Destroying Unwanted Garden Growth: Eliminating Moss, Fungus, and Lichen from Trees
In the heart of every gardener lies a desire to see their plants thrive. Here's a guide to help your vegetable garden explode with crop growth and your fruit trees flourish, while also providing tips for winter storage of your produce.
First, let's talk about your vegetable garden. Five feedings can work wonders, making vegetables grow like crazy. The key is to time your feedings right. For best results, feed your plants in late spring, early summer, mid-summer, and again in autumn. And remember, a sixth feeding in early winter can give your garden a final boost before the cold sets in [1].
Now, let's move on to your fruit trees. The beauty of the flowers planted from the second half of August is indescribable, creating a paradise-like garden. But to keep your trees healthy, there are a few things to consider.
Sooty mold, lichens, and mosses can be a nuisance on fruit tree bark. Here's how to effectively remove and control them:
- Sooty Mold: This mold grows on honeydew secreted by pests like mealybugs. Controlling these pests indirectly reduces sooty mold. Early detection and removal of pests can be done by physically scraping with a butter knife or brushing them off, using horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps, and encouraging natural predators like birds [1].
- Lichens: These often grow on tree bark and are usually harmless. While they do not penetrate the bark deeply or cause direct damage, they may not be aesthetically pleasing. Gently scrubbing with a soft brush or washing the bark with water can remove lichens without harming the tree [2].
- Moss: Moss grows on bark surface in moist, shaded conditions. Removing moss can be done by gently scraping or brushing off moss from the bark surface, improving air circulation by pruning nearby branches to reduce humidity, using mild treatments such as a diluted vinegar spray applied for 15–20 minutes repeatedly over a week, followed by rinsing, which is safe for plants [2]. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach directly on bark as they can damage living tissue; the bleach method is more suitable for pavements rather than trees [2].
For optimal tree health, treat trees with an iron sulfate solution (300g in 10 liters of water) [3]. Dandelions can also be used as a natural pesticide [4].
Lastly, let's discuss winter storage. A pumpkin spread can be made for winter storage without frying. Simply cook and puree your pumpkins, then store them in airtight containers in the freezer [5].
By following these tips, you'll be on your way to a thriving garden and healthy fruit trees, ready to enjoy your harvest all year round.
[1] Gardening Know How. (2021). How to Feed Vegetable Plants. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/how-to-feed-vegetable-plants.htm
[2] The Spruce. (2021). How to Get Rid of Moss on Trees. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/remove-moss-from-trees-3122697
[3] The Spruce. (2021). How to Fertilize Fruit Trees. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-fertilize-fruit-trees-2132881
[4] The Spruce. (2021). How to Get Rid of Sooty Mold on Trees. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/remove-sooty-mold-from-trees-3122698
[5] The Spruce Eats. (2021). How to Freeze Pumpkin Puree. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/freeze-pumpkin-puree-3026196
Maintaining a healthful garden lifestyle extends beyond vegetable and fruit production. In the realms of home-and-garden, homeowners would find gardening essential to effectively removing and controlling harmful growths like sooty mold, lichens, and mosses on fruit tree bark, while opting for natural pesticides such as dandelions for tree health.
