Month: April 2025

Vermont orchards are generally at green tip bud stage for the coolest locations in the state to tight cluster in warmer locations. Apple scab continues to be the primary pest management consideration of concern. I recommend maintaining a protectant fungicide and, given the off and on wetting of the last few days that has likely…

The recent warm weather has advanced apple bud stages significantly — we are at the half-inch green stage at UVM HREC and continued warm weather should keep things moving. I recorded a video at the orchard yesterday showing the bud development at the farm and discussing the need for disease management this week. Thankfully, there…

Join the University of Vermont Extension and Vermont Tree Fruit Grower’s Association at these hands-on field meetings at Yates Family Orchard in Monkton on May 8th and Wellwood Orchard in Springfield on May 9th from 4:30-6 p.m. We will discuss commercial tree fruit management practices, value added products, marketing, pest and disease updates, pollinators, and…

I am trying out some 21st-century technology this week. First, I dictated my message while on my commute (with light editing), so the ‘writing’ style and length may be a bit different than folks are used to. Second, I recorded an update from the UVM orchard and placed on our YouTube channel. I intend to…

I think burying my call for folks interested in receiving traps for orchard monitoring at the bottom of my first email last week left it unseen, so I’m resending on its own. Scouting season is almost here in Vermont orchards. We have some funds available to distribute traps to growers around the state to help…

Good morning: The growing season just keeps getting closer, I am calling today as the start of silver tip in McIntosh trees at the UVM Horticulture Research and Education Center. That means that the need for regular pest management is right on our doorstep. For decades, the UMASS Fruit IPM program published the ‘March Message’…