Colin Campbell, owner and chief arborist at Campbell’s Orchards in the County was the guest speaker at the September meeting of the Tweed and District Horticultural Society.
According to Campbell, ALL trees need to be pruned in early spring. Pruning helps to stimulate growth of the trees. He suggested purchasing the best pruners you can afford.
Mid-April is the ideal time to add fertilizer around the “drip line” of the tree-not around the tree’s trunk. This will encourage the roots to grow out from the tree. Only small amounts of fertilizer need to be sprinkled on the ground.
Fruit trees require lots of maintenance due to disease and pests. Some newer brands of apples are more resistant to disease – Snow Sweet and Honey Crisp. According to Campbell, the older varieties are more susceptible to disease. Speaking from years of experience, Campbell says it is much easier to “prevent” disease than to “cure” it.
Campbell sprays the trees in his orchards. According to Canadian regulations, spraying must be stopped 45 days prior to harvesting. Campbell recommends buying Canadian grown apples whenever possible as Canada has very strict rules for food. Inspectors constantly check it ensure that farmers follow the regulations.
Due to the amount of work involved in grafting, Campbell, instead, plants trees that he purchases from reliable sources. Every year he does lose a percentage of his trees due to disease, climate and age of the trees,
Often an apple crop will yield a bumper crop one year but the following year it will be much smaller. The reason for this is the stress on the tree to produce such a huge crop the previous year. And of course, weather plays a role in crop production.
Campbell had several varieties of apples from his orchard for the members to taste…. a delicious taste of fall!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 7…Pumpkin Arrangement Workshop with Linda. Pumpkins and oasis will be supplied. Members can bring flowers and greenery from their gardens. Under Linda’s guidance, members will create a flower arrangement in their mini pumpkin. Bring your snips and create!!