mixture is boiled, after which it must be cooled, filtered and allowed to stand. But before spraying fruit trees in spring with a soap-and-ash mixture, you need to add green soap (20 g) and directly urea (30 g) to it.
Spray insecticide
This is a relatively new tool in Russia, which was approved for use in private households in 2013. Summer residents and gardeners know it as a 30V preparation. Among its advantages are environmental cleanliness and versatility in the fight against various garden pests. In addition, the strong effect of insectoacaricide allows you to cope with biological problems in old gardens, where plantations have been nesting for years by insects.
With this tool, not only spring spraying of fruit trees is possible, but also the processing of ornamental shrubs. The procedure is performed once a season, usually before budding. It is important to take into account the temperature regime: as indicated in the instructions, the thermometer should not show less than +4 ° C.
Spraying with diesel fuel and iron sulfate
Also, in some cases, diesel fuel and iron sulfate are used. Due to the specificity of the action, they are less common, but in the same neglected gardens they can protect the flora from undesirable living creatures. The strength of diesel fuel includes a potent effect - covering the branches and crowns with a film, it eliminates any damage by insects and kills the larvae remaining under the bark. But it is important to know how to spray fruit trees and shrubs in the spring with this tool.
The fact is that diesel fuel is an oil product, so the concentration should be as gentle as possible. In addition, for some particularly capricious decorative varieties, its use is not recommended, since the film closes the pores of the plant.
Iron sulfate, in turn, in addition to its protective function, supplies plants with useful trace elements. When spring spraying of fruit trees and shrubs is carried out, it is worth cultivating with vitriol and soil - the iron entering the earth acts as a feed and contributes to the production of chlorophyll.
How is spraying performed?
Since the event involves working with chemically hazardous solutions and drugs, you should prepare a respirator or a multi-layer gauze dressing, glasses and gloves (preferably rubber). Despite special protective equipment, direct contact with the composition used should be avoided during operation.
Before you begin spring spraying of fruit trees and shrubs, you need to inspect the branches and trunks. Lichens and moss should not remain on them - removal is done with a metal brush. Next, you need to evaluate the condition and availability of the sprayer. It is necessary to plan the progress in advance by comparing the availability of high-growing branches with the capabilities of the device. If everything is ready for processing, you can fill the chemical composition in the appropriate compartment.
It should be sprayed evenly on the surface of the pillar, branches and foliage. As noted, soil cultivation may also be required, but this is the last thing. In order for the irrigation coverage to be uniform and the solution not to be distributed too densely, it is necessary to maintain an optimal distance, usually 80 cm. When the work is completed, all elements of the sprayer are thoroughly washed. Face and hands should also be washed with soap with antibacterial effect, and rinse your mouth.