{"id":2246,"date":"2026-08-19T07:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/?page_id=2246"},"modified":"2026-08-19T07:59:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:59:11","slug":"archives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/archives\/","title":{"rendered":"Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Time to be thinking about ReTain in Vermont orchards<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

It is time to be thinking about applying ReTain to apples in Vermont orchards. This plant growth regulator slow ethylene production, thereby delaying ripening, reducing fruit drop, and allowing the grower (or customer) to harvest firmware, fresher fruit. Ione important consideration this year is that ReTain does not work as well on water stressed trees,…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Time to be thinking about ReTain in Vermont orchards<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Veraison: late season vineyard management<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Grapes are at or near veraison in Vermont vineyards, which signals the start of fruit ripening. This is an important time of year for a few activities. First, bird damage can be expected to begin and increase as fruit ripen. Birds will harvest your berries just a day or two before you\u2019re ready to, so…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Veraison: late season vineyard management<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Apple IPM: Foliar nutrient sampling, apple maggot, codling moth, wrapping up disease management<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

I\u2019m going to steal and repeat a line that one of our own growers shared recently: I hope everyone has all the equipment working flawlessly, all the mowing done, most of the spraying completed and is able to sit on the porch waiting for harvest to start unaided. With that said, there area few things…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Apple IPM: Foliar nutrient sampling, apple maggot, codling moth, wrapping up disease management<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: midsummer orchard management<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

One item that\u2019s at top of mind is the heat we are expecting early this week could provide substantial stress to trees, not to mention farmers and farm workers. Plan ahead and take care of yourselves. If you have irrigation, is should absolutely be running this week. Even with drip irrigation, well-watered trees will have…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: midsummer orchard management<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Apple IPM: early midsummer, AMF traps<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

The time has come (and I\u2019m actually a little late on this notice, so this shouldn\u2019t be delayed) to hang apple maggot fly (AMF) traps in Vermont orchards. These are some of the easiest pests to manage using an IPM strategy, so there\u2019s really no excuse. The idea is to assess the population in the…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Apple IPM: early midsummer, AMF traps<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Grape IPM: Disease on the horizon<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

The main management items that should be on the minds of growers right now are disease management, groundcover management, disease management, and maybe some insect management. Canopy management probably needs to wait a little bit. We have been seeing some symptoms of Phomopsis, a little black rot, and some downy mildew in the vineyards we…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Grape IPM: Disease on the horizon<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: Thinning, monitoring, and general management<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

We have a video up on YouTube this week if folks want to see what\u2019s going on in our orchard. -TB We are settling into summer mode in Vermont orchards. For most of us, the weekly disease management treadmill is behind us, as all overwintering apple scab ascospores have long been released, so as long…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: Thinning, monitoring, and general management<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Apple IPM: Quick codling moth alert<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

We caught our first codling moth in pheromone-baited Traps on May 20th, which set our biofix date for the degree day model used to track egg hatch and larval development. As of today we have reached the threshold for treatment in South Burlington, and will be treating our orchards tomorrow morning. It is important for…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Apple IPM: Quick codling moth alert<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Immediate prebloom in grapes<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Grape bloom is looming in many Vermont vineyards, and this is a critical time for disease and vine management. As we mention in our initial IPM strategy for winegrapes, all of the major diseases save for late-season fruit rots are sensitive to management right now. That means that fungicide applications should be made, using a…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Immediate prebloom in grapes<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: Thinning time<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Apple scab ascospore maturity models for essentially every weather station in the state indicates that we are at the end of the primary scab infection season. That means spores that could cause apple scab have matured and either has or likely will release after the next good wetting event. However, growers should maintain protective fungicide…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: Thinning time<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: Bloom-late bloom – petal fall considerations<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Given the long stretches of cool-to-cold weather, bloom has been stretched out all over the place in Vermont orchards. In warmer sites, apples are at petal fall, yet many trees in most sites are holding on to significant blossoms. Don\u2019t jump the gun on applying insecticides to your orchards, wait until petals are gone and…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: Bloom-late bloom – petal fall considerations<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Early season disease management in Vermont vineyards<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

