Creating clean wholesome food on our own has been our quest since 1970. During that time we have tried many experiments in order to achieve this goal. We followed the philosophy and practices of the Rodale school of organic gardening and extended these ideas to include the raising of livestock commercially without the use of any modern hi-tech poisons. In all of these endeavors we were successful. The one glaring failure was our inability to grow fruit undamaged by insects unless we used modern chemical protections.
There are growers who claim to have mastered the production of fruit without the use of chemical protections. However, what we have found is that these orchards are being treated with a different array of sprays that their owners consider to be safe. I might remind the reader that such claims have been made for all of the chemical sprays which the organic school finds currently unacceptable. We consider all sprays to be suspect if they are toxic to insects. We suspect that eventually some or all of these products will be found to be health risks to some degree also. For these reasons we sought an alternative way to prevent insect damage.
Our solution is to use fabric as a barrier to insects in the same way it is used to protect living space. Covering trees with mosquito netting, window screening, tulle or even flexible spun row covers will provide complete protection without chemical contamination of your fruit. Fabric barriers "bug bags" so to speak, are the modern alternative to chemical protection.
The problems which arise from this technology are mostly concerned with the location of the trees and the local climate. Our experience with flexible row covers taught us not to use them in a very windy location or where the position of the tree will turn the fabric into a barricade to the prevailing wind. Such a site will eventually cause the fabric to disintegrate. One of the stronger fabrics would be necessary in such a location. However if wind is not a problem row covers are a good choice in frost prone areas because they provide some frost protection. Heavier screening materials do not help much against frost but do provide protection against hail of small or moderate size.
Fabrics vary regarding light transmission. I do not have precise data on this but even a cursory glance will tell you that the heavier and denser screening and netting fabrics do block a small amount of light. If the site has barely enough sun hours a day or is a cloudy or shady location pick a fabric with higher light transmission.
By now you are probably wondering how to cover fruit trees with fabric. The best solution we found was to train dwarf trees to a fence. This is an old European tradition and works well here. When planted along a fence with branches tied to horizontal wires and pruned to eliminate branches growing out from the fence the shape allows fabric to be easily hung over the top wire and draped down both sides. The periodic pruning which this method requires results in more extensive fruit bud development and less leaf and twig growth. We secure the edges of the fabric with spring loaded clothes pins. This results in a very productive and manageable orchard with a very high degree of insect protection. Periodically during the summer the fabric is separated for routine pruning or other attention. It's a good idea to use an oil based spray in the early spring to suffocate the eggs of any insect which were deposited after harvest when the fabric was removed. It is also a good idea to place tape with tangle foot on it around each tree trunk to frustrate crawling insects. I apply fabric after blooming when pollination is complete. If this does not work for you apply your fabric during dormancy and then remove it for a few hours during peak blossoming. Experience will teach you the correct procedure for your particular site.
It is possible to grow great fruit without poisonous sprays by covering trees with fabric specially made for fruit trees. |
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If you have not yet planted your trees, you can do everything correctly from the start. Pick a site with as much sun as possible, good air drainage and decent soil. Position your trees so that the prevailing wind blows along your fence rather than crosswise to it. Your trees should be where you will see them on a daily basis for if they are out of sight they will also be out of mind.
Go to a fabric store or hardware store and look at various types of fabric. Catalogues which carry supplies for greenhouse growers are also an excellent source of insect proof netting. If you want to hire out your needs there are companies online that do this kind of work. Companies which make structures covered with netting are what you are looking for. These sources will make up screening materials in practically any configuration you want including attaching Velcro edging and so forth. We just use the clothes pins but other solutions are fine. It is a matter of how much you want to spend.
If you have single trees which are too mature to train to a fence construct a bag which accommodates their shape and place it over the tree. We like to use the fabric known as tulle for these situations. When you design these, sew enough fabric together to cover the top and hang down far enough to be gathered at the trunk. Secure with cord or a bungee. If semi-dwarf or standard trees are trained to the umbrella shape covering them is not difficult. A couple of long poles can be used to float the fabric up over the tree.
Pruning trees which you cover with a bug bag should be done during the growing season and about the same time as the June drop occurs with apples. You will need to occasionally open up the bottom of the bag to empty out the dropped fruit. When doing this necessary work take the time to break off every water sprout. Do not cut them off as they will only grow again. Break them off and they usually will not sprout again. This also creates many more fruit buds and spurs than would normally be the case. If this pruning is done faithfully each summer and the terminal bud at the end of each branch is removed the tree will not outgrow its cover for many years if ever.
Some concluding philosophical remarks are in order. The first is that most of us are complicit in the destruction of our planet. We are guilty because we buy products that are produced in ways which cause environmental harm. In the sixties we had the phrase "If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem." Or, as was stated in the old Pogo cartoon, "We have met the enemy and he is us."
This information is offered as a solution to one aspect of our poisoned food system. It is our hope that growers will adopt these ideas and adapt them to as many situations as possible. When millions of people accept the responsibility of protecting their plants from insect damage with fabric barriers part of the solution to environmental degradation and endemic disease will be realized. We also hope that this information sparks the creation of many homestead businesses to provide these products on as wide and convenient a level as is possible. We are not interested in creating such a business but will be glad to assist anyone who is. We can be reached at Terry and Susan Moore, Bramble Hill Farm, 1413 Eckel Dr., Lucinda, PA 16235.
