Horticulture
Beginning Growers
- Apple Orchard Information for Beginners
- Introduction to Apple Horticulture in Vermont by Terence Bradshaw. General Introductory information for beginning and veteran apple growers in Vermont.
- UMASS Extension Pruning Fruit Trees in the Home Garden. Fact Sheet C-108. W. Lord & J. Anderson.
General
- Fact Sheet: Weed Management in Vermont Apple Orchards -Terence Bradshaw
- Apple Botany and History -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Back to Basics -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Critical Spring Temperatures Blossom Buds, Apples, etc. (WSU)
- Critical Spring Temperatures Fruit Bud Development Stages (MSU)
- VIDEO: Summer tips (Michigan State University)
- Frost and Cold Hardiness Considerations in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Bud Stage Criteria
- Organic: Practical Guide for Organic Apple Production -Organic Horticulture
Cultivars, Rootstocks
- Dr. Terence Robinson's 2006 VTFGA presentation on Apple Varieties and Rootstocks - note that this is a large file and will take some time to download.
- Summary of UVM Apple Cultivar Evaluation (1995 NE-183 planting):1998-2000
- Summary of UVM Apple Rootstock Evaluation (1992 NC-140 planting)
- Cold Hardiness -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- VIDEO: Apple varieties(Pennsylvania State University)
- VIDEO: Early fuji varieties(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Cameo on different rootstocks(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Liberty University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Crimson Topaz(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Silken and Lindamac(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Sansa, Ginger Gold, Zestar!(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Slender-axis McIntosh and Lindamac(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: General Pruning Basics (University of Vermont)
- Scab-resistant Apple Cultivars
- Potential Apple Rootstocks for Vermont, prepared by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Potential Apple Cultivars for Vermont, prepared by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Evaluation of Scab Resistant cultivars (SRC) Final Report written in 1997 may provide valuable insights into whether they are appropriate for your situation
- Update on Scab-Resistant Cultivars and Advanced Selections for Consideration in New Plantings by Dr. David Rosenberger, 1995
- Rootstocks and Cultivars in Vermont Apple Orchards
Planting, Pruning
- Dr. Terence Robinson's 2006 VTFGA presentation on Modern Apple Training Systems- note that this is a large file and will take some time to download.
- Pruning -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia -; ; Cold Hardiness;Light Interception of Apple Tree Canopies; ;
- Topworking Apple Trees -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Light Interception of Apple Tree Canopies -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- VIDEO: T-budding (Pennsylvania State University)
- VIDEO: Breeding (University of Minnesota)
- VIDEO: Planting (University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Cutting scion wood(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK)
- VIDEO: Cleft graft(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK))
- VIDEO: Rind graft (bark graft)(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK))
- VIDEO: Saddle graft(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK))
- VIDEO: Whip and tongue graft(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK))
- VIDEO: Chip budding(Fruitwise Heritage Apples (UK)
- VIDEO: Planting tall-spindle(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Tall-spindle fruit 2nd leaf Honeycrisp(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Tall-spindle fruit 2nd leaf many varieties(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: BA Promalin) to enhance branching(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Training University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: How NOT to trellis(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Summer pruning(Michigan State University)
- VIDEO: Pruning tall-spindle(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Pruning central-leader(University of Massachusetts)
- High Density Tall Spindle Apple Research and Demonstration
- Site Selection and Preparation in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Tree Training and Planting Systems in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Organic: Planting OrganicA Orchard 4: A High-Density Planting with Scab-Resistant Cultivars
- Pictorial Guide to Planting an Orchard - A step-by-step narrative including some of the steps during first-year maintenance.
- Pictorial Guide to Top-Grafting an Orchard - A step-by-step narrative. Top-grafting is the process of changing a tree from one cultivar to another by means of grafting. It is done in the spring, shortly before new growth starts.
Pollination, Thinning
- Presentation: Pollinator Protection Efforts in Vermont: UVM IPM Program & VT Pollinator Protection Committee. Lecture to Greater Cabot Working Landscape Committee, Cabot VT. 01/24/2019.