With the heat this week things moved fast, vines at the UVM vineyard hover around 1-2 inches of growth and those at my house at 1440 feet in elevation are at bud burst. It\u2019s time to really be thinking about protecting vines from early season disease infections. Most cold-climate cultivars will not need disease protection…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Early season disease management in Vermont vineyards<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Apple IPM, approaching Bloom: Apple scab, fire blight, pollinationn and thinning<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Apple scab: With the rain that has started today and is expected to continue through Friday, I don\u2019t need to tell this audience that we are starting a significant apple scab infection period for orchards across the state. Please keep covered before and, if coverage was questionable, after extended wetting events. In addition to mancozeb…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Apple IPM, approaching Bloom: Apple scab, fire blight, pollinationn and thinning<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM- Bloom week for many orchards, apple scab ahead<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

This cool weather is certainly holding bud stages back from substantial development in Vermont. At the UVM horticulture research and Education Center, our zest stars are in full bloom, yet most all other varieties are at lake pink with only a few king blossoms showing. This bud stage has held for about 5 days with…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM- Bloom week for many orchards, apple scab ahead<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM- Thoughts headed into bloom<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Don\u2019t forget we are hosting two twilight meetings this week, please register here: Registration Link Star Grazer Farm (Liberty Orchard) 2481 West St, Brookfield, VT 05036 Thursday May 7, 4:00 -6:30 and Mad Tom Orchard 2615 Mad Tom Road, East Dorset VT 05253 Friday May 8, 4:00-6:30 The weather heading into bloom sure looks less-than…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM- Thoughts headed into bloom<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Twilight meetings May 7 and 8- PLANNING FOR ORCHARD SUCCESS (Brookfield and East Dorset, VT)<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Register here for one or both meetings, Registration Link PLANNING FOR ORCHARD SUCCESS: PEST, POLLINATOR, AND CROP MANAGEMENT DECISION MAKING Star Grazer Farm (Liberty Orchard) 2481 West St, Brookfield, VT 05036 Thursday May 7, 4:00 -6:30 and Mad Tom Orchard 2615 Mad Tom Road, East Dorset VT 05253 Friday May 8, 4:00-6:30 Join the Vermont…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Twilight meetings May 7 and 8- PLANNING FOR ORCHARD SUCCESS (Brookfield and East Dorset, VT)<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Grape IPM: Buds swelling, flea beetles, lime sulfur, weed management<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

With spring here, I recorded and posted a quick video in the UVM vineyard today, which you can see here: 4\/28\/2026 Vineyard walk. -TB Buds are swelling in Vermont vineyards. At the UVM Horticulture Research and Education Center in South Burlington, yesterday, bud stages sorted into two general categories. Most \u2018Minnesota\u2019 cultivars (Marquette, Brianna, Itasca,…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Grape IPM: Buds swelling, flea beetles, lime sulfur, weed management<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: Big apple scab event coming, recording scouting data in Farmable<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Here\u2019s a quick note with rain expected in the next few days. -TB With the dry weather that we’ve been experiencing the last week or so, we have had an extended time without apple scab infection periods. However, there has been significant development of ascospore maturity so the next substantial wetting event, which should occur…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: Big apple scab event coming, recording scouting data in Farmable<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Apple IPM: HIG – Tight Cluster in Vermont orchards<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

As we wrap up what could be a substantially damaging week for Vermont Apple Growers, I am heartened to have heard very little about damage from Monday night\u2019s frost event. (Please report any damage in your orchard here). That doesn’t mean that there isn’t damage out there\u2014 we have heard reports of substantial damage just…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Apple IPM: HIG – Tight Cluster in Vermont orchards<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Here we go again- Freeze damage assessment in Vermont orchards<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

I don\u2019t need to tell anyone that it was cold last night\u2014I am seeing 26\u00b0, 22\u00b0, 20\u00b0F from NEWA stations and hearing reports from growers of even colder temperatures down into the teens. That\u2019s not unheard of for mid-April, but depending on the bud stage of your trees, that\u2019s enough to cause substantial damage to…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Here we go again- Freeze damage assessment in Vermont orchards<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Cornell pink stage webinar this afternoon<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Passing on this announcement for a webinar to be held today at 1:00 PM. While we are a bit further behind in Vermont than in many areas of New York, this material will be relevant to all growers in our region. I\u2019ll be looking at buds in the next couple of days to assess potential…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Cornell pink stage webinar this afternoon<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Follow up: Anticipating frost and preventative measures to protect from it<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

