Are no-spray orchards possible?

  • Are no-spray orchards possible?

    Posted by FlapdoodleFarm on April 12, 2023 at 9:17 pm

    We just moved to our new property (zone 6b), looking forward to planting a bunch of fruit trees but everything we are finding online seems like even organic growers have to do some form of spraying for pests and fungus. Is there a way to do no-spray?

    Hippocrates_Garden replied 1 year, 4 months ago 10 Members · 20 Replies
  • 20 Replies
  • MartHale7

    Member
    April 12, 2023 at 10:24 pm
    • FlapdoodleFarm

      Member
      April 13, 2023 at 3:34 pm

      Thank you! I will check out both!

    • Lburky

      Member
      July 17, 2023 at 12:40 pm

      The link for the book came up with a “we didn’t find what you were looking for” page. Would you give the title so I can look it up please?

  • Life-with-Mike-and-Jenn

    Member
    April 12, 2023 at 10:29 pm

    Look at Stephen Sobkowiak, The Permaculture Orchard. He has great info. I did no spray for 8 years before we moved to bare land recently.

    • FlapdoodleFarm

      Member
      April 13, 2023 at 3:34 pm

      Thank you, will do!

    • MartHale7

      Member
      July 17, 2023 at 8:00 pm

      I also recommend his video, and his youtube channel.

  • nottina

    Member
    April 12, 2023 at 10:56 pm

    try groworganic.com I have gotten 20 plus trees from them look for trees from dave wilson nursery great info on youtube

  • FaithK

    Member
    April 13, 2023 at 12:40 am

    I hear tell that spraying with kaolin clay is great for pest control (feeding and laying eggs), as well as helping with too-strong sun, and I think fungal diseases iirc. Fungal diseases are probably from the decreased pest pressure and damage, I’d think. Plus, it’s edible itself, so if it isn’t cleaned off completely, no biggie. May even be a benefit for consuming kaolin clay, but I totally can’t remember right now.

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  FaithK. Reason: Forgot about the edible-ity. lol
    • FlapdoodleFarm

      Member
      April 13, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      Great info FaithK, I will look into that!

  • AlphaDelta

    Member
    April 13, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    It depends on your conditions. I’m in South Texas. I have a bunch of fruiting trees and plants in the middle of a huge range land area, so there are very few disease vectors around me. As such, I don’t spray my trees at all, with the exception of the aforementioned kaolin clay. It helps with our intense sun. I do have blight issues, but trees that don’t tolerate it die and I replace them with another variety. There are parts of the country where chemical spraying is mandatory, or you’ll never get fruit. The upper Eastern seaboard being one of them.

    • FlapdoodleFarm

      Member
      April 13, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      The clay seems like a great place to start more research and seems like I need to find more locals! Thanks!

    • MaryBeth

      Member
      April 13, 2023 at 5:49 pm

      Thanks for sharing. I want to look up how to use the clay. I just purchased a product from IV Organics. It is made of diatomaceous earth and essential oils. You paint it on the bark to protect from insects and the sun. I can’t give a first hand report yet, but a YouTuber from Houston that I follow speaks very highly of it.

      • FlapdoodleFarm

        Member
        April 13, 2023 at 5:52 pm

        Thanks MaryBeth, that sounds promising 🙂

  • Lburky

    Member
    July 17, 2023 at 12:42 pm

    Check out JADAM natural farming

    https://youtube.com/@JADAMORGANIC

    I have all 3 of their books (not the edible wild herbs one). This method seems to be working well for our trees. David Good as well as several YouTubers also use this method.

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Lburky.
    • FlapdoodleFarm

      Member
      July 23, 2023 at 2:06 am

      Thank you! I got the JADAM organic farming one and will start it this week 🙂

  • jeffR

    Member
    August 9, 2023 at 12:17 am

    I agree with AlphaDelta depends where you are. I spray very little if needed. This year I have sprayed jap beetles on grapes apples and raspberries a couple times. Most years none.

  • Hippocrates_Garden

    Member
    August 9, 2023 at 12:20 am

    Look up Stefan Sobkowiak – The Permaculture Orchard – YouTube

    • Hippocrates_Garden

      Member
      August 9, 2023 at 12:21 am

      It’s possible, but few are willing to do what it takes, to get there. too “different”.

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