Fruits
“The groves were God’s first temples.”
– William Cullen Bryant, A Forest Hymn
There are many rewarding moments in gardening, few so satisfying as harvesting fruits of your own labor. We strive at Wilson’s to provide a diverse collection of fruit trees and small fruits. We’ve selected our favorite and hardiest apple trees, pear, peach, apricot and cherry trees to make available throughout the growing season. Berries of every size, shape and flavor are waiting to be added to your home garden; blueberries, grapes, raspberries and strawberries, just to name a few.
“Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.”
– Khalil Gibran
Top 6 products for the beginning fruit farmer
There is no denying; sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t play along with our plans. Pests, diseases and seasonal shifts always keep local orchard growers on their toes. If you’re just beginning an orchard or just want to plant a few apple trees, here are the products that allow you to have your best fruit crops.
- 1-2-3 Step Program-A combination of 1) Master Nursery Bumper Crop; 2) Master Nursery Bumper Crop Starter Fertilizer; and 3) Bonide Root & Grow will get your fruit plants off to a fast start when you plant them. In fact, we extend your guarantee when you purchase these products to use with your fruit plants.
- Bonide All Season's Spray Oil - Controls insects and diseases
- Bonide Complete Fruit Tree Spray – This is the traditional chemical protection for both diseases and insects; very effective.
- Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew – For organic insect control
- Bonide Copper Fungicide - For control of plant diseases
- Deer Stopper II – Use during dormancy to protect trees from deer browsing.
Blueberry Blues
One of the most common fruit woes we conquer here at Wilson’s is concerning blueberries. Blueberries, although rewarding to harvest, can be challenging to grow in Ohio. Here are a few steps toward achieving higher yields and healthier blueberry bushes.
Five steps to bigger bluer blueberries:
- Clay soils are not favorable for blueberries. To achieve a more suitable soil, try planting bushes in raised beds (about 4 inches) with rich, workable soil. This will ensure proper drainage and more organic media for blueberry production.
- Ohio soils are naturally alkaline, and blueberries prefer more acidic soil. Therefore, blueberry growers need to go the extra mile to ensure proper pH when growing blueberries. Don’t be afraid to have your soil tested and amend accordingly. Most Ohio soils need a liberal application of Soil Sulfur; adding organic matter such as Canadian Peat Moss is also helpful in creating the best acidic blueberry environment.
- Low yields can often be blamed on low occurrences of cross-pollination. Blueberry growers will see a much better yield if they plant at least two different varieties of blueberries.
- Watering properly can often be the solution to blueberry problems. Blueberries are sensitive to water fluctuations and need about one to two inches of water per week. During dry weather, the blueberry grower must supplement water. Avoid watering after September, however, unless extremely dry soils exist.
- As hard as it may be, remove the blooms the year of planting and the following year to promote vigorous growth in your
blueberry bushes.