Fruit trees need water to bear good fruit. Adequate water supply is needed when trees are loaded with fruit. They do not need too much water through out the year. However, fall is the time when you need to take proper care of fruit trees. Frost is among the biggest enemies for your fruit trees. A simple method is to use a bucket of water under fruit trees to prevent damage from killing frost.
Fall is the time when it is vital to put in some extra effort to look after the health of fruit trees. Citrus fruit trees like lemons, oranges and grapefruit are more sensitive to environment than others fruit trees. Extra care needs to be taken mainly during the winter times. Citrus trees need extra protection especially in the first couple of years.
You have to take care when you have heavy frosts or trees are exposed to high winds. Your preparation to save from killing frost would start before winter sets in. Tree watered well into mid October would ensure that trees go into winter with a good moisture supply. Remember, too much water can also lead to decaying of roots. Even a bucket of water may be sufficient. Depending upon the type of tree, type of soil and the growth rate of tree you should apply water. Water deeply to encourage deep roots as they ensure efficient use of water by tree.
There are several other steps you need to take to protect your plants. Mulch is a good way to protect plants. Providing different type of tarps or old blankets are among other easy and useful methods. Another simple method is using water. Depending upon the frost forecast if you apply appropriate amount of water under fruit tree, it can help prevent damage from killing frost. Fruit trees go dormant during winter and water proves to be useful among the steps to take during late spring freeze.
If the weatherman forecasts a light frost then water your plants. Proving water regularly before the first frost is an important step. It is necessary, as during winter though dormant trees lose moisture to new growth as well as to the dry weather and cold winds. Dehydration eventually causes winter burn. To protect from late spring freeze one step is to spray fruit trees continuously with a mist of water.
Continuous spraying helps prepare leaves for the drop in temperature as the water freezes at 32 degree Fahrenheit. However, in this process of changing from liquid to solid, energy is released which in turn provides warmth to plants.
Another easy step is to add a bucket of water under trees before sundown. Though you may not find out about early frost until late evening, if there is a possibility you can water plants before sun goes down. By doing so the evaporating moisture would help raise the temperature around tender plants to some extent. It may thus help prevent frost from forming on leaves.
Similarly another method is to place gallon jugs with water at the base of tree. Keep at least an inch headspace at the top and the lid loose. Water jugs prove to be heat reservoirs releasing heat gradually which in turn helps keep the tree warmer.
Fruit trees in your garden are a rich source of organic and fresh fruits. During cold season when frost can be pretty harmful ensure you take good care of them. Timely measure can help you enjoy the fruits the year through.