- VIDEO: Summer thinning(Michigan State University)
- VIDEO: Young thinning gauge(University of Massachusetts)
- Crop Load Management in Vermont Apple Orchards
Soil, Water, Nutrients
- Labs to send Soil and Leaf Samples for Analysis.(1) University of Maine Analytical Lab: http://anlab.umesci.maine.edu/(2)University of Massachusetts Soil and Tissue Testing Lab: http://soiltest.umass.edu/ (3) Cornell Nutrient Analysis Lab: http://cnal.cals.cornell.edu/
- Dr. Renae Moran's 2010 VTFGA presentation on Apple Tree Nutrition
- Calcium Use in Apples -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- VIDEO: Benefits of Mulching (University of Nebraska)
- VIDEO: Orchard soil health protocol (Cornell University)
- Orchard Nutrition prepared by Dr. M. Elena Garcia
- Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Trees in Vermont
- Groundcover Management in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Organic Matter: Fuel for Your Soil - Soil organic matter is the heart of a healthy productive soil. Fertility, water availability, susceptibility of erosion, soil compaction, and even resistance to disease all depend on soil organic matter!
- Organic: Practical Guide for Organic Apple Production -Organic Soil Health & Groundcover Management
Harvest
- VIDEO: How to harvest and store apples (University of Maine)
- VIDEO: Ripeness (University of Maine)
- Harvest and Postharvest Considerations in Vermont Apple Orchards
Integrated Pest Management
General
- How to Use NEWA - An Instructional Video
- How to Use NEWA Printable Handout
- NEWA - Tools for IPM by Dr. Juliet Carroll, Cornell University, VTFGA/UVM Apple Workshop Presentation, Feb. 8, 2011
- Cornell's Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Tree Fruit Production
- Penn State University Tree Fruit Production Guide
- Scaffolds Fruit Journal
- VIDEO: Orchard IPM(University of Wisconsin)
- VIDEO: Common sense IPM(University of Nebraska)
- VIDEO: Summer tips (Michigan State University)
- VIDEO: Organic Apple Production - A Beginner's Guide (ATTRA)
- An IPM Checklist for Vermont
- Organic: An Organic IPM Checklist for Vermont
- Key Insect and Disease Pests of Apples (Michigan State University Extension)
- Pest Management Considerations in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Organic: Practical Guide for Organic Apple Production -Organic Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Insects
- 2018 IPM 'Quick' Summary for Monitoring Apple Arthropod Pests
- Brown Marmorated Stinkbug in Vermont
- Does Surround Have Non-target Impacts on New England Orchards?
- Fact Sheets with color pictures (NYS IPM Program website)
- Apple IPM Manual: A Guide for Sampling and Managing Major Apple Pests in New York State ( NYS IPM Program website)
- Additional pictures and information on Insect Pests of Apples (Website on the Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide)
- Semiochemicals and their Use in Mating Disruption,Dr. Douglas Pfeiffer, VPI
- Early Season Pests by Dr. Art Agnello, Cornell University, VTFGA/UVM Apple Workshop Presentation, Feb. 8, 2011
- Summer Pests by Dr. Art Agnello, Cornell University, VTFGA/UVM Apple Workshop Presentation, Feb. 8, 2011
- "OP Alternatives in Apple Arthropod Management" by Dr. Art Agnello, Cornell University,VTFGA/UVM AppleWorkshop Presentation, Feb. 26, 2008
- VIDEO: Oil sprays, tarnished plant bug (TPB) sprays(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Oblique banded leafroller (OBLR) traps(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Leafminer and TPB traps (University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Insect traps(University of Nebraska)
Diseases
- A Quicker Way to Determine Scab Risk in Your Orchard-- Lorraine Berkett, Proceedings of the 2003 New England Fruit School and Trade Show,Jan. 8-9, 2003, Sturbridge, MA., Vol. 109.