I\u2019ve received more than one inquiry about what one can do now to help alleviate potential frost damage hat may occur in the next week or two. The specific question has come up about the application of kelp extract pre-bloom to provide some level of frost protection. I must confess that I am quite skeptical…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Follow up: Anticipating frost and preventative measures to protect from it<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

More information on use of Promalin to manage early-season frost damage on blossoms<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Passing this information on from Valent representative Jim Wargo. Keep in mind, the successful use of PGRs to offset frost damage is dependent on many factors, but ultimately hinges on sending a hormonal signal to receptive ovaries at the base of flower blossoms. Therefore application would be made later when trees are in early bloom.…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading More information on use of Promalin to manage early-season frost damage on blossoms<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Vermont Apple IPM: Green Tip<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Warm weather has substantially advanced bud stages on apples this week. In most of the production regions of the state, orchards are rapidly advancing through green tip and approaching or are at half-inch green. If you have any more than one \u201cmouse ear\u201d leaf showing from the developing buds, you should put the copper back…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Vermont Apple IPM: Green Tip<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

FREE: Introduction to FieldWatch Webinar April 21st -please share<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Introduction to FieldWatch Registries & DriftWatch Webinar April 21, 2026 noon-1pm Virtual via Zoom Review of a new platform to strengthen communication, promote cooperation, and connect crop producers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators. Registration is FREE! Please pre-register at: https:\/\/go.uvm.edu\/fieldwatch26 This program will provide pesticide recertification credits: 1.0 Vermont credit each (categories 1A,2,3A,3B,6,7B,10 & Private 1,2,3,4,5,6).…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading FREE: Introduction to FieldWatch Webinar April 21st -please share<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Start of the season: Early season copper on VT apples<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

With the warm weather coming in, we expect most Vermont orchards to be at green tip in the next few days if they have not gotten there yet. This is an ideal time to think about beginning your pest management season by applying a whole orchard copper spray. Copper should be applied to apples before…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Start of the season: Early season copper on VT apples<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

UVM Fruit Program\/VTFGA IPM Monitoring Program UPDATE and SIGN UP<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

This is a joint announcement from the UVM Fruit Program and the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association. We typically consider April 1 the \u2018start\u2019 of the apple growing season in Vermont, so here we are- trees still dormant, weather cold and damp, but green tip and the start of the 2026 crop right around the…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading UVM Fruit Program\/VTFGA IPM Monitoring Program UPDATE and SIGN UP<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

VT Veg and Berry Growers PYO website promotion<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Julie Callahan from the UVM Vegetable and Berry Team reached out to offer this opportunity to advertise your farms on their website. -TB VVBGA Pick Your Own website- Please create or update your listing! Last year, 723 people visited the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Pick Your Own website with almost 2,000 views of…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading VT Veg and Berry Growers PYO website promotion<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

“vineyard nutrition” EVEF webinar – March 3<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Passing on this webinar to anyone interested. These are great webinars that many may find useful. -TB Link: https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/advancements-in-grapevine-nutrition Description: Advancements in Grapevine Nutrition This session brings together four members of the USDA\/SCRI Hi-Res Vineyard Nutrition Project to share concise research updates and practical deliverables that support balanced grapevine nutrition in commercial vineyards. Presenters will…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading “vineyard nutrition” EVEF webinar – March 3<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n

Follow up from 2\/20 VTFGA \/ UVM Fruit meeting<\/a><\/h3>
Terence Bradshaw<\/span><\/a><\/div>

Thanks, everyone, who made it out to the 130th annual VTFGA \/ UVM Fruit Meeting yesterday in Middlebury, VT. We just avoided the snow until the end, and I\u2019m sure at least a few including myself had dicey drives home. We appreciate the effort and participation. For those who attended on Zoom, I\u2019m glad we…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading Follow up from 2\/20 VTFGA \/ UVM Fruit meeting<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n<\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10893,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2246","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P4nZlV-Ae","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10893"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2246"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2249,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2246\/revisions\/2249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/fruit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}