rojausmedelynas - Gardener's ABC

The first spring spray of fruit trees: when, with what and how?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:45:00 +0000

The first spring spray of seedlings: when, with what and how to keep plants healthy?

Spring is a new start for seedlings. After winter they may be weakened, while warmer weather awakens both buds and pathogens and pests. The first spring spray helps seedlings and young trees start the season cleanly.

Why is the first spray important?

It reduces overwintered disease inoculum such as scab, leaf spot and brown rot, suppresses overwintered pests and protects young, tender plant parts. The less inoculum remains at the start of spring, the easier the season is to manage.

When should you spray?

Spray in early spring when daytime temperatures are usually around +5 to +10°C, there are no strong frosts and the buds are still closed or just swelling. Spray according to the plant's condition and the weather, not the calendar.

What can you use?

Copper preparations for preventive disease protection.
Paraffin or mineral oils against overwintered pest eggs and larvae.
Biological or natural products when a gentler approach is preferred, following the label and crop requirements.

Always follow the product label. It gives the dose, temperature, safety interval and compatibility information.

Seven practical steps

Choose a calm day without wind or rain, preferably morning or evening.
Make sure the temperature is suitable and does not fall below zero.
Remove broken branches and lightly prune if necessary.
Wet the twigs, buds and trunk evenly without creating run-off.
Pay attention to the trunk and branch joints, where pests and disease can hide.
Do not mix products unless the label confirms compatibility.
Use gloves, eye protection and a respirator when recommended.

Common mistakes

Spraying too late, before rain, in cold weather or without measuring the dose can reduce the result or stress the plant.

A small Rojaus medelynas tip

For a small number of seedlings, a hand sprayer is often enough, provided it creates an even mist rather than large drops. Good coverage can matter more than an expensive product.

In conclusion

The first spring spray is an investment in an easier season, with fewer problems and stronger, healthier plants.

How to prepare seedlings for winter: practical tips

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:42:00 +0000

How to prepare seedlings for winter: tips from Rojaus medelynas

Autumn is a busy time for gardeners. Proper preparation determines whether seedlings will leaf out in spring and whether their roots and trunks will be protected from cold and drying.

1. When should preparation begin?

Prepare seedlings in late autumn, after the leaves have fallen but while the soil is still unfrozen, usually from mid-October to early November depending on the region.

2. Protect the roots

Mulching: spread a 5-10 cm layer of peat, sawdust, compost or bark around the seedling.
Protection mound: for very young plants, mound soil or compost around the trunk to cover the root collar.

3. Protect trunks and shoots

Wrap young trunks with protective tape, spruce branches or reed mats to prevent cracks and sun damage.
Use plastic or metal mesh if hares or deer visit the garden.

4. Water before winter

Water seedlings thoroughly before the soil freezes. This is especially important in sandy soils, where moisture is lost quickly.

5. Group and cover unplanted seedlings

Heel unplanted seedlings into a trench at a 45° angle and cover the roots with soil. Add spruce branches, but do not seal them hermetically because roots need air circulation.

6. The benefit of snow

Snow is a natural insulator. If possible, mound snow around seedlings to protect roots and trunks from temperature changes.

7. Prepare for spring

Remove protection in time so trunks do not overheat or become mouldy, replace mouldy mulch and provide the first fertilisation to help the plants recover.

Summary

Preparing seedlings for winter is an investment in their health and future harvest. A little autumn work helps young plants survive the cold and start spring strong.

Autumn care of fruit trees: what should be done?

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:07:00 +0000

Autumn care of fruit trees

In autumn fruit trees enter dormancy, but proper care at this time supports their health and next year's harvest.

1. Collect leftover fruit and leaves

Remove remaining fruit, especially rotten or damaged fruit. Collect and dispose of fallen leaves to reduce the spread of diseases and pests.

2. Pruning

Remove dry, broken or diseased shoots. Avoid major formative pruning in autumn, as it is better done in spring.

3. Fertilising

Use autumn fertilisers without nitrogen. Choose potassium and phosphorus, which help trees strengthen before winter and prepare for next year's flowering.

4. Soil care

Loosen the soil around the roots and mulch with compost, peat or well-rotted manure. Mulch retains moisture and protects the roots from frost.

5. Protect the trunks

Protect young trees from rodents with trunk guards or spruce branches. Whitewashing with a lime mixture also protects against temperature changes and pests.

6. Watering

At the end of autumn, especially after a dry period, water thoroughly. This helps trees overwinter more easily.

7. Protect against frost

Cover the roots of frost-sensitive trees with a thick layer of mulch or spruce branches, and wrap young trunks with fabric or a frost guard.

Summary

Autumn care is an investment in next year's harvest. Healthy, well-fed and protected trees are better able to withstand disease and frost.

Pruning fruit trees: when and how to do it correctly

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:37:00 +0000

Pruning fruit trees is one of the most important garden jobs. Correct pruning supports tree health, a good harvest and a well-shaped crown. It removes weak, diseased and overly dense branches, improves light and allows air to circulate.

When should fruit trees be pruned?

