It's Time To Spray Lime Sulphur - Aug 01, 2008
Our Nectarine trees are starting to flower in the nursery, so it looks like we are going to have an early Spring. The leaf buds are starting to swell too, so now is the right time to spray your fruit trees with Lime Sulphur. This fungicide will prevent Leaf Curl from appearing on the leaves of Peach and Nectarine trees but you must use it before your trees start to sprout leaves. Leaf Curl is a fungus disease that causes the leaves on your fruit trees to become twisted and distorted. In severe cases the tree can defoliate. Once the tree has the disease it can't be treated until the following winter so don't put off spraying your trees now.
Lime Sulphur can also be used on your apple trees and rose bushes to help control black spot,powdery mildew,rusts,mites and some scale insects.
Be warned ,Lime Sulphur will make your garden smell like Rotorua so close your windows before spraying. The smell only lasts for about 10 minutes so don't panic.
Just reminding you that you only have a few weeks left to spray your lawn for Bindi or you will be doing the bindii ballet all summer long.
Tim Pickles is a horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.