Apple Scab infection period expected Monday night through Tuesday, April 25-26

By Terence Bradshaw

Apple scab primary ascospore development is moving along in Vermont orchards, with most orchards having approximately 8-15% mature spores according to NEWA models. This will likely be our first significant infection period of the 2016 season, and growers should be prepared. Bud stages are all over the map right now depending on location, from earliest green tip in the colder uplands to late half-inch green tip / early tight cluster in the warmest valleys. Winds look a bit on the high side today but drop down to reasonable levels for spraying by late afternoon/this evening and through tomorrow, so this looks like the best window to apply protective materials.