Are there some apples you want to protect or some grapes that need a little more time on the vine? Slip the fruit into clear perforated plastic bags as it approaches perfection. You’ll keep out critters while the fruit continues to ripen.
Scare away crows and other birds
Are the birds eating the fruit before you do? To foil them, dangle strips of aluminum foil or used CDs from the branches using monofilament fishing line. Even better, hang some foil wrapped seashells, which will make a bit of noise, to further startle fine-feathered thieves.
Protect strawberries from birds
Keep birds away from strawberries with 3⁄4-inch (2 cm) mesh rigged over hoops. Tie the ends around stakes or anchor the sides with bricks or stones.
Protect tree trunks
Wrap tree trunks with plastic guards to protect them against sunscald, nicks from lawn equipment, and rodents that like to nibble on bark. Choose the type that expands as your tree grows and has ventilation holes.
Prevent pests
Horticultural oil is an effective all-purpose pest preventive on fruit trees. To suffocate over wintering insects, use the heavier kind, called dormant oil, before trees leaf out. Use the lighter oil—known as summer oil—during the growing season.
The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc./GID
Protect fruit trees with plastic guards and prevent against sunscald, nicks and rodents.