Pruning is usually done in early spring or late autumn, depending on the species and its growth.

Spring pruning: February-April, before active sap flow, when temperatures are above -5°C.
Summer pruning: June-August, for light pruning, removing water shoots and regulating fruiting.
Autumn pruning: October-November, mainly on older or diseased trees to remove dry and diseased branches before winter.

How to prune fruit trees

Remove dry, diseased and damaged branches.
Thin a dense crown, leaving strong branches growing outward.
Guide the growth direction and remove crossing or overly upright branches.
Shorten long main branches so the tree can direct energy to fruit formation.

Tools and care

Use sharp, clean tools: secateurs for branches up to 2 cm, garden shears for thicker shoots, a saw for large branches and wound balm for large cuts. Clean and disinfect tools after pruning.

Why is correct pruning important?

It supports a larger, better-quality harvest.
It improves fruit size, taste and appearance.
It helps prevent disease and pest spread.
It extends the life of the tree and keeps it attractive.

If you are unsure how to prune, consult a specialist. A well-maintained garden rewards you with a good harvest.

Spraying fruit trees in spring

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:07:00 +0000

Spring spraying of fruit trees protects trees from diseases and pests and helps ensure a larger, better-quality harvest.

Main stages of spring spraying

1. Early spray before bud break

Spray when the average temperature for several days is 5-10°C, usually in the second half of March. Trees have no leaves yet, so the risk of damage is low. Copper preparations, such as chelated copper, can help control scab, powdery mildew and brown rot.

2. Spray before flowering

Apply when buds are swelling but have not opened fully. Systemic fungicides such as Score (2 ml/10 l of water) or Topas (5 ml/10 l) can be used according to the label. An insecticide such as Mavrik (5 ml/10 l) may also be used against pests.

3. Spray after flowering

When petals fall, spray again to reduce remaining pests and prevent disease. The same fungicides and insecticides may be used according to their labels. Remove branches that died over winter, especially on plums and cherries.

Important tips

Choose a calm, cloudy and dry day, around 10-12°C.
Follow the manufacturer's dose to avoid plant damage.
For aphids, natural solutions may be used where suitable, such as an infusion of 400 g chopped dandelion roots and leaves in 10 l of warm water for 2-3 hours.

Following these recommendations helps fruit trees stay healthy and produce a good harvest.

Planting fruit trees

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 08:45:00 +0000

How do you plant an apple tree correctly? Should the rootstock be buried? How deep should a peach seedling be planted so it does not freeze in winter? Here are practical planting steps.

Step 1

Choose a sunny or partially shaded location with enough room for the plant to grow. Leave 2 m between a fruit tree and the neighbour's fence.

Step 2

Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot or roots. It should be about 40-50 cm deep. Loosen the soil at the bottom.

Step 3

Remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole. Check that the roots have room and are not bent. Spread them gently, add compost, fertile peat or well-rotted manure, and fill the hole.

Step 4

When planting stone fruit, bury the rootstock 2-3 cm. When planting pome fruit such as apples and pears, leave the rootstock a few centimetres above ground. It is especially important not to bury the rootstock of plums, because it can produce shoots that compete with the tree.

Step 5

Firm the soil by gently walking around the filled hole so there are no air pockets. Make a watering rim. If the site is prone to waterlogging, make a mound so water does not collect around the roots.

Step 6

Water the newly planted tree generously, mulch the soil surface and secure the plant with stakes. Water a young seedling once or twice a week after planting.

Tips

Add peat and compost to clay soil. Add plenty of peat, compost and well-rotted soil to sandy soil, and fertiliser if appropriate.
Plant ordinary fruit trees 2.5-3 m apart, columnar apples 0.7-1 m apart and other columnar plants 1.2-2 m apart.

rojausmedelynas - Gardener's ABC

The first spring spray of fruit trees: when, with what and how?

The first spring spray of seedlings: when, with what and how to keep plants healthy?

Why is the first spray important?

When should you spray?

What can you use?

Seven practical steps

Common mistakes

A small Rojaus medelynas tip

In conclusion

How to prepare seedlings for winter: practical tips

How to prepare seedlings for winter: tips from Rojaus medelynas

1. When should preparation begin?

2. Protect the roots

3. Protect trunks and shoots

4. Water before winter

5. Group and cover unplanted seedlings

6. The benefit of snow

7. Prepare for spring

Summary

Autumn care of fruit trees: what should be done?

Autumn care of fruit trees

1. Collect leftover fruit and leaves

2. Pruning

3. Fertilising

4. Soil care

5. Protect the trunks

6. Watering

7. Protect against frost

Summary

Pruning fruit trees: when and how to do it correctly

When should fruit trees be pruned?

How to prune fruit trees

Tools and care

Why is correct pruning important?

Spraying fruit trees in spring

Spring spraying of fruit trees protects trees from diseases and pests and helps ensure a larger, better-quality harvest.

Main stages of spring spraying

1. Early spray before bud break

2. Spray before flowering

3. Spray after flowering

Important tips

Planting fruit trees

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Tips

Good harvest!