Estill County Farm Scoop
February 2025 Edition
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Estill County Farm Scoop - February 2025
Simple pruning tips for your fruit trees during the dormant season
All fruit trees must be pruned and trained to enhance fruit production, as the way the tree is shaped will impact fruit yield, fruit size and ripening. In Kentucky, the ideal time to prune fruit trees is in late winter or early spring.
Both newly planted and mature fruit trees must be pruned to maintain size and shape. Here are some easy tips:
- For young trees, pruning to a strong central leader with four to five lateral branches is most common.
Heading cuts can be done on mature trees to control the tree's height; thinning cuts can open up the canopy and maximize sunlight and airflow. For older, overgrown trees that need heavier pruning, removing up to 1/3 of the larger branches over several years will help rejuvenate the tree.
- Pruning cuts should be made at the base of the branches, leaving a ¼” to ½” branch collar intact for proper healing. Dead and diseased shoots and limbs should be removed, as well as any shriveled or ‘mummy’ fruit remaining on the tree.
- Sharp pruners or loppers should be used to ensure clean cuts. Sanitize the tool blades between each cut with rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution so as not to spread any disease that may be present.
For more information on pruning apple trees, visit the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/UKAgriculture.
East-Central Kentucky Turf Professionals Training
Thursday, March 6, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Estill County Extension Office, 76 Golden Court, Irvine
Please call 606-723-4557 to pre-register by February 28th
Certified Pesticide Applicators: Kentucky Depart. of Agriculture (4) continuing education units approved.
(See flyer in PDF newsletter for more details)
Lunch & Learn: Homesteading Basics
- Thursday, February 13 - The Buzz About Honey
- Thursday, February 27 - All About Mushrooms
- Thursday, March 13 - Beginner Gardening
- Thursday, March 27 - Farming & Estate Financial Planning
Each program will begin at 12 noon at the Estill County Extension Office.
Please call 606-723-4557 to sign up.
CAIP INFORMATIONAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 10TH AT 6:00 P.M.
Call 606-723-4557 to sign up. Meal will be served at 6:00 p.m. Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Estill County Cattlemen's Association and Beef Producers
Meeting will be held February 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the Estill County Extension Office.
Melissa Worrell will be our guest speaker. There will be a meal so call 606-723-4557 to sigh up to attend.
To view the entire newsletter, please download the PDF.
