Life After Apple Harvest

Apple harvest is on the home stretch, and soon all those delicious fruit will be safely in storage. So it's time to kick back and relax - right? Sorry, no, there's lots to be done to ready the orchard for next year before that happens.

After juice apples are picked up, orchard sod needs to be mowed short. This encourages hawks and other predators who hunt for mice and voles. Bait stations need to be filled, especially when sunny skies are forecast. Clean up wood piles around the orchard, as these encourage rodents to overwinter.

Fall is an ideal time to start managing weeds for next season. Perennial weeds can be spot sprayed with glyphosate, even after a light frost. Lontrel and 2,4-D under trees can be very effective on broadleaf weeds over the next month. Climbing woody vines like wild grapes and poison ivy can be cut and stems treated to prevent re-growth.

Applying urea sprays on apple leaves encourages faster breakdown, which will reduce problems with scab next year. Mix 5 lb in 100 gal and direct it to the orchard floor after leaf fall, or directly on the leaves just as they drop. This treatment could also be done next spring if the weather doesn't co-operate now.

After these sprays are done, sprayers need to be winterized. Thorough cleaning, draining of pumps and lines, or addition of anti-freeze are a must to prevent damage. Now is a good time to make repairs, update nozzles and make adjustments and improvements.

Irrigation systems need the same attention to prevent damage. Thoroughly drain all water from lines and pumps as well as fertigation units. Your rodent reduction program is important here too.

Perhaps the most important thing is to write down some notes on the results of your season, and improvements to make next year. Note where pest problems occurred, including where new pests or weeds have appeared. Make notes on the results of your thinning program so you can make adjustments for next year. Complete your food safety records, including pesticide and other inputs. Note any fruit quality problems or where labour efficiencies can be improved.

Your thoughts recorded when harvest is fresh in your mind might be invaluable next season. Good harvesting as we wrap us this year's crop.