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
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
