How to prepare fruit trees for winter

Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash

Fruit trees are more susceptible to cool temperatures and frost which is why you should prepare fruit trees for the winter season. Trees naturally prepare for the winter season. To conserve their energy during this season, metabolism and active growth slow down during the winter season. When the ground freezes, it damages the roots so it’s important to protect the trees from root damage. Providing additional support when trees prepare for the winter season can help them to grow back during the spring.

How to prepare your fruit trees for the winter season:

1. Clean Up

The first thing you have to do is clear the debris that is found in the base of the fruit trees. Clear up broken branches, damaged parts of the trees, and fallen leaves that have any sign of pest infestation.

2. Mulch

After clearing the debris, add mulch that is at least 3 inches in diameter around the base of the tree. Make sure there is some gap between the tree’s bark and the mulch. Mulch acts as insulation and protects the tree’s roots from freeze-thaw cycles. You can use shredded leaves, wood chips and straw as mulch for your trees.

3.Water your fruit trees

Water your fruit trees deeply and thoroughly before the ground freezes. This helps to provide insulation for roots and strengthens them.

4.Avoid Fertilizing

Fruit trees go dormant during the winter season. Fertilize them during the mid-summer season and do not fertilize them after that.

How to protect potted fruit trees:

Fruit trees that are grown in containers can die very easily if they are not properly winterized. Once you have selected the fruit trees that grow best for your climatic conditions and have started to grow them in pots, it is essential to winterize them so that they survive. Here are a few ways to prepare your potted fruit trees for the winter season.

1. Remove dead stems and leaves

Trim the dead stems and remove the dry leaves in your fruit trees. Then clear the debris that is in the pots as they may contain pests and diseases.

2. Move them in a protected space

If you already have cold hardy fruit trees you can bring them to a protected space that gets some good sunlight. If temperatures become too cold you can use burlap to protect them.

3. Bring the potted plants inside

If you are growing tropical fruit trees, it’s best to bring them indoors during the winter season.

4. Mulch them

Add at least 4 inches of mulch to your potted trees this provides insulation for them and protects the roots from the cold weather.

5. Water deeply

Water the potted plants deeply before the frost. You can then water them a few times during the winter season.