Make sure to provide overwintering habitats so that predators are on hand to step in when pests begin to become a nuisance next year – piles of stones or twigs, hedges and hollow standing plant stems all make great habitats, or you can make a bug hotel.

Although this method is not fully organic as it’s a winter operation it will not affect any bees plus will reduce the need to treat the apple trees in the spring and summer. Autumn and winter are key times for the preparations for growing fruit such as apples, pears, and nectarines plus other fruits the following summer. Fruit Tree Grease is an easy-to-use brush-on, monitoring trap. Preventing wingless female moths from climbing fruit trees and laying eggs in tree bark crevices, it can be applied now and re-applied late winter to ensure fruit trees enter spring healthy and free of eggs. Winter washing can be an effective way to rid yourself of overwintering pests and fungal spores on fruit trees. It is possible to find ‘organic’ solutions for this purpose. But in an organic garden, winter washing is not necessarily a good idea. If your trees are surrounded by soil rather than grass, rake around them to expose overwintering pupae of bugs such as sawfly to frost and birds. 4. Prevent Ring-barking by Rabbits and Other Rodents

Prepare the solution: Mix the horticultural oil with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The solution should typically be around 2-3% horticultural oil and 97-98% water. One simple way to protect your trees during the winter is by giving them a ‘winter wash’. As you might expect, this involves removing the dirt, dust, and debris that may have built up on the tree’s bark and leaves. Not only does this help prevent pests and diseases, but it also allows for better air and light penetration, which can help the tree stay healthy. As leaves tumble to reveal bare branches, nights become longer and frosts fiercer, it can be tempting to believe that pests are no longer on the prowl. But late autumn and early winter is a crucial time of year for preventative pest control on fruit trees. The larvae of lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies are voracious pest-munchers. Weather permitting, the period between autumn and spring is a good time to establish more nectar-rich perennial flowers to attract these and other pest predators. Try bugle ( Ajuga reptans), asters, daisies or lavender for starters. Make your garden a haven for wildlife, and ladybirds and other predators will help to control pests

Normally an apple tree will have two types of growth. The first being the fruiting buds stems with short stubby nodes or buds about 5mm to 10mm long with rings around the base, these are the fruiting buds and these stems need leaving unless you are reshaping the apple tree because these buds are next crop of flowers and fruit.Made from a blend of natural plant and fish oils, this winter tree wash is formulated to remove debris and dirt from trees to help protect against overwintering pests.

The time is ripe for garden enthusiasts to protect trees and bushes from insects and aphids looking for prime spots to lay their eggs this winter. To help prepare for the harsh months ahead, Vitax has developed three products to keep insects at bay. Winter Tree Wash, Fruit Tree Grease and Tree Bands have each been created to ensure trees remain in tip-top condition during the colder months. The first step is to use a jet of water to dislodge aphid eggs. If this isn’t successful, try an organic winter wash based on plant or fish oils. It will destroy aphid eggs and other overwintering pests. For it to be effective, a winter wash needs to be applied in early winter, after the leaves have dropped, and again in spring before the trees burst into growth.The GardenAdvice team are often asked about apple trees by a lot of clients, the key really is to set them up in the later autumn and winter months which will generate some great fruit later in the autumn. To winter wash fruit trees, you should first remove any dead or diseased branches, then use a solution of water and horticultural oil such as Vitax winter wash or Jeyes fluid to spray the entire tree, including the trunk and branches. The solution should be applied when temperatures are above freezing and the tree is dormant. This will help to control pests and diseases that may be overwintering on the tree. It is also recommended to prune the tree properly and make sure the soil is well drained and mulched to protect the tree from cold temperatures. For best results apply in calm dry conditions from late September through to February. For fruit trees, treat after leaf fall and prior to bud break in spring. Today, in the UK, Bordeaux mixture is illegal. A replacement is made by VITAX, which is now the only firm in the UK manufacturing a winter fruit tree wash. The Vitax replacement is legal and effective. It is based on natural plant and fish oils, and it works by physical means: in other words, it can be used on edible crops, because it is non-toxic and is suitable for organic growing. It should be applied in dry conditions during the trees’ dormant period. Gently scrub the bark and branches with the brush or cloth, paying close attention to areas where you can see a lot of dirt or debris

A winter wash is something I always make a point of doing during the colder months. Here, I’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to winter wash trees, as well as some tips for managing different types of trees. How do I winter wash my trees?Gather your materials: You will need a water hose, a sprayer or a garden sprayer, a solution of water and horticultural oil Vitax winter wash or Jeyes Fluid, and a ladder if your tree is tall.