Buds on fruit trees may be starting to plump or fatten up getting ready to burst into blossom as the days get longer and the temperatures warmer.

Pick

Tamarillos, Persimmon , Citrus – lemons, limes, mandarins and cumquat, and avocados

Plant

All deciduous fruit trees can be planted in July, August and September while the plants are still dormant. The widest selection will be available in garden stores now.
All fruit require a position in full sun. Shelter from prevailing winds is preferable.
Raspberries, Currents, Gooseberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Blackberries can all be planted too.
Lift and divide established Rhubarb crowns.

Strawberries

• Its strawberry planting time, to ensure a good strawberry crop the plants need to have a period of winter chilling.
• The cold temperature helps stimulate the flower buds which produce the fruit.
• Prepare beds by working soil over with a fork, blend in super sheep pellets, a layer of strawberry potting mix and strawberry fertiliser prior to planting.

Tasks

Protect

• In frost prone areas or for sensitive plants, protect tender fruit trees with frost cloth. 
• Move tender fruiting crops growing in containers somewhere warmer for the winter.
• Spray deciduous fruits trees with a winter clean up spray (Lime Sulphur) to remove any lingering pests and diseases. 

Prune

• Pruning promotes new growth which means more fruiting power and capacity. It also allows more light into the plant/tree. Always remove dead and diseased wood. 
• Prune grapes and kiwifruit before the sap starts to move, in warmer areas this may be your last chance to prune, in colder parts it can be done over the next month or so. 
• Prune Feijoa once fruiting is over. 
• Prune Apples, Pears and apricots, avoid pruning peaches, plums and almonds in winter because it can spread the silver leaf virus. These fruits should be pruned in summer to limit its spread.

Fertilise

• Fertilise fruit trees in containers in warmer areas with Novatec, in cold areas wait until October.

Weeds

• Keep orchards and the areas around fruit trees weed free.
• Only use weed sprays that are non-residual near fruit trees.

Stake/ Espalier

• Stake all young fruit trees to enable to roots to anchor themselves into the soil for the first few seasons.
• Tie down malleable branches to maintain or establish espalier framework, after August the sap starts moving again and the stems begin to firm up.