Taking care of fruit trees doesn’t have to be a full-time job. In fact, most of the work happens in short bursts throughout the year.
To help you stay organized, we’ve created this simple Wafler Nursery Seasonal Checklist. Whether you want to go completely organic or use conventional methods, this guide will tell you exactly what to do and when to do it.
LATE WINTER: The “Wake Up” Call
January: Inspect & Plan
- The Goal: Check for winter damage.
- What to do: Walk out to your tree. Look for branches broken by snow or ice.
- Critter Watch: Look at the base of the trunk. If you see gnaw marks, mice or rabbits might be chewing on the bark. Install a plastic tree guard or wire mesh if you haven’t already.
February: Pruning Time
- The Goal: Shape the tree while it sleeps.
- What to do: Prune your trees while they are dormant (no leaves).
- Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood.
- Remove branches that are rubbing against each other.
- Open up the center of the tree to let light in.
March: Prevent Pests Before They Hatch
- The Goal: Smother pest eggs hiding in the bark.
- What to do: Apply a “Dormant Oil” spray. This coats the tree and suffocates aphid and mite eggs before they can hatch.
- Choose Your Path:
- Organic: Use a pure Horticultural Oil or Neem Oil.
- Conventional: Use a Dormant Oil mixed with a small amount of insecticide (like Malathion) for a stronger knockout punch.
SPRING: Bloom & Protection
April: Bud Break & Scab Control
- The Goal: Protect the new green leaves from fungus (Scab).
- What to do: When you see the first green tips of leaves appearing, it’s time to protect against fungus, especially if the weather is wet.
- Choose Your Path:
- Organic: Spray Copper Fungicide or Sulfur.
- Conventional: Spray a fungicide containing Captan or Immunox.
May: Bloom Time (Do Not Spray!)
- The Goal: Let the bees do their job.
- What to do: Enjoy the flowers!
- Important Rule: Do not spray any insecticides while the tree is in bloom. You don’t want to kill the bees that pollinate your fruit.
- Fire Blight Watch: If you see a branch tip wilt and turn black (like a shepherd’s crook), prune it out immediately (12 inches below the rot) and sanitize your shears.
SUMMER: Growing & Thinning
June: The “June Drop” & Thinning
- The Goal: Quality over quantity.
- What to do: You will likely see tiny baby apples dropping off the tree naturally. This is normal.
- Your Job: Help the tree by “thinning.” If a cluster has 5 baby apples, pull off 4 of them, leaving only the biggest one. This prevents branches from breaking and ensures the remaining fruit gets big and sweet.
July: The Worm War
- The Goal: Stop worms (Codling Moth) from ruining the fruit.
- What to do: This is the peak time for pests burrowing into fruit.
- Choose Your Path:
- Organic: Hang pheromone traps, spray Spinosad, or use Kaolin Clay to coat the fruit.
- Conventional: Apply a “Home Orchard Spray” (containing Sevin or Malathion) according to the label instructions.
August: Water & Watch
- The Goal: Keep the tree hydrated.
- What to do: If it’s been dry, give your tree a deep watering. Mulch around the base (but don’t pile it against the trunk) to keep moisture in.
- Harvest Prep: Check your early-ripening varieties. If the background color of the apple changes from green to yellow, it might be ready!
FALL: Harvest & Cleanup
September: The Taste Test
- The Goal: Harvest!
- How to tell if it’s ready: Don’t just yank the fruit. Cup the apple in your hand and give it a gentle twist upward. If it pops off easily, it’s ready. If you have to tug, let it sit a few more days.
October: The Great Cleanup
- The Goal: Prevent next year’s diseases.
- The #1 Backyard Task: Rake up all fallen leaves and rotting fruit.
- Why? Scab fungus and worms hide in the leaf litter during winter. If you leave the leaves, the disease will float right back up into the tree next spring. Bag them up and get rid of them!
November: Feed the Soil
- The Goal: Tuck the tree in for winter.
- What to do: Spread a layer of compost around the base of the tree to feed the roots over the winter. Clean your pruning tools so they are ready for February.
WINTER: Rest & Review
December: Dreaming of Spring
- The Goal: Relax.
- What to do: Look at photos of your harvest. Did you have wormy apples? (Plan to spray earlier in July next year). Did you have small fruit? (Plan to thin more in June).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my leaves turning yellow?
This is usually a water issue (too much or too little) or a lack of nitrogen. Check the soil moisture first. If the soil is wet, let it dry out.
Why did all my baby apples fall off in June?
This is called “June Drop.” The tree naturally sheds fruit it can’t support. If all of them fell off, it might be due to poor pollination (lack of bees) or a late frost during bloom.
How do I fix "wormy" apples?
Once the worm is inside, you can’t fix it. You have to prevent it next year. Mark your calendar for July to start using traps or sprays before the worms enter the fruit.
Do I really have to prune every year?
Yes! Think of it like a haircut. Annual pruning keeps the tree strong and ensures sunlight hits the fruit, which makes them sweeter.
Start with the Best Trees
The easiest way to have a great harvest is to start with great genetics. At Wafler Nursery, we provide professional-grade trees that are perfect for the backyard grower.
Get your orchard started right at WaflerNursery.com