North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>]

Rondi,
    Most of my trees are mulched and they bloom at the same time the
unmulched trees bloom.  I've got two Honey Crisp Apple Trees, one mulched
and one not, and they bloom concurrently.
-- 

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN
www.bberryfarm.com
Jams, Jellies and Syrups



Donna's comments about her plums waiting reminded me about something I
noticed in my orchard this year. Most of my peaches are small and don't
have mulch around them, but my Contender that I bought and is taller I
mulched heavily with straw last year because of the drought we were
experiencing. I didn't pull it away during the winter because the
drought just never let up until two weeks ago. I noticed this spring
this tree was about 2 weeks late to blossom compared others in the
area. The only difference I can see is the mulch.

What I am wondering is if it would make sense to mulch trees that are
known to bloom before they ought to slow them down? Anyone else have
experience with this? I would like to hear other such experiences.

Thanks,

Rondi