Q. I am thinking of planting an apple orchard on my property. Does MSU have any current information about planting orchards? – Yellowstone County
A. Montana State University has released a new publication entitled Growing Fruit Trees in Montana. It has information about implementing an orchard, as well as results from a research study on Montana fruit trees. The publication will help you determine proper site selection and
preparation for your orchard, how to select cultivars, plant and maintain the trees, and select rootstock. It also shows the results of a three-year study establishing plum, pear, and apple tree orchards in 10 locations throughout Montana. The publication can be found online through MSU Extension Publications at http://store.msuextension.org and typing in 0222 into the search bar or by calling (406)-994-3273.
Q. The deer nearly ate every plant in my garden last year. Rather than fencing them out, I am thinking of using some deer repellent sprays. Do they work? I hate to spend the money if they don’t work. – Madison County
A. Deer can be one of the most destructive animals to landscape plants. If you live in an area that has deer, you already understand that deer, when hungry enough, will eat just about anything – including “deer resistant” plants. There are many different techniques for keeping them away from landscape plants and gardens, but the only proven way is to put up a fence higher than they can jump, which remarkably, might need to be eight feet tall. Deer repellent sprays can be effective, but not in all situations. They are often made with products that have an awful odor or taste and even a bittering agent – not something that you would want to put on your edible plants and most are not labeled for such application. There are some repellent sprays that are labeled for food crops, but they oftentimes need to be reapplied after every rainstorm or every time you overhead water. In addition, they can be very expensive. I would still recommend using a deer fence. There are many new deer fencing products that blend into your gardening landscape and are easy to install. Try an online search and you will find some great deer fencing available.
If you are still considering repellents, the best resource I have found is from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES.edu), An Overview and Cost Analysis of Deer Repellents for Homeowners and Landowners. It can be found online at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1370/ANR-1370.pdf
Q. I recently had a large cottonwood tree cut down and had much of it made into wood chips. I was told that if I use the wood chips for mulch it will kill the plants in my yard. Is this true? – Dawson County
A. Before I answer the question, I should explain the word “allelopathy.” Allelopathy refers to an inhibitory chemical released in the environment from one plant where it affects the development and growth of its neighboring plants. The best example of allelopathy is that of black walnut, where the walnut tree produces a chemical called “juglone” that inhibits growth of many landscape plants. However, cottonwood trees do not produce this compound. It is believed that the exudates (compounds excreted from plants) in cottonwood trees that are slightly allelopathic are from the roots and not from the above ground stems, branches or trunks. If you are concerned, wait a year to put the chips on the landscape plants. By then, there should no longer be any allelopathic residuals.
Do you have Master Gardener questions? Send them to bssa@montana.edu, subject: Master Gardener.