Help needed winterizing trees!

October 3, 2008 10:06 AM

Few questions on winterizing young trees and bushes.

First off my climate zone is 4-5. Winters can get to slightly under zero. I have several fruit trees and berry bushes that are 1-2 years old. I searched online and I got several different ways of winterizing my trees. I guess my questions are:

What type of mulch should I use?

Should I rap the bottoms of the trees with something to protect them from the cold?

What type of fertilizer (if any) should I use?

Is there any type of anti-whatever I should spray them with now for the spring?

posted by Mastercheddaar to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

Best answer: What type of mulch should I use?

Compost or leafmould. You can use straw, but it will blow about.

Should I rap the bottoms of the trees with something to protect them from the cold?

It's not so much the lower part of the tree, as the thin twigs and branches that will need protecting. You can get horticultural fleece to cover over the plants with on frosty nights.

What type of fertilizer (if any) should I use?

Nothing at all over the winter. The tree doesn't need it, and won't be taking it up, so you'll be wasting your money at best. Come Spring, when the plant starts to bud and leaf out, is when you should feed.

Is there any type of anti-whatever I should spray them with now for the spring?

You can use a tar wash. It's basically a strong chemical mixture that is sprayed onto the tree to kill off any dormant insects or whatever. It's not often recommended these days, and can be difficult to get hold of. If you don't have any pests, I wouldn't worry too much.
posted by Solomon at 11:44 AM on October 3, 2008

Response by poster: Thx Solomon. I will probably start this all tomorrow. If anyone else has any tidbits of info they would like to share please feel free to.
posted by Mastercheddaar at 12:32 PM on October 3, 2008