Fruit Trees and Pesticide

Special Note: I'm not getting paid anything from anybody. (unfortunately) I write this blog for fun and all recommendations and products mentioned are not financially influenced in any way.  

My pear tree in bloom.

Growing fruit trees is really the dream, isn't it? Who doesn't love fresh fruit? You can buy a tree once and have fresh fruit for decades, what's not to love? Well, it's not that easy. That sweet, juicy fruit is really attractive to lots of critters too, from tiny little gnats to full size deer. They also seem really prone to different diseases. For that reason, I am actually caving in a spraying them with pesticide this year. 

In general, I believe American's spray way too much pesticide. We don't like being inconvenienced by bugs and we have very specific ideas for what our lawns and gardens should look like (golf courses anyone?). These pesticides do have environmental costs and I encourage everyone to read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson to get a better picture of this. 

However, sometimes pesticides can be necessary, not just to get "pretty" fruit but to get any fruit at all. My research led me across this youtube video. MI Gardener is a good YouTube channel in general. I then went to Stauffer's of Kissel Hill and talked to their greenhouse manager. She agreed with their suggestion but suggested a different timeline for York County, PA. 

The product I'm using. 

She said to spray the following 3 times as a minimum:

1. Right before the flowers open. (that's right about now as I'm writing this)

2. After the flowers drop. (don't spray anything on open flowers, you need them to pollinate!)

3. When the leaves have completely grown in. 

You can spray more after that but I want to keep a minimalist approach. The other thing to note about the Orchard Spray is that it is considered an organic spray and is less toxic than other options. If you follow this approach, as with all pesticides, please read the label and follow the instructions carefully. 

Are you growing fruit trees? What has been your approach to pests? I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.