For those who know apple and other difficult fruit trees

[philter4]

As far as I know apples need a cold winter to do well, they are a northern tree that is used to a big change in the seasons. Also "organic" doesn't mean no pesticides, it is just there are types that are acceptable and others that are not.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

delete

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Look for varieties that are naturally (or bred to be) resistant to the things common in your area. The local extension office should have recommendations for your area. I also saw on another BYCers blog that she put a bag of netting over her entire tree to protect fruit from bugs! Here's her post: http://mountaingardengleanings.blogspot.com/2011/06/bagging-cherry-trees.html

 

[KristyHall]

thank you all for suggestions. it gives me hope!

 

[MissTurkey4]

I live in a area that is considered one of the harshest gardening climate. It is not suitable for most fruit trees. I have about 150 heirloom apple trees, some pear, peach and plum. I had no guides as to varieties that do well for my area. Everything said I could not grow apples. The big secret to my success was starting with bench grafts rather than trees. I did reseach what trees bloomed after my last frost and how many hours of temperature below 45 degrees they need. I found Green Mantle Nursery was very helpful for information. The hardest part was limiting all of the trees I wanted to grow. They have hundreds of trees to pick from. They are always helpful with my questions. I went with Standard size trees. I have never sprayed. This is my first year with fruit on my 4 year old trees. It should only get better, since they should not be producing yet.

Here is Green Mantle site. http://www.greenmantlenursery.com/2008revision/fruit2008/benchgraft2008.htm

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

My understanding is that the bugs that like apples will over winter in the ground under the trees. The colder it is the more die over the winter. The simple fix is to but your chickens under the trees.

Non of my apples, grapes, or palmagranettes(spelling?) are big enough yet but my neighbor grows big crops of red an gold deli. apples but we are in the far north of Ga an Al.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
where do you live?

 

[MissTurkey4]

Quote:
where do you live?

A wind tunnel near Death Valley.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

delete

 

[tls_ranch]

Here's another neat site about growing apples in warm climates or even HOT climates such as California, Texas, and Florida in the USA to the Caribbean and Central America to lowland equatorial Africa. http://www.kuffelcreek.com/apples.htm Chilling hours may not be as important as most thought. The best thing to do about low spray or no spray apples is to research and plant the varieties that are disease resistant or even immune to the most common apple diseases. Insects can be controlled through bagging the fruit, orgainic sprays and traps. Good luck

Trisha