Category: IPM
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Vermont Apple IPM: Apple scab risk is increasing
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…
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2025 UVM Extension Spring Orchard Twilight Meetings May 8 and 9
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…
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VT Apple IPM- Starting the 2025 season
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…
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Interested in orchard pest scouting in 2025?
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…
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Starting the 2025 growing season
My longtime colleague and predecessor in this Extension role, Lorraine Berkett, always used to stress that “the growing season starts April 1”. By that she didn’t mean that we should be firing up sprayers by April Fools’ Day— although in one year I did make my first copper application to the orchard on March 30—…
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February 21: 129th VTFGA / UVM Fruit Program Annual Meeting and Winter Webinar series
Happy New Year: I have news of two exciting educational opportunities coming up in the next few months. First, the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association will hold their 129th (!) annual meeting in conjunction with the UVM Fruit Program on Friday, February 21 at the American Legion Hall, 49 Wilson Rd., Middlebury, VT. The agenda…
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VT Grape IPM
Vine growth is flushing out rapidly in Vermont vineyards, with many vines at or approaching 5-8” shoot growth. We are entering a critical window of disease management when anthracnose, black rot, Phomopsis, and powdery mildew can all be active. There isn’t a lot of rain in the forecast, but showers mid-week may cause enough wetting…
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Veraison in Vermont vineyards: birds, petiole testing, disease, harvest planning
Grapes are at or near veraison in Vermont vineyards, which signals the start of fruit ripening. At the UVM vineyard, have observed Marquette at veraison as of at least August 4, Petite Pearl and Itasca are changing color about now, and Verona is just around the corner. This is an important time of year for…
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VT Apple IPM: Thinning, fire blight, scab
May 20, 2021 It’s looking pretty hot out there in more ways than one. Many orchards are at or near petal fall, but those with bloom should be keeping the streptomycin sprays on, with all this heat we’re having. Fire blight remains a concern statewide, and I would expect some infection in any orchard that…
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Webinar tomorrow: NEWA 2.0: Project upgrades for 2021
Here’s a reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday March 30, we will host the final New England Winter Fruit Seminar of the season: NEWA 2.0: Project upgrades for 2021. More information and registration at: https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/events/newa-20-project-upgrades-for-2021. Please plan to register at least 30 minutes prior to the webinar, which will run from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. The webinar…