Fruit Tree Spray Schedule: What to Apply and When

Missed the bloom-time fungicide spray for brown rot? You can still protect your apple, peach, and pear trees with a home orchard spray (combined insecticide/fungicide) every few weeks. Figs rarely need spraying. Fertilize now with one cup of 10-10-10 per foot of tree height, repeat in mid-June, and consider a third feeding in September—spread evenly under and beyond the branch drip line.

In mid-May, thin fruit to five inches between each apple or peach to prevent limb breakage and improve quality. Remove thinned fruit entirely—don't let it drop. Most critically, water regularly during June, July, and August as fruit enlarges. Follow this regimen for a couple of years, and you'll have plenty of fruit for pies and preserves.