Using Sous-Vide Machines for Hot Water Seed Treatment
Elisabeth Hodgdon, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Hot water seed treatment is a task that often falls on the list of "should do's" in the winter and early spring, but sometimes falls by the wayside. Treating seeds in a hot water bath can help prevent serious bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases by killing pathogens harbored within the seed. The practice is recommended for both seed collected on the farm and purchased from commercial sources. However, it's sometimes difficult to know which seeds to invest in treating, and whether it's worth the time or cost. In the past, hot water seed treatment at home meant investing in rather costly laboratory hot water baths or taking a chance on less reliable stovetop methods. With the popularity and availability of "sous vide" machines, hot water seed treatment is easier, and more predictable than ever.
Using Sous-Vide Machines for Hot Water Seed Treatment (pdf; 197KB)

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March 10, 2026 : New Farm Manager Skills Day - Get the Tools You Need to Grow Your People
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SPARC WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
March 11, 2026
As part of our multi-state SPARC SCRI project on mitigating orchard heat and cold stress, the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School will focus on understanding and managing heat-related challenges in apple and pear production. The program brings together research-based insights and applied discussions on sunburn physiology and mitigation, red color development in apples and pears, and the impacts of heat on postharvest storage and fruit quality. Each session will include an expert presentation, followed by a panel discussion with panelists from across the US.
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