Gardeners are being warned not to leave fallen fruit to rot in their garden as it can have costly consequences. Fall is upon us, and the green leaves are turning shades of red, yellow and brown, while the bulbs are multiplying rapidly in the ground.
The change of season inevitably comes with fruit and debris falling from our garden trees. While it may seem tempting to let them decompose naturally into the ground, an expert has warned that this can lead to damage.
Horticulture expert James Lewis of MyBuilder.com warned: “Picking fruit may seem like an unnecessary chore, but it can actually cost you a lot more time, energy and even money if you leave it.
“Unpleasant consequences such as the smell it causes are one thing – but attracting rats or causing the tree to die is quite another.”
An expert has listed five key reasons why fruit should not be left to rot on the ground, from attracting unwanted pests to triggering the growth of several new trees.
1. Attracting pests
Insects such as wasps and bees are attracted to fresh and just-rotting fruit, but this can interfere with enjoying the garden and possibly lead to stings or bites.
However, a more significant problem arises when rotting fruit attracts pests such as rats. The scent of the fruit, which provides significant nutrition, rats can cause an infestation that is not only distressing but also costly. Pest removal costs start at around £100 and can go up if the pests are difficult to remove.
2. Diseases
Fallen fruit left to rot on the lawn is a breeding ground for various bacteria and fungi. This poses a risk as it can spread to the tree from which it fell and even to adjacent healthy plants.
According to the horticultural expert, “If your tree becomes diseased and needs removal, the cost can be in excess of £200. The battle to save diseased trees can also be very expensive and the methods are often ineffective.”
3. Growth of weeds
Weeds usually sprout around fruit trees where fallen fruit has been left to rot. Rotting fruit enriches the soil with organic matter, creating ideal conditions for weed growth. You can remove the weeds yourself with a herbicide, but this is an expensive task that consumes your time and money.
4. Ruin the lawn
Fallen fruit on the lawn can have several adverse effects on the lawn by blocking sunlight and air, which can damage or even kill the grass if the fruit is not removed quickly.
Within a day, the grass may begin to turn yellow; in two days it can go dormant, and after only two weeks of dropped fruit it can begin to die. The cost of revitalizing a lawn can be high, and lawn treatments are expensive and sometimes ineffective. In the worst case, a new lawn may be necessary.
5. Plant spread on certain trees
Leaving the fruit on the lawn can lead to the rapid spread of the seeds. Certain species, such as apple trees, can spread quickly through their fruit, so unless you want a forest of fruit trees on your lawn, it’s best to remove the fruit immediately.
Finally, the expert told what gardeners should do instead of letting their fruit rot on the ground, he said: “Take the fruit and throw it in a compost pile far from home or take it to the top if necessary. Doing so will save you a lot of potential problems.”
