Nipping Trouble in the Bud: Ultimate Guide to Dormant Spraying. Protect Your Garden from Pests with Fall & Spring Applications

Did you know insects are hiding in your trees, waiting to feast on new buds come spring? Discover the game-changing secret to healthier, pest-free trees with a simple fall and spring dormant spray routine!

Many insects spend the winter tucked away as egg masses in tree crevices and cracks, waiting to hatch just as young, tender buds, leaves, or petals emerge. Their timing aligns perfectly with the appearance of these food sources, resulting in an appetite that rivals a bear’s post-hibernation.

Surprisingly, many new and even experienced home gardeners are unaware of this cycle. They may find themselves disappointed in the performance of their fruit, nut, flowering, and shade trees, despite following recommendations for feeding, watering, pruning, and in-season spraying. Unfortunately, insect and disease issues are often well established long before gardeners finish browsing their early seed catalogs.

The Solution: Late Fall and Early Spring Dormant Sprays

Dormant sprays are available online or at local garden centers, such as this option:
Bonide All Seasons Horticultural Dormant Spray Oil.

Applying an dormant spray at the right time and in the correct manner can significantly improve the health and productivity of your garden.

When and How to Apply Dormant Spray

The first application should occur in the fall, after all leaves have dropped from fruit, nut, and other deciduous trees. Dormant spraying also benefits leafy shrubs, hedges, grapevines, and berry bushes. Choose a mild fall day between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., ensuring no rain or freezing temperatures are forecasted for the next 24 hours. Follow this mixture:

1. Fill a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer jar with 1 cup of biodegradable liquid dish soap and 2 tablespoons of antiseptic mouthwash.
2. Fill the rest of the sprayer jar with water.

Spray all plants you intend to treat, following up with a dormant spray. Following all label instructions on the dormant spray.

Repeating in Early Spring

In early spring, before buds begin to swell and open, repeat each step on a similarly mild day. Dormant sprays can be applied to any tree or shrub that loses its leaves in the fall, no matter where you are in the country.

With this approach, you’ll hopefully be rewarded with the healthiest and most productive trees and shrubs you’ve ever grown!