Dormant Spraying season is here!

Dormant Spraying season is here. For new gardeners, this refers to spraying deciduous fruit trees and shrubs (roses). The first spraying usually takes place when the temperatures drop and the trees and shrubs have dropped their leaves (end of October/beginning of November). The second application will be at the end of December/beginning of January. The final spraying should be just before the buds break (show green tissue) in early spring, before the beneficial pollinators become active.

We carry a choice of products. The oil spray (Bonide All Season Oil Spray) smothers any over-wintering insects and their eggs, the sulfur and copper sprays help control fungus such as black spot and rust on roses, bacterial/fungal leaf spot on rhodies, and botrytis and petal blight on camellias. Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray is the most effective against Peach Leaf Curl. Peach Leaf Curl can only be controlled by dormant spraying, unfortunately, it cannot be controlled once the tree has leafed out.

The oil spray we carry, Bonide All Seasons Oil, cannot be mixed with sulfur or copper sprays. For plants that need a sulfur spray (Poly-Sul) or copper spray (Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray), you can spray with the oil first, wait two weeks and then apply the sulfur or copper spray. The Lilly Miller Poly-Sul cannot be sprayed on fuzzy fruits (apricots, peaches, nectarines) in the growing season.

Most gardeners prefer using a tank sprayer. The tank sprayer provides better control and direction of spray. Only enough product to cover the plant should be mixed. The Gilmour Hose-End #499 sprayer is a good choice for a broad spray over many plants in the same area and also because any leftover concentrate can be returned to the original container. Both sprayers should be triple-rinsed and left to air-dry after use.

Water your plants the day before and limit spraying to only those plants that became infested/diseased. The ideal conditions are a clear day, with little or no breeze, and the temperature should be between 40 and 70 degrees. The temperature should remain above 50degrees for at least 24 hours afterwards to ensure complete coverage of all cracks and crevices. Do not spray if very warm or freezing temperatures are expected soon. If annuals are nearby, they should be covered.