Autumn often brings us the picture of fallen apples densely covering the ground under the trees, adding to the charm of the garden with their bright colors. However, from a gardening point of view, these fruits are not as safe as they seem. Left unattended, they can lead to a number of problems that will negatively affect the overall condition of the garden and the future harvest. Professional gardeners recommend not to ignore fallen fruits and collect them regularly. This not only helps to avoid pests and diseases, but also helps maintain a healthy soil structure and a stable environment for tree growth. Let’s take a closer look at why collecting fallen apples is an important step in garden care.
Pest Danger: From Worms to Flies
A fallen apple is often a home for pests. It can contain eggs or larvae of worms, flies, and even some insect pests that willingly reproduce in a favorable environment for them. If the fruits are left to rot on the ground, they will quickly become a source of infection for other trees and fruits. Thus, we risk creating colonies of pests that can cause significant crop losses not only this year, but also in subsequent seasons. By regularly collecting fallen fruits, the gardener controls the pest population and reduces the risk of infection of the entire garden.
Fungal infections and bacterial diseases
The decay of fruits creates an ideal environment for the development of pathogenic fungi and bacteria. These organisms easily pass to healthy trees and cause various diseases, such as scab or rot, which weaken the wood and reduce yield. Pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply in rotting apples, and wind, rain and insects contribute to their spread to other parts of the garden. Removing fallen fruits is a simple but effective way to avoid disease epidemics and ensure the longevity of trees.
Impact on soil acidity and balance
A fallen and rotting apple on the ground changes the composition of the soil, primarily its acidity. Although some amount of organic matter is useful for plants, its excess can disrupt the balance of nutrients and cause oversaturation of the soil with acids. This is especially dangerous for young seedlings, whose root system has not yet adapted to high acidity and other chemical changes. Instead of leaving the fruits to rot, they can be used for compost, which allows you to control the quality and quantity of organic matter introduced. Compost from decomposing apples will become a useful fertilizer that will saturate the soil with the necessary elements and will not harm the trees.
Preventive cleaning
Regular cleaning of fallen apples has not only a practical but also an aesthetic role. A clean garden without rotten fruits looks neat and creates more favorable conditions for tree growth. In addition, the collected apples can be used as fertilizer or sent for composting, turning a potential problem into a resource for nourishing the soil. This approach will help keep the garden healthy, minimize the harmful effects of pests and diseases, and prepare it for the new harvest season.
By keeping the garden clean and regularly cleaning up fallen fruit, we contribute to the future of our harvest and guarantee the longevity of the trees. This simple step will help maintain the balance of the garden ecosystem and ensure its stable development for many years.
