Hi, Ashley. Here it is, all wrapped up with a bow, courtesy of U. Cal. Misterbaby.

Here is a link that might be useful: The California Backyard Orchard

Also, Ashley, I think you would find it quite useful to watch the two-part video from U. Cal on the Home Orchard with Chuck Ingels. These are the lectures they use to train the Master Gardeners in your state. These are well done. Misterbaby.

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Orchard Videos

You are supposed to spray 3 times--Fall, midwinter and just before bud break. Dormant oil (for bugs) is not supposed to be done at the same time as sprays for diseases (copper or sulphur) You can't spray right before a rain.

I find this impossible. My trees didn't even lose their leaves until Thanksgiving, and I had to hand-strip a lot of them. And as you may remember, we then had a MAJOR freeze (for us) and then it started raining and then fog and then rain, etc. I was going to do it after New Year's but got busy. And then SPROING! we had a little warm-up and my early peaches sprouted leaves, and my pluots have buds already. I sprayed last week-end for diseases, but it's too late for peach-leaf-curl on my early peaches. I haven't gotten around to the dormant oil yet.

Do what you can, something is better than nothing, and don't beat yourself up (like I do) if you are late, or you don't follow the "schedule". Remember this is a hobby--it's supposed to be fun! (note to self...)

And FYI, I use "Micro-Cop" for diseases (it's OK for organic) becuase I have apricots, and you should NEVER use anything with sulphur-lime on apricots, it can kill them.

Carla in Sac

Since you live in Santa Clara County, you can follow this fruit tree care chart available on the Santa Clars County Master Gardener website. I find it very useful.

I just finished spraying my deciduous fruit trees (about two dozen assorted trees) with Microcop today. I wanted to get it done before the rain we are expecting next week moves in. Some years I use Bordeaux mixture, also copper-based.

It was none too soon. Some of the trees had silver tipped buds beginning to swell. I'm glad I didn't wait.

Rosefolly

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit Tree Care Chart

Thanks for all the information. I am still trying to digest it all and locate all the products that I need! And the upcoming rain deluge will buy me time.
Carla, - it is very difficult to remember that this is a hobby and supposed to be fun! I need to write that down to remind myself every so often.
Rosefolly and Carla, where did you buy Microcop from?

I can't remember where I bought the Microcop from--I think they sell it at Lowe's and OSH. Maybe Home Depot. It comes as a powder you mix, and with a bottle of "Staystuck" (or something like that), which you add to the mix to make it stick better to the branches. It's very green (so you can see where you are spraying it) but it will stain your sprayer!

And although I applaud your optimistic attitude, I don't think the upcoming flood is supposed to be a cold one, so it may NOT buy you time, they may pop during the rain. But we will all keep our fingers crossed for no flooding, cold temps, and snow in the mountains!

Carla in Sac

This topic is right down my alley.

Here in the southern part of the state, we have had only a few inches of rain in almost a year. So I decided yesterday would be a good day to do the lime-sulfur on the peach/deciduous trees.

Fine - Soooo - it rained! In view of the more important issue of water rationing, which has been in effect for several months - perhaps I SHOULD spray more often. To heck with peach leaf curl, we NEED the rain!!!!

Agree - it must be fun - or else!

Bejay