A Fall Checklist for Pawpaw Growers
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The kickoff has happened – game on!
There are two distinct phases to the fall season: peak harvest and pre-winter wind down.
Right now, many folks are road tripping to forage or visit Pawpaw Festivals and Events.
After harvest levels off, review our fall checklist to protect and prepare trees for dormancy.
Atypical weather patterns are increasingly impacting pawpaw trees. Don’t get caught off guard when Mother Nature serves out unfavorable conditions.
Atmospheric scientist Eric Snodgrass is an excellent and reliable source for “big picture” outlooks and detailed regional forecasts. Catch him daily on YouTube or subscribe (for free) to the Weather Intelligence National Report.
Fall Checklist
- Harvest fruit and process the pulp for immediate use or frozen storage
- Clean, save, and store seeds for cold stratification until spring
- Continue to monitor for pests and diseases
- Scout for pawpaw patches using the bright yellow leaves as telltale signs
- Perform soil testing to evaluate spring fertilizing strategies
- Paint tree trunks white to avoid sunscald and other bark injury
- Clean up and remove fallen leaves while adding extra mulch around trees if needed
- Complete any fall plantings at least a month before the first hard frost
- Safeguard mature trees from potential deer rubbing damage
- Bury potted trees in the ground or in raised beds for winter protection
Only 91 days until Winter Solstice! Visit our Winter Checklist to prepare for off-season tasks.
