February 1, 2026

Horticulture/Viticulture

Featured stories about horticulture and viticulture topics — and more — in this issue.

February 1, 2026 — Digital Issue

A young pear orchard represents an investment in the future at Dorenberg Orchards in Lake Country, British Columbia, in July. Across the Okanagan Valley, growers have been grappling with years of uncertainty, marked by climate and economic challenges, but innovative growers are investing in their futures. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

BC tree fruit industry innovation

Andrew Schultz shares his vision for Elephant Mountain Vineyards, where his wine career began, after buying the site to support his crew and business. (Kate Prengaman/Good Fruit Grower)

New owner returns to his roots with vineyard purchase

Fuji harvest in a Riveridge Produce V-trellis block in Grant, Michigan, October 2023. A Michigan State University cost-of-production study reported harvest makes up 36 percent of an average Michigan farm’s production costs. (Matt Milkovich/Good Fruit Grower)

Penciling out profitable plantings

Daniel Ross of Seso, an agribusiness labor company, shares some tips for growers applying for H-2A workers for the 2026 season, in the wake of changes to the visa program, while speaking at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting in Wenatchee in December. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Working through changes with the H-2A program

Michigan State University viticulture professor Paolo Sabbatini recommended cane pruning in two passes during a Great Lakes EXPO educational session. He suggested leaving extra canes early in the season, as insurance, then selecting the most viable canes later in the season. (Courtesy Paolo Sabbatini/Michigan State University)

Rethinking the rules for various vineyard regions

Greg Lang, professor emeritus of Michigan State University, discusses the changing horticultural strategies of tree fruit during his Batjer Address at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s annual meeting in December in Wenatchee, Washington. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

New day for old idea in cherry crop load management — Video

New findings from Washington State University show that while systemic insecticide programs keep populations of grape mealybugs, Pseudococcus maritimus, low, they can’t actually prevent transmission of grapevine leafroll disease. (Courtesy USDA Agricultural Research Service)

Tarara: New tools for grape growers

1983: Corrective pruning program needed to eliminate shading

1946: Apple Tree Leaves Factory For Fruit

Marcelle-Marie Hanekom, a young grower from Porterville, South Africa