Late Sanitation for Disease Management
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Fall has finally arrived, and with it, an excessive number of rainstorms and wet weather. Such weather can greatly favor late season diseases such as fruit rots and lead to the accumulation of inoculum for apple scab and Marssonina leaf blotch. While getting tractors into the orchards is still possible, there are opportunities to do some sanitation and significantly reduce disease pressure for next spring. It may be feasible to capitalize on any available labor that might be there for the harvest. Overall, fungal disease pressure was light in 2022, but there may still be some late season apple scab and Marssonina leaf blotch that could lead to increased disease pressure in the following spring.
Late Sanitation for Disease Management (pdf; 376KB)

Upcoming Events
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
Champlain Valley Orchard Storage Meeting
August 26, 2026
Chazy, NY
Join various experts from Cornell and Cooperative Extension at an orchard storage meeting for the Champlain Valley in Chazy from 1 to 4PM on August 26th. Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