- Link to Market Diseases of Apples, Pears, and Quinces,Agricultural Handbook #376 (currently out of print; internet version has excellent photographs and descriptions)
- Fact Sheets with color pictures (NYS IPM Program website)
- Gallery of Disease Images of Tree Fruit Diseases (West Virginia University website)
- VIDEO: Fire blight(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Save early scab season sprays(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Potential Ascospore Dose (PAD) for scab(University of Massachusetts)
- VIDEO: Common diseases(University of Nebraska)
- Evaluation of Scab Resistant cultivars (SRC) Final Report written in 1997 may provide valuable insights into whether they are appropriate for your situation
- Update on Scab-Resistant Cultivars and Advanced Selections for Consideration in New Plantings by Dr. David Rosenberger, 1995
Beneficial Insects
- Beneficial Insect and Mites in Ontario Orchards (Factsheet with excellent pictures)
- Achieving Biological Control of the European Red Mite in Northeast Apple Orchards,NYS IPM Program
- Predatory Mites , NYS IPM Program
- Beneficial Insects, NYS IPM Program
- Predators of Aphids and Mites ( Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide)
- Leafminer parasitoid- P.ornigis ( Bio.Control:A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America website)
- Aphid predator- lacewings ( Bio.Control:A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America website)
- Encouraging Biological Control in Vermont: The T.pyri Project, 1996-1997
- The T.pyri Project - 1998 Vermont Update
Pesticides, Spraying
- A Method to Measure the Environmental Impact of Pesticides, NYS IPM Program
- VIDEO: Sprayer calibration part 1, part 2(Cornell University)
- VIDEO: Personal protective equipment (PPE) for spraying(Michigan State University)
- Sprayer Calibration (from 1996/97 New England Apple Pest Management Guide)
- Organic: Practical Guide for Organic Apple Production -Organic Orchard Equipment
Organic
- Practical Guide for Organic Apple Production
- Apples: Organic Production Guide from the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America (ATTRA)website.
- Considerations in Organic Apple Production from the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America (ATTRA)website.
- Organic and Low Spray Apple Production from the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America(ATTRA) website.
- What "Organically-Grown" Means -- according to the EPA
- The USDA National Organic Program website
Cider
- Fact Sheet: Long-Term Contracts in the UK Cider Industry -Florence Becot, Terence Bradshaw, and David Conner
- Fact Sheet: Cost of Production, Prices, and Economic Performance for the Cider Market in Vermont -Florence Becot, Terence Bradshaw, and David Conner
General
- Cider Research in the U.S.
- Cider Research at Washington State University
- Food Safety Considerations in Vermont Apple Orchards
- Commercial Production of Unpasteurized and Fermented Ciders in Vermont note: this reference was written in 2010 prior to the implementation of several important food safety regulations, and thus, should be considered as a general reference and not a guidance document.
Cider Maker and Grower Meeting
at Woodchuck Cidery, Middlebury VT -June 28, 2016
- Cider Apple Evaluations in Vermont-Terence Bradshaw, UVM Tree Fruit & Viticulture Specialist
- Growing Apples for the Cider Industry: Does the Math Add Up? -Florence Becot, UVM Dept Community Development & Applied Economics
- Developing Evaluation Programs to Improve cider Making -Chris Gerling, Cornell Enology Extension Laboratory, NYSAES, Geneva
Working Lands Enterprise Fund Project Meeting
at Vermont Hard Cider, Middlebury VT -March 30, 2015
- Cider Apple Research at UVM & other Land Grants -Terence Bradshaw, UVM Tree Fruit & Viticulture Specialist
- Market Opportunities and Challenges for Cider Apple Production in VT: Results from the 2014 WLEF Survey -Florence Becot, UVM Dept Community Development & Applied Economics
- The Cider Industry -Dan Rowell, VT Hard Cider Company
- Cider Apple Production: The U.K. Perspective -Neil MacDonald, Director, Orchard Groundworks, Somerset U.K.
- Basic Laboratory Analysis of Fruit for Cidermaking -Ben Calvi, VT Hard Cider Company
- Evaluation of Research Ciders from the VT Working Lands Enterprise Fund Project: Apple Market Optimization and Expansion through Value-Added Hard Cider Production -Moderated by Terence Bradshaw, UVM
Food Safety
- FDA website
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) General Information
- Succinct Guidance:
Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption:What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Guidance for Industry
Small Entity Compliance Guide ( pdf file) - Safe Consumption of Apple Juice and Apple Cider -University of Georgia Extension
- Cornell National GAPs Program Educational Materials
- Food Safety Considerations in Vermont Apple Orchards
Economics & Marketing
- Economic Significance of Organic FruitProduction in New England, the US, and the World
- Human Resource Considerations In Hiring by Jericho Bicknell,UVM Extension Risk Management Coordinator