ORGANIC PECAN & FRUIT TREE PROGRAM
UPDATE 2011
Pecan trees and most other fruit trees can be grown organically with great success. Pecan trees and other fruit trees should never have bare soil in the root zone, but should always be covered with native shredded mulches and/or native grasses and legumes. Trees should be planted high with natural organic techniques. Trunk flares should be easily visible. Exposing the flares properly is the most important first step.
SOIL FEEDING SCHEDULE (First Year)
Round #1 February: Mechanically aerate root zone and apply organic fertilizer @ 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., whole ground cornmeal at 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., dry molasses @ 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., and zeolite at 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
Round #2 June: Organic fertilizer @ 10 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. and greensand @ 40 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Use soft rock phosphate or Flora-Stim at 40 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
Round #3 September: Organic fertilizer @ 10 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. and sul-po-mag @ 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Clean wood charcoal can also be used. See Terra Petra on DirtDoctor.com. To refine the program, take soil samples and send to Texas Plant and Soil Lab for analysis and recommendations. Be sure to add a note that your program will be organic and that test results should be sent to the Natural Organic Warehouse for additional recommendations based on the soil tests.
SPRAY SCHEDULE
1st spraying: Spray Garrett Juice Plus and BioWash, drench Garrett Juice Plus and Tree & Shrub THRIVE at pink bud.
2nd spraying: After flowers have fallen. For best results, spray every two weeks, but at least once a month.
3rd spraying: About June 15th (later in northern locations).
4th spraying: Last week in August through mid September. Use additional sprayings as time and budget allow.
Note: If other quality organic sprays are used, make sure apple cider vinegar is included at one ounce per gallon.
ALTERNATE PROGRAM (After first year or for limited budget projects)
1) Apply dry molasses at 20 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
2) Spray Garrett Juice Plus, Tree and Shrub THRIVE and BioWash every 30 days.
PRUNING
Very little pruning is needed or recommended. Maintain cover crops and/or natural mulch under the trees year round. Never cultivate the soil under pecan and fruit trees.
INSECT RELEASE
Trichogramma wasps: Weekly releases of 10,000 - 20,000 eggs per acre or residential lot starting at bud break for 3 weeks.
Green lacewings: Release at 4,000 eggs per acre or residential lot weekly for one month.
Ladybugs: Optional and as needed - release 1,500 - 2,000 adult beetles per 1,000 sq. ft. when shiny honeydew is on foliage.
